Aftercare
AFTERCARE
SANIDERM
Leave your Saniderm/derma shield on for four days after getting your tattoo. It is waterproof, shower as usual - No baths/soaking/tanning/saunas/working out while it’s on.
Its normal for your saniderm to fill with plasma, ink and blood. It typically creates a dark brown liquid that sits on your tattoo under the plastic. Leave it Alone. After a couple of days, the liquid will start to harden up under the saniderm.
If you experience redness around the saniderm that lasts longer than a couple of days, you may be having a slight reaction to the adhesive on the bandage. You can always remove the saniderm if you feel like you’re having a reaction - You know your body best. But, if something feels wrong, please reach out to your artist directly with a photo of the area you’re concerned about as this may save you un-necessary trauma to the area, caused by removing the bandage too soon.
If for some reason the liquid leaks out the bottom of the Saniderm, the saniderm rolls up exposing the tattoo, or there is a puncture made in the plastic, you need to remove the saniderm or re-apply the saniderm.
* You cannot leave saniderm on your tattoo, if it is leaking. If bacteria can get out of your bandage, it can get in - leaving you susceptible to infection. You cannot Tape saniderm back on, this is not a sanitary way to re-attach your saniderm. You cannot re-apply saniderm if it has been over two days since your tattoo session, at this point in the healing, re-applying new saniderm can cause more harm than good.
If you would rather not re-bandage the tattoo or its been over two days since your tattoo was done, please remove the saniderm immediately and care for your tattoo using the directions provided below.
If you would like to Re-apply saniderm to your tattoo and it hasn’t been over two days since your tattoo was done, please follow these instructions:
Wash your hands and remove the original saniderm slowly, THOROUGHLY CLEAN THE TATTOO WITH ANTIBACTERIAL, FRAGRANCE FREE SOAP. (This step is crucial as any bacteria left on the tattoo will be trapped underneath the new application of saniderm, possibly causing infection.) Then, let the tattoo air dry - do not touch any towels to the area. Once area is completely dry and your hands are also clean and dry, re apply the saniderm with at least an inch border on every side of the tattoo.
You can purchase replacement saniderm on Amazon Prime, or buy it at target or Walmart. Sometimes its called Teccaderm - however its the same product. Please only re-apply the saniderm if you can follow the instructions perfectly. If you cannot follow these instructions perfectly, you should not replace the saniderm. Any fault in this process, can result in complications that I, nor any other tattoo artist, will not be liable for.
After four days, the best way to remove your saniderm is to slowly peel it off in the shower. It might be sore, so don’t panic if it’s tender.
After the saniderm is removed, wash and moisturize your tattoo as usual using the directions below.
REGULAR BANDAGES
Leave the bandage on for one to four hours.
Remove the bandage, wash your hands – then gently wash the new tattoo with Dial Antibacterial Unscented hand soap and warm water. You will want to do this 3 times a day for about a week after getting the tattoo. Stick to unscented until the tattoo is healed to avoid a nasty stinging sensation on your fresh tattoo.
Carefully dry the tattoo with clean paper towels using a soft dabbing motion, or let it air dry.
For Larger Tattoos: Massage a very thin, almost translucent layer of Aquaphor, Hustle Butter, or Coconut Oil on the tattoo. After three or four days, switch from the thicker ointments to a gentle unscented lotion of your choice, THIS STEP IS CRITICAL.
Massage in thoroughly, this helps keep the itchy, "peely" healing process under control. Make sure to dab off excess ointment after application, you don't want your tattoo to be shiny.
For Smaller Tattoos: No need for ointments of any kind, just use a gentle unscented lotion of your choice. Massage a thin layer into your tattoo thoroughly, apply 3-5 times a day. This helps keeps the itchy, peely healing process under control.
Do/Don't
Don't freak out if your tattoo is red and/or irritated for a few days after your appointment, this is totally normal.
Don't re-bandage your tattoo for any reason, we want it to breathe in the fresh air.
Do keep up the washing regiment at least once a day for 7-10 days after getting the tattoo. It helps speed up the healing process and relieve the itching.
Don't overdo the ointment, it can clog your pores and ultimately mess up your tattoo – try to keep the applications thin and down to 3-5 times a day. This is the most common issue I see clients deal with.
Don't pick! Its normal for the tattoo to be itchy, but resist the scratching! If you pick or scratch a healing tattoo, you can pull out pigments and create scar tissue.
Don't get into any hot tubs, swimming pools, baths or anything else that might submerge your tattoo underwater for long periods of time for two weeks. Avoid saunas and tanning beds for two weeks as well.
Do call us with questions! Although usually helpful, don't ask Google or your friends for advice regarding tattoo stuff. If you have any questions or concerns about your new artwork, please don't hesitate to call or stop by the shop – that's what we're here for!
Remember, severe redness that spreads outward or in streaks, extreme swelling, and yellow or green puss can all be signs of an infection. If you believe there is an infection, go see your doctor. However, stopping by the shop to have a trained artist look at your tattoo, may save you a trip.
Frequently Asked Questions
What About Finger Tattoos?!
Although Pinterest and Instagram make finger tattoos seem like an achievable goal - there are a few things you should take into consideration before making that decision for yourself. First of all, many photos you see online are heavily edited. If the photo has a filter, or high contrast - its good to remember there is probably a nefarious reason why. By adjusting the values of the images, the tattoos can appear darker or even just better, than they actually are.
Then, its important to know that the skin on hands and feet regenerates much faster than anywhere else on the body. Because of this rapid regeneration, pigment tends to get lost or fall away much quicker. At first, your tattoo may look great - but sometimes even with the passing of a few days - that can change.
What you do for a living may also influence the way your tattoos heal and stay put in the skin. If you use your hands all day, wear gloves, or find yourself washing them or being submerged in cleaning fluids or water several times throughout the day - a finger tattoo may not be the best investment for you.
Taking all of this into consideration, it is important to know that everyone is different. Some have perfect heals and never require a touch up, then, some can get their fingers touched up four or five times and yet - they still don’t look right.
Still Interested?
Keeping all of that information in mind, I’m happy to discuss the next steps if you choose to move forward. Because of the risk involved in finger tattoos, they are not guaranteed. Meaning, if you do need a touch up, you will be required to pay the set up fee once per touch up. Also, I will not tattoo the palms of hands, or undersides of the fingers.
Below, I’ve attached some un-edited photos of healed finger tattoos.