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I did use seran wrap for quite some time, but I also only have my clients keep their tattoo bandaged for an hour before I have them remove it and clean it.

Some will argue that this is a breeding ground for bacteria when left on for long periods of time. Having them leave it on for only one hour helps keep the plasma from beginning the scabbing stage immediately. Also for large tattoos I recommend clients to cover it with seran wrap the first two nights while they sleep, preventing the plasma from hardening over night, basically forming a slime layer that can be washed off in the morning, which makes it easy to wash away what WOULD have been 8 hours more of scabbing that they couldnt wash while they were sleeping.
Also when using the seran, it is good to only tape the top and the bottom to allow the tattoo to still be able to breath during that hour. I do not recommend rewrapping at all after that initial hour, except during sleep periods only the first two days.

However, the owner of the studio i work in did not like this technique and requested i go back to using the lapcloth for bandaging. So to pacify him I have done so, although I make sure to use the plastic side of a new piece each time. So Ive tried to get him to explain to me the difference...

Keep in mind when using the lapcloth for bandaging, to use the plastic side, when using the paper side, the tattoo will be allowed to begin to scab quicked because the paper is absorbing the fluid and drying it out causing the scab to begin bonding with the paper, if this occurs, simply make sure to wet the lapcloth well before trying to remove it.

As far as your specific states laws on bandaging tattoos, you should be able to simply look your states laws on this matter online to find out.

Hope this helps

I did use seran wrap for quite some time, but I also only have my clients keep their tattoo bandaged for an hour before I have them remove it and clean it.

Some will argue that this is a breeding ground for bacteria when left on for long periods of time. Having them leave it on for only one hour helps keep the plasma from beginning the scabbing stage immediately. Also for large tattoos I recommend clients to cover it with seran wrap the first two nights while they sleep, preventing the plasma from hardening over night, basically forming a slime layer that can be washed off in the morning, which makes it easy to wash away what WOULD have been 8 hours more of scabbing that they couldnt wash while they were sleeping.
Also when using the seran, it is good to only tape the top and the bottom to allow the tattoo to still be able to breath during that hour. I do not recommend rewrapping at all after that initial hour, except during sleep periods only the first two days.

However, the owner of the studio i work in did not like this technique and requested i go back to using the lapcloth for bandaging. So to pacify him I have done so, although I make sure to use the plastic side of a new piece each time. So Ive tried to get him to explain to me the difference...

Keep in mind when using the lapcloth for bandaging, to use the plastic side, when using the paper side, the tattoo will be allowed to begin to scab quicked because the paper is absorbing the fluid and drying it out causing the scab to begin bonding with the paper, if this occurs, simply make sure to wet the lapcloth well before trying to remove it.

As far as your specific states laws on bandaging tattoos, you should be able to simply look your states laws on this matter online to find out.

Hope this helps

I have tried looking up the laws, but Canada isn't quite like the US with tattooing. We have licensed shops but not tattoo artists, and more "recommendations" than regulations. For example, in BC, wearing gloves and bagging your machine is "recommended". From what I found for Ontario, tattooing is just an extension of service workers and it didn't specify what bandaging can be used. I'll have to look again; I was on mobile.

I use dental bibs. Its how my mentor did it, and it was good enough for me. My understanding was the bandage was just to catch the blood (and plasma) until it stopped bleeding, an hour or so. I instruct everyone to remove it in an hour and clean it thoroughly and not rebandage. I think this is the most important part. Keep It Clean! I stress that so much when I'm explaining aftercare, but I'm still not sure how well people listen. I know some of them just apply more ointment (I like A&D) throughout the day (if they even do that) without washing their hands. I had one guy spread a staph infection from a previous surgery to his tattoo. Freaked me the f*** out, until I learned he got the staph elsewhere... then I freaked out again that he could have brought that into my shop.

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Hey Bro,


I'd love to write a novel on this topic but I really don't want to get into a pissing contest with such a touchy subject. So I try to avoid comments on this subject.

Send me your email and I'll send you my aftercare sheet and I'll write up a little microbiology info about the healing process and proper habits you need to insure a good healed tattoo. And it will help explain the outline of my aftercare instructions. As well as how to prep your tattoo after it is completed before you wrap your customer to go home.


Take care


Stephen Stacey.