Aftercare Process with Recovery Derm

Recovery Derm is a medical-grade, latex-free, breathable, waterproof tattoo bandage. It is engineered to be permeable to gasses, like oxygen. This bandage alleviates many of the pitfalls that come with other tattoo healing methods. Primarily, it can drastically reduce the risk of contaminants entering the wound site of a fresh tattoo. Wearing this 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.

1. Your artist will apply the first bandage after your tattoo session and before you leave the shop.
2. Keep the first applied bandage on for  10-24 hours, depending on how much the wound is weeping. You will replace the bandage around 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.

1. To remove bandage, 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 bandage. Running warm water will help loosen the adhesive and relax the skin, making the removal much more comfortable. Dry removal of bandage may cause discomfort and added trauma to the skin.
2. Discard the used bandage and wash the tattoo with an unscented anti-bacterial soap. Do Not use a wash cloth, as these still can hold bacteria. Make sure your hands are clean and just wash the tattoo with your hand. Rinse extremely well.
3. Allow the tattoo to air dry or pat dry with a clean paper towel.
4. Make sure the area is completely dry, as the bandage does not adhere well to wet/moist skin.

• Keep this second bandage on for 7-10 days. 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 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 and clean. For a tattoo moisturizer, we strongly recommend a fragrance-free, mild moisturizer such as Curel, Lubriderm or Cocoa 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.

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 bandage comes off. However, deeper layers of skin will still be repairing for 2-4 months. We recommend a good moisturizing regimen for this entire period. 

Showering while wearing a bandage is fine, but it’s best to keep the time spent in the shower to a minimum. 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.

For these reasons, bathing, swimming, or fully submerging a tattoo dressed in Recovery Derm is strongly discouraged. Light exercise while wearing bandage 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. 

Recovery has helped hundreds of thousands heal their new tattoos with ease. Tattoos using these bandages heal faster, experience less scabbing and peeling, and undergo significantly less early tattoo damage. 

To find more information and tips please ask your artist!