Leave the adhesive film bandage on your tattoo for 3-5 days after you've received the tattoo. Your artist may refer to the bandage as Tegaderm, Saniderm, "the bandaid" or "bandage" - sometimes even "the sticker" - these are all synonymous terms or brand names for the adhesive film bandage.
After 30 minutes of adhesion, the bandage should be impermeable to outside liquids and standard irritants (pet hair, dirt, etc). The bandage is semi-permeable, so your skin is still able to breathe. Do not be alarmed if you see dark or strangely colored liquid underneath your bandage as soon as even a few minutes after application. This is plasma and ink remnants that your tattoo would usually weep. Any plasma and surface ink that your new tattoo weeps will be held against your tattoo by the bandage to assist with healing.
You can shower with the bandage on, but do not pick or wash extensively over the film until you are ready to remove it.
You can technically swim with the bandage on, but it is not recommended in case of water managing to get inside the bandage. Natural (springs, lakes, ocean, etc) and man-made bodies of water have microbes, bacteria, and sometimes parasites in them. If you are unsure whether or not your plans during the 3-5 days of bandage wear are safe for the bandage or your tattoo, please ask your artist for any clarification.
It is not recommended that you swim in any water once the bandage is removed for at least one week. A tattoo is not completely healed for about two weeks. Sometimes the healing process can be longer: please consult with your artist if your tattoo does not seem healed after two weeks.
Sometimes, sun exposure on the bandage can feel extra warm or hot. If possible, try to keep the area covered with clothing when going in the sun.
If you swim or take a shower and notice there is more liquid inside of the bandage than when you entered the water, then you must remove the film as soon as possible and wash your tattoo with antibacterial hand soap. If new liquid has entered the bandage, it will stay trapped and irritate your tattoo and possibly lead to an actual infection (as opposed to an irritation, contact dermatitis, or a “rough heal”). If this happens in the shower, remove the bandage and wash your tattoo with antibacterial hand soap before leaving the shower. If this happens elsewhere, get to a sink with warm water and antibacterial hand soap and remove the bandage and wash the tattoo well with your fingertips.
Usually, the bandage stays firmly in place for the 3-5 days. Exercise or excessive sweating can possibly loosen the bandage and/or compromise the seal. If you work out with the bandage on and notice it is loose, or that there is a visible pathway from the tattoo to the edge of the bandage, wait until you get home to remove the bandage. Be sure to wash well with antibacterial hand soap and continue with healing as outlined below. You can exercise with the bandage on, but possibly change your routine a bit to keep that area dry/as sweat free as possible.
Sometimes people can have an allergic reaction to the bandage (usually from the adhesive - redness and itchiness around the outside of edges of the bandage). If this occurs and you want to try to keep the bandage on, you can try taking a standard, over the counter allergy/antihistamine medication (per the directions on the bottle- never take any medication that you, personally, are allergic to). If the redness around the edges of the bandage does not alleviate, please take the bandage off early. Wash the entire area well with antibacterial hand soap, and begin to care for your tattoo as outlined below. If you know that you are sensitive to adhesives, we can use an alternative, “old fashioned” bandage for your comfort.
When you are ready (or need ) to remove the film, it is recommended that you take the bandage off in a warm shower or find a sink with warm water that you can easily put the tattooed area into.
First, wash your hands with antibacterial hand soap (ex: Dial gold soap), then lather up with more soap and slowly work your soapy fingers under the edge of the bandage until it is removed. Once the bandage is removed, wash your tattoo with antibacterial hand soap and your finger tips - do not scratch or scrub. Rinse well with warm water and pat dry with clean paper towel. Let your tattoo air-dry completely, keeping it away from irritants (pet hair, dirt, etc), and then apply a thin layer of lotion or balm with clean hands. Always use a small amount first and rub it all the way in to your tattoo (as if moisturizing any other part of your body). If there are areas that you cannot reach with the amount you used, or it feels dry or tight, apply a small amount more and rub it all the way in.
Only touch your bare, healing tattoo with clean hands. Continue to wash your tattoo two to three times a day (recommended when you wake up, before bed, and somewhere in between) for the next week and a half, moisturizing after each wash. Be cautious in public places (especially gyms, bars, and high-volume locations) so as to not have your healing tattoo make contact with any surfaces or other people’s skin.
You may use your preferred lotion or balm. Initially, scented lotions may sting, but they should not harm your tattoo. Do not use any moisturizers that you are allergic to.
We do not recommend using anything with petroleum in it for healing (Aquaphor, petroleum jelly, Vaseline, etc): balms or salves with petroleum remain sticky and do not completely soak into the skin. You want to avoid leaving a wet layer on top of your healing tattoo, especially since it is more likely to catch irritants and trap them against your tattoo, which could lead to irritation, scabbing, contact dermatitis, or - in extreme cases - infection.
Do not use any of the following as a moisturizer: liquid soap, hand sanitizer, alcohol, tea tree oil, baby oil, scented oils (especially if not meant for skin use), saliva or other bodily fluids, and anything else that doesn’t make sense as a moisturizer. If you are unsure, please reach out to your artist.
There are many products made for tattoo healing, and everyone’s skin is different. Please speak with your artist if you are unsure what to use to moisturize your tattoo during healing.
Do not let your pets lick, walk on, or rub against your healing tattoo. Although there are many contested pieces of information on the internet, your cat or dog can ingest feces through their daily processes. Hopefully it is obvious that your healing tattoo should not be exposed to feces in any concentration.
Do not scratch your tattoo during the initial two weeks of healing. Our fingernails can harbor bacteria underneath them, and scratching your new tattoo could possibly break the healing skin layer and introduce bacteria into your tattoo. Pat or gently slap your tattoo to alleviate any itching.
