After you apply the first Saniderm bandage, we recommend leaving it on your new tattoo for between 8 to 24 hours.
Everyone heals differently, and the length of time will vary depending on how much fluid your tattoo is weeping. When the adhesion of the Saniderm bandage begins to weaken, that’s your cue to remove or replace the bandage. If you notice excessive weeping or fluid under your currently applied piece of Saniderm, it’s okay to carefully replace it with a new one.
If your tattoo exudes more plasma and blood than usual, you may find yourself having to change it earlier. This is common with heavy saturation and color work.
Regardless of how much fluid build-up you experience, you should always change the initial film at the 24-hour mark to clean the area. Before replacing your Saniderm with a new bandage, you may apply a thin layer of Sanibalm or aftercare product.
If you live in a climate with high humidity or have naturally oily skin, this is not necessary. But for those in low humidity climates or who have dry skin, a thin layer of moisturizer can help ease discomfort and itchiness due to dry skin.
Once you’ve applied the second bandage, it can be worn for up to 6 days. If you find the tattoo weeps into the second piece, remove it at the next 24 hour period. Then wash the tattoo, apply aftercare if needed, and apply a third piece. This third piece can be worn for up to 5 days. Saniderm should not be worn for more than 7 days total.
What if my Saniderm Comes off Early?
It is okay if your Saniderm Bandage begins to peel off early. If this happens, remove the tattoo wrap and apply a new tattoo bandage as needed.
For further information on this, check out our full article on using multiple bandages in succession!
I have sweat pooled under my saniderm. It has been on for 24 hours. Should I take it off?
Thanks for reaching out
If you have sweat pooled under your Saniderm, we recommend removing it and continuing with traditional tattoo aftercare procedures.
Thank you,
Saniderm Support
Hi! Is the time limit 7 days total or 7 days per bandage?
Thanks!
Thanks for reaching out
The time limit is 7 days total.
Thank you,
Saniderm Support
Thanks for reaching out
The time limit is 7 days in total. The skin can start having reactions to anything after long periods of time. 7 days is the recommended limit.\
Thank you,
Saniderm Support
There’s a decent little pool of blood under 1st my bandage, and I don’t have accessibility to another one. Should I leave it on for 24 hours and then go about regular tattoo after care? Or do I leave it longer…?
Thanks for reaching out
If you don’t have access to any Saniderm and cant use a second piece, you should continue with traditional tattoo aftercare procedures.
Thank you,
Saniderm Support
My roommate accidentally applied my 2nd saniderm , backwards. Like on the wrong side. Is this a problem ? Should I remove it ?
Thanks for reaching out
Remove the Saniderm under warm running water if it is applied incorrectly. If you do not have any additional pieces of Saniderm then continue with traditional tattoo aftercare procedures.
Thank you,
Saniderm Support
I got my tattoo a week and half ago, when should I stop wearing Saniderm?
Thanks for reaching out
The recommended instructions are to apply at the finish of the tattoo and leave on for 24 hours. This will fill up with plasma. At the 24 hour mark, remove and wash the tattoo. Once dry, apply a second piece that will stay on for up to 6 days for a total healing time of 7 days. If the tattoo weeps into the second piece of film, follow the above instructions at the next 24 hour period and apply a 3rd piece. The third piece would then stay on for 5 days.
Thank you,
Saniderm Support
I’m getting pretty crazy irritation on the skin that has not been tattooed, and there is a lot of wheeping. It has been 3 days since my tattoo and it is a small tattoo, is it safe to begin aftercare without the saniderm?
Thanks for reaching out
If you are having irritation you should remove the Saniderm and continue with traditional tattoo aftercare procedures.
Thank you,
Saniderm Support
If my tattoo isn’t really bleeding or wearing can I leave the first peice on more then 24hrs? I need to order more and it won’t be here for two more days
Thanks for reaching out
The recommended instructions are to apply at the finish of the tattoo and leave on for 24 hours. This will fill up with plasma. At the 24 hour mark, remove and wash the tattoo. Once dry, apply a second piece that will stay on for up to 6 days for a total healing time of 7 days. If the tattoo weeps into the second piece of film, follow the above instructions at the next 24 hour period and apply a 3rd piece. The third piece would then stay on for 5 days.
Thank you,
Saniderm Support
What happen if you unwrap your saniderm bandage off after you just got home from tattoo studio before 24 hours?
Thanks for reaching out
Nothing will happen to your tattoo. If you are going to keep your Saniderm off it is recommended to continue with traditional tattoo aftercare procedures.
Thank you,
Saniderm Support
My tattoo artist said to leave my saniderm patch on for two days then just wash it and put aquaphor on. He didn’t say anything about putting a second patch on. What should I do?
