Recovery Derm shield is a latex free, transparent bandage that completely covers your tattoo for the duration of the healing process, sealing it off from any outside contaminants. I recommend keeping the patch on for either 24 hours and continue with open healing, OR 5-6 days. This is because after the tattoo scabs up under the bandage, removing it between days 2-5 can pull out some of the natural scabbing, potentially taking some ink pigments with them.

When it’s time to remove the patch, running some warm water over it for a few minutes can help to loosen the adhesive. Peel it away very slowly, parallel to your skin like a command strip. Wash your tattoo gently with a liquid antibacterial soap. Pat it dry with a paper towel and allow the tattoo to thoroughly dry for 10-15 minutes. After your tattoo is dry apply a very small amount of moisturizer over the tattoo area. Continue to moisturize your tattoo 1-2 times per day for the next two weeks.

(recommended)

Showering is totally fine with the Derm Shield, just be careful not to scrub or scratch the bandage area. It’s best to avoid very hot water directly over the tattoo as it can weaken the adhesive on the bandage.

Avoid

• Submerging your tattoo under water.

• Exercise - Sweat trapped under the bandage for several days can be a potential source of infection. Intense exercise can also disturb the natural scabbing/healing process.

• Tight clothing and jewelry around the tattoo area.

• Scratching/itching your tattoo.

Some areas of the body, typically joints, hands and other areas that move/stretch more, the patch may peel up and expose the tattoo area. If that’s the case, I recommend taking the patch off early, within 48 hours of the tattoo session, and continuing with open healing the the remainder of the week. Washing 3x/day for the first day, and continuing 2x/day for the remainder of the week. Typically its best to take the patch off earlier before the tattoo scabs up under the bandage. This is because once the tattoo has formed a scab, the bandage adhesive can pull some scabbing off with it, potentially pulling some ink pigment out.

When your tattoo is complete, it will be covered with an absorbent bandage. Keep this bandage over your tattoo for 2-4 hours. Then remove the bandage and wash your tattoo gently with some liquid antibacterial soap, and carefully pat it dry with a paper towel. For the first two days of the healing process, wash the tattoo 3 times/day as this is the time where it’s most vulnerable. Then you may continue to wash it twice/day for the remainder of the first week of the healing process. After the first two days of healing, after you wash and dry your tattoo, allow it to air dry for 10-15 minutes and apply a small amount of moisturizer over the tattooed area. After the first week of the healing process, continue moisturizing your tattoo 1-2 times per day for the next two weeks.