Derm Shield

Derm Shield is a breathable protective clear film bandage that can be placed over your fresh and clean tattoo depending on the area. You can leave this on for up to 7 days. You may notice a build up of blood/plasma/ink inside the bandage. THIS IS NORMAL and it will look less than pleasant for a while, but most of it will get absorbed back into your skin after a few days.

If you develop any tiny red bumps or little blisters around the edges of the bandage, the bandage starts to leak, or your tattoo becomes exposed by the bandage peeling up TAKE IT OFF using the directions below and follow the traditional healing instructions.

It is water resistant and keeps bacteria out if used correctly. No moisturizing is necessary until you remove the Derm Shield. When removing, do it in the shower after letting hot water run on it for a few minutes. Take the top of the bandage and peel it down a little to get a grip, then pull straight down not away. If you pull too hard or too fast, you may bruise. The adhesive can be very strong so be gentle. You can use unscented soap to loosen the adhesive. Once removed, wash your tattoo thoroughly with unscented soap and pat dry with a clean paper towel. Apply a small amount of unscented lotion or Aquaphor. Do this for the next couple of weeks until the tattoo is smooth and fully healed.

As always keep new tattoos out of direct sunlight for 2-3 weeks and make sure you use sunscreen after that time to protect it. Do not submerge your tattoo in standing water (lakes, oceans, tubs, hot tubs, etc.) for 2-3 weeks. Showers are encouraged.

If you have any trouble removing the Derm Shield use NON CONTAMINATED coconut oil. You don’t want to use the same coconut oil you cook with, you don’t want to get salmonella or other bacteria from the chicken you cooked the other day.

Traditional

If Derm Shield is not used or you have to take it off early. Clean your tattoo using unscented antibacterial soap and hot water with CLEAN HANDS. Then apply a small amount of unscented lotion or Aquaphor to your clean tattoo. A little goes a long way. This is to be done 2 times daily for a couple weeks or until the tattoo is smooth.

Some things you may expect are:

Pain, redness, itchiness, peeling, “weeping” which is mostly plasma that should be washed off

THINGS TO AVOID

Avoid exposure to the sun and tanning lamps. When the tattoo is fully healed, apply sunscreen to prolong the life and quality of your tattoo.

DO NOT submerge the tattoo in water for at least two weeks. Lakes, oceans, baths, ponds, creeks, etc. (Showers are 100% okay)

After a few days, the tattoo may form a layer of dead skin, and in about a week that will begin to flake off in the shower. DO NOT pick or scratch at it, just keep it clean and moist and the dead skin will all fall off by itself in about two weeks. Picking at it can cause faded color and damage to the skin.

A new tattoo is an open wound. If you notice any signs of infection (bright red streaks under the skin or cratering/oozing skin that will not heal on its own with proper care) within 1-2 weeks, contact a doctor to rule out infection. I am not a doctor.