Some wound fluid (exudate) drainage will occur and be visible in the dressing. > This is normal and expected and does not mean it needs to be changed. Wound exudate moves through the perforations in the bottom layer of the Tegaderm Absorbent. Wound exudate is absorbed and locked into the clear acrylic polmer pad.
What if fluid collects under the dressing? Amber/red fluid will collect under this dressing and you will be able to see it. As long as the dressing remains occlusive, and no drainage comes out, there is little concern about infection. The fluid is produced by your body, and is a natural response to the wound.
Depending on how saturated your tattoo is (does it have a lot of black areas in it?) you may form a large bubble of fluid underneath your Saniderm. This is normal -- it's just your plasma collecting. Do not pop this bubble or you risk allowing bacteria to enter underneath your Saniderm. Keep an eye on it.
Your body excreting plasma and “weeping” is a completely normal beginning to the tattoo healing process. However, excessive weeping may negatively affect the adhesion of the bandage. If you are experiencing excessive weeping, you will simply need to clean the tattooed area more often than normal.
Plasma is a yellowish-clear fluid that is a natural part of your body's healing process and helps regenerate your tattooed skin. Pus, on the other hand, is thicker and has increased redness around the tattoo, swelling, pain, and a foul odor.
If for some reason the liquid leaks out the bottom of the saniderm, or there is a puncture made in the plastic, please remove the saniderm immediately and care for your tattoo using the directions provided below. After four days, the best way to remove your saniderm is to slowly peel it off in the shower.
A tattoo ink sack is a buildup of ink-stained plasma fluid underneath the clear protective sheet (called Saniderm) that your tattoo artist applied to your tattoo at the end of your appointment. It might look like a big blister, but it's not your skin.
Be sure to keep an eye on your Tegaderm to make sure nothing gets trapped beneath it. If the fluid starts to leak out of the bandage or a foreign substance does get trapped under it, carefully remove the bandage, wash your tattoo, and begin your regular aftercare.
Tegaderm (Saniderm)
Tegaderm is a sterile, breathable, waterproof, germ-proof barrier to protect your new tattoo. Leave the Tegaderm on for 5 days and do not lift, change, or remove it. Tegaderm will protect your tattoo from infection, abrasion, irritation and contamination while healing.
Some of our artists will provide you with a Tegaderm (also known as Saniderm or Tattooderm) bandage. This method of healing is a little different, so it's important to follow these steps. Tegaderm is a sterile, breathable, waterproof, germ-proof barrier to protect your new tattoo.
Healing With Saniderm
Alternatively, if the fluid that collected beneath your Saniderm has dried out or has become itchy or uncomfortable, it is perfectly okay to remove the bandage and begin washing/caring for your tattoo -- even if this happens before the 3-5 day mark!
Use your clean hands, not a washcloth or towel. Chances are, it's a gross, gooey mess of blood, ink, lymph, and plasma. It's important to clean all of this off, as the plasma will harden and cause excessive scabbing on your tattoo, which might complicate the healing process.
6 Precautions: • Nexcare™ Tegaderm™ Transparent Dressing is NOT to be used on dirty, contaminated, bleeding, infected, or punctured wounds. Consult your medical provider if you notice any itching, burning, rash, or signs of infection: fever, pain, redness, or swelling.
If it does leak out (and the seal between the second skin and your skin is broken), remove the bandage and continue with aftercare as instructed below.
If there is so much fluid buildup under Saniderm that you suspect the bandage may begin to leak or burst, you can remove it and apply a new bandage. Because a new tattoo is an open wound that is secreting blood and lymph fluid, you may find that your new tattoo smells bad underneath the bandage.
ACCELERATE THE TATTOO HEALING PROCESS – Saniderm tattoo care bandages help prevent scabbing, which means accelerated tattoo healing and less irritation. Less scabbing also means the risk of damaging your tattoo is greatly reduced.
Signs of a tattoo infection may appear across the entire tattoo or only within specific colors. They can include: Bumps on your skin (papules) that sometimes contain pus (pustules). Nodules, bumps on or below your skin that are larger than papules.
Saniderm / Second Skin Bandage:
(If the bandage begins to leak, you must remove the bandage and follow the standard aftercare instructions listed below). After 3-4 days, remove the Saniderm bandage gently under warm running water.
Tegaderm holds in the body's natural moisture and healing enzymes, allowing the body to heal itself in the most efficient manner possible. After skin has been injured, healing elements are produced to help break down dead tissue and rebuild new tissue.
NOTES ON SANIDERM
It's normal to experience a buildup of fluid beneath the Saniderm. This fluid is primarily comprised of plasma and ink, and may be thick and dark in color; this is normal, and not a cause for concern.
General Saniderm aftercare:
Tattoo will look fuzzy and full of liquid under bandage; this is normal as the tattoo will continue to weep and release ink and fluid for 12-24 hours after initial session. The degree of fluid will depend partially on how heavily the tattoo was shaded.
Until the surface of the tattoo is healed (at a minimum of two to three weeks), wash the area gently 2-3 times per day. After cleaning the tattoo during this two to three week period, gently apply a thin coat of a lotion-based care product. We recommend After Inked tattoo moisturizer and aftercare lotion.
In the first twenty-four hours there may be a build up of blood, ink, and/or plasma underneath the Saniderm. This is completely normal. You do not want to leave the build up for more than one day. Remove Saniderm when there is build up, clean and dry the tattooed area and re-apply.