SecondSkin is a medical-grade, transparent adhesive bandage that protects new tattoos while they are healing. Your bandage can be left on for 3-5 days after it has been applied to your new tattoo. It is waterproof, breathable and protects the tattoo from bacteria, debris and irritations, while also helping to save clothes and linens from ink and blood.
While SecondSkin is the brand we personally use for tattoo aftercare, it's important to note that there are other similar medical-grade bandages available on the market such as Tegaderm, Derm Shield and Saniderm, which also offer protection for new tattoos during the healing process.
IS FLUID UNDERNEATH THE BANDAGE NORMAL?
It is completely normal for your tattoo to weep fluid beneath your bandage in the first 24-48 hours. This does not necessarily mean that you need to remove the bandage. However, if you notice any of the following, discontinue use as soon as you are able to safely remove the bandage and proceed with following traditional aftercare instructions:
excessive plasma build up (a soy sauce packet amount of fluid is fairly common)
if the bandage becomes compromised or detached from the skin and exposes the tattoo
if the bandage is leaking at all
HOW TO REMOVE SECONDSKIN bandage
On the third to fifth day of having your bandage on, it will be time to remove it. Peel up an edge or corner of SecondSkin back over itself in the direction of hair growth. Pulling upward can be painful. Rarely, some people will find it difficult to remove, in this case try removing in a warm shower. The warm water will loosen the adhesive and make it easier to remove.
Slowly pull the SecondSkin off. Do not pull it straight up away from the skin and do not rip it off like a band-aid. Instead, pull the film back and across the skin while holding your skin taut.
Wash the tattoo thoroughly but gently with warm water and antibacterial soap, then pat dry with a clean paper towel. If there is any plasma that does not want to come off, do not force it off.
Once tattoo is clean and dry, apply a thin layer of unscented lotion to your tattoo as needed. If your skin feels sticky because some of the adhesive did not come off while washing your tattoo, a tiny bit of unscented skin-safe oil (i.e., coconut oil, jojoba oil, etc.), can act as nature's goo-gone and should help it come right off.
You may experience some redness around the tattoo where SecondSkin was applied to the un-tattooed skin. This is fairly normal and may occur with any type of medical adhesive. If you develop a serious reaction, discontinue use immediately and follow traditional aftercare.
Before you leave, be sure to also review our aftercare do's & dont's below
Traditional Aftercare
Your tattoo and the area around it may be slightly swollen and red for the next week. Color may seep to the surface (it is ok to wipe this off with a damp, clean paper towel and reapply a thin layer of ointment after drying.) Do not let your tattoo stick to sheets or clothing, this can pull out ink.
A thin scab should form evenly over the entire tattoo and should peel similar to a sunburn. Do not pick at the scab. The color may seem dull or uneven while your tattoo is healing. Your tattoo should be completely healed after one month. Shading may seem dark but will fade up to 40% throughout the healing process.
If at anytime you have questions or concerns about how your tattoo is healing, please contact us right away.
Do's & DONT'S
DO ✓ OPT FOR A SHOWER OVER A BATH Be sure to wait at least 24 hours after getting your tattoo before taking a shower, but regardless of which aftercare option you choose to go with, soaking your new tattoo (bandaged or un-bandaged) is always a big no-no. If your tattoo is still in the healing process without a bandage on, it could cause serious damage.
If you are using SecondSkin, it will stay on even when immersed in water so you’re able to shower as normal. It is water resistant, however excessive exposure to water should be avoided because it could weaken the adhesion and require you to reapply a new piece.
DO ✓ USE LIQUID ANTIBACTERIAL SOAP Bar soap is not sterile, it can hold bad bacteria and can pass it on to your tattoo. Invest in a bottle of unscented antibacterial liquid soap.
DO ✓ LEAVE YOUR BANDAGE ON For at least 2 hours. However your bandage can be left on longer or overnight, it will not harm your tattoo or the healing process.
DO ✓ CLEAN YOUR TATTOO DAILY After removing your bandage and 2 times daily for the first week. Rinse gently with mildv antibacterial soap and warm water, then apply a thin layer of ointment after patting dry with a clean paper towel.
...ESPECIALLY AFTER SWEATING! When you sweat you release toxins which sit on the surface of your tattoo, increasing the chances of infection. After heavy sweating, you must wash your hands and your tattoo before re-applying a thin layer of ointment.
DO ✓ WASH YOUR LINENS Preferably before getting your new tattoo since you'll likely be too tired to do so when you get home. While you sleep you shed skin, sweat and hair. Anything in your bed or on dirty towels and clothing can come in contact with your tattoo and increase the chances of infection especially within the first 72 hours.
DON'T ✗ TOUCH! BUT IF YOU MUST, WASH YOUR HANDS FIRST Anything you touch potentially has bacteria on it. Once your bandage has been removed, always wash your hands prior to touching your tattoo while it’s still in the healing process.
DON'T ✗ SOAK YOUR TATTOO In any bodies of water (lakes, oceans, bathtubs, pools, etc.) for at least one month after getting your tattoo.
DON'T ✗ SUNBATHE OR USE A TANNING BED We do not recommend exposing your new tattoo to UV rays, ever with or without SecondSkin. SecondSkin does not contain any kind of sun protection, so you should avoid prolonged sun or UV ray exposure for at least a month after getting your tattoo. Even after your tattoo is fully healed, continue to use sun protection to maintain the integrity of your tattoo colors.
DON'T ✗ EXERCISE It is not suggested to exercise with or without SecondSkin. If using SecondSkin, sweating can weaken the adhesive and cause the bandage to come off prematurely.
When you sweat you release toxins which sit on the surface of your tattoo. So if your bandage comes off prematurely or if you've chosen a traditional aftercare method and don't have a bandage on it at all, you increase the chances of infection.
It's best to take it easy and avoid heavy sweating in the area of your tattoo for at least two weeks after getting your tattoo.
DON'T ✗ WEAR RESTRICTIVE CLOTHING To your appointment or directly after. Some areas of the body swell more than others and could either cut off circulation to the area or you could run the risk of your clothes sticking to your new tattoo.
If your tattoo forms a scab do not let it stick to anything. When you pull away, the scab will pull off with it. This pulls ink out and can cause scarring and loss of color. If your tattoo does end up sticking to clothing, rinse the area (and clothing) with warm water to loosen the cloth from the scab without ripping it off.
DON'T ✗ LET PETS NEAR YOUR FRESH TATTOO They track harmful bacteria everywhere they go. Wash and reapply ointment after contact with animals or anything the animal comes in contact with such as sheets, furniture, etc.
Opting for a SecondSkin bandage {as long as you don't have any adhesive allergies} is a great way to not have to worry about this!