Tattoo Aftercare Instructions
Your tattoo has been done under clean, professional conditions using the most modern sterilization techniques and the finest tattooing pigment available. Now it is up to YOU to take proper care of it. The chance of infection or damage to your new tattoo is minimal if aftercare instructions are followed correctly. In a nutshell, KEEP IT CLEAN AND MOISTURIZED, and WASH YOUR HANDS before you touch it.
Here is a breakdown of tattoo aftercare In detail:
- Leave the bandage that you received after the tattoo for 2-6 hours (no more than 10 hours). This dressing is there to keep airborne bacteria and other contaminants in the environment from invading your wound.
- Before cleaning or touching the tattooed areas, WASH HANDS thoroughly with soap and warm water. Treat your new tattoo as an open wound.
- Carefully remove the bandage. if it sticks, gently wet any applied bandage and carefully, slowly pull off so as not to damage any scabs or dried matter. DO NOT FORCE ITS REMOVAL.
- After removing the bandage, cleanse the area with mild and water, then rinse. Do not scrub the tattoo or rub with washcloth or towel. Pat dry with a clean paper towel.
- Let tattoo dry completely (approximately 10 minutes).
- Lightly apply a THIN layer of acceptable aftercare products: mild medicated ointments such as Bacitracin, Vitamin A&D ointment or Aquaphor, special tattoo products such as Black Eye tattoo balm. Gently massage product into the new tattoo skin to ensure you are getting it in the skin instead of leaving a layer on top.
- You do not need to rebandage unless you are at risk of exposing your uncovered tattoo to dirt or pet hair in you daily routine. You ABSOLUTELY DO NOT want pet hair or dander in your fresh tattoo. If you do rebandage, make sure you change the dressing 2-3 times throughout the day, washing, moisturizing, and applying new wrapping each time.
- For the next 3-5 days, make sure the tattoo is kept very clean by washing 2-4 times a day with soap and water, as above, and apply aftercare product any time your tattoo looks dry, making sure to WASH YOUR HANDS before touching you tattoo. If a scab forms, do not pick at it. Let it heal on its own.
- Do not panic if you have a reaction to your aftercare product. You may be sensitive to one of its ingredients. Although not a major problem, it does happen. The Skin can react in a few ways, from redness to irritable itchy skin with white, pimple-like spots. If this occurs, stop using the product. Lightly wash off the remaining product from your skin. A reaction like this should settle down within 72 hours. If you are still experiencing a problem after 14 days, it is doubtful the aftercare product is to blame and it may be that you are having a reaction to the ink. This is possible even if you have been previously tattooed without a problem. Should this occur contact the studio for advice from the artist. It may also mean a visit to your physician if the problem persists.
- After 3-5 days, you can switch to a fragrance free lotion or gentle moisturizer as needed until completely healed. It is best to use moisturizers with aloe and/or vitamin E as this helps heal damaged skin. Regularly moisturizing a tattoo helps to keep the skin soft and the colors bright. Also, the sun can irreversibly damage even well healed tattoos so remember to use a good sun block with SPF over 45 when spending time outdoors.
- Healing generally takes 2-3 weeks in a healthy adult. As it heals, expect peeling similar to sunburned skin.
- Itching is expected. DO NOT SCRATCH THE TATTOO and avoid any excessive rubbing or chafing of clothing on your tattoo. You can GENTLY pat your tattoo to help relieve the itching.
DO NOT use Vaseline or other petroleum jelly on your tattoo
DO NOT use heavily medicated antibiotic ointment such as Neosporin on your tattoo
DO NOT use iodine, peroxide, or alcohol based products on your tattoo
Most problems or irritation occur from:
- Scratching or itching a new tattoo
- Tanning or swimming before tattoo is healed
- Using inappropriate amounts or types of aftercare products
You may expect some slight swelling, redness, and discomfort around the site. If any of the following symptoms appear promptly consult a health care provider:
- Unusual drainage
- Excessive bleeding
- Excessive pain / discomfort
- Excessive swelling / redness / feeling that skin is hot to the touch
- Temperature greater than 101F within 24 hours of receiving a tattoo
IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS DO NOT HESITATE TO CONTACT US! It is far better to do so than to figure it out by yourself.
Piercing Aftercare Instructions
EYEBROWS, NOSTRIL, SEPTUM, EARS, & CARTILAGE:
WASH YOUR HANDS thoroughly before handling jewelry. Do not ever touch jewelry unless cleaning it. You need to clean the piercing 2-3 times a day. the best cleanser is antibacterial soap such as Dial, Lever 2000, Hibiclens, etc. After washing your hands, you want to clean your piercing. Rinse away any encrustation and secretions, then wash, rinse and rotate the jewelry. Repeat this step a total of 3 times, then one final, good, long rinse. It is important not to leave any soap on the jewelry or piercing area as it can irritate the piercing. The average healing time for these piercings is 6-8 weeks. any cartilage piercings can take up to 3-4 months.
NIPPLES & NAVELS:
The cleaning procedure is the same as above. The healing times can range anywhere from 4-6+ months. These piercings are fairly deep so don’t stop your aftercare too soon. They are still healing inside so it is best to continue for a short period after you think it is completely healed.
GENITALS:
Same as above except you should clean jewelry after urinating to prevent any build-up of dried urine on jewelry. If you have to have sex during the first few months after the piercing use a condom to protect the piercing. Healing times vary.
TONGUES:
You will need to rinse with a 50/50 mixture of Listerine and water. Rinse first thing in the morning, right before bed, and any time anything goes in your mouth besides water (i.e. food, soda, cigarettes, etc). You will rinse at least 12-24 times a day. Do not use full strength Listerine as it can cause chemical burns and/ or damage taste buds. Do not drink beer during the healing process as it can cause a yeast infection. Ice does help the swelling, as well as an anti-inflammatory such as ibuprofen, naproxen, advil, motrin, etc. The swelling usually lasts anywhere from 1-4 days. Do not participate in any wet kissing or oral sex for 3 weeks. Colds and viruses can be passed through saliva, semen and vaginal fluids. this will cause extreme swelling and possible infection. Healing time is 2-4 weeks.
LIPS, LABRETS, & CHEEKS:
Follow instructions for EYEBROWS, NOSTRIL, … and TONGUES. Healing time is about 6-8 weeks.
IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS DO NOT HESITATE TO CONTACT US!!! It is far better to ask us directly than figure it out yourself or listen to your friend who knew a guy who used to pierce and thus knows just what to do. Do you have that person in mind? Ignore them and call us, please.