Tattoo Healing Film: The Secret To Speedy Tattoo Recovery
Getting a new tattoo is an exciting experience, but protecting it from the start is important to ensure it heals properly and looks good long term.
But it’s no quick process. Once you’ve got your tattoo, expect it to take two to four weeks to heal on the skin’s surface, and between 3 to 6 months to be completely back to normal.
One of the best ways to protect your new tattoo is by using tattoo healing film. Here, we’ll tell you everything you need to know about tattoo healing film, including why it’s recommended, how to use it and some general tips for tattoo care.
What Is Tattoo Healing Film?
Tattoo healing film is like a second skin. It’s a layer designed to protect new tattoos during the first stages of the healing process, which tend to be the most complicated.
Remember, getting a tattoo means puncturing your skin repeatedly, so it’s no surprise that the aftercare needs to be considered carefully. Treating your new tattoo like any wound is the best way to keep it safe and sterile.
Acting as a barrier, tattoo healing film works by blocking germs, bacteria and dirt particles from getting into your skin, whilst also allowing it to naturally breathe. This essentially ensures that the tattoo is not exposed to anything that can give it an infection, whilst also allowing the skin’s natural processes to work on healing faster.
Why Should You Use A Tattoo Healing Film?
It’s very common for tattoo artists to use a type of healing film to protect the skin straight after the tattoo is completed.
The skin is incredibly vulnerable at this stage, and anything you can do to stop infections - without slowing the healing process - should be done. A film can be a great way to curb infection, simply by acting as a barrier.
But it’s not just used straight after the tattoo is completed. Tattoo healing film can also be useful for those in manual labour jobs. Anyone whose day-to-day work could expose them to excess dust or dirt particles should be thinking about tattoo healing products that provide a protective barrier.
Best Practices For Using Tattoo Healing Film
Before committing to a specific tattoo healing film, it's a good idea to test it on a sensitive area of your skin. For example, a sensitive area like the bicep could allow you to quickly feel if the film is causing any sensitivities.
When shopping around, it is worth looking for a healing film that labels itself as hypoallergenic to ensure you lower any risk of irritation. YAYO Guard 2.0 is a great option as it uses ingredients that are designed for sensitive skin.
However, it’s always worth testing. If at any point you feel like the film might be irritating the skin, safely remove it and replace it with another type. Whilst many healing films will use hypoallergenic materials, it’s always important to test it on your own skin to ensure it works for you.
Step-by-Step Guide To Using Tattoo Healing Film
Using a tattoo healing film effectively is important to ensure the tattoo heals well. Here's a general guide to help..
Prepare Your Skin
- Wash Your Hands: Make sure your hands are clean to avoid exposing your new tattoo to any bacteria.
- Allow For Some Bleeding: Let your tattoo bleed for around 5 to 10 minutes. This helps clean the wound naturally.
- Clean the Area: Gently wash your new tattoo with YAYO soap. Cover an area up to 4cm around the tattoo. Pat dry with a clean, single-use towel.
Applying the Healing Film
- Apply Aftercare Cream: If you want to, you can apply some YAYO aftercare to the area to speed up the healing process. Make sure that the area around the tattoo stays clean and dry to allow the film to stick.
- Apply The Film: Peel off the protective paper layer and apply the film with the adhesive side down towards the tattoo. Press down the edges, leaving a 2.5cm margin around the tattoo. Peel away the back cover.
- Wear the Film: Wear the healing film for up to five days, depending on how much your tattoo weeps. This allows the tattoo to heal while staying protected from any external bacteria, dirt or dust.
Removing The Healing Film
- Ensure your skin is at normal body temperature. Avoid removing the film in a hot shower or bath and gently peel each corner of the film back towards the centre. Make sure you do this slowly and gently to avoid opening up any new wounds.
- Remove Residue: If you still have any residue on your skin, use baby oil or alcohol wipes to remove it. Consult your tattoo artist if you have any concerns.
Transitioning To Tattoo Butter
After removing the film, apply YAYO tattoo butter to your tattoo.
This helps keep the skin moisturised and allows it to continue healing. If you are finding that the tattoo is sore, try YAYO numbing tattoo butter to help manage the pain.
The Benefit Of Using Tattoo Healing Film
Using a tattoo healing film can speed up and improve the healing process of your new tattoo, providing a barrier of protection against any bacteria or infection.
Make sure you always follow the instructions carefully for the best results and speak with your tattoo artist if you have any questions.
Happy healing!
