Aftercare Instructions

Your tattoo is an injury to the surface of the skin. The outermost layers of the skin are part of the body’s defense against the environment. They keep out dirt and bacteria, and keep in body fluids. Your injured tissues will repair themselves over time.

  • Saniderm is a type of transparent adhesive bandage used in the tattooing process. It's applied over fresh tattoos to protect them from bacteria, dirt, and other contaminants, while also promoting faster healing.

    Keep the Saniderm on for a maximum of 6 days. The longer you are able to keep it on, the more your tattoo will be able to heal while bandaged. During this time there will be a buildup of fluid (plasma, ink, blood) underneath the bandage—this is normal, and should stay contained within the Saniderm. If it does leak out (and the seal between the Saniderm and your skin is broken), remove the bandage and continue with aftercare as instructed below.

    Watch for signs of allergic reaction. People with sensitive skin may be allergic to this product. If you notice redness or irritation around the edges of the bandage, remove it immediately to avoid further damage to your skin. Advise your artist not to use this form of bandage for your future tattoos.

    To remove the Saniderm—while in the shower, slowly pull the Saniderm off. It is best to peel up a corner and pull/stretch it adjacent to your skin. Removing the bandage will be uncomfortable but if you take your time and ease it off, it will not damage your tattoo. Once the Saniderm is completely removed, thoroughly wash your tattoo and continue with aftercare as instructed below.

  • Keep your tattoo bandaged for about 2 hours, then wash the tattoo. You do not need to replace your bandage unless you need to protect it against an environment where it is susceptible to dirt or bacteria. If you replace the bandage, be sure to use new, clean, disposable gauze and change the bandage often. It is important to let the tattoo breathe. If the bandage becomes stuck to your skin at any point, be sure to ease it off gently with lukewarm water and soap. If applicable, wear loose clean clothing over your tattoo for the first nights of sleep. Proceed with aftercare as instructed below

Always wash your hands thoroughly before taking care of your tattoo. This is very important in order to avoid the risk of infection.

ONCE YOU’VE REMOVED THE BANDAGE….

  • Whichever bandage you’ve had, once it comes off you need to immediately wash your tattoo very thoroughly with lukewarm water and unscented liquid soap. Dial antibacterial soap is recommended.

  • Pat your tattoo dry and leave it alone! Keep it clean, dry, and out of the sun throughout the healing period (approximately 2 weeks). Wash/rinse it once a day in the shower, but no more than that as over washing can slow down the healing process.

  • If your tattoo starts feeling tight and dry you can use a small amount of plain, unscented lotion or tattoo-specific ointment two-three times a day to moisturize your tattoo and the surrounding skin. Little Loo’s recommends Aquaphor for the care of your tattoo. But be careful! It’s very common to use too much moisturizer - do so sparingly. A little bit goes a long way.

  • Your tattoo will flake and peel, and may feel itchy. Do not pick it or scratch it!

  • Signs of infection usually take more than 24 hours to develop. Call your healthcare provider if redness, swelling, or pus appears around the tattoo, or if you have pain or fever.

  • Once your tattoo is fully healed, make sure to use sunscreen to protect the color from fading due to UV exposure.

  • For pieces that are works in progress, you need to leave a minimum of 3 weeks between appointments to allow for healing.

Don’t hesitate to contact Nani with any additional questions or concerns