Healing with
Tegaderm

  • Leave Tegaderm/second skin on for 1-4 days. It may fill with plasma, and it’s normal for the fluid to be black or brown. Don’t worry about washing/moisturizing while you have Tegaderm on.

  • Remove immediately if the bandage begins to leak or you experience excessive redness and irritation. If you are sure to remove Tegaderm as soon as you notice an adverse reaction your tattoo should still heal fine. Tegaderm sticks to the unopened skin around your tattoo, and not the tattoo itself.

  • Be sure to keep your new tattoo out of direct sunlight and dirty environments (this includes the beach and pools). Do not submerge your new tattoo underwater until it is fully healed (2-3 weeks). You can shower but keep it out of the direct stream of water and keep all soaps or products away from the Tagaderm. Completely avoid swimming in pools, hot tubs, oceans, and lakes.

  • Remove Tegaderm in a hot shower to loosen the adhesive. Gently peel down and away, not up. Do not rip it off like a band-aid. Here’s a quick tutorial.

  • When Tegaderm is removed your tattoo should be mostly healed. You may begin washing 1-2x daily with non-scented soap. Next, dab dry with a clean paper towel. Then, with clean hands, apply a light layer of non-scented lotion. Do not touch your healing tattoo without washing your hands first.

  • If the tattoo has been regularly cleaned and looks or feels dry or tight it is okay to apply another thin layer of lotion with clean hands.

healing
without tegaderm

  • Carefully remove the bandage 2-4 hours after getting your tattoo.

  • Gently wash your new tattoo with warm water and unscented antibacterial soap. Please be sure to gently wash away all the blood and plasma. Do not scrub, gently wash the tattoo with your clean finger tips. Pat dry with a clean paper towel before applying non-scented lotion. Do this 3 times a day as your tattoo heals.

  • Be sure to keep your new tattoo out of direct sunlight and dirty environments (This includes the beach). Do not submerge your new tattoo underwater until it is fully healed (2-3 weeks). Completely avoid swimming in pools, hot tubs, oceans, and lakes.

  • Apply non-scented lotion to your clean tattoo regularly throughout the day, keeping the tattoo moist but not smothered.

  • Be sure to remain persistent in your aftercare, especially during the first few days. How often you clean your new tattoo depends on your life-style. Use your best judgment, but do not overdo it. Excessive washing can lead to dry skin and irritation.

  • When your tattoo starts to peel it will begin to flake like a sunburn, do not pick or scratch at it or it will pull the pigment out and cause patchiness/scarring.

  • Tattoos typically take 1-4 weeks to heal.

  • Recommended Soaps:
    (please use liquid soaps only, bar soaps are a breeding ground for bacteria)

  • All of these can be found at your local drug store, Walmart, or Publix. - unscented baby soap by Dr. Bronners
    - Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser)
    - Dial Gold

  • Recommended Lotions:

  • It is very important that you use unscented lotion. Lotion with fragrance contains alcohol that can be drying and/or cause a burning sensation. Please avoid lotion in tubs. Dipping dirty hands in tubbed lotion then applying it to a fresh tattoo can cause infection.

  • - Lubriderm Daily Moisture
    - Cetaphil Baby Lotion
    - Aveeno Daily Moisturizing
    - Cerave Daily Moisturizing
    - Palmer’s Daily Therapy (Fragrance-Free)

  • Please avoid using products like Aquaphor, A&D Ointment, and other petroleum-based products. These products are meant to retain moisture that you already have, they do not work well as moisturizers.