cling film impossible to stay in place

bfocusd

I got a piece on my back, it's the outline to begin with and the healing is driving me insane, the cling film that is, im changing it regularly, but it just won't stay in place, no matter how much tape I use.
I'd like to keep it covered for at least 3 days as it has worked perfectly on previous tattoos.
But this is bugging me, between it moving out if place, and when I'm in bed its worse, it has a mind if it's own and I do be baked and sweating like never before. It gets extremely itchy too and last night I had to wake up him at 3am to help me change it..

The only other thing I can think to do is wrap the cling film right around me.. I will prob slip out of it cause I will be baked. the cling film isn't big enough and I need two strips to cover it full also.

Has anyone got a quick fix idea for this?

I can't wait to get the film off, but I've another session for the shading..

chin_grin

To be honest it just needs to be clean and covered with bepanthen. I think the cling film should come off after the first few hours.

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20080307130137AAihaTm

Star Lord

I tend to keep mine covered when I'm sleeping, or when I'm wearing clothes that could stick to it or irritate it for the first few days. Medical tape should hold it in place, but if you can't get that, masking tape does a half-assed job, and will stay in place reasonably well, but not for any great length of time. When I'm at home, I take it off and let the tattoo breath, uncovered, or wearing something loose fitting. Make sure to replace the cling film every few hours (apart from when you're sleeping, obviously) and clean gently with anti-bacterial liquid soap, and reapply the bepanthen/whatever you use on it.

Hope that helps.

bfocusd

The cling flim acts as a scab, I've used that method for 4 other tattoos and they've never scabbed or gotten dry etc. Plus its an open wound I prefer to keep it covered for a couple if days.

The aftercare sheet I got also recommends I keep it covered up to 3 days with cling film, then E45 4/5 times a day after that to keep it from drying out.

Did yours ever scab after taking off the film? I dunno anyone that takes it off and doesn't replace it..

bfocusd

DamoElDiablo wrote: »

I tend to keep mine covered when I'm sleeping, or when I'm wearing clothes that could stick to it or irritate it for the first few days. Medical tape should hold it in place, but if you can't get that, masking tape does a half-assed job, and will stay in place reasonably well, but not for any great length of time. When I'm at home, I take it off and let the tattoo breath, uncovered, or wearing something loose fitting. Make sure to replace the cling film every few hours (apart from when you're sleeping, obviously) and clean gently with anti-bacterial liquid soap, and reapply the bepanthen/whatever you use on it.

Hope that helps.

Yeah ive been doing that, I've gotten two types of tape, but one isn't hypoallergenic and im allergic to it, im using sanex shower gel, it's all fine except the cling film keeps moving all over the place..

Melion

Why are you keeping it on for days? 2-3 hours max! The tattoo has to be allowed to breathe.

And as for the bepanthan 4-5 times a day, good god.

bfocusd

Im changing and cleaning it throughout the day, these are the instructions im following and have done previously,

http://www.wildcat.ie/page.html?id=16

It's keeping the cling film in place I've a problem with..

antocann

any tattoo i got from any artist , was told cling film shoul ony stay on for an hour or 2 max ,

bfocusd

Do you have a link to the instructions so I can compare

Melion

bfocusd wrote: »

Im changing and cleaning it throughout the day, these are the instructions im following and have done previously,

http://www.wildcat.ie/page.html?id=16

It's keeping the cling film in place I've a problem with..

The clingfilm will not stay in place. Especially on your back, just think of the amount of sweat etc that will be on your back as you move throughout the day. Just take it off and leave it off.

bfocusd

thats why ive been changing it frequently, will it scab much if leave it off?
ive always followed the instructions i was given before

Hail 2 Da Thief

bfocusd wrote: »

will it scab much if leave it off?

It wont scab at all, you'll just shed dead skin.

Melion

bfocusd wrote: »

thats why ive been changing it frequently, will it scab much if leave it off?
ive always followed the instructions i was given before

Im not in a position to say Wildcat are in the wrong but i can never understand people being told to keep the clingfilm on for days, it makes no sense whatsoever. If you work somewhere that it NEEDS to be covered for hygiene reasons then just wear long sleeves. Obviously your back is going to be covered at all time so its not at risk of getting dirty.

