SANIDERM

SANIDERM INSTRUCTION

  • The first piece of Saniderm can be left on your new tattoo for 3 to 24 hours.
  • If you notice excessive weeping or fluid under the Saniderm, replace it with a new piece. 
  • At the 24-hour mark, remove the Saniderm gently.
  • Wash the tattoo area with a mild antibacterial soap and allow the area to dry.
  • Once dry, apply a second sheet of Saniderm.

This will stay on for up to 6 days and see you through the peeling stage as this is common in healing tattoos.

SANIDERM APPLICATION 

  1. Cut and trim Saniderm to fit around the tattoo – include an extra inch around all sides.
    • TIP: Cutting the edges of the bandage to be round will help it adhere better and feel more comfortable. 
  2.  Peel the white paper wrapping from the sticky side first and place gently over the tattoo.
  3. Once the adhesive side of the bandage is in place, remove the see-through second layer from the top side and smooth the bandage over the tattoo.
  4.  Keep the first applied tattoo aftercare bandage on for anywhere from 3-24 hours, depending on how much the wound is weeping.

Replace within 24 hours. It’s fine if there is some plasma/blood/lymph fluid buildup under the bandage during this period, but don’t leave it longer than 24 hours

SANIDERM BANDAGE REMOVAL AND REAPPLICATION 

  1. To remove Saniderm, find an edge of the bandage and pull it back over itself in the direction of hair growth. The shower is the ideal place to remove Saniderm. 
    • Running water will help loosen the adhesive and relax the skin, making the removal much more comfortable. 
    • Dry removal of Saniderm may cause discomfort and added trauma to the skin.
  2. Discard the used bandage and wash the tattoo with a mild soap, preferably fragrance-free. 
  3. Allow the tattoo to air dry or pat dry with a clean towel.
  4. If desired, apply a thin layer of aftercare product to your tattoo. If you have naturally oily skin or live in a high humidity climate, feel free to skip this step. Otherwise, use a thin layer of petroleum-free moisturizer to help the tattoo retain moisture and itch less. Hustle Butter is the perfect remedy for dry skin! If you plan on applying another bandage, apply the product to the tattoo only and avoid getting it on the surrounding skin. Saniderm does not adhere well to wet/moist skin.
  5. Apply a second bandage by following the application steps listed above.

Additional removal and reapplication information:

  • Keep this second bandage on for 3-6 days – the full six days being ideal. If the skin appears irritated, there is fluid buildup, or the bandage is coming off, it’s okay to remove the bandage sooner rather than later.
  • Do not reapply any more bandages after the scabbing/flaking phase of tattoo healing has begun. If you find yourself bandage-less during this phase, make sure you’re keeping the area thoroughly moisturized. For a tattoo moisturizer, we strongly recommend Hustle Butter.
  • If there is adhesive residue leftover on the skin, or the adhesive is not loosening enough with water, coconut oil and baby oil are helpful for removal.

CARING FOR YOUR NEW TATTOO AFTER REMOVING SANIDERM

  • Once the final bandage has been removed, continue caring for the tattoo by washing and moisturizing as needed, until the tattoo is fully healed.
  • The tattoo may appear to be fully healed on the surface once your second Saniderm bandage comes off. However, deeper layers of skin will still be repairing for 2-4 months.
  • We recommend Hustle Butter as a good moisturizing regimen for this entire period.
  • Hustle Butter is a vegan, all-natural product that helps to heal, soothe, and protect the skin during the tattooing process and beyond.
  • You can find it online or in most tattoo shops.

HELPFUL TIPS DURING THE HEALING PROCESS

  • Do not use a washcloth, loofah, or sponge to clean your tattoo. These can be painful to clean a new tattoo with and may harbor bacteria. 
  • The best way to remove Saniderm is to find an edge of the bandage and then to pull it back over itself in the direction of hair growth.
  • Pulling upward on the Saniderm can be painful, so we don’t recommend it.
  • We suggest doing your Saniderm removal in a warm shower. The warm water will loosen the adhesive and make it easier to remove. 
  • Make sure that you properly apply the Saniderm bandage (all edges are sealed) and leave at least 1 inch of buffer area around the tattoo. 
  • Rounding the corners before application will help reduce pulling or peeling of the adhesive edges. 

WEARING SANIDERM WHILE SHOWERING, SWIMMING, AND EXERCISING

  • Showering while wearing Saniderm is fine, but it’s best to keep the time spent in the shower to a minimum. It is okay for the tattoo to retain moisture as it drys.
  • Water may weaken the adhesive of the bandage, which allows for unwanted contaminants to enter the bandage, putting you at higher risk for infection. It’s also important to keep an eye on the temperature of the water. Too much heat can separate the bandage from the skin, inflame the skin, and irritate the tattoo healing process.
  • For these reasons, bathing, swimming, or fully submerging a tattoo dressed in Saniderm is strongly discouraged. Light exercise while wearing Saniderm is fine, but avoid activity that causes excessive sweating. Just as water will weaken the adhesion of the bandage, so will sweat and any other significant amount of fluid. Try to keep the bandage as clean and dry as possible until it’s time to remove it. Keep the time spent in the shower to a minimum with Saniderm while showering, swimming, and exercising showering while wearing Saniderm is fine.

