Leave the bandage overnight or 12 hours / *or 24-48 hours for SANIDERM
Immediately after the bandage is taken off, gently wash your tattoo with CLEAN HANDS, warm water and gentle unscented liquid soap. Make a lather in your hand, and use a circular motion with your fingertips to cleanse the tattoo, removing all ointment, blood, and plasma. Rinse thoroughly and allow the tattoo to completely dry
Apply a SMALL amount of alcohol-free unscented salve or moisturizer. (like H2Ocean, Aquaphor, Lubriderm, Curel, Hustle Butter, or just plain Coconut Oil - do not use Vaseline, petroleum products - they will not let the tattoo dry out or breathe.)
- For the first 48 hours wash your new tattoo at least 3 times a day. Allow the area to air dry before applying a SMALL amount of alcohol-free unscented salve or moisturizer. You do not want to over moisturize your new tattoo.
-For the next few days, wash your tattoo and use moisturizer sparingly twice a day.
-DO NOT scrub off flaky skin or scabs in the shower, DO NOT pick or scratch at your tattoo, leave it be and allow scabs or flakes to shed on their own.
- Wear loose, clean, breathable clothing over the fresh tattoo.
-Avoid direct sun for 2 weeks, avoid hot tubs and baths for at least 1 week, showers are fine.
- Do not shave over your new tattoo for at least two weeks, until there is no scabbing, peeling or shininess on or around the site of the tattoo
Your new tattoo may be sore for the rest of the day, or for the next few days. It may look red and swollen, and the area will also likely feel warm to the touch due to the increased blood flow to the area. This is your body’s way of healing itself by flooding the area with oxygenated blood and nutrients.
Tattoo Aftercare w/ Bandage
What to expect while healing:
Your tattoo will take about 2-4 weeks to heal. It will be tender for the first few days, it may develop light scabs and appear dry, this is OK! The scabs or dry skin will eventually flake off, don’t soak them in ointment or lotion, it’s important to let the tattoo be somewhat dry and breathe during this period. The tattoo may look light or discolored, this is normal, and part of the healing process. The last stage of healing your tattoo it may look shiny or waxy, that means its healing, great job!
Directions:
1)- Leave the bandage on for anywhere between 3-6 hours.
2)- Wash your hands first then remove the bandage and do not re-bandage it. If the bandage feels stuck while removing it, soak It in warm water and it will help it slide off.
3)- Wash the tattoo firmly, it will feel slimy, but do your best to rinse away most of the sliminess (this is blood & plasma, lessening the amount on the surface of your skin should reduce the chance of scabbing) using mild soap and warm water, rinse the tattoo off and pat dry with a clean paper towel.
4)- Always make sure to wash your hands before touching your healing tattoo! Keep the tattoo area clean and on day 3 you can start to apply your favorite unscented lotion. Don’t over lotion your tattoo, just a 2-3 times a day should be sufficient. Avoid a sticky layer of lotion on your skin. Use just enough to absorb into your tattoo.
Do’s and Don’ts for healing tattoos:
You can shower as normal, but for at least the first 2-3 weeks of the healing period, do not submerge or soak your tattoo in any way. No swimming, hot tubs or saunas, it will interfere with the healing process and could cause infection or scarring.
Don’t expose your tattoo to direct sunlight for at least the first 2 weeks of the healing period, keep it covered with clothing. After your tattoo is healed please wear sunscreen on it to prevent fading and sun damage.
Don’t wear tight, dirty or irritating clothing over your tattoo while it’s healing.
Strenuous exercise or excessive sweating for the first week after your appointment are discouraged.
Do not let pets touch your fresh ink! No licks or cuddles with your healing tattoo!
Don’t pick your tattoo, if you have scabbing, let them fall off naturally. If your tattoo itches, lightly wash it and put lotion on to relieve it.
Continue caring for the tattoo by washing and moisturizing as needed, until the tattoo is fully healed. The tattoo may appear to be fully healed on the surface, however, deeper layers of skin will still be repairing for 2-4 months. We recommend a good moisturizing & sunscreen regimen for this entire period. A good example of a fragrance free moisturizer to use is Lubriderm w/ a light coating of sunscreen for added protection.
*If you do not take proper care of your tattoo there is a risk of infection. If you think your tattoo might be infected, please contact a healthcare professional as antibiotics may be necessary. Signs of an infection can include swelling, pain, oozing, irritation and/or redness
Saniderm seals in the plasma and keeps it in its liquid form, while still allowing your tattoo to breathe—another stage vital to the healing process. By keeping plasma in its liquid stage, it allows the fluid to do its basic function and heal the body through the use of its varied hormones and proteins. In its liquid form, plasma does not create the scabbing effect.
Plasma, the liquid component of blood, makes up approximately 55% of your blood volume in the body. This liquid gold contains dissolved proteins, glucose, electrolytes, hormones, oxygen, carbon dioxide, and most importantly, clotting factors. Its main purpose is to haul these substances to the areas of the body which are most in need.
When your body is injured—the plasma is then sent to the surface of the skin to be utilized for its clotting properties. Here it oozes through the injury, creating a barrier. This barrier begins to dry and harden, developing a scab. Doing so stops blood flow and seals off the body from the risk of infection while the nutrients and proteins in this important fluid begin to do their job—heal the injury.
It’s totally normal for your tattoo to leak plasma as it heals and scabs. This leaking will happen within the first 24 to 48 of getting the tattoo. Additionally, if not maintained well, your tattoo can start to bubble (known as tattoo bubbling), increasing the risk of damaging the tattoo and getting an infection.
Of course, scabbing during a tattoo is often something we want to avoid—so how do we utilize the healing properties of plasma without creating the dreaded scab? By preventing the fluid to dry, of course.
