So, you’ve got a new tattoo. Must be pretty exciting, right? But, now comes the part that no one particularly enjoys; the aftercare routine. Taking care of a new tattoo can be tricky, especially if you’re a first-timer. But, talking about your first tattoo experience isn’t why you’re here. You’re here because of Saniderm, something we all know all love in the tattoo industry. But, for those unfamiliar, Saniderm can cause a bit of a pickle situation, especially if one doesn’t really know how to properly use it.
If you’re reading this, chances are you’ve taken off your Saniderm tattoo bandage only to find out that it has kind of ruined your new tattoo. The important thing is not to panic. The second important thing is to keep on reading because we’re going to help you through these difficult times. Here’s everything you need to know about these kinds of situations and what exactly to do. Let’s jump right in!
Tattoos, Saniderm, and Oopsie Situations
Saniderm Explained
If this is your first time researching Saniderm, in regard to your new tattoo, you probably already know that this is a tattoo bandage. It is usually provided by a tattoo artist upon finishing a tattoo, but you can also purchase it yourself. The bandage is used to provide initial protection for a brand-new tattoo that is basically considered an open wound. As such, it can be susceptible to contamination in case of exposure to the environment, hence the bandage or any kind of another protection being of utmost importance.
The Saniderm bandage is breathable and permeableallowing the tattoo to ‘breathe’ and heal. Because the bandage allows the air to come under the bandage, the tattoo dries out, forms new skin, and minimizes potential infection upon removing the bandage. It is truly a great product and a life-saver for many tattoo artists and clients.
So, What’s The Problem With Saniderm?
Saniderm bandages sound like a dream-come-true kind of innovation. Everybody in the tattoo industry appreciates people coming up with something that will actually help clients go through the healing stages of a tattoo without any big issues. With Saniderm, the most critical stage of a tattoo healing process is simply smooth sailing.
However, there have been reported cases of people stating that Saniderm has ruined their tattoos. Upon removal, they would find the tattoo still in its initial healing stage. Some have reported the difficulty of bandage removal as a big problem, and others have mentioned experiencing allergic reactions.
Now, these aren’t just random complaints. These are, in fact, serious issues where people can definitely experience changes in the original tattoo design due to some of the adverse effects after using Saniderm. If you’re one of these people, or you’re going through a similar situation, we truly feel for you.
Situations Where Saniderm Ruins a Tattoo
Because we want to help you calm down and understand what’s going on with your tattoo, we’re going to go through all of the situations in which this bandage can cause some tattoo trouble. See if something like the following scenarios happened to you; it might help you deal with the aftermath much easier once you know what caused the problem;
- You Removed Saniderm Too Early
When first applied, the Saniderm bandage should stay on anywhere between 8 and 24 hours. Its purpose is to stop the tattoo oozing (blood, plasma, excess ink), and promote the drying stage of the tattoo. Because the healing times vary from one person to the other, the longest you should keep on the bandage initially is 24 hours. If you’re reapplying the bandage, you should keep it on for up to 5 days. Premature removal can result in excess scabbing, which can affect the tattoo design, as well as the healing time/process.
- You Left Saniderm On Too Long
Just like premature Saniderm removal can cause healing and design issues, so can leaving it on for too long. Because Saniderm prevents excess tattoo oozing, you have to understand that all of the things that actually ooze out of your tattoo while the bandage is on get trapped under the bandage as well.
After some time, the tattoo cannot breathe properly in, what is now considered an excess humidity environment. Because of this, bacteria growth takes place which can quickly turn into a tattoo infection as well. Needless to say, all of this can affect the way your tattoo heals, as well as the tattoo design.
- The Bandage Is Stuck To the Tattoo
This sounds like a painful predicament to find oneself in. There is no clear explanation for why this happens; maybe you’ve slept on the side where the tattoo is, or the bandage wasn’t properly applied. Either way, ripping off the bandage can definitely ruin the tattoo design.
Having sticky residue from the bandage on the tattooed skin can also cause issues if you start rubbing it off. Next time, simply hop in the shower and wait for the bandage to peel away. Use a damp cloth to wipe the residue, and stay away from coconut oil or Vaseline to aid you in this case. Both will just clog your tattoo and initiate a tattoo infection.
It is no secret that some people respond to Saniderm bandages with an allergic reaction. Some people simply have super sensitive skin, so irritation, redness, or even itching is expected in such cases. If you notice any of these symptoms occuring after the bandage was applied, it is essential to remove it. Ideally, you won’t remove it yourself; either contact your tattoo artist or a dermatologist for an emergency meeting. They should be able to remove it safely, prevent the allergy from flaring up, and cover the tattoo with an alternative cover.
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So, My Tattoo Is Ruined – What Should I Do?
So, you’ve removed the bandage only to realize it has completely ruined your tattoo. What should you do?
Our best advice is to wait – wait for the tattoo to heal. Before it has healed completely, there is nothing you can do. You’ll just end up ruining it more, experience pain, aggravate the skin, and maybe even promote an infection. Wait until the tattoo is fully healed, and then explore the following options;
- Tattoo touch-up – this is the best way to quickly correct any damage done to the integrity of the tattoo design. Whether the lines have messed up, or the color has lifted up with the bandage, with a touch-up session you can get your tattoo back to life.
- Tattoo cover-up – now, this may not be an ideal solution for a freshly healed tattoo. The color in fresh tattoos is still super vibrant, so a cover-up solution won’t work perfectly. However, when your tattoo starts to fade a little bit, you can easily cover it up with a new design. The important thing is to find a tattoo artist who is experienced in creating a cover up tattoo.
- Tattoo removal – this is the most extreme and most expensive solution to your problem, but if nothing else works, tattoo removal is probably the best solution as well. Laser tattoo removal is the most effective way to get rid of an unwanted, ruined tattoo, so make sure to explore this option as well.
Final Thoughts
Saniderm is marketed as a safe and effective tattoo protection option, and for the most part, it really is all that. However, for some people, it may not work, especially in cases of allergic reactions.
What we want to advise you is the following; when using Saniderm (yourself or with a tattoo artist), it is essential to follow the instructions regarding application and the amount of time you should leave it on. If you think Saniderm is somehow ruining your tattoo or causing other issues, talk to your tattoo artist or a dermatologist in regard to bandage removal and dealing with the aftermath. We wish you good luck and happy tattooing!
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