The artist applied a bandage. Now what? How long to leave Second Skin on a tattoo?
SecondSkin is a type of latex-free, breathable, waterproof wrapping. Similar products include Saniderm and Tegaderm.
All three are medical-grade and transparent so that you can keep an eye on your tattoo. They have adhesive, but it won’t damage the skin or remove the ink.
Many tattoo artists are recommending covering a new tattoo with a bandage like this for the first week. It keeps the skin moist and protects against friction, bacteria, and dirt. It also keeps clothing, bedding, and towels free from blood and ink.
Instead of dry healing a tattoo and running the risk of damaging the design, wet healing with a bandage like this is ideal for wound care.
Let’s talk about how to use SecondSkin and similar tattoo aftercare products.
How to use SecondSkin, Saniderm, or Tegaderm on a tattoo
Once the artist has completed the tattoo, they may put ointment on it. Watch closely as they apply the bandage.
They remove the backing and smooth the bandage over the skin, removing air bubbles as they go.
At this point, it’s up to you how long you leave it on. You might decide to go home, wash, and re-bandage after a few hours. Or you might leave SecondSkin on for up to twenty-four hours.
Keep an eye on it. If there’s a buildup of plasma, blood, or ink, or the bandage stops adhering, it’s time for a change.
How to remove a bandage from a tattoo
First, wash your hands. Get the tattoo aftercare soap and fresh paper towels ready.
Remove the bandage slowly, working from the edge and pulling across the skin. Use the other hand to press down on the unaffected skin to hold it taut.
If you have trouble removing the bandage, dampen it with water.
How to apply a fresh bandage to a tattoo
Wash the tattoo with antibacterial soap and lukewarm water. Don’t submerge the skin or hold it under the running faucet to avoid damaging the ink.
Pat the skin dry and apply a product like Saniderm roll-on. Then put on a clean bandage, covering the tattoo completely and leaving an extra inch of bandage as a border.
The advantage of SecondSkin, Saniderm, and Tegaderm vs. cling wrap
Plastic wrap, also known as cling film, doesn’t provide the same benefits as a medical-grade bandage.
The bandage is a barrier to germs and water, but it allows oxygen to reach the skin. It also lets excess moisture evaporate. This transfer of oxygen and moisture is ideal for wound healing.
Moreover, SecondSkin and similar products allow you to shower without worrying about trapping water underneath the bandage. You can dry off with a regular towel and dress without rubbing your tattoo the wrong way.
On the other hand, cling wrap will cause the skin to shrivel and suffocate. It doesn’t stay in place very well, either.
What to do if the tattoo is leaking or if there’s blood under SecondSkin
If you see that the tattoo is leaking under SecondSkin, it’s time to change the bandage. This is normal during the first couple of days (especially if the tattoo has a lot of shading or color) as the skin will release ink, plasma, and sometimes blood.
Remove it, cleanse the skin, and re-bandage.
Blue Green Foam Soap
When it’s time to change the bandage, use antibacterial soap to reduce the risk of infection.
When you wash the skin with H2Ocean’s soap, it calms redness and inflammation. It’s pleasant to use as it’s a gentle foam that rinses clean.
Saniderm Tattoo Bandage
Saniderm’s tattoo bandage is one of the best things to put on a new tattoo. It provides superior protection without damaging the ink or the skin. Therefore, it improves the healing process, making it more comfortable.
Furthermore, it’s latex-free and eco-friendly. It’s available in pre-cut bandages or rolls.
Like SecondSkin, Saniderm needs to be changed after twenty-four hours on a new tattoo, or sooner if fluid builds up.
Once you wash the tattoo, apply Sanibalm before replacing the bandage. (More on this product in a moment). It helps keep the tattoo adhesive from sticking to the skin.
Then, wear the bandage for up to six days more, for a total of seven days. That’s the maximum time that Saniderm recommends using the tattoo wrap.
You can shower with it and go about regular activities, knowing that your tattoo is protected.
Sanibalm Tattoo Aftercare Roll-On Balm
Once you change the bandage, use this tattoo balm to soothe the skin and accelerate healing. It helps regenerate the skin at a cellular level.
The balm is enriched with sea buckthorn, one of the best sources of omega-7. It has no artificial preservatives or parabens.
Reviewers say that it soothes itching and inflammation and helps their tattoos heal in record time.
Enjoy it for tattoo aftercare whether or not you choose to use the Saniderm bandage.
3M Health Care Tegaderm
If you can’t find SecondSkin or Saniderm, 3M’s Tegaderm is pretty much the same thing. It’s a tattoo bandage that seals out germs and water yet allows the skin to breathe (1).
Users say it seems to slow down the tattoo healing process at first, but only because it prevents scabbing. That’s a good thing, as scabs can tighten the skin and alter the tattoo’s appearance.
When you use this bandage, and the tattoo finally peels, it’s not as painful or itchy.
Choose from rolls or pre-cut dressings depending on the size of the tattoo.
Ora’s Amazing Herbal Tattoo Salve
When SecondSkin comes off, you still need to keep the tattoo clean and moisturized to help it heal correctly and quickly.
A natural product like this balm soothes and softens itchy skin. It contains several of the best essential oils for tattoo healing.
It’s made in small batches from organic ingredients like coconut oil, rosemary, and tea tree. These fight infection and keep tattoo ink vibrant.
We hope you learned what you needed to know about how long to leave a bandage on a new tattoo.
Proper tattoo aftercare isn’t much of a hassle when you’ve got SecondSkin or Saniderm to speed up healing.
Check with us again soon to find the answers you want to know about tattooing and piercing.
Source:
1. https://www.saulerinstitute.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/PostProceduralCare-3.pdf accessed January 20, 2021