Hellrazer

Melion wrote: »

i can never understand people being told to keep the clingfilm on for days,

I raised this before.An area covered in clingfilm for too long is like a greenhouse for bacteria.

Its hot,humid and damp and these are ideal conditions for all sorts of bacteria to grow and any biologist will tell you the same.

An open wound needs to breathe..thats how the healing process works.

Melion

Hellrazer wrote: »

I raised this before.An area covered in clingfilm for too long is like a greenhouse for bacteria.

Its hot,humid and damp and these are ideal conditions for all sorts of bacteria to grow and any biologist will tell you the same.

An open wound needs to breathe..thats how the healing process works.

Im surprised that a studio like Wildcat are telling their customers to do this tbh

Star Lord

Melion wrote: »

Im surprised that a studio like Wildcat are telling their customers to do this tbh

It's what I've been told to do in the past too. I've always re-covered the tattoo with fresh cling film after washing with anti-bacterial soap, allowing to air-dry or patting dry with kitchen paper and applying bepanthen. If I'm at home, I'd just sit around without a tshirt or anything on. When in work, I'd keep it covered with cling film for the first 2-3 days to prevent any irritation from my work clothes.

bfocusd

Here's another place with similar instructions..

http://www.evenmoreink.com/after-care.html

I've always thought it was necessary to keep the film on for the few days.

If I keep it off its not going to cause the colour to fade etc.
I've had it off for some time today and it feels amazing without that cling film, god it is really annoying.

I've to go back in to have it finished so I will speak to the artist about it and see what the deal is.

Melion

DamoElDiablo wrote: »

It's what I've been told to do in the past too. I've always re-covered the tattoo with fresh cling film after washing with anti-bacterial soap, allowing to air-dry or patting dry with kitchen paper and applying bepanthen. If I'm at home, I'd just sit around without a tshirt or anything on. When in work, I'd keep it covered with cling film for the first 2-3 days to prevent any irritation from my work clothes.

Have a read of what Hellrazer posted above. Its common sense and i cant understand why tattoo artists tell people to keep it covered for days.

Hellrazer

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showpost.php?p=65290949&postcount=6

Heres me original post on it way back.

I still stand by it.Bepanthen for me is still a no no as well.Anything that smothers the open wound just lets bacteria grow.And I still think lanolin based products are a bad idea.

Plain old Johnstons baby lotion.For disbelievers just give it a go--It works 100 times better than the usual and how do you say "traditional methods" for healing.

Melion

Hellrazer wrote: »

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showpost.php?p=65290949&postcount=6

Heres me original post on it way back.

I still stand by it.Bepanthen for me is still a no no as well.Anything that smothers the open wound just lets bacteria grow.And I still think lanolin based products are a bad idea.

Plain old Johnstons baby lotion.For disbelievers just give it a go--It works 100 times better than the usual and how do you say "traditional methods" for healing.

Ive always used Bepanthan and never had any issues with it. The problem most people have is they put way too much on. Im getting some pieces finished this week(Hopefully) and will give the baby lotion a go instead.

Hellrazer

Melion wrote: »

Ive always used Bepanthan and never had any issues with it. The problem most people have is they put way too much on. .

Thats exactly it--they cover the tattoo with it forming an air tight barrier.

Open wounds need to breathe to heal.


Let me know how you get on with the baby lotion.Its all I ever use now.

Melion

Hellrazer wrote: »

Thats exactly it--they cover the tattoo with it forming an air tight barrier.

Open wounds need to breathe to heal.


Let me know how you get on with the baby lotion.Its all I ever use now.

Will do. How much do you put on? Pea sized amount?

Hellrazer

Melion wrote: »

Will do. How much do you put on? Pea sized amount?

You`ll want to cover it so depends on the size of the tattoo and twice a day is enough--Baby lotion is totally absorbed unlike bepanthen which I always find leaves a greasy feel to my skin.

Your skin will feel like youve put nothing on it after 10 mins or so.But your skin will feel really soft to the touch.

Melion

Ill hopefully be able to report back tomorrow

Star Lord

Hellrazer wrote: »

But your skin will feel really soft to the touch.

How soft? :pac:

bfocusd

I will give it a go too, im getting a back piece coloured, im for sure going to ask what the deal is and is that what they do.. I still find it confusing if they are promoting that technique, there has to be some pros or they wouldn't promote it..

