KEVIN
LIGABUE
Blackout Tattoo Second Skin Aftercare & Healing Guide
WHY I SWITCHED TO SECOND SKIN
I've been dry healing blackouts for years and it's still a valid method, but since I started using second skin I've been getting much better results. By applying second skin, you trick the body into thinking the wound is closed. This avoids the heavy peeling that usually happens with dry healing. It also minimizes human error: once the second skin is on, you don't really have to do anything to it except wait those 7 days out.
These instructions are for blackout tattoos healed with second skin only. A blackout is an intense tattoo and it needs extra care, so please take this healing process very seriously.
For the whole healing period, keep the tattooed area out of direct sunlight and keep bending and moving it to a minimum. No sweating and no exercise. Eat healthy, nutritious meals, drink plenty of water, and stay away from smoking, alcohol, and any other intoxicating substances. No soaking, saunas, steam rooms, or anything similar for at least 2 weeks.
Prefer to dry heal? Follow my dry healing blackout aftercare guide instead.
BEFORE YOUR APPOINTMENT - ALLERGY TEST
Some people are allergic to the glue in second skin, and different brands use different glues. If you change brand, do NOT assume you're fine.
2 days before your tattoo appointment, apply a piece of second skin on your skin to test your reaction to the glue. If no redness or allergic reaction appears, we're good to go. If you notice any irritation or redness, you're allergic to that brand. Either switch brands or we'll dry heal this tattoo without second skin.
It is paramount that you do this test days in advance, not the day of the appointment.
0 - TATTOO DAY
After your blackout session you will leave the studio with the tattooed area fully wrapped. Do NOT remove the wrap, you will sleep with it for the first night ONLY.
Do not consume any alcohol or other intoxicating substances. Have a healthy, nutritious meal and drink plenty of water.
1 - DAY ONE
After the first night, you will realistically wake up with a fair amount of fluid trapped between the skin and the wrap.
Remove the wrap and NEVER put it back on.
Take a shower with COLDER than normal water. It doesn't have to be freezing, but I would definitely keep it on the colder side. Hot water on a fresh tattoo will burn and feel extremely uncomfortable. Wash the tattoo very gently with a neutral, fragrance-free, scent-free soap.
After the shower, PAT DRY the tattoo with a CLEAN towel or paper towel (AVOID rubbing).
Apply second skin to cover the entire blackout tattoo.
Keep bending and moving the area to a minimum.
2 - DAY TWO to SEVEN
Keep the second skin on for 7 days.
If the tattoo purges or releases a bit of ink and creates a small pocket of fluid (about the size of a coin), poke the bubble and squeeze the fluid out, then apply a new patch of second skin on top to seal the hole. If a large area fills with fluid, remove the second skin on the affected area only, wash, dry, and apply a new patch.
Avoid getting water on the second skin. Yes, second skin is waterproof, but we want to avoid any water getting in between your skin and the second skin. If that happens, there's a high chance of infection.
Keep drinking plenty of water.
Do NOT sweat during this phase. You might think "the tattoo is on my arm, I can still go for a bike ride." Bad idea. As you sweat, the liquid collects between the tattooed skin and the second skin and creates a moist environment prone to infection. No sweating for 7 days.
3- FINAL STAGE
After you remove the second skin on day 7, you can resume normal activities. At this point it's safe to do basically anything with the skin, so if you feel like moisturizing, you can.
If you decide to moisturize, make sure you apply the moisturizer very, very gently (patting rather than rubbing). You do NOT want to accidentally rip any skin flakes off while applying it. Ripping flakes off can cause loss of pigment.
As a moisturizer, AVOID Vaseline and paraben-based products. I would suggest a natural substance such as real argan oil or shea butter. Make sure you're not allergic to it by testing it first on a NON-tattooed area. For example, even though shea butter works for the majority of people, it can cause a breakout in some individuals.
Do NOT pick any skin flakes. They have to fall off naturally, without your intervention.
