Aftercare Instructions
Tatu-derm Aftercare
Normal Aftercare
MRSA
Download a printable version of the aftercare guide here. (Must have Adobe Reader)
If you have ANY questions or concerns about the way your tattoo is healing, please give us a call at (206) 446-2153.
Tatu-derm is a thin film with a hypoallergenic, latex- free, gentle adhesive with good holding power. It is a breathable, waterproof, conformable, transparent, protective barrier.
Benefits
- Breathable: Tatu-derm lets oxygen in and moisture vapor out allowing the skin to function normally.
- Waterproof barrier: Tatu-derm is waterproof making it ok to bathe, shower or swim. Tatu-derm is impervious to liquids, blood, body fluids, bacteria and viruses. This provides a barrier both for tattoo and external. Tatu-derm protects tattoo from rubbing and abrasion.
- Comfortable: Tatu-derm flexes and stretches with skin for great comfort during movement and prevents stress on the skin. Tatu-derm is comfortable to wear and provides a low, flat protective profile.
- Transparent: Tatu-derm allows complete visibility of tattoo healing. Tatu-derm prevents scab formation to enhance tattoo results.
- Gentle adhesive: Tatu-derm adhesive is hypoallergenic and latex free to minimize skin irritation. The gentle adhesion provides just the right balance in adhesion strength to maintain the protective barrier. The hydrophilic adhesive properties make Tatu-derm ideal for moist conditions.
Applying Tatu-derm
- Make sure the skin is free of soaps, detergents and lotions before applying Tatu-derm. These may cause skin irritation. Make sure skin is clean and dry since adhesive products do not adhere well to wet or oily surfaces.
- Select the proper size of Tatu-derm to cover the tattoo plus 1-2 inches additional. For larger tattoos more than one piece can be overlapped.
- Cut the Tatu-derm to size with a sterile scissor.
- Peel the liner from the Tatu-derm, exposing the adhesive surface.
- Do not stretch the Tatu-derm during application as this may cause skin irritation and adhesion failure.
- Apply firm pressure to the dressing from center out to the edges for best results. Tatu-derm uses pressure sensitive adhesive.
Tatu-derm Changing Guidelines
- Although Tatu-derm is designed for long wear time it is recommended to change the dressing every couple days for best results.
- Inspect the tattoo site frequently.
- Change the Tatu-derm if it becomes wet underneath with body fluids.
- Too wet may cause skin irritation.
- Fluid buildup will inhibit breathing.
- Replace the Tatu-derm if it becomes wet, loosened or soiled as it will no longer be affective.
Removing Tatu-derm
- Proper removal is essential to minimize skin irritation.
- Grasp one edge of the Tatu-derm and slowly peel the dressing from the skin.
- Fold the dressing back over itself. Do not pull it up from the skin. To help in lifting a Tatu-derm edge, a piece of surgical tape can be secured to one corner. Pulling up on the tape will help to start one edge of Tatu-derm.
- An alternative removal technique is to grasp one edge of the Tatu-derm and gently pull it straight out to stretch and release the adhesive.
- DO NOT pull Tatu-derm off quickly as this may cause skin irritation.
Other Benefits
- Tatu-derm can be used to cover tattoos that cannot be completed in one sitting. You can start tattooing one day, cover the tattoo with Tatu-derm and when tattooing is resumed the skin will remain workable with no scabbing.
- Tattoo artists can use Tatu-derm to cover a new tattoo on themselves as a bacterial barrier when they are tattooing a client. This protects both artist and client.
- Tatu-derm users have reported improved color results. Color is not diluted when the tattoo is covered with Tatu-derm because it is waterproof.
- Tatu-derm provides a waterproof barrier that remains intact for showering, bathing and swimming.
For more information, visit www.tatuderm.com
Normal Aftercare
Getting a tattoo is like getting minor surgery. Aftercare is critical to the healing process and the longevity of your tattoo. The better you care for your new tattoo within the first 2 weeks, the brighter the colors will be and the longer the detail will last. Following ALL of the instructions below will speed up the healing process of your new tattoo and decrease your chance of infection.
ALL our clients should use AQUAPHOR HEALING OINTMENT by EUCERINE for their aftercare. Aquaphor speeds up the healing process, the scabbing is flakey like a sunburn (vs. chunky like scabbing your knee) so the scab falls off easily and quickly. Clients who use Aquaphor have much brighter tattoos and need little to no touch up. We are professionals who have tried just about every aftercare method. TRUST US, this gives the BEST results.
If you choose to disregard the following advice you run the risk of forfeiting your free touch up and be charged full price for your negligence, with possibly experiencing infection or excessive scabbing. Remember 99.9% of tattoos will need a touch up.
- Remove the bandage in 1 – 2 hours
- After washing your hands, wash your tattoo with warm water and SoftSoap Liquid Antibacterial soap. Rinse, pat dry with a clean paper towel and then apply a very thin layer of Aquaphor.
- Wash your tattoo only once a day. Otherwise you will dry out your tattoo causing excessive scabbing, irritation, and even minor infection.