Thanks for reaching out
The recommended instructions are to apply at the finish of the tattoo and leave on for 24 hours. This will fill up with plasma. At the 24 hour mark, remove and wash the tattoo. Once dry, apply a second piece that will stay on for up to 6 days for a total healing time of 7 days. If the tattoo weeps into the second piece of film, follow the above instructions at the next 24 hour period and apply a 3rd piece. The third piece would then stay on for 5 days.
We do not recommend using Aquaphor as it is a petroleum-based moisturizer. It could clog the pores and suffocate the tattoo causing a decrease in saturation of the ink.
Thank you,
Saniderm Support
Hi! It’s been about 15-16 hours since I got my tattoo. Can I still apply my 1st bandage?
Thanks for reaching out
Your first bandage should be applied within the first 24 – 48 hours.
Thank you,
Saniderm Support
So it is not recommended to leave my saniderm on for more than 24 hours after my first tattoo ? I had a 1/2 sleeve done and got my tattoo on Wednesday 07/28 today is Saturday 07/31, I have not yet removed nor washed my 1/2 sleeve yet. You would recommend removing my saniderm and just proceeding with regular care due to not having and saniderm
Thanks for reaching out
The recommended instructions are to apply at the finish of the tattoo and leave on for 24 hours. This will fill up with plasma. At the 24 hour mark, remove and wash the tattoo. Once dry, apply a second piece that will stay on for up to 6 days for a total healing time of 7 days. If the tattoo weeps into the second piece of film, follow the above instructions at the next 24 hour period and apply a 3rd piece. The third piece would then stay on for 5 days.
We would recommend removing it and continuing with traditional aftercare procedures.
Thank you,
Saniderm Support
Can u move your arm while u have the saniderm on your tattoo?
You can move your arm. Some areas may be more difficult to move due to the Saniderm.
My tattoo artist recommended that I leave my first saniderm bandage on for 4 days. Should I still remove it?
Thanks for reaching out
The recommended instructions are to apply at the finish of the tattoo and leave it on for 24 hours. This will fill up with plasma. At the 24 hour mark, remove and wash the tattoo. Once dry, apply a second piece that will stay on for up to 6 days for a total healing time of 7 days. If the tattoo weeps into the second piece of film, follow the above instructions at the next 24 hour period and apply the 3rd piece. The third piece would then stay on for 5 days.
If you haven’t changed your Saniderm out you should remove it, clean it and continue with traditional tattoo aftercare procedures.
Thank you,
Saniderm Support
My tattoo artist said to leave mine on for 5 days but my leg where I got my tattoo started to bleed a little. Should I still leave it on or do I take it off?
Thanks for reaching out
If the bandage is uncomfortable and causing issues you should remove it. For best results remove under warm running water. If the bandage is still adhering to the skin you can use baby oil, coconut oil, or olive oil to help break up the adhesive.
Thank you,
Saniderm Support
After the 7 days of wearing saniderm. What do I do next? Just regular tattoo aftercare cream daily? I just put on my second piece. It was alot of weeping on the first piece. So this second piece I wear for 6 days. But what do I do when I’m finish with saniderm?
Thanks for reaching out
After you reach the 7 days you can remove the Saniderm and use aftercare cream daily.
Thank you,
Saniderm Support
What happens to saniderm after it’s expired? Is it still safe to use?
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Once Saniderm is expired its adhesive begins to lose its strength.
Thank you,
Saniderm Support
Hi! I got a tattoo yesterday and the artist told me to keep the saniderm on for 5days. That’s without changing it or anything. Should I listen to that or take it off after 24 hours?
Thanks for reaching out
It is recommended to change the Saniderm out after 24 hours. If any excess plasma is left o the skin for longer than 24 hours and can increase the risk of infection.
Thank you,
Saniderm Support
I just got a tattoo on my hand yesterday. The tattoo artist told me to leave the Saniderm on until next Saturday which will be 7 days should I our not? Is that to long?
Thanks for reaching out
The recommended instructions are to apply at the finish of the tattoo and leave on for 24 hours. This will fill up with plasma. At the 24 hour mark, remove and wash the tattoo. Once dry, apply a second piece that will stay on for up to 6 days for a total healing time of 7 days. If the tattoo weeps into the second piece of film, follow the above instructions at the next 24 hour period and apply a 3rd piece. The third piece would then stay on for 5 days.
Thank you,
Saniderm Support
I got a tattoo yesterday and he told me leave the piece of saniderm on for 5 days. He didnt give me another piece
Hey Mike,
If the tattoo isn’t pushing out much fluid and your skin isn’t feeling irritated, leaving the first bandage on for the full 5 days should be fine. On the other hand, if there’s excessive fluid buildup under the bandage or your skin feels irritated from the adhesive of the bandage, it’s a better idea to remove it and begin an external cleaning and moisturizing regimen.