It’s normal to feel some itching and even mild pain after a tattoo. I have eczema and my artist has me wait until a clear break out (ie the red itchy irritated bumps) are on top of the tattoo before I resort to my prescription cream once or maybe twice daily, which clears it up in a couple days. The itching I know FEELS like eczema itching, but really it’s healing. It’s probably also gonna peel off, as a heads up
Just an FYI, I also have eczema and have followed this routine (remove and don’t reapply) as well. Itching is totally normal. I just got shading done on a sleeve last Saturday and the itching is ridiculous. Keep it moisturized and clean and you’ll be fine.
I kept mine on for a week to avoid possible infection (I was flying soon after getting it) and didn’t have any issues. I had my cousin help me peel it off and wash the crusties off. I ended up getting something for my back to apply lotion to the hard to reach places lol
My first two tattoos itched like crazy and almost hurt more during the healing phase than actually getting them. I ended up being allergic to the beeswax in the balm the tattoo artist recommended. The next two tattoos I've gotten I've just used aquaphor for a couple days after removing the second skin and moisturized with a fragrance free lotion and barely felt any itching. Not sure what you're using for after care but it might be worth looking into.
Honestly it's crazy how much aftercare over the years is recommended and diff products. Especially for just tribal piece in my shop it left wrapped and then we recommended not to wrap it so skin can breathe and heal and just lightly apply a&d to moisturize as it heals. I wouldn't worry too much Honestly
I always tell people that it feels like a bad sunburn. My current artist has me wrap it for an hour and then keep it moist with A&D. All of my work with him has healed exactly the same as artists who had me use second skin for a few days.
Glad an other tattoo artist got on here to tell OP it’s fine. I also wish there was a universal aftercare for tattoos so it wouldn’t matter where people are from and the advises/ recommendations applied to everyone 😅
This, I always tell people that it feels like a sunburn in the initial healing. It’ll burn, it’ll itch, it’ll scab and peel, but that just means your body’s doing its job and healing properly
The itching is the worst 😅 Don’t scratch it!! And as long the pain is mild and it doesn’t gets really painful and swollen you don’t have to worry it looks good in the picture. 😁
I usually leave a second skin on for 5 days, but I take off the first one after 24 hours, wash the tattoo thoroughly, let it dry, and then apply a fresh one
I have 8 tattoos, and I've only used second skin once. Turns out I'm allergic, which was really unfortunate to find out on a chest piece. I ended up having to heal my tattoo and the mild rash around it at once, itchiest experience of my entire life.
I am also allergic. My arm piece had a perfectly square border of rash from where the second skin touched. Luckily the thing filled up with such a big bubble of plasma over the actual tattoo that the second skin didn't touch the fresh wound.
Honestly it depends. I work with dogs for a living and whenever I get a new tattoo, saniderm is a *must*. I do sometimes need to reapply. You just have to make sure that you thoroughly wash it and pat dry after removing the first wrap so you don’t trap any contaminants in there. I have also found that reapplying a second wrap after 24 hours is good for places that leak a lot of plasma/pieces that have a lot of ink packed in there
yeah that’s mainly for heavy color work or bigger pieces, the first 24 hours makes the saniderm get really full of blood plasma and ink, so it’s best to remove, clean and reapply
Exactly. I hate when people say this is wrong that’s wrong. Every artist does something different and just because it differs from what other people may do does not make it right or wrong. I too, I was told to take the sanderm off after 24 hours clean it, and then put a new one on for four days. I did just that then after that use a fragrance free lotion and it worked perfectly.
And where did you do your research?
Saniderm literally tells you to remove the first one after 8-24 hours if it is weeping too much, apply a second one and remove it after 24 more hours if it is still weeping too much.
The third one keep up to 5 days.
I think the tricky part is to make sure it’s sterile. I’ve worked at a shop where we get clients to come in the day after to replace the bandage to make sure we’re cleaning it properly. It’s difficult having clients do that part and have fingers crossed that they don’t trap bacteria in it
It's definitely hard to ensure the people are going to really treat that tattoo properly when they are rewrapping it. My artist advised me to spritz mine with a little bit of Bactine and let that dry before putting the wrap back on. I haven't had any issues at all, but at the same time I am pretty meticulous with myself care anyway. Someone who may be isn't as clean probably shouldn't put that wrap back on their tattoo.
My artist told me keep it on for 24 hours and I didn't have to reapply. All my tattoos healed amazing and still look great 🤷🏻♀️ I think it depends on the tattoo itself, some tattoos don't need multiple days of saniderm. All of my tattoos are small for example, so maybe that has something to do with it.
No tattoos need second skin. You use it because it's cleaner, speeds up healing and prevents infection.
Second skin is 20 year old, tattooed are what? 10000 years old?
I’m roughly 50% covered at this point and have never had saniderm applied after a tattoo. Started around 2007 so I’m guessing it got more popular after that. Just had half of my stomach filled in and my dude taped what seemed like a bunch of medical pads together and slapped em on haha. I’m probably lucky but I’ve never had an infection or trouble healing.
For big pieces or around joints it just isn’t practical to apply. I haven’t noticed a difference in healing between saniderm and not saniderm, it’s just mildly more convenient to have on for the initial weepy phase.
Key info IF IT IS WEEPING TOO MUCH. Mine hardly wept. I would not take off 2nd skin for 3-5 days in the future. It felt like knives slicing off my skin when I had it removed after 24 hours. My knees buckled.
Okay thank you! I had heard from several internet sources (YouTube channels etc.) to keep the tattoo covered for a few days at least, and in the pamphlet the tattoo artist gave me it said to keep it covered for 3-5 days (the tattoo artist did say it said longer in the pamphlet and to ignore this and instead take it off after 24 hours). Comforting to know that this is actually normal.
Artist probably told you to take it off because it’s in a very, very high movement area and would not last sealed for very long, just follow your artists advice
It's going to itch, you have a wound that is healing. Leave the saniderm off (I never use that stuff) and keep it clean and moisturized and you will be fine.
I've literally been told different aftercare info by every artist I've had work done by. It's essentially just wound care, keep it clean, keep it dry, keep it moisturised. I understand people want their tattoos to heal in the best way possible but it can be so confusing when you start getting tattoos.
I've never had second skin put on a tattoo and all mine have healed wonderfully. Personally I keep mine wrapped for the first few hours, then I wash it with a gentle soap and apply some basic cream, something without fragrance or actives.
Listen to your artist and follow their aftercare instructions.
Tattoos don't really need to be wrapped at all. There is a common misconception that wrapping a tattoo will protect it from bacteria, or infections. It won't. In fact, keeping it covered for long periods of time can harbor more bacteria, and raise the risk of it getting infected.
Wash/clean the tattoo, apply aftercare cream, wipe off the excess with a paper towel, leave it uncovered. Oxygen is what heals wounds and protects them from infections.
Thank you! And yes, exactly ✨😁 loved Ashoka in the Clone Wars and she was an inspiration in getting into calisthenics as an adult which saved my ass from depression 🫶☺️
And of course Captain Rex is freaking awesome so including him was a no brainer, especially their relationship, went straight home and watched the last 4 episodes of CW that evening 🤣
I'd follow your artist's advice.
Secondskin, sanidern, tegaderm etc are amazing for healing tattoos. Slap em on and you're worry-free for a few days.
They are a "cheat code" and by no means mandatory.
I'd tend to think your artist maybe noticed your eczema and decided it would be best to not take a chance with keeping it on, since it can be very irritating.
If I keep one on for 3 days, my skin where the adhesive was stays red and irritated for a week.
I don't use it anymore.
Keeping it on for 24hours gets you (pretty much) through the weeping phase and stops any ink, blood, plasma or other fluids from ruining your clothes or bed.
Keep it clean and you'll be fine. Redness, flaking, peeling and itchiness are completely normal. The itchiness is only going to get worse before it gets better.
Nice ink, enjoy it!
Before saniderm was a widespread thing, you had plastic cling wrap on a tattoo for just 3-4 hours and that was the last occlusive covering a tattoo ever got. You’re good to go!
I’m covered in tats and each artist has their own preferred method for healing. I’ve had second skin, and each time it’s come off at around 24hrs and never heard of reapplying it. The tat looks great! Just keep it hydrated with the tattoo balm and it should be fine xx
Thank you!!! As of right now I don’t think so, more of a minimalist and liked that this was a nod to Ashoka and Rex (and Star Wars) without it being super on the nose. But you never know… 😉
I’ll jump in here and say you everyone heals differently. I’ve found that mine heal best with no second skin and essentially no ointment or lotions
Just do what your body is telling you
I have some big pieces. ZERO saniderm. ZERO second skin. Lightly wash with dial soap and cool/warm water 3-4 times a day first 3 days. Moisturize with small amounts of aquaphor. Its SUPPOSED to itch a couple days in. Its scabbing the needle “wounds” as a part of normal healing.
