Tattoo Aftercare

We highly reccomend using Saniderm or a similar product, follow these tips if you will not be using Saniderm

Washing:

After 1 to 2 hours, it’s time to remove the bandage. The only thing you should use is a non scented liquid antibacterial soap!! (What we recommend is the clear liquid antibacterial Dial.) When washing, you want to make sure that you are only using your clean hand to do the washing. You want to make sure that you get all of the dried fluids and any ointment that is left. If you are washing in the shower, make sure that you are using lukewarm water and not hot. DO NOT let the water beat on your new tattoo, let the water hit above it and run off for a short time. NO soaking in the tub as well! Once the washing is complete, use a clean towel to gently pat the tattoo dry. No swimming or baths until healed!

Now it’s time to show off your masterpiece.

Applying Ointment:

We recommend two products only during the healing process if you are not usind Saniderm:

Plain unscented Lubriderm lotion and/or Aquaphor.

Let me remind you here that basically you have an open wound, and while it’s a good looking wound, it’s still a wound and you need to treat it as such. First, wash your hands before applying lotion!! Think of all of the things that you have touched and who and what has touched that object.

All that you are trying to do is to moisturize your skin and keep it clean. Take a small amount of Lubriderm or Aquaphor and gently rub it all of the way in. Your tattoo should have a slight sheen to it, meaning a very thin coat!! Do not cake or gob it on!! Your tattoo and skin need to breathe to heal properly and quickly. You should reapply 3-5 times daily depending on the size, location and condition of your skin. If it looks dried out, then put a small amount on. REMEMBER… More is not better!

Healing:

A tattoo normally takes anywhere from 7 to 14 days to look fully healed, depending on the type, style, size and placement. The truth is that it can really take up to a month for a tattoo to be fully healed below the surface of the skin and for your body’s natural healing abilities to lock the ink in completely. There is no “idiot proof” method, but if you take the time to follow these instructions, you will stand a much better chance of healing your tattoo without any problems to ensure that it looks as good as possible!

Piercing Aftercare

Suggested Aftercare Guidelines for Body Piercings

Cleaning Solutions Use only the following solution for healing piercings:
• Packaged sterile saline solution (commonly labeled as sterile saline wound wash) with no additives (read the label). It should only have two ingredients; purified (or USP grade) water and sterile (or USP grade) sodium chloride. Some common brands are NeilMed or TopCare, or other generics. A higher price does not mean a better product; look for one that most closely matches what is described above.

CLEANING INSTRUCTIONS FOR BODY PIERCINGS
• WASH your hands thoroughly prior to cleaning or touching your piercing for any reason.
• SALINE, apply using clean gauze or q-tips saturated with saline solution three times per day. A brief rinse afterward will remove any residue.
• NOTE while showering, try to avoid getting soaps and other cleansers on your healing piercing. This seems impossible, and it nearly is! So if, and when, something gets on your piercing, don’t worry. Rinse it off. Try not to leave other cleansers on the piercing for any longer than necessary. Rinse well! • RINSE thoroughly to remove all traces of the soap from the piercing. It is not necessary to rotate the jewelry through the piercing.
• DRY by gently patting with clean, disposable paper products. Cloth towels can harbor bacteria and snag on jewelry, causing injury.

WHAT IS NORMAL?
• Initially: some bleeding, localized swelling, tenderness, or bruising.
• During healing: some discoloration, itching, secretion of a whitish-yellow fluid (not pus) that will form some crust on the jewelry. The tissue may tighten around the jewelry as it heals.
• Once healed: the jewelry may not move freely in the piercing; do not force it. If you fail to include cleaning your piercing as part of your daily hygiene routine, normal but smelly bodily secretions may accumulate.
• A piercing may seem healed before the healing process is complete. This is because tissue heals from the outside in, and although it feels fine, the interior remains fragile. Be patient, and keep cleaning throughout the entire healing period.
• Even healed piercings can shrink or close in minutes after having been there for years! This varies from person to person; if you like your piercing, keep jewelry in—do not leave it empty.

WHAT TO DO
• Wash your hands prior to touching the piercing; leave it alone except when cleaning.
• Stay healthy; the healthier your lifestyle, the easier it will be for your piercing to heal. Get enough sleep and eat a nutritious diet. Exercise during healing is fine; listen to your body.
• Make sure your bedding is washed and changed regularly. Wear clean, comfortable, breathable clothing that protects your piercing while you are sleeping.
• Showers tend to be safer than taking baths, as bathtubs can harbor bacteria. If you bathe in a tub, clean it well before each use and rinse off your piercing when you get out.