- Your tattoo should have a thin layer of Aquaphor on it at all times, YOU NEVER WANT YOUR TATTOO TO GET DRY! Thin layers 2-3 times a day is the right way to do it. Thick layers of Aquaphor will not allow the tattoo to breathe and may cause scarring and irreversible damage to your tattoo.
- Your tattoo will begin to peel and flake after 3-5 days.
- After three days of using Aquaphor please switch to a non-scented lotion for the rest of the healing period. We recommend Eucerine Calming Cream however any non-scented lotion will do.
- Even though your tattoo will be done peeling it will not be completely healed. The dermis, which is under the epidermis, still needs to heal with the process taking up to 1-3 months. You can speed up your healing by taking Vitamin C supplements daily with a glass of milk. Calcium is needed for the body to absorb the Vitamin C, without calcium it is pointless to take Vitamin C.
- After your tattoo is healed you should apply liberal amounts of sun block to your tattoo if you are going to be outside for a long period of time.
- IT’S NORMAL TO HAVE THE FOLLOWING OCCUR WITHIN THE 1ST COUPLE OF DAYS OF RECEIVING YOUR TATTOO: slight bruising, tenderness, swelling and/or redness, and leakage of a clear fluid (plasma) from the tattoo.
While your tattoo is healing PLEASE…
- Do not listen to anyone else’s aftercare advice. We have seen more tattoos ruined by people choosing to listen to their friends instead of listening to trained professionals. You trusted us to do the tattoo, now please trust that our aftercare instructions are worth following.
- Do not pick at or scratch your tattoo while it’s scabbed up. Picking the scab WIILL lift ink and cause your tattoo to appear lighter after it’s healed. Picking your scab can also cause scarring that would not have occurred if left alone. Please let the scab fall off naturally.
- Do not let anyone touch your tattoo This can lead to an infected tattoo.
- Do not submerse your tattoo in water for long periods of time. This means NO SWIMMING, NO HOT TUBS and NO BATHS until the scab falls off. If you let your tattoo get soggy you could cause scarring and faded colors.
- Do not exercise or sweat excessively until the scab falls off; sweat can cause infection and potentially damage your tattoo.
- Wear clean clothes and keep your pets away from your new tattoo.
If you experience excessive irritation, infection, allergic reaction or you harm your tattoo while it is in the critical healing stage please use POLYSPORIN found at any drugstore. DO NOT use Neosporin because it contains neomycin which will lift color and potentially cause allergic reactions; it will ruin your tattoo and make the conditions worse!
MRSA Information
MRSA has been called the next epidemic by many medical professionals. At Artful Dodger Tattoo we feel it is our responsibility to educate our clients on the ways to prevent the spread of this bacterial infection. The tattoo artists have been tested as carriers for MRSA and have tested negative. So, although you may not get a MRSA infection while being tattooed, it does not mean you can’t get one after you leave the shop and travel to another environment.
MRSA is the short name for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcuss aureus (staph). Staph is a common bacterium that lives on the skin and in the nose of as many as 25-30% of the population. MRSA is a type of staph that is resistant to certain antibiotics. It is only found in the noses of about 1% of the population. In some people, MRSA causes a skin infection that usually begins with a small bump resembling a pimple or spider bite. This area is usually red, swollen and painful, containing pus or other drainage. Be aware that MRSA can also cause pneumonia, cold- or flu-like symptoms. Most MRSA infections can be treated with good hygiene and appropriate antibiotics.
People get MRSA from close contact with people OR animals who already have it. Most MRSA carriers do not get infected with the bacteria however they can pass the infection on to others. Animals are also carriers for MRSA-especially cats-so please do not allow your animals to sleep next to you before your tattoo is done healing. Furthermore, washing your hands after handling your pets is recommended to ensure your tattoo stays clean.
Infections occur when the bacteria enter the body through scrapes or cuts in the skin. Factors that have been associated with the spread of MRSA include but not limited to: close skin-to-skin contact, openings in the skin such as cuts or abrasions, contact with contaminated items and surfaces, crowded living conditions, and poor hygiene.
Although most MRSA infections are spread among household contact, outbreaks have also occurred in daycare centers, schools, hospitals, prisons and sports activities where people have skin contact and/or share equipment and personal items.
Public Health recommends that all people take the following precautions to prevent the spread of MRSA in our community:
- Keep draining (i.e. seeping) wounds clean and covered.
- Wash any cut or break in the skin with soap and water and apply a clean bandage daily.
- Report new skin sores or boils to your doctor immediately.
- Wash your hands and forearms before and after caring for the wound and frequently throughout the day, using soap and warm water for at least 15 seconds and drying your hands on a clean towel or paper towel.
- Bathe regularly with soap and warm water.
- Avoid sharing personal items such as towels, wash cloths, razors, deodorant, clothing, bedding, etc.
- Wear clean clothing.
- Wash clothing, sheets and towels in hot water and detergent, and dry them in a hot dryer.
If you have signs of a staff infection, please call your doctor immediately. When caught early, MRSA is much easier to treat and you will lessen the chances of spreading the infection to others.
For more information regarding MRSA, please visit http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/mrsa/DS00735
