aftercare
saniderm bandage
+ you may remove your bandage after 24 hours, but i recommend 48-72. if you choose to keep it on longer, please remove it by the 5th day
+ remove your bandage in shower, facing away from the water. peel the bottom of the bandage up slightly and then gently begin to tug it away from the skin. do not peel it back like you would a sticker. The best example would be how you would remove double sided tape from a wall. you pull down from the bottom until the adhesive has removed itself from the wall with no damage :)
+ once you’ve removed the bandage, wash it gently with (unscented) dr. bronner’s or dial soap. rinse your tattoo with very light water pressure (splashing water on it with your hand is easiest)
+ pat dry with a paper towel and let your tattoo air dry for 10 minutes
+ apply a very thin layer of aquaphor (which can be used for the first few days), shea butter, or unscented, gentle lotion
+ wash and moisturize your tattoo (following the instructions above) once a day until it has healed
***if your bandage peels away and exposes your tattoo before you’re meant to remove it, there is excessive fluid build up from either sweat or the tattoo itself, or you are having a reaction to the bandage: remove it immediately and follow the steps above***
tips for healing
+ shield it from the sun as best as you can and don’t put any sunscreen on it until it’s healed
+ always wash your hands before touching your healing tattoo
+ make sure anything that comes into contact with your healing tattoo is clean (bed sheets, clothing, hands, etc)
+ absolutely no swimming or bathing for the first 3 weeks of healing
+ do not scratch or pick at your new tattoo
+ do not over moisturize your tattoo - this means always using a small amount of lotion and very gently rubbing it into the skin until it’s been completely or mostly absorbed
**moisturizing your tattoo regularly even after it has healed will keep it looking fresh longer**