Tattoos are a beautiful addition to your skin. But you won’t like the outcome if you don’t know how to take care of a new tattoo. Using a second skin is one of the best ways to preserve your tattoo’s beauty.
Second skin is a form of bandage worn at the initial healing stages of your tattoo. This product has grown in popularity over the years. According to Glimpse’s 2024 trend report, search interest in second skin increased by 46%.
The popularity of second skin is proof of how effective it is in helping tattoos heal fast. We’ll explore what a second skin is and its benefits. Afterwards, we’ll discuss how long you must keep a second skin on a tattoo.
What is a Second Skin?
The second skin is an extra layer, as the name suggests. Made of adhesive plastic material, this item helps to protect your tattoo’s beauty over time. Tattoo artists usually apply a second skin immediately after completing a tattoo.
A freshly-completed tattoo is in its most fragile state. According to a study, your body system interprets a tattoo as an injury, sending blood to the area. This makes the tattooed area swell, turn red, and get painful.
This period is critical to the tattoo’s healing and final look. The tattooed area is susceptible to infection and bacteria. But with a second skin layer on the tattoo, you need not bother.
Second skin used to be an item used by hospitals to protect against burns and injuries that needed air. But its efficiency has made it popular in the tattoo world.
Before second skin became popular, tattoo artists used cling film and saran wrap. But the efficiency of second skin makes it stand out. Today, it’s the best way to keep your healing tattoo wrapped.
How Does Second Skin Work?
Once applied, second skin forms a layer on the tattooed area. As such, your tattoo isn’t touching any clothes or hands directly.
Second skin will typically stay on the tattooed area for up to ten days — depending on how you maintain it. But it’s always better to follow expert advice on how long to keep second skin on a tattoo.
It’s a breathable bandage, which means air will still get to your tattoo. And oxygen is a crucial element to quicken the tattoo healing process. At the same time, second skin will remove unnecessary vapour from the tattooed area.
Applying and removing second skin is very simple and effective. You may also notice stains of ink and blood on second skin. These are excess liquid from the tattooed area.
The Application Process of Second Skin
It’s best to allow an expert from a standard tattoo studio in Toronto install second skin. But it’s a tattoo aftercare essential that you can also apply yourself. Here’s how:
- Clean the tattooed area thoroughly. Use cleaning products recommended by your tattoo artist. After cleaning, ensure the tattoo is dry before any application.
- Cut the second skin bandage to size. Second skin will be ineffective if you don’t cover the entire tattoo. It’s always better to make the second skin larger than the tattoo.
- Separate the second skin from the plastic. Most second-skin brands require removing the top layer to reveal the adhesive. Don’t remove this top layer until you’re ready to keep the second skin on the tattoo.
- Place and press on the tattooed area. Second skin has adhesive attached to it. A little pressure is necessary to ensure firmness over the tattooed area. This process may be painful, so it’s better if a loved one helps with the gentle press.
- Remove the back of the second skin. Like a plaster, the second skin has a removable back that you should remove. If you don’t remove it, it can be a source of bacteria.
Related Article: How Long Does It Take For A Tattoo To Heal?
How Long to Leave Second Skin on Tattoo
Ideally, there’s no specific timeline to keep second skin on a tattoo. But, the best practice is maintaining the second skin on the tattooed area’s surface until the physical healing is complete. You’ll need to change and replace the second skin at intervals.
How long you keep second skin depends on your body system and the tattoo’s healing process. You should follow your experienced tattoo artist’s timeline on when to remove the second skin.
Second skin isn’t a harmful product to wear over your tattoo. The initial 48 hours after the tattoo completion are the most critical stages to wear it. The tattoo injury is raw at this point and is susceptible to infection.
Within the first three days, moisture from the ink and blood will form as plasma under second skin. This colour may not look great and you may have to change it. You should also change second skin because it can be a source of bacteria during this timeline.
Removing the bandage after the first three to five days is safe. But you can always replace the second skin with a simple process.
Here’s how to remove the second skin;
- Find the weakest edge. A trial and error method will help you find the lowest edge.
- Remove it slowly. Removing second skin can be painful, especially when it’s been there for a while.
- You need to wash the tattoed area whether you’re replacing the second skin or not. Take the opportunity to add any healing Lotion recommended by your tattoo artist.
Healing Benefits of Second Skin for Your Tattoo
There are many benefits of keeping second skin on your tattoo, including:
Protection
A new tattoo is an open injury and can get infection if comes in contact with bacteria. Toronto province even advises using a non-stick bandage immediately after a tattoo to reduce infection risks.
Bacteria can come from different sources on a new tattoo. If you leave it exposed, dust, dirt, and debris can affect it.
If you decide to stay indoors, your clothes and sweat are another dangerous bacteria source.
If you keep second skin on the tattoo, you’ll protect yourself from bacterial infections. This skin will trap every dust and debris meant to affect the tattoo.
In addition, it’ll protect it from your sweat and clothes.
Stable
Second skin always stays and fits perfectly – if correctly installed. The adhesive on second skin is strong enough to keep it in place. It sticks to your skin as another layer.
This feature may seem insignificant, but imagine this scenario. Imagine your second skin moves and affects the ink of your tattoo. You’ll hate how the tattoo looks and try to remove it.
You can go about your normal daily activities with a second skin on. But try to reduce strenuous activities that may cause sweating.
Breathable
The breathability of second skin is helpful to your tattoo healing procedure. Oxygen is an essential compound that the tattoo needs to heal quickly.
Utilizing breathable bandages like second skin allows clean air to come in contact with the tattoo. As such, you can be sure that the injury will dry up faster.
Water Proof
Too much water can slow down the healing process of your tattoo. Alongside this, it may affect the ink used.
Second skin protects your tattoo from water. Your sweat won’t seep through the second skin and you can comfortably take a shower with this product on.
It’s important to note that you shouldn’t submerge second skin in water either. As such, you shouldn’t swim or bathe in a tub and expect second skin to stop moisture.
Quicker and Proper Healing
One of the healing benefits of second skin is reducing the time needed for your tattoo to heal.
The tattoo healing timeline usually depends on your body system, its size, and the artist’s expertise. But second skin can help, as it allows free air entry to the spot.
Alongside, second skin ensures your tattoo heals in the best shape and design possible. Your tattoo design stays safe and precise under the second skin. This almost always ensure the final results will look brilliant and vibrant.
High Flexibility and Convenience
The second skin will conveniently fit your tattoo, irrespective of design and size. You’ll only need to cut the second skin to suit the design of the tattoo.
Likewise, second skin is very convenient to wear while carrying out daily activities. You can go to work, gym, and club with second skin on.
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Take Care of A New Tattoo with Second Skin
You’ll love the result if you keep a second skin on your tattoo. It’s an artificial skin that will protect your new tattoo without affecting your comfort. Your tattoo will look better and more vibrant.
But second skin isn’t the ultimate aftercare for tattoos. The result depends on your chosen second skin brand, the installation techniques and the artist behind your new tattoo.
That’s why you should look to Piranha Studio Toronto. At Piranha Studios, we understand industry leading aftercare procedure for tattoos and can help you ensure your new ink comes out great. We’ll provide recommendations for using second skin plus other after care practices for your new tattoo.
Call us at +1 905 605 9191 to book a consultation session with an experienced tattoo artist in Toronto.