Aftercare
Healing with Second Skin:
SecondSkin is a medical grade, transparent, adhesive barrier to protect your new tattoo. It is latex free, breathable, waterproof and hypoallergenic. The company recommends up to 7 days, I have found in our dry Colorado climate, that three to four is preferable. Any more that that any people seem to dry out a little too much under the bandage. However, if you don't see any little "cracks" in the liquid under the bandage and it still feels good, feel free to leave the bandage on a few extra days.
You will see plasma and ink trapped under the bandage, and that is totally normal. The bandage only needs to be removed early if the bandage peels up to the point that the tattoo isn't sealed, the plasma is leaking from the bandage or if little cracks form within the liquid under the bandage, meaning it has dried out. If I gave you an extra bandage, there is a video of how to apply them here: https://secondskin.ink/instructions
When it is time to remove the bandage, do so under cold, running water. Wash your hands first and then peel in the direction of the hair growth (usually downward). Afterwards, wash thoroughly with unscented soap, rubbing gently in small circles with the pads of your fingers to remove any bodily fluids. Pat dry with a clean paper towel, air dry for 15-30 minutes and then apply a very thin layer of aquafor or A&D.
If you have gotten at three days out of your bandage, you will most likely only need to wash your tattoo once a day and moisturize as needed. If not, or if we did not use SecondSkin on you, please wash 2-3 times a day and moisturize with a thin layer of aquafor or A&D each time.
The most important thing to remember about your new tattoo is that it is a fresh wound.
As such, there is always a chance of infection and anything that carries bacteria to the wound can increase that chance dramatically. During the healing process, never touch your tattoo with unwashed hands and do not allow any friends, children, or pets to touch it either. If it is not covered by a bandage, make sure any cloth it comes into contact is freshly washed (I'm talking about that hoodie that hasn't been laundered in awhile... Don't put that on over your exposed tattoo).
Other thing to keep in mind is that normally, a fresh wound would want to eject any foreign substance. We would like to avoid that since you just paid for that foreign substance (ink!). So please avoid anything that would agitate the wound unnecessarily (rubbing, scratching, tight clothes, straps crossing the tattoo, any scented products, sun exposure, or soaking) as this encourages your body to expel the ink. After 5-7 days, you will likely begin to peel and flake. Do not pic at these flakes, let them come off in their own time. Tattoos typically take 2-3 weeks to heal and in that time, no hot tubs, no pools, no submerging of the tattoo and keep it covered from sun exposure. In the first week, it is recommended that you avoid anything that causes excessive sweat.After the tattoo is healed, sunscreen is encouraged to keep it looking vivid for years to come!
If you have any questions at all, please email me at alicianhatfield@gmail.com.. I would always rather you ask a silly question than you have a rough heal due to a misunderstanding.
Sometimes, slight irregularities in the healing process are unavoidable. If this is the case, I am happy to touch up your tattoo within the first year at no cost. Just use the contact page and I'll be happy to set that up with you.