FAQ Friday: Traditional VS Saniderm Healing Methods
Last Friday we discussed some general rules to follow during your tattoo’s healing process. While those are necessary for a successful heal, new tattoo care methods for optimal healing can vary drastically from artist to artist. There are two methods that you will hear mentioned but depending on how new you are to the tattoo industry, these approaches may sound unfamiliar to you. Here, we will go over the difference between the traditional healing method versus using Saniderm.
A traditional healing method involves your artist covering your fresh tattoo with household wrap, also known as cling or saran wrap, after your appointment. It will usually stay on for the first 2 to 24 hours depending on your artist’s recommendation. When it comes time to take off the wrap, your tattoo will need to be washed with a non-fragranced antibacterial soap. Once it is clean, you will need to apply a tattoo aftercare product to help prevent itchiness and scabbing. There is a tattoo aftercare product called, Redemption, that we recommend and sell at Rebel Muse if you are interested! From this point on, it is a lot of repetition between washing and applying aftercare to your tattoo. You will want to reapply the wrap to protect your tattoo from bacteria but also let it breath for a period in between washes as oxygen plays a huge role in allowing your tattoo to heal properly. You will want to repeat this process a minimum of 3-4 times a day until your tattoo is fully healed. In that time, you will switch from the aftercare to a non-fragranced lotion to continue moisturizing your tattoo.
Most tattoo artists have switched to applying an adhesive dermal bandage called Saniderm over a fresh tattoo. This is a great method that drastically reduces the risk of contaminants, unwanted friction, and allows the body to keep itself moisturized. This method also eliminates sessions of washing and applying aftercare that traditional healing requires in the first week. Once it is time to remove the Saniderm wrap per your artist’s recommendation, the most effective way is in the shower. The warm water will help loosen the adhesive and relax your skin making this step much more comfortable. After the Saniderm has been removed, continue caring for your tattoo by washing and moisturizing as mentioned with the traditional method until your tattoo is fully healed. Following the general rules we talked about in last Friday’s Tattoo Healing Do’s and Don’ts post is key to your tattoo healing beautifully!
So much information to cover, so little space! Please leave any questions or scenarios in the comments below to continue the conversation. Next topic to be discussed will be some tattoo etiquette. Can you guess which one will start with?? Find out next Friday!
-Sam