after care.

Below you will find the recommended aftercare instructions to ensure your tattoo heals properly and stays vibrant for years to come:

When Saniderm / Derm Shield is applied: 

The derm shield should be left on for a total of 3 days after getting your new tattoo. After the 3 days, as you take it off, use warm water and antibacterial soap to remove the wrap and gently wash it. Then pat the tattoo dry with a clean paper towel. After you have done that, apply a very thin coating of unscented lotion to the area. For example, Cetaphil, Lubriderm, or Jergens. Apply this coating 3 times a day for the first month after receiving your tattoo. 

If you take the wrapping off early, before the 3 days, you are going to use Aquaphor for the remaining days you would have had it on. So, if you take the derm shield off the day after your tattoo, you are then going to use Aquaphor for 2 days and then switch to the unscented lotion mentioned above.

The most common three reasons why the Saniderm would come off early are:

• If you feel like you are having an allergic reaction to the Saniderm, so if your tattoo gets any redder, puffier, or itchier than it was after leaving the shop, you are going to remove the wrap completely and wash the area with antibacterial soap and warm water, then pat it dry with a clean paper towel. Do not rewrap it with anything else, just put a thin layer of Auqaphor on it for the next few days and then switch to the unscented lotion.

• If water gets inside the Saniderm, remove the wrap, wash the area, pat it dry, put a thin layer of Auqaphor on it for the next few days and then switch to the unscented lotion.

• If the Saniderm starts to peel or fall off to the point where any part of the tattoo is exposed, remove the wrap, wash the area, pat it dry, put a thin layer of Auqaphor on it for the next few days and then switch to the unscented lotion.

When using cling wrap:

The cling wrap should be left on for a total of 2-3 hours after getting your new tattoo. As you take it off, use warm water and antibacterial soap to remove the wrap and gently wash it. Then pat the tattoo dry with a clean paper towel. After you have done that, apply a very thin coating of Aquaphor 3 times a day for the first 2 weeks. For the next 2 weeks, you are going to apply a very thin coating of unscented lotion on the tattoo 3 times a day, something like Cetaphil, Lubriderm, or Jergens.

In general, for the next month as the tattoo heals, try to avoid any kind of soaking of the tattoo, while the Saniderm is on and afterwards. Avoid baths, swimming pools, saunas, the beach, etc. Also avoid excess sweating and high intensity workouts. When showering do not let the water hit the tattoo directly.

Limit the sun exposure heavily for the first month, as the tattoo heals. Limit this as best you can for the remainder of time in order to avoid fading.

Do not pick or scratch the tattoo if it gets itchy or starts to scab. The ink will fall out with scabs that are prematurely removed.

If you have any questions, feel free to contact us!