Saniderm/ Tegaderm Medical Bandage

•I highly recommend using Saniderm, Tegaderm, or any other transparent adhesive medical bandage for healing your tattoo. Further information can be found in the video below.

•You can apply a bandage as soon as one hour after your tattoo. Please be advised if you do so, there is a possibility that this bandage will fill up with blood and plasma, and is perfectly normal. If excessive fluid buildup occurs you will want to remove, wash and reapply a new bandage. Waiting to apply the bandage for a few hours, will ensure longevity of the application. It is also possible to apply this bandage before you go to sleep the first evening, or even in the morning when you wake up, to ensure less fluid retention. Please care for your tattoo in the traditional manner, until you decide to use the bandage.

•Before applying the bandage, gently wash the area with warm water, and a mild liquid unscented soap. (Dial gold, Dr. Bronner‘s etc.)

•Pat dry with a clean paper towel, and let air dry for a half an hour or more before applying the bandage. DO NOT apply any ointment/lotion, before applying the bandage. It is critical that the tattoo and surrounding area is dry. You may want to shave the surrounding area with a clean razor to insure easy removal of the bandage.

•Practice before you apply. If it’s your first time using this bandage, it may be a little tricky to work with. It doesn’t hurt to practice with a small section first, just make sure you shave the area.

•Size and cut the bandage to allow at least a 1 inch border around the tattoo itself. The bandage will not stick to the tattoo, and will need clean skin around the tattoo, to adhere to.  When cutting the bandage for application, remember that rounded corners provide the best adhesion. It is OK when using multiple bandages to overlap them by a 1/2 an inch, to ensure full coverage. 

•Peel off the backside of the bandage. Apply to skin, taking care to prevent any bubbles. Remove top side of the bandage.

•This bandage can be left on for a maximum of five days. If you experience fluid buildup, remember this is totally normal and a necessary part of the healing process. I do not recommend changing the bandage multiple times after the 24 hour mark.

•During the healing process, avoid soaking the tattoo. You will need to avoid direct sunlight, hot tub’s, bathtubs, swimming pools, and swimming in the ocean for a period of two weeks. Showering is fine. If it any point during a shower the bandage fills with water, remove and rebandage or follow with the traditional healing process.

•Swelling, redness, and soreness is normal. If you experience excessive redness or irritation around the adhesive line of the bandage, remove and follow with a traditional healing process.

•After the 4-5 day mark, you will want to remove the bandage in a warm shower, or under warm water. Peel the bandage SLOWLY from the tattoo, Following the direction of hair growth. Do not rip, or quickly peel the bandage off. It is very easy to traumatize the new layer of skin that has formed.

•Wash off any fluid and build up, with warm water and a mild liquid unscented soap. Continue to moisturize your tattoo with unscented lotion, until your skin is back to normal. Typically a period of two weeks.

•Remember to use sunscreen on your healed tattoo!

•Leave your bandage/wrap on for a minimum of one hour, and no longer than five hours. Do not re-bandage, your new tattoo needs to breathe in order to heal properly.

•After removal of your bandage, wash thoroughly with warm water, and a mild liquid unscented soap. (Dial gold, Dr. Bronner‘s etc.)

•Pat dry with a clean paper towel, and let air dry for half an hour or more before applying ointment/ lotion.

•Always with CLEAN hands, apply a thin layer of product. Massage into the tattoo, until the product is barely visible. You do not want to overuse, or a goop on ointment/ lotion. I recommend using a fragrance free, low petroleum content ointment such as Aquaphor, or Eucerin Original Healing Creme. I DO NOT recommend using A&D Ointment.

•You will want to repeat this process multiple times a day, for a minimum of two weeks. If using Aquaphor, I only recommend using for the first three days or so, and then switching to a fragrance free lotion.

•It is important to keep your new tattoo clean. Wash a minimum of twice a day. If you have a particularly dirty job or lifestyle, wash as frequently as needed. It IS possible to OVER wash a tattoo. Only wash as necessary.

•During the healing process, you will want to avoid direct sunlight, as using suntan lotion will not be permitted until the tattoo is fully healed. You will also want to avoid hot tub‘s, swimming pools, swimming in the ocean, bathtubs or soaking the tattoo. Showering is fine.

•Please do not pick, scratch, or slap your tattoo. This will void any free touchups in the future.

•Remember your tattoo can take up to a month to heal properly, heal it right the first time, to ensure a lifetime of happiness!