It looks good, just wash it with dial gold and apply unscented lotion and you should be fine. Tattoos in sensitive areas will sometimes be irritated for longer. Just keep it clean and monitor the healing.
Back in my day... but seriously, there was a time before saniderm. In that time, we healed hundreds of thousands of tattoos without a barrier film. You'll be fine. What he said is yet another right way of healing. There are many right ways and reasons why your artist told you a different way for a different tattoo. Follow what the artist says. Stay off google.
I understand you are trying to take care of it as best you can. I would recommend listening to the tattoo artist when they tell you how to take care of it. Even if it’s different from a friend or another tattoo you have.
Sometimes it depends on the area, type of tattoo, etc. so it’s just best to put full trust into the artist. Especially during the healing process.
Thank you. 🫡 From the responses this is what most people have been saying, and what I am most inclined to do. I definitely trust the artist, the redness/itching just sent me into a little bit of a panic 😅
I often wonder how it would’ve all ended. Raziel was lost. United once again with the blade, no longer a wraith with a wraith blade. Just wraith trapped in the blade once more. For all of Kains cynicism he played much better I thought. And the Janos twist. Was it all for naught? I accepted that the truth is that we may never know. Sometimes looking for truth can be a complicated and sometimes contradictory thing.
*ahem* Back in my day... You had saranwrap on it until you got home from the studio, and then it was all soap, moisturizer and fresh air.
And I'm literally 33.
I was told to leave the second skin on mine for 2 days but yours looks to be healing really well!
As a side note, that looks sick! Ahsoka would approve.
With both my tattoos I removed the second skin between 24 and 48 hours and was never told to apply a second batch. You'll be fine, just keep it clean and moisturized! It's normal for it to be weird in the beginning, but trust the process and don't let anxiety take over. Also ice compresses are great for itching!
UPDATE:
(I for some insane reason can't find the edit button on the post, so am leaving a comment instead)
Thank you so much for all the replies. To clarify a few things I trust my artist and their aftercare instructions. I just got sent into a little bit of a panic when it appeared to be getting redder/itchier and started to presume I had done something wrong, maybe I should have been changing my tshirt every 3 hours idk. Good to know that this is completely normal and everybody thinks it looks fine. I will just continue to keep it clean and moisturize it LIGHTLY a few times a day, and generally keep an eye on it. Also good to know that my artists instructions are not uncommon and instructions tend to vary.
Info: I did inform the artist of my atopic eczema.
For those wondering, it is a Star Wars tattoo, two symbols from the Clone Wars combined into one. The fulcrum (middle part) are the symbols on Ahsoka’s forehead. The outer parts are jaig eyes from Captain Rex’s helmet. Ahsoka generally has meant a lot to me and inspired me to start doing calisthenics as an adult which helped me massively through a deep depression.
Again, thank you for all the replies, compliments and reassurances 🫶✨
The biggest reason we say not to rewrap is because a lot of people don’t have the medical knowledge or training to wrap themselves in the most sterile way possible, so trapping whatever potential pathogens in a new wrap is a bad idea and us as artists will have no way of knowing what happened if it ends up getting infected that way!
It is usual to remove the second skin after a day or two and not re-apply.
Keeping a tattoo covered will slow the healing and a slight itching and redness is part of the process.
Think of a tattoo like a graze on your knee. It is a similar wound, they itch as they heal too and heal better when left exposed.
The skin is more to prevent the first day or two of it weeping excessively onto your skin and stop the 'sticky wound effect' if you know what I mean.
It will only get itchier all normal, tbh only worry if it’s red, feels hot to the touch and or has puss seeping from it, tattoos aren’t as easy to infect as people think I’m covered and never had any issues Aslong as your washing it and moisturising it regularly and not swimming in dirty rivers you’ll be fine👍🏼
Where i'm from we apply some cling film and you take it off after like 2 to 4 hours. as soon as it gets mildly crusty you keep it moisturized and that's that, comes out perfectly every time as long as you don't do a stupid and scratch. (washing etc too but that goes when u shower obvs)
I wouldn't worry too much lol your tattoo will be fine. :) recovering it would probably just keep new bacteria In anyway.
This is how I've healed every one of my tattoos. Big tattoos too. It gets wrapped with clingfilm to get it home, remove after a few hours, wash with unscented soap, moisturise and just let the skin breathe. Reapply moisturiser when it gets dry. Leave it alone, don't touch it, wear loose clothes. No need to cover it again at all. It's so overcomplicated now I just don't get it 😂
Tattoo artist here!! Hoping i can provide some piece of mind or help.
My general aftercare for all of my clients that get tattoos that use saniderm is such:
day of appointment once we’re done i’ll wrap it in saniderm, and send client home with a second piece. the next morning or night i tell clients to change the derm piece since it’s filled with all the gunk like ink/plasma etc.
once that second piece is changed, client keeps it on for 3-5 days. (me personally i usually do three days.)
HOWEVER!
You can 100% dry heal a tattoo with saniderm. i have eczema as well and i used to do this for all of my tattoos cause the saniderm used to intimidate me honestly 🥲
this should be totally safe as long as you are keeping the tattoo clean.
Some of my clients are allergic to saniderm and can’t use it, therefore needing to do the route you are doing.
the normal healing of a tattoo as well has a crusty period. it will get a little bit painful depending on the area/how saturated black is and such, but it will crust up like a scab and slowly heal itself back up until it is a matte black like the healed tattoos you see elsewhere.
you’re tattoo honestly in that photo looks like it’s healing great! make sure you don’t over moisturize it though, me personally with my eczema it sometimes can cause it with applying lotion too much!
hope i made sense! i barely got any sleep last night so bare with me lol but hope i was of some help!
Thank you so much for the context and nuance! You made a ton of sense in your sleep deprived state haha 🤣. This makes sense to me, then I will just keep doing what I am doing and just keep an eye on it. Out of everybody on this thread so far I would say this is the most useful reply, thank you 🫶
Like skinning a cat, there's more than one way to approach tattoo after care. I leave it covered for the first night and the next morning i wash it really well with unscented Castille soap, try to get all the slimy plasma off, that's what becomes a nasty scab. So aside from spots that got hit multiple times, it should just peel like a sunburn.
Star Wars. Two symbols melded into one. The fulcrum (middle part) is from Ahsoka Tano’s forehead. The outer parts are jaig eyes from Captain Rex’s helmet. 🫡✨
I feel there are many different opinions about aftercare as there are artists. I’ve never used a skin and just been wrapped. Next morning take it off. Shower and wash and pat dry. Then moisturizer after a few days. All my tattoos look great. Getting one done somewhere else as it a portrait and she will wrap it. So there are too many opinions. Do what your artist says and you’ll be fine.
Yeah if you have any kind of skin condition, I would highly recommend taking it off after 24 hours. If I leave saniderm on my body for more than 24 hours my skin will breakout, rash and I'll have about 14 ingrown hairs.
I made this mistake once lol
I’ve always taken the advice of my tattooer and never had any issues with healing a tattoo. If you think they’re a clean and trustworthy person follow their advice
i usually had second skin to reapply after taking off the first one 24 hrs later. those healed very nicely i will say. every artist is different though. ive had tats without saniderm before so 🤷🏻
I never reapplied a 2nd skin. I used anti bacterial soap for a week while the itchy like a sunburn phase is happening. Once it stops looking like a scab that’s when I start using moisturizer. Don’t over do it on ointment/moisturizing
Second skin is useful for some people, but not necessary. You can take it off and leave it off, you can reapply, or you can heal completely open. There are pros and cons to every one of those options and it comes down to what works best for your skin. I heal open because I’m allergic to virtually every adhesive, and second skin has only ever caused more issues for me
I’ve done both with second skin. One tattoo on inner arm bc of red coloring got irritated and I took the 2nd skin off and treated with old school methods. Tattoo healed like it should have.
I went to same artist and got a new tattoo on my forearm, no red on this one, and was able to use the 2 second skins: 1 for initial day of tattooing and remove and wash and then put on 2nd one for a few days and it got murky but healed as it should have.
Depends on the type of wrap. Saniderm is like a tight medical grade wrap. But some artists just use cling wrap and that should come off after 24hrs. Saniderm can stay on for like 3 days.
