So you have gotten the tattoo and might have forgotten the instructions... no worries! In this section, I will explain tattoo aftercare instructions and how easy it is to take care of your new tattoo!
After the tattoo is completed, I apply the Recovery Derm Shield to guarantee proper healing.
This product is a "latex-free, transparent matte film adhesive bandage. Derm Shield offers maximum breathability and flexibility, providing optimal conditions for flawless, gentle healing and skin renewal. It eliminates scabbing and reduces the risk of scarring while preventing exposure to bacteria, dirt, and abrasion.
Derm Shield is waterproof, but permeable to allow skin perspiration, and it is durable enough to keep up with your everyday activities. Preserving tattoo vibrancy, our Derm Shield allows your skin to breathe and heal the right way." - Recovery's Website Description
Now that this bandage has been applied and you understand what it is, here are the instructions.
First, leave the derm shield on for two to three days. Depending on the time of day that you received your tattoo, you can count the first day of getting the tattoo as a healing day.
Keep in mind, during these first couple of days of healing, the area of your skin where you receive the tattoo may weep... this means that your body will be getting rid of extra ink, blood, and plasma. But, DO NOT WORRY! This is completely normal for the healing process.
Do not poke or pop any ink sac (bubble of ink) under the derm shield. This could expose your tattoo to potential infection.
When you are ready to take off the bandage, make sure to do it during a warm shower. While in the shower, make sure the water is not too hot. Let the water run over the covered tattoo to warm up the bandage for a moment.
After you have done this, peel up a small corner of the derm shield and apply a small amount of antibacterial soap to the area. This will help loosen up the adhesive and make it easier to remove the rest of the bandage.
This next step in tattoo bandage removal in my professional and personal opinion is important. Depending on which spot you grab from to remove the derm shield, make sure to pull in that direction.
For example; if you peel up the bottom of the bandage, pull down to stretch off the derm shield. If you peel from the top of the bandage, pull up to stretch off the derm shield. To help visualize what I mean by this, I have an example scenario to aid in removal.
If you have ever used a command strip on the wall to hang a photo, then you understand that it is important to grab the bottom lip of material that does not stick to the wall and pull it down. By doing this, you are STRETCHING the adhesive off of the wall in the same direction to ensure none of the paint gets ripped off with the command strip.
In short, the command strip is the derm shield and your skin is the painted and delicate wall. You do not want to rip the command strip the wrong way and risk ruining the wall! This is essentially the same as removing the derm shield in the wrong direction thus risking irritating your tattoo and the skin around it.
By stretching the derm shield off of the skin in the same direction you began removing it, you will have a much less spicy removal experience.
Once the derma shield has been removed, while still in the shower take your antibacterial soap and gently clean the tattoo. Try to cleanse the tattoo for at least thirty seconds.
After this step, rinse the tattoo with water and exit from the shower. Be ready to have a clean set of paper towels to dab the tattoo dry. In my opinion, using untouched paper towels is a lot safer way to dry off a fresh tattoo than using a small towel. I feel that it is an added level of protection from potential infection!
So now that your tattoo is dry, apply a THIN layer of healing ointment (Aquaphor or CeraVe). Do not overdo it on this step and add a thick layer, because you do not want to clog the pores and irritate a fresh wound.
Over the next 4 to 5 days, you will repeat these steps of washing the tattoo and applying ointment twice a day. If your tattoo seems to be a little dry during the day, you are welcome to add a little more ointment in between washing.
After the 4 to 5 days of washing are up, you may cease washing the fresh tattoo and apply moisturizer/lotion. I typically recommend moisturizing the tattoo once a day or when the area begins to feel itchy for a week afterward.
Healing a tattoo, especially with derm shield can be a much easier and faster process! Although these are the basic recommendations and requirements for taking care of a tattoo, there are a few more rules to follow.
During the time that your skin and tattoo are healing, do not submerge yourself in any large bodies of water for at least two weeks. This means no hot tubs, bathtubs, pools, lakes or oceans. But remember this does not include showering! :)
If you are someone who stays pretty active, make sure to refrain for the first few days of receiving your tattoo. Because this bandage is adhered to your skin, it will bubble up underneath with sweat while working out, leading to possible irritation and a slower healing process.
Another very important bit of information to remember about tattoos is that when they are healing, try to limit as much sun exposure as possible. Not to mention, sun exposure physically burns the first couple of days after getting tattooed!
Tattoos break down in similar ways that our regular non-tattooed skin does, so the less sun exposure your skin receives, the better. That you can ensure your tattoo heals beautifully. In short, APPLY SUNSCREEN! Anything 30 SPF and higher will be your best friend.
DO NOT FORGET TO READ THIS PART.
For about 95% of my clients, I use derm shield, and they almost always have no adverse effects. If I applied this specific type of bandage to your skin and hours after the tattoo appointment your skin is hot, swollen, or extra irritated, please REMOVE the derm shield. Your tattoo is almost always fine, but some clients are allergic to the adhesive used in the bandage. Do not worry!
If you are experiencing these symptoms, remove the derm shield as soon as possible and begin the aftercare process. Be sure to wash the tattoo for a week rather than 4-5 days.
If you have made it this far into reading, thank you! If you have any other questions about anything else, please email or direct message on Instagram. :-)
-Britt