Wrap Instructions/Recommendations:  Second Skin or Absorbent wraps 

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 Second Skin:

- Healing with Second Skin type products looks a little bit different than "regular wrap" . Second Skin is the one I use most and recommend more often because I believe it is best at protecting a large scale tattoo. However each individual has their own wrap preferences. If you're heavily tattooed then most people figure out what routine works best with their skin and healing process. Some people can have sensitive skin or react to the adhesive, if a reaction does occur you should take your second skin off immediately and do your first step of aftercare (reactions can look like redness under the wrap that usually starts at the edges or covers the entire area of skin underneath , in more serious but very rare cases it may cause a blister like reaction).​

 - I recommend keeping your second skin on for 4-5 days. If at any point you notice a small to large fluid build up (bubble) underneath your wrap DO NOT be alarmed, this is mainly just a mixture of plasma, small tracing of blood, and a little bit of extra ink. Typically this fluid pocket will reabsorb back into the skin depending on the volume of fluid underneath. You do not need to drain it unless it starts to leak out from the edges of the wrap, if this is the case and you cant immediately patch the hole with another piece of second skin then you should take the wrap off, especially if it starts to expose your tattoo or make your second skin start to fall off (this can happen more often with large colour tattoos), keep in mind that everyone is different so sometimes you can have lots or little plasma build up. 

  - *If you happen to have a hole or open edge of your second skin where water or anything else CAN or HAS gotten into the wrap TAKE IT OFF IMMEDIATLY, you DO NOT want shower water, dirt, pet hair or any other contaminants to sit under the wrap with an 'open wound' because this can lead to infections, which no one wants!!! *

 - *Another tip to removing your second skin is to hop in the shower and let some warm water run over the wrap for a period of time to loosen it up (taking it off dry is not a fun time based on personal experience lol ) and then starting your aftercare from that point on*

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 For regular absorbent wrap:

- you are recommended keep it on for no more than 24 hours, I usually suggest keeping it on for max 24 hours or until you shower next (which is typically the morning after your appointment for most people). 

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  *DO NOT go swimming, hot tubing or bubble bathing until your tattoo is fully healed, even with second skin on, you do not want to take the chance at exposing an open wound to contaminated environments that can cause a serious infection.*

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After the wraps are taken off: 

 

 This step is for both second skin and regular blue or black absorbent pads​:

  - Ok, so you have just taken your wrap off (even if its before the 4-5 recommended days for a tattoo wrapped in second skin) Please wash your hands prior to cleaning your tattoo! Your next step is to give your tattoo a gentle wash, you may use a mild or fragrance free soap with water to wash your tattoo. I recommend you wash your fresh tattoo Morning and night for the first week or until any potential scabs heal (if your work environment is dusty or dirty then you can do a gentle mid day wash as well). When washing a fresh tattoo, do not use a towel because it can exfoliate and irritate the tattoo, once the tattoo is healed of any scabs or flakes you can start to use a towel or exfoliator. 

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 - After 1-2 days of allowing your tattoo to air out and heal a bit you can start to apply lotion (DO NOT use Polysporin or Vaseline) make sure it is mildly fragranced or unscented, only use a small pea sized amount for small or hand size tattoos and adjust for anything larger, if you use too much is can cause irritation or suffocate the tattoo so its important you use enough to just lightly spread over your fresh ink without feeling caked on and wet all day. 

*Cetaphil or Cerave are great options. Bath and Body Works pumpkin spice vanilla cinnamon apple cider blah blah blah is NOT a good option *

* you can put your lotion in the fridge for a more cooling sensation once the tattoo starts to feel itchy) 

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  By day 5 or 6 you will start to notice your tattoo itchy, flaking or peeling like a sunburn, this is completely normal in the healing process, it is important to NOT scratch, pick or peel at the skin away as it can pull up some colour, which may result in needing touch ups.

  If you do happen to have some scabbing do not worry, make sure to keep an eye on those areas, keep them clean and NOT picking the scabs, scabs can occur in high mobile areas or spots that have been slightly overworked. if a scar is looking red and irritated with pus or warmth radiating off if it then you should inform your artist for further instructions. 

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  So the peeling or scabs are all gone, at this point the tattoo should be fully healed on the surface which is usually around the 1.5 - 2 week mark. You are free to exfoliate or shave in this area and can continue to lotion as you please. swimming is also permitted.

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  Please give your tattoos time to hide away from the sun for a minimum of three months, especially for colour tattoos and tattoos that contain a lot of pastel colours, the sun exposure on fresh tattoos can ruin or tan the pigments and make your tattoos look discolor or muted, which no ones including myself wants for you. If you are a summer lover then I always like to recommend you get tattooed in the late summer or fall in order to give your tattoos enough time to settle by the following summer! I recommend that you stay on top of your sunscreen and reapply as the brand suggests in order to preserve the fresh look as long as you can. In my opinion the sun acts as a very slow laser tattoo removal and ages tattoos significantly faster if they are left unprotected. 

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Steps In Summary: 

 

1: Keep the wrap on for recommended amount of time unless the second skin starts to fall off (refer to the Second skin specific instructions) 

 keep the wraps on 24 hours for the regular blue or black absorbent wraps or 4-5 days for the Second Skin 

if your artist wraps you in plastic wrap I would only suggest keeping it on for a few hours max!! In my opinion they shouldn't be wrapping you in it anyways...

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2: When you take the wrap off, wash your hands and then use a mild or unscented soap to gently wash your tattoo. Do not use a face cloth of luffa to clean it. Clean it 2-3 times a day for the first week or until any scabs have healed.  *you can shower with the second skin on or while your tattoo is healing but if you have a regular absorbent wrap you must take it off before your next shower (I suggest waiting 24 hours MAX or till the first morning shower after your appointment)* do not replace or re wrap the tattoo after the original wraps have come off. 

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3: After a couple days of air drying you may lotion your tattoo 1-2 times per a day for a week or as needed, with a pea sized amount of lotion (no Polysporin or Vaseline) make sure have clean hands when applying the lotion. 

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4: Do not itch, pick or peel off any skin or scabs when/if this occurs, it can damage the skin and you may require touch ups afterwards (please wait 4 weeks minimum to get touch ups because the tattoo needs time to heal on the surface and underneath)  

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5: Your tattoo should be healed around the two week mark, at this point you are able to apply any lotion you prefer, shave and you can swim or soak in the bath tub. Keep in mind that some warm water sensitivity may continue to occur but will not last long, this feels similar to ex. a sun burn under hot water. 

 

6: To preserve the look of a fresh tattoo keep up on the sunscreen, apply and reapply, and do not expose your tattoo fro sun for the first three months afterwards.