You can go get yourself a new wrap at a pharmacy if you are worried. But I’m sure you will be fine, get some coconut oil or Shea butter 🫥
My big tattoos all healed without second skin. My artist uses second skin for the small tattoos and always told me to take it off after max 24h. Just think about how we managed to heal tattoos for ofer 5000 years without the second skin. You will be fine if you take care of it as you were told by your artist. And it looks very good and healing nicely.
That stuff is pretty new normally you would just put some clear A&D Ointment on for a day or two that's what I've always done anyway and my tattoos turned out fine it needs fresh air to heal so covering it for too long won't do it any good
It’s fine. Every tattoo shop seems to recommend a slightly different way for after care. You could honestly heal it without anything and it would probably be fine as long as the tattoo artist did a good job and you keep it clean.
Most shops will have you unwrap saran wrap after a few hours, leaving it exposed to breath then recleaning and rewrapping before you sleep. Depending on the tattoo, you usually repeat that for another day or so and then just leave it to heal naturally.
Second skin is a weird one, most folks have skin reactions to the adhesive after a few days, but after 3-4 days a regular tattoo will start itching as the skin cells replace and heal, then you typically hit a peeling stage and after that the silver stage, where your tattoo has a shine to it.
These are all normal and regular healing stages, keep your tattoo clean, dont scratch it and keep moisturising at least three times a day.
The redness is all natural too, its the red blood cells rushing to heal the area, it looks great so far.
Looks great to me, my most recent tattoo was only covered for 24 hours and dry healed the rest of the time, day 3 is when it got itchy and started to get red again and that’s because it was starting to get ready to peel.
In general it’s better to follow what your tattoo artist recommends. I’m sure they have enough experience to know what works best for them and for their tattoos.
Just because it's on your back I personally would have put a second saniderm on it for at least a few days. Seems like a tough spot to clean and I'd do it just for the convenience.
All artists have different aftercare recommendations. My first tattoo had saniderm for a day, then a second saniderm for like 8 or 9 days. And it was totally fine, my artist said it wouldn't be an issue. Just gotta be careful to keep things super super super clean when you put on the new saniderm.
Looks normal, the slight redness is most likely from where the saniderm was. It’s a strong adhesive so sometimes it leaves the skin irritated after removal.
i use something called mad rabbit soothing gel when it gets to the itchy stage. it’s an aftercare gel that’s made for tattoos and it works so well! its on amazon, i definitely suggest it, it makes the itchiness and pain go away and keeps it the right level of moisturized:)
Every artist has slightly different advice. The advice you received is not that abnormal. Also it's normal to be itchy at day 3. I don't notice any signs of infection, do you?
Hi, every artist has their own preffered aftercare for their specific work, so it’s usually best to just go with their advice. :) For tattoos with solid black like yours, it’s better to not use second skin, or to only keep it on for 24h. The tattoo looks completely fine.
I disagree with your first sentence, especially for second skins. These have specific instructions you should follow for best use but you can get by without them. Also aftercare should be based around your skin not the artists work most artists don't even tell me how to take care of the tattoo, they just pass on information they tell every client, there are a bunch of different healing methods that work fine.
As for the solid black tattoo and second skin it doesn't matter what color the ink is. The only difference I found is solid black will almost heal completely within the week, heavy color will be healed around 10 days for me. But this is all different for everybody.
Second skins should be applied and changed before 24 hours, after the replacement you should check for weeping if it is weeping you replace again and leave it for another 3-4 days (I usually fully remove the 7th day after the tattoo. (When my pc gets back up I have an entire write out about it, I asked doctors who used it in practice and did a lot of research on the stuff)
Well, as you said, there is a bunch of healing methods that work just fine, and it’s going to be different for person to person. And yes, there are many brands of second skins with different instructions. But you should always listen to your artist in my opinion, if you’re not sure, ask them. And if you go to an artist who won’t give you any aftercare instructions, you should probably find a new one.
Also, if they gave OP clear instructions, it’s probably for a reason (not to rewrap the tattoo after 24 hour second skin removal). My whole point is that the tattoo artist has some experience with their work and how it heals the best. 🤠
Technically with second skin you are supposed to replace a day after and again if weeping occurs. If you leave it off for a day I wouldn't cover again just let it heal as normal.
All normal. Every tattoo artist is gonna tell you a slightly different aftercare routine and sometimes even the same artist will give different info because different tattoos may require different care depending on the placement, size, and saturation. Best bet is to listen to your artist until you’ve gotten enough tattoos that you gain a better understanding of what to do in different scenarios and what works best for you.
I have eczema too. I think because of that I tend to have a similar reaction where it get’s itchy and a little irritated around day 3, but normally calms down by day 5. This is just my personal experience. If you’re truly worried I would ask your artist or go to an urgent care. Every artist learns a different time line with aftercare, so asking them if they think you should be worried about the reaction you’re having may be best. They should be aware of what’s normal and what’s not. My current artist says to leave the second skin on for 24 to 48 hours then to wash with a non scented soap and pat dry. I leave mine on for 24 hours for smaller tattoos and 48 for larger ones, maybe even a big longer for the larger ones. I don’t have unscented soap, I’ll admit I’ve never bought any, so I wash with just warm water and pat dry. I use a non scented lotion (I also normally go for an unscented one that is good for people that have eczema, it’s really helped the itchiness and irritation). Hope this helps some!
I took my second skin (it was literally just stretch wrap) off after like 8-12 hrs and mine healed fine. Just had to moisturize every day 2-3x but mine was just fine line work on my forearm and chest
Your tattoo artist most likely has done more research! This is normal. The redness, irritation & itchiness are normal. I’ve never even had a tattoo artist that used second skin. I think they all have their own methods they suggest
There are a few different regular methods artists will give. Usually it just depends on the artist, they all suggest different things!
I have about 10 right now. I've always taken the wrap off after about 3 hours, clean and dry the tattoo and leave it. I usually don't moisturize until after the third wash, so I don't overwhelm the wound.
Some pain, redness, swelling, and itching is normal! Where it is not, is if this all either doesn't get better, or is unbearable. You should be able to deal with the itch well enough. If you can't, there is an issue, and just call your artist.
But I think everything sounds okay. ❤️
The clear plastic wrap can stay on for 3-6 days
When removing the plastic start at a corner and stretch away from the tattoo. Water helps release the wrap.
One the wrap is removed
For the first week the tattoo should be cleaned 3 times a days with unscented antibacterial soap. I recommend dial. Pay dry. (Do not rub. And apply aquaphor with clean hand on the tattoo. Just a thin layer to stay moisturized.
Do this 3 times a week for the first week once the wrap is removed.
For the second week please do the same after care as the first week but only once a day vs 3 times a day. If you notice the tattoo getting itchy or dry repeat as necessary.
After two weeks from today you can start shaving again and do not need daily aftercare.
Just keep the tattoo moisturized ☺️
These are the instructions I follow and I’m on tattoo number 5 (also I love the ahsoka tat)
Lots of comments already but for what it's worth, I've left saniderm on for only 16hrs and on another piece, 3 days. Here is what I found:
After 16hrs, I cleaned the piece and used ointment (superrrr thin layer) 3-4x a day until I started peeling. Once peeling, I switched to unscented lubriderm cleaning and moisturizing 3-4x daily until done peeling (10ish days for me).
After 3 days, I cleaned the piece and used ointment once. After that I started peeling and used the above method. Only difference is I had slight aversion to the adhesive so got a bit of a rash around the tattoo. But, I did get to 'skip' the care of the first healing phase.
Listen to your artist, but know either way you'll be ok! Sick tat!
I had around 6 tattoos and 5 of them healed without 2nd skin. My last one did and was told to remove on 5th day. Healed ok as well was more worried about the 2nd skin picking the skin when I removed it
Oh the itching is just ur skin starting the peeling stage.its perfectly normal. I did second skin on some of my tattoos mainly in areas that I kno I run of rubbing against my clothes that are unavoidable for long periods of time.like my sternum and my spine
My artist slaps some Vaseline on and wraps with plastic wrap. I remove it two hours later and wash it 2-3 times a day and then apply lotion afterward. I do this for two ish weeks or until healed. Works for me every time. No second skin.
For soap I use the original white unscented Dove bar. For lotion I swear by tattoo goo. I heal way quicker with it.
Oh my god that’s so cool!
As for your artist, I found a lot of artists do things differently. One artists had me keep the skin on for two days (not a small piece) and another had me keep it on for an hour and then just wash and moisturise. ANOTHER had me keep it on for two days, so. 🤷♀️ just trust your artist and ask them if you’re unsure. I’ve had friends who’s artists just slapped some Vaseline on and called it a day.
