When you get a new tattoo, your tattoo artist will wrap it up in plastic wrap. You might be wondering why is it plastic wrap and the answer is pretty simple. It is not necessarily a plastic wrap but a transparent bandage. This is known as a derma wrap or dermal wrap. It’s a medical-grade adhesive bandage that protects your newly-inked tattoo from any dirt or other contamination. It is used to preserve the initial ink and then later you have to take it off to wash the tattoo.
Now you might be wondering, how long should I leave the derma wrap on the tattoo? It’s a good question but the problem is that everyone you meet will give you a different answer. Some will say take it off within 24 hours, others will say anywhere from 3 days to a week. Which one is correct here? The answer is both answers have some truth to them. What you have to understand they are correct in different ways.
Key Takeaways
- Saniderm has become synonymous with tattoo wraps that are used because of how good the product is at protecting and healing the tattoo.
- The initial, second, third, and onward derma wraps all have different time periods that need to be kept on.
- There are procedures to do before applying the derma wrap, how to apply the derma wrap and how to take it off.
The Gold Standard of Derma Wrap: Saniderm
When you ask people about what tattoo artists use for a derma wrap, you will most likely hear the word Saniderm. Derma wraps have become synonymous with Saniderm and there are good reasons why that’s the case! It may look like a transparent plastic bandage that protects from infections and germs, but there is more to it than what can be seen.
Breathable wrap
When a product says it is breathable, it usually means that it lets gases like oxygen pass. This is key to Saniderm’s healing property, as it will make sure that the skin is able to get oxygen and help it heal while it is under wrap. Plastic wraps such as Saran wraps are not breathable and will clog up your pores and cause adverse skin reactions because the wrap is not breathable. Saniderm both protects the skin and helps it breathe.
Medical-grade
Some hospitals will use plastic dermal wraps called Tegaderm. Guess what, that is exactly what Saniderm is as well, just under a different name! For open wounds like a new tattoo, you can be ensured that your tattoo is safe under the Saniderm derma wrap.
Waterproof
With how much your new tattoo might leak plasma, it is good to know that Saniderm derma wraps are waterproof. So it means that you can be assured that water will not affect the wrap. But prolonged exposure to water such as soaking the wrap might weaken the adhesive.
Protection from friction
The good thing about Saniderm is that not only does it let the tattoo heal under the wrap, but it also protects it from unwanted friction. The problem is that if let out in the open, the tattoo might touch other objects and be rubbed off. With Saniderm, unwanted touches on the tattoo are protected.
How Long to Leave the Derma Wrap On?
As with all derma wraps out in the market, there are certain time periods that you can leave it on before it has to be replaced. With Saniderm, there are some clear instructions about how long the wrap is to be kept. And because of these instructions, people have such different answers about how long the wrap should be kept on. So let’s see them in more detail.
Initial wrap
This is the wrap that your tattoo artist gives as you get your tattoo done from the shop. If they use Saniderm then generally you leave it on anywhere from 8 to 24 hours. This is dependent on you as there will be a build-up of plasma and sweat under the wrap. If the initial wrap is coming loose or there is a lot of fluid build-ups, that is your cue to take it off. But always remember that the initial wrap should not be kept for more than 24 hours.
Second wrap
So now that you have your first wrap off, it is time to get the second derma wrap on the tattoo. This is where all the world’s confusion about Saniderm and other derma wraps’ duration comes from. It is suggested that this second wrap can be kept on for 7 days. Of course, you can take off any derma wrap if it feels uncomfortable or if there is excess fluid build-up. But the duration you should Saniderm and other wraps are 7 days and no more than 7 days.
Third wrap onwards
Obviously, if you feel any discomfort with your wrap you can change it anytime. From the third wrap onwards, Saniderm advises keeping them on for no more than 5 days. This will match around the first week of getting your tattoo after which you don’t have to keep the wrap on anymore and traditional tattoo care is good enough to heal the tattoo properly.
See what I meant about the different times that people talk about derma wraps! Hopefully, with this information, many misconceptions about the duration of derma wraps like Saniderm are gone.
Using Derma Wrap
With the duration out of the way, it is time to know how to use the derma wrap on your tattoo by knowing what to do before wrapping, during wrapping, and when taking it off.
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Before applying
Before every wrap after the initial wrap, there are some things you have to follow to ensure that the tattoo and the skin under your wrap are healing properly.
- Wash the tattoo with an antibacterial, fragrance-free soap under lukewarm water.
- Air or pat dry the area for 15 to 30 minutes.
- Apply a thin layer of moisturizer.
This is to make sure that the area is clean after all the fluid build-up and that any excess tattoo ink is washed off the site of the tattoo. The moisturizer helps the skin from drying out and soothes the itchiness of the skin. Drying the area is essential to having the derma wrap properly applied.
Wrapping
When wrapping the tattoo with derma wraps like Saniderm, what you should do is:
- Cut out derma wrap an inch larger than the tattoo.
- Take off the adhesive and place the adhesive side over the tattoo.
- Smoothen the derma wrap so the adhesive sticks properly.
You want to make sure there are no air pockets on the wrap and that it is smoothly applied so you are able to move the area. Some areas will be more difficult to move than others because of how the derma wrap has to be applied.
Taking it off
When getting the tattoo, all body air on the tattoo is removed so you don’t have to worry about that part of taking it off. Instead, what you should do is:
- Remove from one side along the natural hair growth.
- Run wrap under warm water while removing.
- Use baby or coconut oil to break the adhesive.
The warm water or oil helps weaken the adhesive of the derma wrap so it is less painful to take it off.
Other Derma Wraps
I will always suggest Saniderm as a way to wrap your tattoo. But there are other derma wraps on the market that are as good as Saniderm. But one thing I will suggest is to never use Saran wrap to cover your tattoo. They don’t allow the skin to breathe and trap the tattoo in such a way that it might not heal properly. It also does not absorb the leaking plasma.
So other tattoo wraps on the market that are as good as Saniderm are:
- Second Skin
- Dermalize
- Tegaderm
- Derm Shield
FAQs
Can I take a shower with my Saniderm or another derma wrap on?
If your derma is waterproof like Saniderm, you can shower with the wrap. However, you should shower for too long as it will cause the adhesive to weaken.
Can derma wrap be applied everywhere on the body?
Yes it can be applied anywhere on the skin where the tattoo is made. Just make sure that you remove any body hair in the area as it is painful to remove and some places will make moving difficult for example joints.
Will other products have the same duration of time as Saniderm?
For other products, please refer to the packaging instructions to know what the manufacturer recommends.
Final Thoughts
Well, there you have it. A lot of the misconceptions about derma wrap turned out to be true. They were true because the duration of the initial wrap and the second wrap is different and many people can confuse that information. Hopefully after reading this, you have a better understanding of how long to leave a derma wrap on a tattoo before taking it off.
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