Tattoo Aftercare with Second Skin: Caring for New Ink

Getting a new tattoo can be thrilling, but the aftercare requires diligent attention to help the tattoo heal properly. So how should you care for a new tattoo with second skin bandages? By using second skin bandages for the first 24-48 hours and following proper cleaning, moisturizing, and protection protocols, you can allow your new ink to heal beautifully. In this complete guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about tattoo aftercare using second skin bandages.

What Are Second Skin Bandages and How Do They Help Tattoos Heal?

Second skin bandages, also sometimes called tattoo bandages or tattoo healing wraps, are thin, breathable adhesive coverings applied immediately after getting new ink. They are designed to protect the tattoo from abrasion, bacteria, and leakage of plasma and excess ink during the delicate initial healing phase.

Second skin bandages allow your tattoo artist to bandage the area securely, while still allowing oxygen exchange needed for proper healing. They help:

• Prevent scabbing – Scabs increase the risk of pulling out ink as they peel off. Second skin allows plasma and ink to weep out without fully scabbing.
• Lower infection risk – Creating a sterile barrier prevents germs from entering the thousands of micro punctures.
• Absorb fluid and blood plasma – The bandage pads soak up leaked ink and plasma while still being breathable.
• Protect from abrasion – Securely covers the raw tattoo from rubbing against clothing or drying out.

By keeping the tattoo moist and protected during the most crucial 24-48 hour window, second skin bandages allow your new ink to set in beautifully with minimal scabbing for brighter, more vibrant colors.

When Should You Apply a Second Skin Bandage After Getting Inked?

Second skin bandages should be applied immediately after receiving your new tattoo, as part of the final step after the tattoo artist finishes their work. Most artists will carefully bandage up your fresh ink with cling wrap first to prevent stickiness, followed by the second skin dressing.

The bandage should be left on undisturbed for 24 to 48 hours after tattoo application. This gives the pigments time to initially set while avoiding abrasion of the sensitive skin.

If small amounts of plasma, excess ink, or blood seeps out onto the adhesive, you may reapply a new second skin bandage for another 24 hours as needed. However, if considerable fluid leakage occurs, see your artist as soon as possible, as frequent rebandaging could pull out color.

Step-by-Step Guide for Caring for a New Tattoo with Second Skin Bandages

Caring for a new tattoo once you remove the second skin bandage requires diligent but gentle cleaning, moisturizing, and protection similar to how you would care for an open wound. Follow these key steps:

Gently Washing the Tattoo Area

Once you remove the second skin bandage after 24 to 48 hours, you must keep your new ink clean to prevent infection and allow for proper healing. Here’s how:

• Carefully wash the tattoo with unscented, antimicrobial liquid soap and warm water. Gently clean with your fingertips, avoiding scrubbing. Antibacterial soap helps kill germs without irritable additives.
• Lightly pat dry with a paper towel. Rubbing could pull off any light scabbing starting to form. Paper towels are more sterile than bath towels.
• Apply a rice grain-sized amount of fragrance-free moisturizer like Aquaphor or Lubriderm. Too much ointment risks trapping bacteria.

Repeat the gentle washing and moisturizing ritual two to three times per day during the first two weeks. This keeps the area clean to prevent infection without drying out your skin.

Signs of Infection to Watch Out For

As you clean your tattoo over the first days, keep an eye out for any symptoms of infection, including:

• Redness spreading outside the tattoo borders
• Swelling and heat radiating from the area
• Green, yellow, or foul-smelling oozing from the skin
• Fever higher than 100°F

If any signs of infection develop, see your doctor immediately to get appropriate antibiotic medication. An untreated infection could damage your tattoo beyond repair.

What to Expect as Your Tattoo Heals

The healing of a new tattoo brings shifting phases of swelling, weeping, peeling, itching, and scabbing before fully mending:

• Days 1-3: Your skin remains red and swollen with some weeping plasma and excess ink. This is normal post-tattoo. The pigments are still settling.
• Days 3-10: Light scabbing forms which must not be scratched or picked at. Scabs protect new epithelium and pulling them can remove color.
• Days 4-15: Skin begins peeling like a light sunburn around day 4. Do not pick peeling skin so the color can properly set.
• Days 5-21: Itching peaks at day 10. Apply moisturizer for relief but avoid scratching scabs.
• New skin cells fully form within 21 days, signaling the end of major healing.

While everyone heals differently, this timeline gives an expectation of what’s normal in caring for new ink with second skin bandages. The key is not disturbing scabs or peeling skin which could pull out delicate healing color.

💡Pro Tip: Resist the urge to scratch itchy scabs during healing! Apply moisturizer instead for relief. Scratching can forever damage tattoo results.

How Long Does Tattoo Peeling and Itching Last?

Itching and peeling skin is a normal part of the tattoo healing process. When you get inked, the needle pierces deep into the dermis, creating inflammation and trauma to the skin. As your skin works to repair itself, it moves through stages of regeneration. Dead skin peels away while tissue swelling causes itching. Here’s what to expect:

Peeling typically starts around days 4 to 15 after getting your tattoo. Flaking skin is temporary and a sign of normal exfoliation as the blemished top layer regenerates. Gently clean and moisturize the tattoo rather than picking or scrubbing the skin during this phase. Itching often peaks around days 5 to 10 as new skin cells form under the surface. Lightly massage (don’t scratch!) itchy areas using moisturizer for relief. The itching normally fades within 2 weeks. See your doctor if intense itching lasts longer than 2-3 weeks or prevents sleep, as you may require prescription steroid creams or antihistamines.

Caring for Your Tattoo After Removing Second Skin Bandages

Once you get through the initial 24-48 critical hours of having a second skin bandage, you must continue careful aftercare as your tattoo heals. The second skin provided protection when your skin was freshly punctured and vulnerable. But after removal, the tattoo remains an open wound in need of gentleness, moisture, and protection from external irritants.

Over the 2-4 weeks following the second skin removal, properly care for your new ink by gently washing the tattoo 2-3 times per day using a mild, unscented liquid soap. Lightly pat dry with clean paper towels, then apply a thin layer of fragrance-free moisturizer 1-2 times daily, gently massaging it in until absorbed. Avoid prolonged water exposure by skipping baths, pools, and hot tubs, and protect your tattoo from sun exposure using broad spectrum SPF 30 sunscreen on uncovered areas. Your artist may recommend medical-grade aftercare ointments as well. By religiously following these specialized aftercare protocols daily, you’ll nurture new tattoos through the healing journey.

Let Your Tattoo Heal Like a Pro with Second Skin Care

Getting inked means signing up for 2-4 weeks of intentional healing to ensure your tattoo stays vivid for a lifetime. While second skin bandages protect in those first delicate 48 hours, don’t underestimate the entire healing journey. With this complete guide to using second skin bandages and optimal protocols for cleaning, moisturizing and protecting new tattoos, you can feeling confident caring for new ink. Just remember to avoid scrubbing, limit sun exposure, gently wash, apply moisturizer multiple times per day, and absolutely do not pick scabs or scratch!

By listening to your tattoo artist’s instructions and following these second skin guidelines, you’ll give vibrant new body art the care and attention needed to properly mend and dazzle for years to come. So grab some gentle soap, unscented lotion, SPF sunscreen, and get ready to nurture that new tattoo through each delicate healing phase.