Aftercare

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Length of Use

Initial  Tatu-Derm application should be in place for 48-72 hours. Small amounts  of fluid (plasma/white blood cell build up) will accumulate under the  Tatu-Derm and is expected during the normal healing process. Change  Tatu-Derm when drainage, leakage, or excessive pooling under the product  occurs. Tatu-Derm is effective as long as it adheres to the skin with  no gaps. If it becomes loose, it is no longer an effective barrier and  should be removed immediately. If you must remove the bandage early, you  can come back to the shop to have a new piece re-applied within one  hour of removal. If leakage occurs and/or the tattoo underneath becomes  dry or scabbed, the adhesive will stick to it and will be painful to  remove. Tatu-Derm is waterproof so showering with the bandage on is  okay.

Removal of Tatu-Derm

Support  the skin while removing the Tatu-Derm. Gently grasp a corner and slowly  peel the Tatu-Derm from the skin in the direction of hair growth. Avoid  skin trauma by peeling the bandage back, rather than pulling it up from  the skin. We suggest removing it in the shower to help loosen the  adhesive.

After Removal

Clean  the tattoo with mild, unscented soap (such as Dr. Bronner's Baby  Unscented Castile Soap or Dial Gold) and warm water. Rinse it well;  taking off as much of the slimy coating that may have formed over the  tattooed area while underneath the Tatu-Derm (the slimy coating is  plasma/white blood cells. Scabs form when the plasma dries on the  surface of the skin). Gently pat it dry with a paper towel then allow it  to air-dry for 10-15 minutes before applying lotion.

Apply  After Inked or a fragrance-free lotion (Lubriderm, Eucerin, etc.),  massaging a very small amount into the skin to keep the tattoo slightly  moist but NOT smothered. Use just enough product to moisturize the  tattoo and blot off any excess with a paper towel. If the tattoo appears  shiny, you have used too much. Continue cleaning and applying lotion to  your new tattoo 2-3 times a day for the first 7-10 days following   removal of the Tatu-Derm.

The healing tattoo  should never stay submerged in water. Limit yourself to short showers  until the tattoo has finished peeling. It’s also important that a fresh  tattoo be protected from the sun and dirty environments, as it’s still  an open wound at this time. All normal activities involving water or sun  exposure can usually be resumed after 14-21 days.

When  the peeling stage begins, the tattooed skin will flake like a sunburn  and become dry and itchy. Avoid picking and/or scratching at the cracked  and flaking skin. Keep using lotion until the skin returns to its  normal texture.

Troubleshooting

If  any irritation, redness, or blistering occurs under or around the  Tatu-Derm, remove the bandage immediately and discontinue use. Clean the  area using mild, unscented soap and pat dry with a paper towel. Allow  the area to completely air-dry for 10-15 minutes before applying  ointment or lotion.

If bumps, bubbles, or pimples  form on the surface of the tattoo, stop applying ointment/lotion,  letting it dry and peel on its own. This bubbling is caused by moisture  getting trapped in your skin, usually from using too much ointment  (mostly from petroleum based products like A&D and Aquaphor), and  could lead to scabbing. If scabs develop, they can remove the color  beneath them if prematurely removed. It’s important that they’re allowed  to dry out completely and not get waterlogged at any time. The scabs  will eventually fall off on their own and the tattoo should be fine if  no deep cracks have formed.

Remember that until your new  tattoo peels, it’s an open wound, and needs to be treated as one. Give  your tattoo the time and attention it needs to properly heal. Engaging  in activities such as swimming, tanning, removing the bandage early,  picking at the tattoo, and general disregard for it, are done at your  own peril. If you suspect an infection has developed, please seek  medical attention immediately, as untreated tattoo infections can have  very serious consequences.