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How do I care for a new tattoo? 

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Second Skin Bandage

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After your second skin bandage is applied, leave the bandage on for around 5 to 7 days, the longer the better. Sometimes after the first night or next day, the tattoo may look gross or even a little wonky under the bandage. This is completely normal, the bandage keeps in everything that normally forms a scab; but this is actually the best healing environment for your new tattoo. As long as the bandage stays sealed, you are good to go. You want it to heal fast, leave the bandage on. The seal is key, if the bandage leaks, or rolls up, you want to remove it, and finish healing with the instructions under the traditional way listed below.

 

When you shower, it softens your adhesive because of the warm water. So please be careful with washing over it, and when you get out of the shower and are drying off. You simply want to blot it with the towel, not rub.

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Removing the bandage

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When you are ready to remove your bandage, take a nice warm shower, or soak in warm water for 5 minutes. Then carefully work an edge up, and pull the bandage off as gentle as you can. If you have any sticky residue left from the bandage, use any oil base to remove it. (coconut oil, face oil, cocoa butter, etc.) Just give it a good rub down with oil and wash again. If the bandage comes off or is removed before healing is finished, keep it clean and flexible. When it feels tight, give it a good wash, and thin layer of fragrance free lotion. (Aveeno, Eucerin, something similar) Only apply enough to absorb into the skin, not make you oily or sticky. 

 

 

 

​Healing the traditional way

 

 

Wash your tattoo. Using only clean hands to form a rich lather of fragrance free soap, rubbing fresh tattoo gently, but throughly. Keep new tattoo unbandaged, clean and flexible. You can address tightness and dryness by cleaning off any dry plasma, and applying a very thin layer of a fragrance free lotion. (Aveeno, Eucerin, or something similar) I usually recommend the healing hand creams, as they are for healing dry cracked skin, but only apply enough to absorb into the skin, do not make your skin oily or sticky. While keeping the tattoo clean is good, please avoid over washing, or any prolonged exposure to wetness or moisture. No soaking, swimming, hot tubs, or tanning. Keep out of direct sunlight, as when skin is damaged, as it may result in prolonged healing, and or hyper pigmentation.

 

I say it is most important to listen to your body, flexibility is key. If it is flexible, your good, your body is healing and doing it's thing. If it is tight, that is signal to gently wash your tattoo, and apply a thin layer of lotion to keep it flexible. You don't want to over moisturize, you just want it to move comfortably with you. It is not advised to get a tattoo if you are about to go on vacation or have a large event planned, like a marathon, in the following days. Healing time varies by person, placement and size; but when healing the traditional way from the beginning, it is normal for it to take 2 weeks or more to heal.

 

 

Any other questions? Feel free to reach out. I don't check my emails daily,

so please allow at least a few days for a reply.

 

Thank you.