Edit: I read the article included in the post and it makes sense, well it's common sense, someone referred to when your a kid's your told to let it breath.. but I guess if someone who specialises tells you to follow this procedure, you follow it really.

I would much prefer to not wear the cling film as it's really uncomfortable, I've not had it on today and it feels better. Wasn't painful or anything, just extremely irritating.

So I guess, get the work done, keep the film on for about 2/3 hours, wash and dry it, then baby lotion (silly question but that's the pink bottle?)

What about in bed? Has anyone been leaky or stuck to the bed?

It's worth a try I think, I'm not saying it won't work but if some areas fade or whatever, I'll just get it touched up.

Im glad I asked this now as I got my first tattoo done in 05 and almost everyone I know follows the same method, so I never questioned it until now, I never had any infections or problems, so I assumed it was correct..

Thanks for your input everyone

Hellrazer

DamoElDiablo wrote: »

How soft? :pac:

Soft as a babys bum!!

Hellrazer

bfocusd wrote: »

I will give it a go too, im getting a back piece coloured, im for sure going to ask what the deal is and is that what they do.. I still find it confusing if they are promoting that technique, there has to be some pros or they wouldn't promote it..

There are pros to it--Bepanthen is anti-bacterial.But it still contains lanolin--basically bloied sheeps wool--not good for human skin.

I would much prefer to not wear the cling film as it's really uncomfortable, I've not had it on today and it feels better. Wasn't painful or anything, just extremely irritating.

See

So I guess, get the work done, keep the film on for about 2/3 hours, wash and dry it, then baby lotion (silly question but that's the pink bottle?)

Yep the pink bottle.

What about in bed? Has anyone been leaky or stuck to the bed?

With my method you shouldnt leak or stick to the bed--Hot water to open the pores,cold to close them.Leaking happens if the pores are kept open-form the cling wrap keeping the area too warm.

It's worth a try I think, I'm not saying it won't work but if some areas fade or whatever, I'll just get it touched up.

You`ll probably need less touching up than bepanthen.And the colours seem to stay brighter for longer.
My candy skull looks like it was done yesterday using this method of healing.My blacks are still as black as the day they were done.

bfocusd

Ok so I slept last night without the cling film, Ive to get the Johnson's today so I used e45 lotion, it was fine, but for whatever reason I woke at 5am tearing itchy.. Put some more cream on and popped back to sleep.. After it was cooled by the vreamr

Is it normal for it to itch so much that it wakes you?

Melion

Its healing, it will itch!

tread_softly

When I got my back done, I slept the first few nights with cling film taped to the inside of my pyjama top, not to my skin. Mainly to prevent the initial freshly done tattoo goo sticking to my top like it did the first night >.<

lord lucan

Enjoyed reading the advice on this thread. Seems the creams/lotions being recommended have constantly changed over the years. When i got my first tattoo about 12 years ago the recommendation was to use savalon. Tbh it dried the tattoo out and made it very itchy.

A year later i got another couple of tattoos done and was recommended to use E45. It was much better than Savalon,nowhere near as itchy and dry.

The last couple i got done was about 8 years ago and i was recommended to use Preparation H( i kid you not). Stuck with E45 as i couldn't bring myself to go into a chemist and ask for a Hemerrhoid treatment.:o

I was always advised to leave the cling film on for 2 to 3 days(changing regularly obv.) and then leave to heal naturally. Never questioned it myself but some of the points made in this thread make perfect sense. I'll be getting some new ink shortly and look forward to trying out some new methods.

Max Power1

lord lucan wrote: »

I was always advised to leave the cling film on for 2 to 3 days(changing regularly obv.) and then leave to heal naturally. Never questioned it myself but some of the points made in this thread make perfect sense. I'll be getting some new ink shortly and look forward to trying out some new methods.

This tbh.

I got tattooed at Wildcat recently and they advised the 3 days of clingfilm. Im surprised after reading (both here and elsewhere) that this may not be best practice

Just Like Heaven

When I got my back tattooed I wore the same piece of cling film for 6-7 days, and when I took it off I made sure to drink all of the vaseline, blood, plasma, ink, lymph and tissue fluid.


But seriously I just wore soft white cotten shirts and tried to sleep on my side?