HOW MANY PIECES SHOULD I USE?

  • We recommend using two to three pieces per tattoo, in order to allow ample time for healing.
  • Your first piece may be used for 3-24 hours, and the next pieces should be used 1-6 days each, depending on how much fluid the tattoo weeps. 

CAN I SUNBATHE WITH IT ON?

  • Saniderm does not contain any kind of sun protection, so you should avoid prolonged sun or UV ray exposure.
  • We do not recommend exposing your new tattoo to UV rays, ever – with or without Saniderm.
  • Even after your tattoo is fully healed, continue to use sun protection to maintain the integrity of your tattoo colors. 

HOW LONG TO LEAVE SANIDERM ON TATTOO?

Replace your Saniderm bandage within 24 hours. It’s fine if there is some plasma/blood/lymph fluid buildup under the bandage during this period, but don’t leave it longer than 24 hours.

HOW MANY SIZES OF SANIDERM ARE AVAILABLE?

Saniderm offers a wide variety of bandage sizes to choose from. Whether you need a small bandage for a small new wrist tattoo or a large one for a large healing tattoo on your back.

WHY DO MOST SKILLED TATTOO ARTISTS  RECOMMEND I USE SANIDERM?

A good tattoo artist understands the importance of a tattoo aftercare bandage and tattoo healing after a tattoo session. Wearing Saniderm protects your fresh tattoo and makes sure your tattoo heals properly.

ABOUT SANIDERM

  • Saniderm locks in the body’s natural moisture and healing enzymes, allowing the body to heal itself in the most efficient manner possible.
  • After skin has been injured, healing elements are produced to help break down dead tissue and rebuild new tissue.
  • Under normal circumstances, these healing elements dry up and evaporate which reduces their effectiveness.
  • When this happens, longer healing times are required and scabbing and scarring may occur.
  • Saniderm locks in these healing elements, and allows the skin to continue to function as normal because the bandage is permeable to oxygen and water vapor (breathable).
  • In addition, Saniderm protects against dirt and germs while eliminating friction and other irritations that might further interfere with the healing process. 
  • Visit saniderm.com for more directions, videos, and FAQs.

HOW DOES SANIDERM WORK?

  • Unlike Saran Wrap, Saniderm is a medical-grade, breathable, waterproof tattoo bandage.
  • Saniderm is engineered to be permeable to gasses, like oxygen.
  • These bandages alleviate many of the pitfalls that come with other tattoo healing methods.
  • Primarily, Saniderm drastically reduces the risk of contaminants entering the wound site of a fresh tattoo.
  • Wearing Saniderm protects the area from unwanted shear/friction and allows the body to keep itself moisturized.
  • Plus, it conveniently eliminates sessions of washing and applying aftercare to a new tattoo.
  • The result is a tattoo healing experience that is safer, smoother, and more efficient.

A BRIEF HISTORY OF TRADITIONAL TATTOO CARE USING PLASTIC WRAP AND OTHER AFTERCARE PRODUCTS

In traditional tattoo care, covering the fresh, clean tattoo with household wrap (Saran Wrap) is usually the first step in the healing process. This piece of wrap generally stays on for 2-24 hours. Next, the tattoo is washed and an aftercare product is applied (usually petroleum-based like Aquaphor). Steps two and three are then repeated for a minimum of 3-4 times per day until the tattoo is fully healed. This can take anywhere from 2-4 weeks, depending on the size, location, and style of tattoo. Although this new tattoo care method has been sufficient for many, there are plenty of cons to using this healing method.

Despite the common use of petroleum-based products for new tattoo care, these products tend to suffocate skin pores. When pores are not able to breathe, the skin may develop rashes, and hair follicles become irritated or inflamed. This may do more harm than good to a new tattoo. Additionally, since oxygen itself plays a huge role in allowing a tattoo to heal properly, smothering a new tattoo in plastic wrap and petroleum-based aftercare can be detrimental to the healing process. 

Still, aftercare product is extremely helpful in preventing itchiness and scabbing. Scratching a new tattoo can result in loss of color and detail and may cause bleeding, irritation, or infection. And not covering a fresh tattoo can expose the tattoo to unavoidable contaminants. These include bacteria, germs, and dirt from your household or work environment, pet dander, and more. This is the conundrum Saniderm was created to solve.