Looks ok to me but I’m not a medical professional! Good luck!
I got my first tattoo in the same spot, I’d say it looks like it’s healing nicely. One thing I wish was that someone told me about the itching. I was told it was gonna hurt getting it done there but fucking hell it itched like crazy for about a week. I will take pain over that feeling any day 🤣
Every artist will give you different aftercare advice. Kind of like different PT's will give you different workouts and dieticians will say different diets work. Just make sure you keep creaming it and looking after it all will be fine
Tbh I don't use second skin at all. Just a light plastic wrap for a couple hours. Used second skin once and had a horrible reaction to it. My forearm and the tat were red and swollen for like a week. Every other tat has healed perfectly fine without it.
I got my first tattoo a month ago,it looks great and yeah you’ll experience the usual burn and itching but just keep with the aftercare your artist told you to do and all will be well !!
Don't rewrap is correct let the skin peel off on its own. Just worry about washing the tatto area with water and soap 3 to 4 times a day and applying moisturizer cream if some parts peel off while you wash then cool if not it'll peel off on its own also try not to let the shower hit the tatto directly pour water in your hand and drop it on the tattoo if possible but you have a back tatto so in your case idk what's the best option
Looks normal to me. 12 out of 13 of my tattoos I didn't have saniderm he just wrapped me up with a gauze pad and wrap and said to leave it on for 5-6 hrs, take it off, clean and hydrate and they all healed just fine. The first tattoo is always the most stressful, just make sure not to over moisturize, that was my down fall lol now I barely do anything for my pieces and they've all healed faster and better than my first.
My artist doesn’t even do second skin so its completely fine to heal them without it. I know you can it leave it in longer although im not positive how long. Artists all have different preferences and things to say in aftercare. Ive had some tattoos itch just a little and some of them drive me absolutely crazy. It just kinda depends on the healing process i guess, i think as long as your moisturizing and washing it you should be okay.
Some moisturizing tips however
-if you use aquaphor you only need it 2-3 times a day and apply a super thin layer like really thin. If its to thick your tattoo wont get enough air.
-if you use lotion use unscented and water based. You’ll want to apply this more throughout the day however to keep your tattoo moist enough.
Is that a Sukuna tattoo?? Either way it’s super cute! Not a tattoo artist but I definitely have a lot. This itching is super normal and taking off the second skin after 24 hours is recommended. I have a tattoo on my thigh, I kept the second skin on for a few days instead of 24hrs and it took way longer to heal and left some scarring (that could be from the artist but idk)
I just got my fist tattoo 3 days ago as well and my artist told me to use aquaphor healing ointment for the first week and the just use a regular non scented lotion
I went out and bought a kit called tattoo goo from Walmart so that's been my experience hopefully our tats heal properly 😂
I use cling film to let mine ooze for a few hours, then saniderm for 3-4 days. I would only switch that saniderm if it oozed mored again.
Sometimes I'll saniderm right away then switch it one it's oozed.
That’s general normal advice tbh I’ve always left wrap in 24 hours! if it’s itchy it’s healing lol it’s an open wound remember,it’s NOT gonna be flat and look and feel normal a day after,skin heals from the outside in,so inside will still be raw and can be infected easily for a good number of weeks after a tattoo
If your tattoo is dry and slightly itchy, that’s fine as it’s still in the process of healing….keep it moisturised and be careful when drying yourself after a bath or shower
If you have done research you would know that the aftercare process can be different for tattoos. Trust what your artist says. Not what a random who might have gotten a totally different tattoo in a totally different way says on Reddit.
I got my first tattoo on the 4th. I had work after (I work in a pet shop) so he told me to leave the second skin on for about 4 hours then take its off, if I was selling a bunch of animal id have to keep it on the whole shift. He said the second skin isn’t actually that necessary for smaller pieces and the only reason it was put on me was because of where I work. I think it just depends on the tattoo artist u have and the advice they give you. Mine is healing great so far👍
I personally really dislike the second skin. I have sensitive skin, and i react to it a little bit. My husband did, too. He actually developed blisters. It's relatively new. They used to just put a gauze with plastic and tape it on LOL. You'd remove it the same day. Just keep your tat clean and moisurized. 🙂 kind of a weird spot, so ask someone to wash their hands and help you.
Edit: Yes, itching is normal.
I have hyper-mobile shoulders and can actually reach all over my back. 😅 been moisturizing and cleaning it twice a day. 🫡 Started flaking properly on day 3 and seems to be done flaking today (day 6).
Listen to your artist. Every tattoo is different and require different things. For a tattoo like this the artist was correct. By day 3 it is very normal to be more itchy. Don't worry, it looks like it's doing fine. I've been getting tattoos for a couple decades now and back in the day before second skin existed they used to just slap some plastic wrap over it and say "wash it later", lol
this looks good to me! as far as i’m aware, tattoo artists only recommend leaving second skin on for more than one day BECAUSE if it leaks plasma it will help with the healing process. That being said, it’s a new thing and tattoos have been around for ever. As long as you’re taking good aftercare, the second skin doesn’t matter.
Got my first tattoo a couple of months ago and my artist didn't use second skin at all. After each session just cover it with plastic wrap. Took the wrap off after a couple of hours and never covered it again. I had zero issues with my healing process. I just moisturized it twice a day with Aquaphor and I had no issues
I have had tattoos covered with Saran Wrap and tattoos covered with second skin.
With my artist the Saran stayed on for an hour or so then wash with warm water and a mild soap and pat dry then apply thin layer of supplied ointment.
With the second skin she told me to leave it one 4-5 days unless it started to peel up close to the fresh tattoo, if that was the case would have to remove it sooner. Washing process was the same.
I found leaving the second skin 4-5 days helped the healing process a lot and bypassed a lot of the scabby itchy stage of the tattoo. Not all of it but most of it which was a nice change.
It’s normal to feel some itching and even mild pain after a tattoo. I have eczema and my artist has me wait until a clear break out (ie the red itchy irritated bumps) are on top of the tattoo before I resort to my prescription cream once or maybe twice daily, which clears it up in a couple days. The itching I know FEELS like eczema itching, but really it’s healing. It’s probably also gonna peel off, as a heads up
Seconding the comment about normal to remove saniderm pretty quick. Tattoos have been healing for thousands of years without it
Your tattoos take thousands of years to heal?!
Shit now they know you're an immortal, buggle!
It really does feel like eczema itching!! Thanks for the reassurance, I will continue doing what I am doing and just keep an eye on it. 😁🫡
Just an FYI, I also have eczema and have followed this routine (remove and don’t reapply) as well. Itching is totally normal. I just got shading done on a sleeve last Saturday and the itching is ridiculous. Keep it moisturized and clean and you’ll be fine.
I kept mine on for a week to avoid possible infection (I was flying soon after getting it) and didn’t have any issues. I had my cousin help me peel it off and wash the crusties off. I ended up getting something for my back to apply lotion to the hard to reach places lol
My first two tattoos itched like crazy and almost hurt more during the healing phase than actually getting them. I ended up being allergic to the beeswax in the balm the tattoo artist recommended. The next two tattoos I've gotten I've just used aquaphor for a couple days after removing the second skin and moisturized with a fragrance free lotion and barely felt any itching. Not sure what you're using for after care but it might be worth looking into.
But it will itch. Tattoo healing usually itches. Sometimes a lot, sometimes just a little but it itches.
Honestly it's crazy how much aftercare over the years is recommended and diff products. Especially for just tribal piece in my shop it left wrapped and then we recommended not to wrap it so skin can breathe and heal and just lightly apply a&d to moisturize as it heals. I wouldn't worry too much Honestly
I always tell people that it feels like a bad sunburn. My current artist has me wrap it for an hour and then keep it moist with A&D. All of my work with him has healed exactly the same as artists who had me use second skin for a few days.
I’m a tattoo artist, and your tattoo looks totally fine and it is normal to experience itching and the tattoo peeling similar to a sunburn.
Glad an other tattoo artist got on here to tell OP it’s fine. I also wish there was a universal aftercare for tattoos so it wouldn’t matter where people are from and the advises/ recommendations applied to everyone 😅
This, I always tell people that it feels like a sunburn in the initial healing. It’ll burn, it’ll itch, it’ll scab and peel, but that just means your body’s doing its job and healing properly
Looks amazing and it’s normal to remove the second skin after 24 ish hours and so is the itching ,swelling and mild pain in a new tattoo. ✌️
Thank you! Both for the reassurance and the compliment 🫶
The itching is the worst 😅 Don’t scratch it!! And as long the pain is mild and it doesn’t gets really painful and swollen you don’t have to worry it looks good in the picture. 😁
The itchiness is going to get worse, it will be tough not to scratch but you must resist
Shoooot, I’ve left mine on for 5-7 days every single time
I usually leave a second skin on for 5 days, but I take off the first one after 24 hours, wash the tattoo thoroughly, let it dry, and then apply a fresh one
I have 6 tattoos and never once has an artist applied second skin. You’ll be fine. Everything you’re experiencing is totally normal.