If you manage to get any scabs on your tattoo, do not pick them. Similarly to scratching, you could introduce bacteria into your tattoo, or possibly create a “holiday” (blank area) in the tattoo. If the scab comes off and there is lightness or missing ink, let your tattoo heal completely, then reach out to your artist for a touch-up.
To assure safe and complete healing, your tattoo cannot be tattooed upon, or over, until after it is completely healed. All broken skin must be healed before it can be tattooed again.
If you are having complications with healing, please reach out to your artist or the studio. Things like swelling, redness, tenderness, some scabbing, itching, and possibly some weeping for a few days to a week after you received the tattoo can be common.
If symptoms persist past a week, please reach out to your artist or the studio. Take photos of the affected area to share with them, or ask to stop by the studio so that they may see the issue in person.
Actual infections are uncommon, but can happen. If you are experiencing redness reaching out past the tattooed area, along with flu-like symptoms, go to the ER.
Please text us at 352-559-9954 if you cannot find an answer to your question.
If the bandage is fully intact (not rolling up or coming unstuck), is comfortable, and is not otherwise bothering you, sure- you can leave it on longer. We do not recommend leaving it on longer than 7 days.
Love to hear it! But yes- we recommend that you still wash your tattoo at least twice a day with antibacterial hand soap, and moisturize with clean hands, until the full two-week healing period elapses.
Getting a large, or highly saturated tattoo (color or black) can lead to more fluid filling up the bandage. Certain areas of the body are also more likely to weep more heavily than others. Do not pierce the bandage to empty it. Poking a hole in the adhesive film bandage will allow contaminants to enter and get trapped against your healing tattoo.
Contact your artist or the studio. We will tell you to remove the bandage, per the aftercare instructions, and set up a time for you to come by for a new bandage application.
Yes, you can. If anything, it’s better to while the bandage is on, so that no germs or irritants can reach your tattoo. Once the bandage is off, please be very careful to keep your tattoo from making contact with equipment, or other people/their sweat.
We have seen that excessive sweating can loosen the bandage, so possibly amend or change your exercise schedule to keep from sweating heavily in the area of the tattoo bandage.
Absolutely! Reach out to your artist or the studio to set up a time to come by.
Before you come to the studio for the new bandage, wash the area well with antibacterial hand soap and pat dry with a clean paper towel. Do not apply moisturizer, as it will keep the bandage from adhering to your skin.
Please make your artist aware at the time of your appointment if you’re allergic to latex and/or adhesives.
They can put a test patch of the bandage on you for the duration of the tattoo appointment. If everything seems fine with the test patch and you would like to have the bandage on your tattoo, we can apply it for you.
If it seems you are starting to have an allergic reaction (usually shows as redness or itchiness around the outside, or at the edge, of the bandage), but you would like to keep the bandage on, you can try taking your usual antihistamine medication.
If the redness or itching outside of the bandage does not alleviate a few hours after taking your medication, remove the bandage and begin the healing process as per the Aftercare Instructions.
If you would NOT like to use the bandage, please make your artist aware at the appointment. We have alternative, non-adhesive bandage pads (“meat packing pads”) that we can apply.
Try to leave the dressing - “meat packing bandages” - on overnight. Due to the dressing’s inability to be completely sealed, wear dark colored clothing that comfortably covers the dressing to sleep in, in case of leaking and to minimize any irritants getting under the bandage.
When you wake up, remove and dispose of the dressing and get in the shower. Wash your tattoo with antibacterial hand soap, pat dry with a paper towel when you get out of the shower, and moisturize. Begin the healing process as per the Aftercare Instructions.
No matter what, if you are unsure your tattoo is healing well, please reach out to your artist or the studio. Reading through the following may answer your questions, but please clarify with us if you are not sure.
Your tattoo is a wound, and must be cared for carefully during the two week healing period. Once the bandage comes off, your tattoo is exposed to all sorts of elements that can cause an irritation, or a “rough heal.” In some cases, it can become contact dermatitis. Contact dermatitis is usually in a localized area on your tattoo (ex: bottom corner, just this one area of color, etc) and is caused by skin, sweat, dirt or pet hair being pressed against that certain part of the tattoo. If you do not intensify your aftercare routine (as outlined below), it could become a worse issue and could jeopardize your tattoo, or your health.
Wash your tattoo 3-4 times a day and moisturize with a plain, white lotion (like Lubriderm) after each wash. Rub in the moisturizer all the way, do not leave a wet layer on top of your tattoo. If possible, wear clean, loose-fitting clothes over the tattoo to hinder contact and irritants. Do this for 3-4 days. If you do not notice a change in that amount of time, reach out to your artist or the studio.
Only touch your healing tattoo with clean hands. Do not use petroleum products (vaseline, aquaphor, etc). They are plastic-based, do not absorb into the skin, and stay sticky - which means irritants will stick to your tattoo and make a rough heal rougher.
It is rare to have an actual infection from, or on, a tattoo. If this is the case, it would most likely be a blood infection, characterized by redness and warmth stretching out past the tattoo and up your limb, as well as flu-like symptoms. If you notice redness spreading from your tattoo, mark the edge of the redness with a pen. If the redness grows past where you marked with the pen, go to the ER immediately.
Another possibility are opening sores around or on the tattooed area. This could possibly be MRSA (which lives on human skin at all times, we are very sorry to report), which can spread farther from the tattoo. If you are concerned this is the issue, please seek medical attention immediately. MRSA is highly contagious to people around you, and can spread and cause more damage to other areas of your skin. If you receive confirmation that you have MRSA, please reach out to your artist or the studio.
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