AFTERCARE

✸

✸

✸ ✸

Regardless of what aftercare method you are using, please avoid during these things during the healing process ~2-4 weeks:

  • Direct sunlight.

  • Sunscreen (until fully healed).

  • Submerging your tattoo in pools, lakes, oceans, hot tubs, etc.

  • Dirt and debris.

  • Working out and sweating excessively.

  • Picking/scratching/tight clothing

Secondskin/Clear Adhesive Bandage Aftercare

A second skin tattoo bandage is a medical-grade, transparent, adhesive film that acts as a protective, breathable, waterproof "artificial skin" over a new tattoo, locking in natural fluids, keeping out germs, and preventing ink from staining clothes, which creates an ideal environment for faster, smoother healing with less scabbing and irritation. 

  • Leave the second skin bandage on for about 3-4 days. It should take about that long for it to be through the first stage of healing. Remove the bandage in a hot shower and SLOWLY peel from the top down to avoid damaging hair follicles once fully healed.

    After taking the bandage off : wash the tattoo with unscented soap, pat dry, & only use small amount unscented white lotion 2+ times a day for the first week, the tattoo may start to flake (normal) use the lotion, do not pick!!! Then lotion tattoo daily, as needed for healthy skin ~

  • You might see a thin brown viscous fluid dispersed underneath the bandage as it heals. That’s plasma, and a little blood, and it’s totally normal.

    If large bubbles of goo builds up and looks like it isn’t re-absorbing or drying under the bandage, then take off the Second skin and reapply or leave off & treat with traditional aftercare methods.

    If a breach, rip, or tear occurs in the bandage exposing the tattoo, then remove the Second Skin and reapply or treat with traditional aftercare method.

    If it’s extremely humid you may see a heat rash break out underneath the Secondskin. You can leave the bandage on or remove depending on the level of discomfort or severity of the rash. Everyone’s skin is different so be aware and keep an eye on it.

    Please reach out with questions or concerns coliemort.tattoo@gmail.com

  • If I gave you a clear sheet bandage to apply yourself, that means I wrapped you with a temporary black bandage or suranwrap when leaving your appointment, take that off after 2-12 hours max. Then wash tattoo with antibacterial soap and air dry or pat dry with clean paper towel.

    Then after you’ve washed and dried off your tattoo, you can put on the Second Skin. If your tattoo is in a hard-to-reach area, make sure to have someone else help you with this.

    1. Peel off the paper side first - peel only from the center perforated edge. Under this paper side, it will be sticky with adhesive.

    2. Apply the sticky side to the tattooed area, and make sure to leave about 1”-1.5” of extra bandage around the tattoo. This way, if it begins to peel from the edges, your tattoo will still be covered.

    3. Once placed over your tattoo, make sure to press firmly. Try to smooth out all wrinkles or bubbles as best you can. 

    4. Once you’ve evenly applied the Second Skin to your skin, peel off the plastic side. Like last time, peel from the the middle perforated edge.

    5. When you’ve removed the plastic side, it should look like a thin film over the tattoo.

Traditional Aftercare Method

Traditional tattoo aftercare is up to you to focus on keeping the area clean, moisturized, & protected. If you have any questions about your tattoo aftercare email me coliemort.tattoo@gmail.com

  • Your tattoo is an open wound! You want healed in a certain way to maintain the longevity of how it looks and keep it from infection, so please treat it as such and if you don’t see something listed here, reach out coliemort.tattoo@gmail.com or call the shop!

  • When the tattoo is complete, I will cover the tattoo with a temporary bandage. Don’t remove this bandage for at least 2 hours. It is recommended to keep the bandage on overnight, so that your sheets won’t be stained with ink. After that, you can keep the bandage on for 24 hours at most.

    Remove the bandage and wash gently with warm soapy water. A hot shower will also help get excess plasma and residual ink out of your skin.

    Recommended: Unscented Dial Gold antibacterial hand soap

    Once clean, pat your tattoo dry with a clean paper towel. Avoid hand or shower towels, because they may hold bacteria and increase the risk of infection. When the tattoo is dry, gently rub a small amount of Aquaphor to the area. For a large tattoo, like 8”x3”, a pea-sized drop is enough. You can tell when enough has been applied if you can see a dull glare over the ink. When the tattoo looks like it’s sweating, then you’ve applied too much.

    Recommended: Aquaphor

    Repeat the application of the aquaphor about 3-4 times a day, washing off the old layer with soap and drying before applying the new layer. Continue this process for the first 3 days.

  • For the remaining couple of weeks, switch to applying an unscented lotion on the tattoo. Avoid any lotions which contain Vitamin E, Aloe, or fragrances, as this may irritate your healing skin. Apply and fully absorb into the skin about 4-5 times a day or whenever the tattoo feels dry.