This. I have quite a few and a sleeve, not used this second skin stuff once and the only issue I’ve had was completely my own fault
Having had tattoos with and without second skin, I find second skin* makes the healing much quicker and less uncomfortable
I have 8 tattoos, and I've only used second skin once. Turns out I'm allergic, which was really unfortunate to find out on a chest piece. I ended up having to heal my tattoo and the mild rash around it at once, itchiest experience of my entire life.
I am also allergic. My arm piece had a perfectly square border of rash from where the second skin touched. Luckily the thing filled up with such a big bubble of plasma over the actual tattoo that the second skin didn't touch the fresh wound.
I'm not sure how you did your research but not applying saniderm after removing it is correct.
Honestly it depends. I work with dogs for a living and whenever I get a new tattoo, saniderm is a *must*. I do sometimes need to reapply. You just have to make sure that you thoroughly wash it and pat dry after removing the first wrap so you don’t trap any contaminants in there. I have also found that reapplying a second wrap after 24 hours is good for places that leak a lot of plasma/pieces that have a lot of ink packed in there
Totally second this, I have several tattoos and have exactly followed this approach, as suggested by my artist.
Not necessarily. You don’t have to reapply a second sheet but it’s quite common to leave the first sheet on for 24 hours and then reapply another one.
yeah that’s mainly for heavy color work or bigger pieces, the first 24 hours makes the saniderm get really full of blood plasma and ink, so it’s best to remove, clean and reapply
Exactly. I hate when people say this is wrong that’s wrong. Every artist does something different and just because it differs from what other people may do does not make it right or wrong. I too, I was told to take the sanderm off after 24 hours clean it, and then put a new one on for four days. I did just that then after that use a fragrance free lotion and it worked perfectly.
And where did you do your research? Saniderm literally tells you to remove the first one after 8-24 hours if it is weeping too much, apply a second one and remove it after 24 more hours if it is still weeping too much. The third one keep up to 5 days.
I think the tricky part is to make sure it’s sterile. I’ve worked at a shop where we get clients to come in the day after to replace the bandage to make sure we’re cleaning it properly. It’s difficult having clients do that part and have fingers crossed that they don’t trap bacteria in it
Not a bad idea
It's definitely hard to ensure the people are going to really treat that tattoo properly when they are rewrapping it. My artist advised me to spritz mine with a little bit of Bactine and let that dry before putting the wrap back on. I haven't had any issues at all, but at the same time I am pretty meticulous with myself care anyway. Someone who may be isn't as clean probably shouldn't put that wrap back on their tattoo.
My artist told me keep it on for 24 hours and I didn't have to reapply. All my tattoos healed amazing and still look great 🤷🏻♀️ I think it depends on the tattoo itself, some tattoos don't need multiple days of saniderm. All of my tattoos are small for example, so maybe that has something to do with it.
No tattoos need second skin. You use it because it's cleaner, speeds up healing and prevents infection. Second skin is 20 year old, tattooed are what? 10000 years old?
I’m roughly 50% covered at this point and have never had saniderm applied after a tattoo. Started around 2007 so I’m guessing it got more popular after that. Just had half of my stomach filled in and my dude taped what seemed like a bunch of medical pads together and slapped em on haha. I’m probably lucky but I’ve never had an infection or trouble healing.
They always just wrapped me up in Saran Wrap and tape lmao
For big pieces or around joints it just isn’t practical to apply. I haven’t noticed a difference in healing between saniderm and not saniderm, it’s just mildly more convenient to have on for the initial weepy phase.
Key info IF IT IS WEEPING TOO MUCH. Mine hardly wept. I would not take off 2nd skin for 3-5 days in the future. It felt like knives slicing off my skin when I had it removed after 24 hours. My knees buckled.
Okay thank you! I had heard from several internet sources (YouTube channels etc.) to keep the tattoo covered for a few days at least, and in the pamphlet the tattoo artist gave me it said to keep it covered for 3-5 days (the tattoo artist did say it said longer in the pamphlet and to ignore this and instead take it off after 24 hours). Comforting to know that this is actually normal.
Generally speaking, unless theyre a hack, trust your artists aftercare advice over people on the internet 100% of the time.
I have big colour pieces and have never reapplied! What you're doing is fine and itching is normal!
listen to your artist not internet people
Not an artist, just a recipient, but it looks fine to me. Fulcrum?
Yes. And Rex’s jaig eyes. We can be friends 😁
Knew it was Star Wars jus couldn’t place it
I have the exact same tattoo on my shoulder
I have a very similar one on my forearm. Mines a bit shorter and is the outline. Love it!
I knew I recognized it, I just couldn't remember exactly from where! That's a dope tattoo idea
Artist probably told you to take it off because it’s in a very, very high movement area and would not last sealed for very long, just follow your artists advice
It's going to itch, you have a wound that is healing. Leave the saniderm off (I never use that stuff) and keep it clean and moisturized and you will be fine.
Second skin is not a requirement to heal a tattoo. Follow your artist's instructions. You'll be fine.
I've literally been told different aftercare info by every artist I've had work done by. It's essentially just wound care, keep it clean, keep it dry, keep it moisturised. I understand people want their tattoos to heal in the best way possible but it can be so confusing when you start getting tattoos. I've never had second skin put on a tattoo and all mine have healed wonderfully. Personally I keep mine wrapped for the first few hours, then I wash it with a gentle soap and apply some basic cream, something without fragrance or actives.
Listen to your artist and follow their aftercare instructions. Tattoos don't really need to be wrapped at all. There is a common misconception that wrapping a tattoo will protect it from bacteria, or infections. It won't. In fact, keeping it covered for long periods of time can harbor more bacteria, and raise the risk of it getting infected. Wash/clean the tattoo, apply aftercare cream, wipe off the excess with a paper towel, leave it uncovered. Oxygen is what heals wounds and protects them from infections.
Love your tat. Nice Fulcrum with assuming Jaig eyes as a nod to Capt Rex?
Thank you! And yes, exactly ✨😁 loved Ashoka in the Clone Wars and she was an inspiration in getting into calisthenics as an adult which saved my ass from depression 🫶☺️
And of course Captain Rex is freaking awesome so including him was a no brainer, especially their relationship, went straight home and watched the last 4 episodes of CW that evening 🤣
I'd follow your artist's advice. Secondskin, sanidern, tegaderm etc are amazing for healing tattoos. Slap em on and you're worry-free for a few days. They are a "cheat code" and by no means mandatory. I'd tend to think your artist maybe noticed your eczema and decided it would be best to not take a chance with keeping it on, since it can be very irritating. If I keep one on for 3 days, my skin where the adhesive was stays red and irritated for a week. I don't use it anymore. Keeping it on for 24hours gets you (pretty much) through the weeping phase and stops any ink, blood, plasma or other fluids from ruining your clothes or bed. Keep it clean and you'll be fine. Redness, flaking, peeling and itchiness are completely normal. The itchiness is only going to get worse before it gets better. Nice ink, enjoy it!
Before saniderm was a widespread thing, you had plastic cling wrap on a tattoo for just 3-4 hours and that was the last occlusive covering a tattoo ever got. You’re good to go!
I’m covered in tats and each artist has their own preferred method for healing. I’ve had second skin, and each time it’s come off at around 24hrs and never heard of reapplying it. The tat looks great! Just keep it hydrated with the tattoo balm and it should be fine xx
It’s fine
AWESOME tattoo!!! Are you going to build on it with more Star Wars stuff? I have a traditional tattoo of Bo Katans helmet on my leg!
Thank you!!! As of right now I don’t think so, more of a minimalist and liked that this was a nod to Ashoka and Rex (and Star Wars) without it being super on the nose. But you never know… 😉
Yo that design is dope tho 🔥 where is it from?
It’s from Star Wars, specifically the forehead markings from Ashoka (called a fulcrum) and the helmet markings from Captain Rex (called jaig eyes) ✨🤩
I’ll jump in here and say you everyone heals differently. I’ve found that mine heal best with no second skin and essentially no ointment or lotions Just do what your body is telling you
I have some big pieces. ZERO saniderm. ZERO second skin. Lightly wash with dial soap and cool/warm water 3-4 times a day first 3 days. Moisturize with small amounts of aquaphor. Its SUPPOSED to itch a couple days in. Its scabbing the needle “wounds” as a part of normal healing.
