Aftercare help!

Did you read through your instruction sheet but still want some advice or clarification? Don’t worry, I got you…

Q: What do I do if my bandage is leaking and fluid is coming out of it?

A: First and most important, it is ok when this happens, so there’s no need to worry. But, since it’s messy, here are some tips:

If this is your 1st piece (applied by the artist and it’s within 24 hours of getting your tattoo)—it’s important to keep this first bandage on for 24 hours. An hour or two difference is ok, but 24 hours is the goal.

So, you have 2 options:

• Apply more pieces of bandage to the areas that are leaking to seal it in. Use a paper towel to make sure the skin is dry, then stick another bandage over top.

• Or you can wrap some paper towels around the leaking areas and attach them with some tape to keep the mess under control until you get to the 24-hour mark.

If this is your second application of a bandage that you applied and you’re leaking too much to last 6 days, you have 2 options:

• Apply more pieces of bandage to the areas that are leaking to seal it in. Use a paper towel to make sure the skin is dry, then stick another bandage over top.

• Or you can replace your bandage again. Leave the leaking piece on for at least 24 hours (more is fine, but less is not)—use paper towels or little patches to get you to 24 hours (instructions above). When it’s time to replace it, remove it slowly, wash the entire area with plain antibacterial hand soap, blot dry with a paper towel, air out for 10 minutes making sure nothing touches the tattoo, then apply a new piece of bandage.

Bandages are available online, or there are similar products at your local drugstore that will work just fine.

Q: What do I do if my skin looks irritated under or around the edges of the bandage?

A: Irritation is pretty normal. Think about it-- your skin was poked and wiped and cleansed over and over and over… of course, it’s going to be a little irritated. Irritation can occur for several other reasons such as:

• The bandage has been applied too tight and is pulling on the skin around the tattoo (especially near joints).

• There is excessive movement of the skin around the bandage—you’ve got to take it easy.

• The area wasn’t washed clean of the adhesive from the previous bandage piece.

• Too much sweat.

• 
  

Irritation can look like: Bumps, hives, clogged pores/pimples, blisters, redness, itchiness, raised skin.

When this happens, gently clean the area around the edges of the bandage with antibacterial soap. Be gentle but use firm enough pressure to remove all the sticky residue. Then use some rubbing alcohol on a paper towel to wipe the area (DO NOT APPLY alcohol to the tattoo, it will burn like hell). Apply some light moisturizer or Neosporin and give the skin a week or so to heal. DO NOT APPLY Neosporin to the tattoo; it can only be applied to the areas of skin that are not freshly tattooed (healed sections are fine).

Q: How do I get more of the wrap?

A: If you live close to the shop, let us know and we're happy to help you with some replacement bandage pieces.

If that is inconvenient or it is the weekend when we are closed, you can order Saniderm or Second Skin from Amazon. (since links to Amazon change frequently, please search for it on amazon.com)

You can also get very similar product products at your local drugstore. Look in the Band-Aid section for products that are labeled as Tegaderm. There are several brands, but the product itself is usually referred to as Tegaderm.