WHAT TO AVOID
• Avoid cleaning with Betadine®, Hibiclens®, alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, body washes, Dial® or other harsh soaps, as these can damage cells. Also avoid ointments as they prevent necessary air circulation. • Avoid Bactine®, pierced ear care solutions and other products containing Benzalkonium Chloride (BZK). These can be irritating and are not intended for long term wound care.
• Avoid over-cleaning. This can delay your healing and irritate your piercing.
• Avoid undue trauma such as friction from clothing, excessive motion of the area, playing with the jewelry, and vigorous cleaning. These activities can cause the formation of unsightly and uncomfortable scar tissue, migration, prolonged healing, and other complications.
• Avoid all oral contact, rough play, and contact with others' bodily fluids on or near your piercing during healing.
• Avoid stress and recreational drug use, including excessive caffeine, nicotine, and alcohol.
• Avoid submerging the piercing in unhygienic bodies of water such as lakes, pools, hot tubs, etc. Or, protect your piercing using a waterproof wound-sealant bandage (such as 3M™ Nexcare™ Clean Seals). These are available at most drugstores.
• Avoid all beauty and personal care products on or around the piercing including cosmetics, lotions, and sprays, etc.
• Don't hang charms or any object from your jewelry until the piercing is fully healed.

HINTS AND TIPS

JEWELRY:
• Unless there is a problem with the size, style, or material of the initial jewelry, leave it in place for the entire
healing period. See a qualified piercer to perform any jewelry change that becomes necessary during healing. • Contact your piercer if your jewelry must be removed (such as for a medical procedure). There are non-metallic jewelry alternatives available.
• Leave jewelry in at all times. Even a well-healed piercing can shrink or close in minutes even after having been there for years. If removed, re-insertion can be difficult or impossible.
• With clean hands or paper products, be sure to regularly check threaded ends on your jewelry for tightness. ("Righty tighty, lefty-loosey.")
• Carry a clean spare ball in case of loss or breakage.
• Should you decide you no longer want the piercing, simply remove the jewelry (or have a professional piercer remove it) and continue cleaning the piercing until the hole closes. In most cases only a small mark will remain.
• In the event an infection is suspected, quality jewelry or an inert alternative should be left in place to allow for drainage or the infection. If the jewelry is removed, the surface cells can close up, which can seal the infection inside the piercing channel and result in an abscess. Do not remove jewelry unless instructed to by a medical professional.

FOR PARTICULAR AREAS

NAVEL:
• A hard, vented eye patch (sold at pharmacies) can be applied under tight clothing (such as nylon stockings) or secured using a length of Ace® bandage around the body (to avoid irritation from adhesive). This can protect the area from restrictive clothing, excess irritation, and impact during physical activities such as contact sports.

EAR/EAR CARTILAGE AND FACIAL:
• Use the t-shirt trick: Dress your pillow in a large, clean t-shirt and turn it nightly; one clean t-shirt provides four clean surfaces for sleeping.
• Maintain cleanliness of telephones, headphones, eyeglasses, helmets, hats, and anything that contacts the pierced area.
• Use caution when styling your hair and advise your stylist of a new or healing piercing.

NIPPLES:
• The support of a tight cotton shirt or sports bra may provide protection and feel comfortable, especially for sleeping.
GENITAL:
• Urinate after using soap to clean any piercing that is near the urethra.
• Wash your hands before touching on (or near) a healing piercing.
• We recommend waiting 7-10 days, or until healed, before engaging in sexual activities in or around the area of the piercing. That being said, in most cases you can engage in sexual activity as soon as you feel ready, but maintaining hygiene and avoiding trauma are vital. All sexual activities should be gentle during the healing period. • Use barriers such as condoms, dental dams, and waterproof bandages, etc. to avoid contact with your partners' body fluids, even in monogamous
relationships.
• Use clean, disposable barriers on sex toys.
• Use a new container of water-based lubricant; do not use saliva.
• After sex, an additional saline soak or clean water rinse is suggested.
Each body is unique and healing times vary considerably. If you have any questions, please contact your piercer.