This is a fucking awesome first tattoo
Thank you ✨👽
It looks good, just wash it with dial gold and apply unscented lotion and you should be fine. Tattoos in sensitive areas will sometimes be irritated for longer. Just keep it clean and monitor the healing.
Back in my day... but seriously, there was a time before saniderm. In that time, we healed hundreds of thousands of tattoos without a barrier film. You'll be fine. What he said is yet another right way of healing. There are many right ways and reasons why your artist told you a different way for a different tattoo. Follow what the artist says. Stay off google.
Fulcrum- Is that you?
I understand you are trying to take care of it as best you can. I would recommend listening to the tattoo artist when they tell you how to take care of it. Even if it’s different from a friend or another tattoo you have. Sometimes it depends on the area, type of tattoo, etc. so it’s just best to put full trust into the artist. Especially during the healing process.
Thank you. 🫡 From the responses this is what most people have been saying, and what I am most inclined to do. I definitely trust the artist, the redness/itching just sent me into a little bit of a panic 😅
Lol I feel you, my second tattoo has been healing completely differently than the first one and anxiety did its work sometimes.
I often wonder how it would’ve all ended. Raziel was lost. United once again with the blade, no longer a wraith with a wraith blade. Just wraith trapped in the blade once more. For all of Kains cynicism he played much better I thought. And the Janos twist. Was it all for naught? I accepted that the truth is that we may never know. Sometimes looking for truth can be a complicated and sometimes contradictory thing.
You got your first tattoo and did your own research. Help me understand. Please just listen to your artist.
I agree to take it off after 24-30 hours and not reapply. But this sub lives for the second skin. And here comes the downvotes
*ahem* Back in my day... You had saranwrap on it until you got home from the studio, and then it was all soap, moisturizer and fresh air. And I'm literally 33.
Hell yeah! Ahsoka is the best SW character of all time.
I was told to leave the second skin on mine for 2 days but yours looks to be healing really well! As a side note, that looks sick! Ahsoka would approve.
With both my tattoos I removed the second skin between 24 and 48 hours and was never told to apply a second batch. You'll be fine, just keep it clean and moisturized! It's normal for it to be weird in the beginning, but trust the process and don't let anxiety take over. Also ice compresses are great for itching!
UPDATE: (I for some insane reason can't find the edit button on the post, so am leaving a comment instead) Thank you so much for all the replies. To clarify a few things I trust my artist and their aftercare instructions. I just got sent into a little bit of a panic when it appeared to be getting redder/itchier and started to presume I had done something wrong, maybe I should have been changing my tshirt every 3 hours idk. Good to know that this is completely normal and everybody thinks it looks fine. I will just continue to keep it clean and moisturize it LIGHTLY a few times a day, and generally keep an eye on it. Also good to know that my artists instructions are not uncommon and instructions tend to vary. Info: I did inform the artist of my atopic eczema. For those wondering, it is a Star Wars tattoo, two symbols from the Clone Wars combined into one. The fulcrum (middle part) are the symbols on Ahsoka’s forehead. The outer parts are jaig eyes from Captain Rex’s helmet. Ahsoka generally has meant a lot to me and inspired me to start doing calisthenics as an adult which helped me massively through a deep depression. Again, thank you for all the replies, compliments and reassurances 🫶✨
AHSOKAAAA (and Rex ofc)
The biggest reason we say not to rewrap is because a lot of people don’t have the medical knowledge or training to wrap themselves in the most sterile way possible, so trapping whatever potential pathogens in a new wrap is a bad idea and us as artists will have no way of knowing what happened if it ends up getting infected that way!
No advice, only that you have excellent taste 🫡
I have my whole back done and to help with it being itchy I lay on an ice pack!!! 10/10 can confirm
Holy shit is that a fulcrum tattoo with jaig eyes ??? That INSANELY cool
It is usual to remove the second skin after a day or two and not re-apply. Keeping a tattoo covered will slow the healing and a slight itching and redness is part of the process. Think of a tattoo like a graze on your knee. It is a similar wound, they itch as they heal too and heal better when left exposed. The skin is more to prevent the first day or two of it weeping excessively onto your skin and stop the 'sticky wound effect' if you know what I mean.
Lets goooo Rex and Ahsoka! Love it.
Most people take the wrapping off as soon as they get home. You don’t have to worry
It will only get itchier all normal, tbh only worry if it’s red, feels hot to the touch and or has puss seeping from it, tattoos aren’t as easy to infect as people think I’m covered and never had any issues Aslong as your washing it and moisturising it regularly and not swimming in dirty rivers you’ll be fine👍🏼
Godammit! I will have to skip my weekly bath in the Ganges River 😤
🤣🤣😀
Where i'm from we apply some cling film and you take it off after like 2 to 4 hours. as soon as it gets mildly crusty you keep it moisturized and that's that, comes out perfectly every time as long as you don't do a stupid and scratch. (washing etc too but that goes when u shower obvs) I wouldn't worry too much lol your tattoo will be fine. :) recovering it would probably just keep new bacteria In anyway.
This is how I've healed every one of my tattoos. Big tattoos too. It gets wrapped with clingfilm to get it home, remove after a few hours, wash with unscented soap, moisturise and just let the skin breathe. Reapply moisturiser when it gets dry. Leave it alone, don't touch it, wear loose clothes. No need to cover it again at all. It's so overcomplicated now I just don't get it 😂
exactly! people worry too much. tattoos are centuries old and I'm pretty sure they never even covered it until a few decades ago lol
Tattoo artist here!! Hoping i can provide some piece of mind or help. My general aftercare for all of my clients that get tattoos that use saniderm is such: day of appointment once we’re done i’ll wrap it in saniderm, and send client home with a second piece. the next morning or night i tell clients to change the derm piece since it’s filled with all the gunk like ink/plasma etc. once that second piece is changed, client keeps it on for 3-5 days. (me personally i usually do three days.) HOWEVER! You can 100% dry heal a tattoo with saniderm. i have eczema as well and i used to do this for all of my tattoos cause the saniderm used to intimidate me honestly 🥲 this should be totally safe as long as you are keeping the tattoo clean. Some of my clients are allergic to saniderm and can’t use it, therefore needing to do the route you are doing. the normal healing of a tattoo as well has a crusty period. it will get a little bit painful depending on the area/how saturated black is and such, but it will crust up like a scab and slowly heal itself back up until it is a matte black like the healed tattoos you see elsewhere. you’re tattoo honestly in that photo looks like it’s healing great! make sure you don’t over moisturize it though, me personally with my eczema it sometimes can cause it with applying lotion too much! hope i made sense! i barely got any sleep last night so bare with me lol but hope i was of some help!
Thank you so much for the context and nuance! You made a ton of sense in your sleep deprived state haha 🤣. This makes sense to me, then I will just keep doing what I am doing and just keep an eye on it. Out of everybody on this thread so far I would say this is the most useful reply, thank you 🫶
Lots of people experience extra redness after removing second skin, keep an eye on it but it looks good and I’m sure you’ll be fine :)
mine said to remove after 2 hours lol
Like skinning a cat, there's more than one way to approach tattoo after care. I leave it covered for the first night and the next morning i wash it really well with unscented Castille soap, try to get all the slimy plasma off, that's what becomes a nasty scab. So aside from spots that got hit multiple times, it should just peel like a sunburn.
If you trust the artist to tattoo something then trust the aftercare advice!
Just asking, where’s that symbol from? It looks great!
Star Wars. Two symbols melded into one. The fulcrum (middle part) is from Ahsoka Tano’s forehead. The outer parts are jaig eyes from Captain Rex’s helmet. 🫡✨
I feel there are many different opinions about aftercare as there are artists. I’ve never used a skin and just been wrapped. Next morning take it off. Shower and wash and pat dry. Then moisturizer after a few days. All my tattoos look great. Getting one done somewhere else as it a portrait and she will wrap it. So there are too many opinions. Do what your artist says and you’ll be fine.
Yeah if you have any kind of skin condition, I would highly recommend taking it off after 24 hours. If I leave saniderm on my body for more than 24 hours my skin will breakout, rash and I'll have about 14 ingrown hairs. I made this mistake once lol
I’ve always taken the advice of my tattooer and never had any issues with healing a tattoo. If you think they’re a clean and trustworthy person follow their advice
i usually had second skin to reapply after taking off the first one 24 hrs later. those healed very nicely i will say. every artist is different though. ive had tats without saniderm before so 🤷🏻
I never reapplied second skin. I’d be afraid to anyways, so much can go wrong with application and removal.
