How To Remove Second Skin Bandage

How Exercise Second Skins Work On A Tattoo?

Medically reviewed by Dr. Jennifer T. Haley, M.D., FAAD

You've just finished getting the perfect tattoo. Now you're wondering how you tin protect your new artwork and assistance it heal as quickly as possible. If this is the case, consider something called a 2d skin.

Here's how second skins work on tattoos:

Protects tattoos from germs and bacteria
Encourages the healing process of the trunk
Protects new tattoos from clothes
Makes tattoo aftercare simple and easy

What Is a Second Peel?

Information technology's what the proper noun suggests! Information technology'due south a bandage that acts as another layer of skin to protect the wound that'southward underneath it. This wound is a new tattoo. The idea was initially used to heal severe burns but afterward became famous for its use in protecting healing tattoos.

The market leader when it comes to second skin at the moment is Saniderm. Their second peel dressings accept received raving reviews and are generally much-liked. Saniderm's dressings are water-resistant, breathable, vegan-friendly and latex-free, all while helping to nurture the tattoo through the aftercare process easily and effectively.

Popular tattoo aftercare company After Inked also have their own impressive tattoo dressing kit.

How a Second Skin Works

A second peel shields your tattoo from the outside world. While this extra layer is present, your torso begins to heal the wound that lies underneath. Information technology chop-chop forms its protective layer of skin over the tiptop of your tattoo. This means, when you peel off the bogus second skin, your tattoo is protected by a naturally formed layer.

A second skin also acts every bit a bulwark to germs and bacteria, protecting your tattoo at its most vulnerable phase. They allow oxygen to reach your tattoo while at the same fourth dimension remove surplus moisture vapor, which tin can slow downward the healing process.

How to Use a Second Pare

Second skins are easy to employ, which is i of the reasons why they've become and so pop.

To Use

Make clean: Clean your tattoo and let information technology to air-dry
Trim: Use scissors to crop the second skin to size and so that it covers your tattoo. Yous can make information technology a flake bigger to also protect the skin effectually the tattoo
Separate: Remove the plastic to reveal the agglutinative
Positioning: Position it — adhesive side down — over your tattoo and press gently
Remove bubbles: Brand sure it'south adequately stuck, and remove any air bubbles that might've formed
Remove backing: Skin off the backing, the aforementioned as yous would do for a plaster

To Remove

Test an border: Option an edge of the bandage and pare it away. If information technology'due south difficult to remove, endeavour taking a warm shower to help reduce the stickiness
Remove slowly: Pull the second skin off slowly. Information technology's very like to removing a plaster. If you pull as well quickly, it's going to sting. Yous might also harm the new layer of skin underneath. Just go slowly, and you'll be fine
Clean: Brand certain you wash your tattoo carefully afterward removing the bandage and apply moisturizer

It's totally normal to see some ink or blood nether the cast. This will usually announced within the commencement 24-hour interval. If you want to, you tin can supervene upon the old dressing with a new one, following the application instructions.

You can get out a 2nd peel on for every bit long equally it feels comfortable to you. Nearly people remove it afterwards 3 to 4 days. The aforementioned bandage shouldn't be worn for longer than seven days, though — remove it to clean your tattoo. 2nd skins are great, but they aren't miracle workers. In areas that bend or flex, they don't last equally long as areas that stay withal.

Advantages of a Second Pare

At that place are several benefits of using a second skin on a new tattoo:

Waterproof
Breathable
Protective layer
Stays in place
Flexible for an awkward tat pattern
Easy healing

Waterproof

We love that second skins are accounted waterproof since information technology gives y'all that extra layer of conviction your skin is protected from water, which can delay healing.

You tin shower with it in place, but you should avoid soaking the expanse in the tub or swimming for at least two weeks after getting a new tattoo. Be gentle because much water can diminish the second peel'due south adhesiveness, making it less effective.

Breathable

This is important as second skin allows oxygen to reach the tattoo even when it's under the bandage. Oxygen is vital for the healing procedure.

Protective

New tattoos are incredibly susceptible to infection. A second skin will act as a shield from germs and leaner, reducing the likelihood of infection.

A second skin will too protect your tattoo from muddy work environments and from vesture rubbing confronting the surface area. An added do good is that your clothes are also protected if your tattoo bleeds or leaks ink in the offset few days. This protection allows your skin to heal quicker than if information technology was exposed to the elements.

Stays in Place

Unlike cling film — a pop method for protecting a new tattoo — a second skin doesn't move, fifty-fifty under your clothes. Cling film slips easily out of place, which tin irritate your wound.

Control Over the Size

Y'all tin cut the 2d skin to the size and shape that you need to cover the tattoo. This means information technology doesn't affair how large or bad-mannered in shape your tattoo is. Y'all'll always be able to cover it adequately.

Easy Healing

With a second skin, y'all apply the bandage and get out the tattoo to heal itself. You'll have peace of mind knowing your tattoo is protected and tin can recover effectively.

Disadvantages of a 2nd Skin

Despite the clear advantages, that isn't to say they're suitable for everyone. Hither are some reasons why non:

Potential allergic reaction
More expense
Can concur onto fluid (blood/plasma) and leak

Allergic Reactions

Although most 2nd skins merits to be hypoallergenic, it's yet possible to rarely have an allergic reaction to them. If you have sensitive skin, yous should accept actress care. A good idea is to exam a modest area of pare before you use information technology on a tattoo.

Boosted Cost

Using cling moving picture — while it has its drawbacks — is much cheaper than a second skin. You lot accept to weigh the costs against the advantages of getting a second peel. Is it worth the investment to y'all?

Doesn't Protect Against Leaks

If you don't apply information technology as recommended, or if the peel bends a lot in that area, a second skin can leak. Information technology's all-time to check it regularly to foreclose any accidents. Even so, if yous're avoiding water anyway, this may not exist a large bargain.

Doesn't Carry out the Healing

Even when you lot apply a 2d skin, you can't just forget about it. You should still monitor the tattooed area to make sure information technology'southward making good progress.

When yous remove it, your tattoo will still need aftercare. Be sure to wash information technology regularly and utilise moisturizer. While the 2nd skin will non heal your tattoo, your body will typically heal faster with this type of dressing.

2 Skins Are Better Than Ane

A 2nd skin is an artificial layer that's placed over a new tattoo. They're a bully invention to help protect a tattoo at the starting time of the healing process. A second pare likewise relieves the stress of looking after a tattoo in the first few days after getting it done. Call back, they don't exercise all the piece of work. It's still up to you to follow the aftercare instructions to help heal your tattoo.