Second Skins are breathable, medical-grade adhesive bandages applied over a fresh tattoo. They’re waterproof and breathable, protecting your tattoo from bacteria, dirt, and friction while allowing natural healing.

How it works:

• My preferred method begins with a non-adhesive bandage for the first 24 hours. This allows your body to naturally expel excess fluid and lymph before applying the Second Skin.

• After 24–48 hours, the body produces the right amount of moisture to support efficient healing beneath the wrap.

• Most clients wear the Second Skin for 5–7 days, depending on how the tattoo looks and feels.

After removal:

• Gently clean and lightly moisturize twice daily and after vigorous or sweaty activities.

• Keep the area out of the sun for at least one month, until fully healed.

During your session, we’ll review how your skin is responding and go over personalized aftercare instructions, so you know exactly what to expect.

Step 1 — First Cleaning:

• Remove the non-adhesive bandage after 24 hours.

• Wash gently with mild soap and warm water.

• Rinse with cold water, pat dry with a clean paper towel, and let air-dry for 10 minutes.

Step 2 — Apply Ointment:

• Use a tiny amount of healing ointment — just enough to create a satin shine.

• Massage it in sparingly and blot off any excess.

• Repeat cleaning and ointment 3–4 times daily for 3–5 days, until peeling begins.

Step 3 — Peeling Phase:

• Once the tattoo begins to peel or flake, switch to a fragrance-free lotion (like Lubriderm for Sensitive Skin).

• Apply lotion 2–3 times daily. If the tattoo feels very dry, you may switch to a heavier lotion.

• Do not pick, peel, or scratch — let the flakes fall away naturally.

Step 4 — Scabs (if they form):

• With proper care, scabs usually don’t form. If they do, it’s often a sign that the tattoo isn’t being cleaned often enough, and lymph is drying on the surface of the skin.

• Increase gentle cleaning and allow the tattoo to fully dry before applying a very light layer of ointment or lotion.

• Never pick or remove scabs — let them heal and fall away naturally. Picking can cause uneven healing, scarring, or color loss.

• Do not soak or submerge your tattoo in water. Avoid baths, pools, hot tubs, lakes, or saunas until peeling is complete. Short showers only.

• Do not turn your bathroom into a sauna. Keep showers brief and avoid steaming up the room — trapped steam can over-moisturize the tattoo and delay healing.

• Do not swim until all peeling is naturally gone (usually 2–3 weeks).

• Do not expose your healing tattoo to sun, tanning beds, or UV radiation. Healing skin is vulnerable to scarring and permanent damage.

• Avoid workouts or physical activity heavier than walking until peeling is complete — especially if the tattoo is in a high-sweat area.

• Avoid dirty environments while the tattoo is healing.

• Do not let lymph dry on the surface. If fluid builds up and dries, it can harden into scabs. Scabs complicate healing and can cause uneven color retention. Gentle, consistent cleaning prevents this.

• Once peeling is complete, you may return to normal water activities.

• Resume sunscreen use after peeling is gone. Use SPF 60+ and reapply every 2 hours if exposed to the sun. Sunburns will permanently damage your tattoo.

• Protect your tattoos long-term — intentional tanning will dull and fade them.

• After peeling, resume light/moderate cardio. Wait 3–4 weeks before resuming muscle-specific training on the tattooed area (to allow collagen and elasticity to return).

• Keep your skin healthy with daily moisturizing, hydration (2 liters water daily), and occasional gentle exfoliation/shaving for brightness.