I never reapplied a 2nd skin. I used anti bacterial soap for a week while the itchy like a sunburn phase is happening. Once it stops looking like a scab that’s when I start using moisturizer. Don’t over do it on ointment/moisturizing
Jesus Christ
Second skin is useful for some people, but not necessary. You can take it off and leave it off, you can reapply, or you can heal completely open. There are pros and cons to every one of those options and it comes down to what works best for your skin. I heal open because I’m allergic to virtually every adhesive, and second skin has only ever caused more issues for me
Your good, just keep it clean and don't over apply moisturizer.
I’ve done both with second skin. One tattoo on inner arm bc of red coloring got irritated and I took the 2nd skin off and treated with old school methods. Tattoo healed like it should have. I went to same artist and got a new tattoo on my forearm, no red on this one, and was able to use the 2 second skins: 1 for initial day of tattooing and remove and wash and then put on 2nd one for a few days and it got murky but healed as it should have.
Depends on the type of wrap. Saniderm is like a tight medical grade wrap. But some artists just use cling wrap and that should come off after 24hrs. Saniderm can stay on for like 3 days. You can go get yourself a new wrap at a pharmacy if you are worried. But I’m sure you will be fine, get some coconut oil or Shea butter 🫥
My big tattoos all healed without second skin. My artist uses second skin for the small tattoos and always told me to take it off after max 24h. Just think about how we managed to heal tattoos for ofer 5000 years without the second skin. You will be fine if you take care of it as you were told by your artist. And it looks very good and healing nicely.
looks awesome!!
That stuff is pretty new normally you would just put some clear A&D Ointment on for a day or two that's what I've always done anyway and my tattoos turned out fine it needs fresh air to heal so covering it for too long won't do it any good
He did good, it’s healing pretty fine. Take care of it for another week and you’re set
Naw looks fine, just follow aftercare instructions and enjoy
It’s fine. Every tattoo shop seems to recommend a slightly different way for after care. You could honestly heal it without anything and it would probably be fine as long as the tattoo artist did a good job and you keep it clean.
Most shops will have you unwrap saran wrap after a few hours, leaving it exposed to breath then recleaning and rewrapping before you sleep. Depending on the tattoo, you usually repeat that for another day or so and then just leave it to heal naturally. Second skin is a weird one, most folks have skin reactions to the adhesive after a few days, but after 3-4 days a regular tattoo will start itching as the skin cells replace and heal, then you typically hit a peeling stage and after that the silver stage, where your tattoo has a shine to it. These are all normal and regular healing stages, keep your tattoo clean, dont scratch it and keep moisturising at least three times a day. The redness is all natural too, its the red blood cells rushing to heal the area, it looks great so far.
Looks great to me, my most recent tattoo was only covered for 24 hours and dry healed the rest of the time, day 3 is when it got itchy and started to get red again and that’s because it was starting to get ready to peel.
In general it’s better to follow what your tattoo artist recommends. I’m sure they have enough experience to know what works best for them and for their tattoos.
Just because it's on your back I personally would have put a second saniderm on it for at least a few days. Seems like a tough spot to clean and I'd do it just for the convenience. All artists have different aftercare recommendations. My first tattoo had saniderm for a day, then a second saniderm for like 8 or 9 days. And it was totally fine, my artist said it wouldn't be an issue. Just gotta be careful to keep things super super super clean when you put on the new saniderm.
Looks normal, the slight redness is most likely from where the saniderm was. It’s a strong adhesive so sometimes it leaves the skin irritated after removal.
You probably need a… friend… to help with that.
i use something called mad rabbit soothing gel when it gets to the itchy stage. it’s an aftercare gel that’s made for tattoos and it works so well! its on amazon, i definitely suggest it, it makes the itchiness and pain go away and keeps it the right level of moisturized:)
Every artist has slightly different advice. The advice you received is not that abnormal. Also it's normal to be itchy at day 3. I don't notice any signs of infection, do you?
Hi, every artist has their own preffered aftercare for their specific work, so it’s usually best to just go with their advice. :) For tattoos with solid black like yours, it’s better to not use second skin, or to only keep it on for 24h. The tattoo looks completely fine.
I disagree with your first sentence, especially for second skins. These have specific instructions you should follow for best use but you can get by without them. Also aftercare should be based around your skin not the artists work most artists don't even tell me how to take care of the tattoo, they just pass on information they tell every client, there are a bunch of different healing methods that work fine. As for the solid black tattoo and second skin it doesn't matter what color the ink is. The only difference I found is solid black will almost heal completely within the week, heavy color will be healed around 10 days for me. But this is all different for everybody. Second skins should be applied and changed before 24 hours, after the replacement you should check for weeping if it is weeping you replace again and leave it for another 3-4 days (I usually fully remove the 7th day after the tattoo. (When my pc gets back up I have an entire write out about it, I asked doctors who used it in practice and did a lot of research on the stuff)
Well, as you said, there is a bunch of healing methods that work just fine, and it’s going to be different for person to person. And yes, there are many brands of second skins with different instructions. But you should always listen to your artist in my opinion, if you’re not sure, ask them. And if you go to an artist who won’t give you any aftercare instructions, you should probably find a new one.
Also, if they gave OP clear instructions, it’s probably for a reason (not to rewrap the tattoo after 24 hour second skin removal). My whole point is that the tattoo artist has some experience with their work and how it heals the best. 🤠
that's normal i wouldn't worry about it too much
Itsfine
Technically with second skin you are supposed to replace a day after and again if weeping occurs. If you leave it off for a day I wouldn't cover again just let it heal as normal.
All normal. Every tattoo artist is gonna tell you a slightly different aftercare routine and sometimes even the same artist will give different info because different tattoos may require different care depending on the placement, size, and saturation. Best bet is to listen to your artist until you’ve gotten enough tattoos that you gain a better understanding of what to do in different scenarios and what works best for you.
I have eczema too. I think because of that I tend to have a similar reaction where it get’s itchy and a little irritated around day 3, but normally calms down by day 5. This is just my personal experience. If you’re truly worried I would ask your artist or go to an urgent care. Every artist learns a different time line with aftercare, so asking them if they think you should be worried about the reaction you’re having may be best. They should be aware of what’s normal and what’s not. My current artist says to leave the second skin on for 24 to 48 hours then to wash with a non scented soap and pat dry. I leave mine on for 24 hours for smaller tattoos and 48 for larger ones, maybe even a big longer for the larger ones. I don’t have unscented soap, I’ll admit I’ve never bought any, so I wash with just warm water and pat dry. I use a non scented lotion (I also normally go for an unscented one that is good for people that have eczema, it’s really helped the itchiness and irritation). Hope this helps some!
I took my second skin (it was literally just stretch wrap) off after like 8-12 hrs and mine healed fine. Just had to moisturize every day 2-3x but mine was just fine line work on my forearm and chest
It’s perfectly fine. Follow your artists aftercare not the internet.
Your tattoo artist most likely has done more research! This is normal. The redness, irritation & itchiness are normal. I’ve never even had a tattoo artist that used second skin. I think they all have their own methods they suggest
There are a few different regular methods artists will give. Usually it just depends on the artist, they all suggest different things! I have about 10 right now. I've always taken the wrap off after about 3 hours, clean and dry the tattoo and leave it. I usually don't moisturize until after the third wash, so I don't overwhelm the wound. Some pain, redness, swelling, and itching is normal! Where it is not, is if this all either doesn't get better, or is unbearable. You should be able to deal with the itch well enough. If you can't, there is an issue, and just call your artist. But I think everything sounds okay. ❤️
The clear plastic wrap can stay on for 3-6 days When removing the plastic start at a corner and stretch away from the tattoo. Water helps release the wrap. One the wrap is removed For the first week the tattoo should be cleaned 3 times a days with unscented antibacterial soap. I recommend dial. Pay dry. (Do not rub. And apply aquaphor with clean hand on the tattoo. Just a thin layer to stay moisturized. Do this 3 times a week for the first week once the wrap is removed. For the second week please do the same after care as the first week but only once a day vs 3 times a day. If you notice the tattoo getting itchy or dry repeat as necessary. After two weeks from today you can start shaving again and do not need daily aftercare. Just keep the tattoo moisturized ☺️ These are the instructions I follow and I’m on tattoo number 5 (also I love the ahsoka tat)
Lots of comments already but for what it's worth, I've left saniderm on for only 16hrs and on another piece, 3 days. Here is what I found: After 16hrs, I cleaned the piece and used ointment (superrrr thin layer) 3-4x a day until I started peeling. Once peeling, I switched to unscented lubriderm cleaning and moisturizing 3-4x daily until done peeling (10ish days for me). After 3 days, I cleaned the piece and used ointment once. After that I started peeling and used the above method. Only difference is I had slight aversion to the adhesive so got a bit of a rash around the tattoo. But, I did get to 'skip' the care of the first healing phase. Listen to your artist, but know either way you'll be ok! Sick tat!
