New here! Also have a few questions...

[Twinx]

Hi there! My name is Steph, and like quite a few others, I've been lurking on this site for a while, but just recently made an account.

So, I have a couple of questions, and I hope it's okay to ask them (I read the rules, but there's always a chance I could have missed something!)

First off, I'm getting two tattoos in a couple months. One on each forearm... Each tattoo is going to be less than two hrs, and my artist is going to be doing them both on the same day. I've read it's not good with healing to get more than one on the same day, but I've also read that if they're smaller pieces, it may be okay... It's been a while (like 10 yrs) since my last tattoo, so I don't really remember how I heal up. (Although, I usually heal well/quickly from surgeries/injuries and such, if that makes any difference?) The guy I'm going to books out 6 months in advance, and I trust his judgement completely, I just want to be 100% sure.

Secondly, I've been hearing a LOT about Saniderm/Tatuderm type products, and I was wondering if they were worth investing in? Like I said, my artist books out way in advance, and I've been waiting a few months, so I just want to make sure they heal up as vibrant as possible!

I hope all of this makes sense! It's been a long day, but I just wanted to post this before I went to bed.

[SeeSea]

Welcome! If each of your tattoos will be taking less than 2 hours, you should be fine getting both on the same day.

Take a look over in the Saniderm/etc. thread for a lot of great information: http://www.lastsparrowtattoo.com/forum/tattoo-after-care/4795-tegaderm-saniderm-tatuderm-healing-process.html. Many here swear by it, others don't use it. I doubt it would make your tattoo more vibrant unless you really screwed up a heal or got an infection healing it normally, but it certainly can help with the annoyance of having an open wound. But a good piece of advice is to try it out on your skin first to see if you have a reaction to it.

[bruzzz]

Welcome. Don't know anything about those products but know that 2 tattoos with a total of 4 hours will be fine.

[Twinx]

Thanks to you both! I was hoping getting two smaller pieces wouldn't be a big deal, but I just wanted to make sure... Now that I think of it, one probably won't be too much longer than an hr, and the other may be a bit more than 2 hrs, but not much. Like I said, I'd hate for something to be messed up after having to wait!

Thanks for the link @SeeSea! I'll look through that to get some opinions from people that have actually used it (not just "testimonials" on the product's own site. haha). I forgot to mention, in addition to the ease of healing, another reason I was looking into it, is because I'm an EMT, and was wondering what to do about wrapping it and such for work... You know, because having a big open wound exposed to the unknown can be kind of a scary thought!

[sighthound]

I've used it to heal one tattoo in the past. I don't know if it made any difference in color retention or anything like that, but it definitely took the hassle out of worrying about cleaning/protection/etc.

I don't think any additional wraps are required as it acts as a second skin type of bandage - just my opinion - I'll let you research it further and do what you're most comfortable with.

[The Tig]

I forgot to mention, in addition to the ease of healing, another reason I was looking into it, is because I'm an EMT, and was wondering what to do about wrapping it and such for work... You know, because having a big open wound exposed to the unknown can be kind of a scary thought!

As a retired paramedic, I get your concern. I'd feel confident using a Saniderm type product while working EMS as it is a great protective barrier against exterior infection sources and pathogens. Just be sure to allow at least half an inch border around the tattooed area since that is where the adhesive actually sticks, on the surrounding un-inked skin. Also, as sighthound said, it takes the hassle out of worrying about cleaning/protection.