BALI TATTOO AFTERCARE GUIDE
HEALING WITH SECOND SKIN
The transparent, self-adhesive wound dressing applied to your new tattoo is often called Second Skin (or a similar product). It is designed to create the perfect, sterile environment for healing.
Here is a fresh fine line piece protected by Second Skin. We intentionally leave wider borders than most local studios—this simple detail prevents peeling and keeps your tattoo 100% sterile while you enjoy your holiday.
KEY USAGE & DURATION
Standard Wear Time: This film should remain on your tattoo for 4 days.
Moisture is Normal: Don’t be alarmed if you see a dark liquid bubble forming under the film. This is a normal mix of lymphatic fluid and ink. It is a good sign that the film is doing its job! This fluid will typically dry up or reabsorb after 3–4 days.
ACTIVITIES & PRECAUTIONS
DO'S
DON'TS
SPECIAL CARE
DO'S
DON'TS
SPECIAL CARE
With Film On
With Film On
Hands/Feet
Short, non-hot showers are fine. You can get the film wet.
NO baths, swimming, or saunas. Soaking the film will compromise the seal.
Hands/Fingers: If your tattoo is on your hands or fingers, try to minimize contact with water and reduce strenuous hand activity for the first 2 days before removal.
Exposure to sun is fine. The film offers UV protection, so you don’t need sunscreen yet.
Avoid high-impact sports during the 4-day wear time. (Avoid contact sports for about 2 weeks post-tattooing).
Clothing: Be careful to avoid clothes, watches, chains, or anything else that might rub or cling to the tattooed area.
REMOVING THE FILM
When to Remove: After 4 full days.
How to Remove: The easiest way is in the shower. Catch the corner of the film and slowly stretch and pull it off (parallel to your skin), not straight up.
Post-Removal Care: Once the film is removed, gently wash the area with unscented soap and pat dry with a clean paper towel.
CONTINUING CARE
Moisturizing: For the next 1–2 weeks, keep the tattoo area moist by applying a non-petroleum-based cream or lotion sparingly and regularly. Use just a thin layer—don’t smother it!
Scabs: If scabs form after the film is removed, do not pick at them, no matter how tempting. Let them fall off naturally.
Long-Term Sun Protection: For the first two months, protect your black tattoo from the sun. Use sunscreen (SPF 50+) or cover it with clothing when outdoors, especially. For colored tattoos use it all the time.
IMPORTANT: WHEN TO CONTACT US
- Immediate Removal: If you notice that water or moisture has gotten under the film, or if a part of the film starts peeling off and exposes the tattoo before the 4 days are up, the entire film should be removed immediately.
- Next Steps: Please send us a photo immediately! We will assess the situation and advise whether you should apply a new piece of film or switch directly to traditional aftercare with lotion. Don’t panic—this is usually not a serious issue.
A lot of shading → more fluid
Minimalist tattoo → less trauma → less fluid
FLUID UNDER THE SECOND SKIN? IT'S NORMAL!
When you look at your new tattoo, you’ll probably notice a dark, inky liquid gathering under the film. Please know that this is absolutely normal and a sign that the Second Skin is working!
This liquid is just a mix of your body’s natural healing plasma and a little bit of excess ink. The more fully shaded or “inked” your tattoo is, the more liquid you’ll see. If you have a fine line or minimalist tattoo, you’ll only notice a small amount.
In just 2 to 4 days, that liquid will dry up or be reabsorbed by your skin. No need to panic!
A NOTE ON FINE LINE TATTOO HEALING & TOUCH-UPS
We put our full effort into every tattoo we create. However, the healing process is a unique journey for each person. While we rarely see a need for touch-ups, they are a normal and occasional part of the process.
The way your tattoo heals depends on factors like your skin type and age, the placement on your body, and the specific design. For instance, fine-line, geometric, or single-needle tattoos show minor imperfections more easily because their thin lines without shadings can’t really hide any healing irregularities.
Ultimately, getting a touch-up is a personal choice. Some clients are perfectly happy with the natural, healed result of their tattoo, while others are perfectionists and prefer to have every line look perfectly solid.
Check out our Healed tattoos galleries here or on our website.
We determine the cost of a touch-up based on the size and amount of work needed.
Follow our Bali tattoo artists Instagram for the latest portfolio updates.
Follow our Bali tattoo artists Instagram for the latest portfolio updates.
HEALING WITH DISPOSABLE BABY DIAPER
We use it when tattoos have lots of solid colors, so the whole surface is quite traumatized and “second skin” just can’t handle the amount of liquid that comes out in the first 12 hours after the tattoo session.
After the tattoo is done, we put Vaseline on it and wrap it with cling film and a paper towel. After 2 hours, remove the compress and wash the tattoo thoroughly with warm water and soap. Wash away any lymph and ink that has accumulated. Don’t rub it with your nails. Then apply a clean paper towel to the area and apply Dexpanthenol or Bepanthen cream/ointment. Apply just enough, not too much. Make sure there are no towel pieces or other foreign objects on the tattoo, and keep it clean.
Close the tattoo with a disposable diaper and secure it with an adhesive patch to ensure it stays on the skin well. When applying the diaper to areas that move, be careful not to let the adhesive come off during stretching. Repeat this process before going to bed.
If you finish the tattoo in the evening with about 4 hours until bedtime, you can leave the diaper on until then and change it later.
Repeat this process the next day. Change the diaper every morning and evening for the next 2-3 days, with an interval of about 12 hours between each change.
How to know when it’s time to stop using diaper?
Usually it takes 2-3 days for diaper. With each change, there will be less and less lymph and ink left on the diaper. When there are no traces left after the next change, it’s a good sign to stop using the diaper and start using Bepanthen, Dexpanthenol, or Bepanthen+. Apply the product sparingly, just enough to keep the area moist. Do this until the skin has completely healed, which should take about 5-7 days.
After that, continue using any moisturizing cream for another 1-2 weeks. Avoid contact sports for 2 weeks after tattoo session.