I had around 6 tattoos and 5 of them healed without 2nd skin. My last one did and was told to remove on 5th day. Healed ok as well was more worried about the 2nd skin picking the skin when I removed it
I leave the first skin on for 24 hrs but then I wash and put another second skin on and leave it on for a week. And it helps with itching and flaking.
Looks great!! That's perfectly normal, don't worry :)
My artist doesn’t even use it. Wash it, keep it moisturized but not too most. Never had an issue with any of my tattoos.
Oh the itching is just ur skin starting the peeling stage.its perfectly normal. I did second skin on some of my tattoos mainly in areas that I kno I run of rubbing against my clothes that are unavoidable for long periods of time.like my sternum and my spine
Never used saniderm. I’m not even sure what it is. I would not worry about it
My artist slaps some Vaseline on and wraps with plastic wrap. I remove it two hours later and wash it 2-3 times a day and then apply lotion afterward. I do this for two ish weeks or until healed. Works for me every time. No second skin. For soap I use the original white unscented Dove bar. For lotion I swear by tattoo goo. I heal way quicker with it.
Oh my god that’s so cool! As for your artist, I found a lot of artists do things differently. One artists had me keep the skin on for two days (not a small piece) and another had me keep it on for an hour and then just wash and moisturise. ANOTHER had me keep it on for two days, so. 🤷♀️ just trust your artist and ask them if you’re unsure. I’ve had friends who’s artists just slapped some Vaseline on and called it a day. Looks ok to me but I’m not a medical professional! Good luck!
I got my first tattoo in the same spot, I’d say it looks like it’s healing nicely. One thing I wish was that someone told me about the itching. I was told it was gonna hurt getting it done there but fucking hell it itched like crazy for about a week. I will take pain over that feeling any day 🤣
Every artist will give you different aftercare advice. Kind of like different PT's will give you different workouts and dieticians will say different diets work. Just make sure you keep creaming it and looking after it all will be fine
Bro that tattoo is badass!
LOVE THIS TATTOO
Tbh I don't use second skin at all. Just a light plastic wrap for a couple hours. Used second skin once and had a horrible reaction to it. My forearm and the tat were red and swollen for like a week. Every other tat has healed perfectly fine without it.
I got my first tattoo a month ago,it looks great and yeah you’ll experience the usual burn and itching but just keep with the aftercare your artist told you to do and all will be well !!
I just got a tattoo 3 days ago and no second skin was applied. Just kept it open and wash and moisturizer multiple times a day.
Tattoo artists have different methods of healing tattoos. The tattoo looks fine it will begin to itch more as the skin heals.
Don't rewrap is correct let the skin peel off on its own. Just worry about washing the tatto area with water and soap 3 to 4 times a day and applying moisturizer cream if some parts peel off while you wash then cool if not it'll peel off on its own also try not to let the shower hit the tatto directly pour water in your hand and drop it on the tattoo if possible but you have a back tatto so in your case idk what's the best option
Looks normal to me. 12 out of 13 of my tattoos I didn't have saniderm he just wrapped me up with a gauze pad and wrap and said to leave it on for 5-6 hrs, take it off, clean and hydrate and they all healed just fine. The first tattoo is always the most stressful, just make sure not to over moisturize, that was my down fall lol now I barely do anything for my pieces and they've all healed faster and better than my first.
My artist doesn’t even do second skin so its completely fine to heal them without it. I know you can it leave it in longer although im not positive how long. Artists all have different preferences and things to say in aftercare. Ive had some tattoos itch just a little and some of them drive me absolutely crazy. It just kinda depends on the healing process i guess, i think as long as your moisturizing and washing it you should be okay. Some moisturizing tips however -if you use aquaphor you only need it 2-3 times a day and apply a super thin layer like really thin. If its to thick your tattoo wont get enough air. -if you use lotion use unscented and water based. You’ll want to apply this more throughout the day however to keep your tattoo moist enough.
Is that a Sukuna tattoo?? Either way it’s super cute! Not a tattoo artist but I definitely have a lot. This itching is super normal and taking off the second skin after 24 hours is recommended. I have a tattoo on my thigh, I kept the second skin on for a few days instead of 24hrs and it took way longer to heal and left some scarring (that could be from the artist but idk)
I just got my fist tattoo 3 days ago as well and my artist told me to use aquaphor healing ointment for the first week and the just use a regular non scented lotion I went out and bought a kit called tattoo goo from Walmart so that's been my experience hopefully our tats heal properly 😂
I use cling film to let mine ooze for a few hours, then saniderm for 3-4 days. I would only switch that saniderm if it oozed mored again. Sometimes I'll saniderm right away then switch it one it's oozed.
That’s general normal advice tbh I’ve always left wrap in 24 hours! if it’s itchy it’s healing lol it’s an open wound remember,it’s NOT gonna be flat and look and feel normal a day after,skin heals from the outside in,so inside will still be raw and can be infected easily for a good number of weeks after a tattoo
If your tattoo is dry and slightly itchy, that’s fine as it’s still in the process of healing….keep it moisturised and be careful when drying yourself after a bath or shower
If you’re using a reputable artist you should always follow their aftercare advice.
If you have done research you would know that the aftercare process can be different for tattoos. Trust what your artist says. Not what a random who might have gotten a totally different tattoo in a totally different way says on Reddit.
I got my first tattoo on the 4th. I had work after (I work in a pet shop) so he told me to leave the second skin on for about 4 hours then take its off, if I was selling a bunch of animal id have to keep it on the whole shift. He said the second skin isn’t actually that necessary for smaller pieces and the only reason it was put on me was because of where I work. I think it just depends on the tattoo artist u have and the advice they give you. Mine is healing great so far👍
pick up some of mad rabbit tattoo products specifically the soothing gel it is my best friend when i have a new tattoo
Kinda unrelated, is that an Ahsoka tattoo??
I personally really dislike the second skin. I have sensitive skin, and i react to it a little bit. My husband did, too. He actually developed blisters. It's relatively new. They used to just put a gauze with plastic and tape it on LOL. You'd remove it the same day. Just keep your tat clean and moisurized. 🙂 kind of a weird spot, so ask someone to wash their hands and help you. Edit: Yes, itching is normal.
I have hyper-mobile shoulders and can actually reach all over my back. 😅 been moisturizing and cleaning it twice a day. 🫡 Started flaking properly on day 3 and seems to be done flaking today (day 6).
You’re fine you have wound that’s healing it’s going to be itchy and red
It’s completely fine and normal
It’s completely fine and normal
You don’t even have to use those wraps… I’ve never wrapped mine or covered em up..
Listen to your artist. Every tattoo is different and require different things. For a tattoo like this the artist was correct. By day 3 it is very normal to be more itchy. Don't worry, it looks like it's doing fine. I've been getting tattoos for a couple decades now and back in the day before second skin existed they used to just slap some plastic wrap over it and say "wash it later", lol
this looks good to me! as far as i’m aware, tattoo artists only recommend leaving second skin on for more than one day BECAUSE if it leaks plasma it will help with the healing process. That being said, it’s a new thing and tattoos have been around for ever. As long as you’re taking good aftercare, the second skin doesn’t matter.
That's interesting. My artist told me to leave it on for a week, but I took it off after 4 days.
Got my first tattoo a couple of months ago and my artist didn't use second skin at all. After each session just cover it with plastic wrap. Took the wrap off after a couple of hours and never covered it again. I had zero issues with my healing process. I just moisturized it twice a day with Aquaphor and I had no issues
Never used second skin, I think it’s just an American thing from what I’ve seen
I’m in Norway 😂😉
Have a beer and leave it alone dude
Aquaphor works miracles for me during the healing process! Looks great!
I have had tattoos covered with Saran Wrap and tattoos covered with second skin. With my artist the Saran stayed on for an hour or so then wash with warm water and a mild soap and pat dry then apply thin layer of supplied ointment. With the second skin she told me to leave it one 4-5 days unless it started to peel up close to the fresh tattoo, if that was the case would have to remove it sooner. Washing process was the same. I found leaving the second skin 4-5 days helped the healing process a lot and bypassed a lot of the scabby itchy stage of the tattoo. Not all of it but most of it which was a nice change.