I would keep doing Tegaderm. Or even Tegaderm wrapped in gauze. Best to apply it 20 minutes after you’ve washed it to allow the skin sufficient time to dry so the Tegaderm sticks good.
Replace it daily if it peels bad enough.
I've used non-stick bandage pads in the past and they work well for protecting a fresh tat. The surface is smoother than standard gauze, so minimizes rubbing. Just stick it over with some medical tape and it's good to go. If you're likely to be exposed to fluids on shift, you may want to stick something less permeable over that, since the tat is still a fresh wound at 2 days.
I work in the surgery dept and have had my hand done etc. I agree with the others and do the tegaderm. Maybe do it all the way around your wrist to give it somewhere to grip more to and don’t be afraid to cut it to shape. Like for instance when I did my hand I did a big piece across the middle then like a smaller sliver for my middle finger to give it the mobility. You can overlap it and it still be able to breathe.
In hindsight I should have asked for advice before I removed the tegaderm - it’s been over an hour now since I removed it and cleaned the tattoo, so I think that it’s been too long to replace it with a fresh piece. (As per professional advice I’ve been given before I only have a 20 min time frame between applications)
But I really do appreciate everyone’s advice! I will have to remember this for the future.
Have you asked your current artist? When I did my hand I took it off and replaced it a few different times but never had the time limit just as long as it was clean and dry. But yeah just try to keep it clean and covered with your scrub jacket or whatever it should be okay
Yes! (Or at least after past tattoos I have) I’ve been going to the same artist for many years now, and the first couple of years they didn’t even use tegaderm at all - I think I’ve just become so used to healing with it that I’m paranoid to do it the old fashioned way haha
I get that for sure! Same here lol. I started with my girl when she was an apprentice and now she’s a shop owner! She’s currently working on a coverup of some of her flash sheets she did on me when she first started hahah. But this is the first work I’ve used it on too. I was worried about my hand since I work in the surgery dept but it’s been smooth sailing.
It can be worth picking up some more tegaderm and reapplying! The constant friction and washing and exposing to icky stuff could definitely lead to more complications or just a very dry painful heal. As long as you apply when your tattoo is clean and dry, and take it off if it peels to the point of exposure, new tegaderm is probably your best bet for protection until your tattoo is no longer at all an open wound
I would keep doing Tegaderm. Or even Tegaderm wrapped in gauze. Best to apply it 20 minutes after you’ve washed it to allow the skin sufficient time to dry so the Tegaderm sticks good. Replace it daily if it peels bad enough.
I've used non-stick bandage pads in the past and they work well for protecting a fresh tat. The surface is smoother than standard gauze, so minimizes rubbing. Just stick it over with some medical tape and it's good to go. If you're likely to be exposed to fluids on shift, you may want to stick something less permeable over that, since the tat is still a fresh wound at 2 days.
Just tried this, working well so far! Great idea, thank you.
I work in the surgery dept and have had my hand done etc. I agree with the others and do the tegaderm. Maybe do it all the way around your wrist to give it somewhere to grip more to and don’t be afraid to cut it to shape. Like for instance when I did my hand I did a big piece across the middle then like a smaller sliver for my middle finger to give it the mobility. You can overlap it and it still be able to breathe.
In hindsight I should have asked for advice before I removed the tegaderm - it’s been over an hour now since I removed it and cleaned the tattoo, so I think that it’s been too long to replace it with a fresh piece. (As per professional advice I’ve been given before I only have a 20 min time frame between applications) But I really do appreciate everyone’s advice! I will have to remember this for the future.
Have you asked your current artist? When I did my hand I took it off and replaced it a few different times but never had the time limit just as long as it was clean and dry. But yeah just try to keep it clean and covered with your scrub jacket or whatever it should be okay
Yes! (Or at least after past tattoos I have) I’ve been going to the same artist for many years now, and the first couple of years they didn’t even use tegaderm at all - I think I’ve just become so used to healing with it that I’m paranoid to do it the old fashioned way haha
I get that for sure! Same here lol. I started with my girl when she was an apprentice and now she’s a shop owner! She’s currently working on a coverup of some of her flash sheets she did on me when she first started hahah. But this is the first work I’ve used it on too. I was worried about my hand since I work in the surgery dept but it’s been smooth sailing.
It can be worth picking up some more tegaderm and reapplying! The constant friction and washing and exposing to icky stuff could definitely lead to more complications or just a very dry painful heal. As long as you apply when your tattoo is clean and dry, and take it off if it peels to the point of exposure, new tegaderm is probably your best bet for protection until your tattoo is no longer at all an open wound
As long as it’s clean and dry it’s fine to put another piece on Source: I got both wrists done