Aftercare

It’s time to take care of your new tattoo and make sure that it will last as long as you do!

Aftercare Products

· Use a mild, fragrance-free, liquid anti-bacterial, anti-microbial or a germicidal soap. We highly recommend using Dr. Bronner’s Magic Soaps Unscented Baby-Mild Pure-Castile Soap.

· Use a prepackaged sterile aftercare product. We highly recommend using either Hustle Butter or H2Ocean Aquatat Tattoo Ointment or Original Tattoo Goo.

Cleaning Instructions

· WASH your hands thoroughly prior to cleaning or touching the tattoo.

· REMOVE the bandage after 1 hour.

· SOAP should be used no more than 1 – 2 times daily. While showering, lather up a pearl size drop of soap and gently clean the tattoo using only your fingertips. Leave the cleanser on the tattoo for no more than 30 – 60 seconds.

· RINSE thoroughly, with cool water, to remove all traces of soap from the tattoo.

· DRY by gently patting with a clean, disposable paper towel. Cloth towels can harbor bacteria.

· WAIT 10 -15 minutes for the tattoo to air dry. This allows excess moisture from swelling under the skin, and also moisture introduced by washing, to evaporate.

· APPLY a very thin layer of a recommended tattoo aftercare product, 2 – 3 times daily, until the tattoo begins to peel. Be sure to gently rub the aftercare product completely into the skin and pat with a clean, disposable paper towel to remove any excess.

· SWITCH to a moisturizing lotion for the remainder of the healing process. Be sure to rub the moisturizing lotion into the skin completely. Use only a fragrance-free lotion that does not contain any alcohol, oils, dyes, glitter or bronzers. We highly recommend Tattoo Goo Tattoo Aftercare Lotion.

Normal Healing

· The tattoo will take 2 – 3 weeks to heal. It can take 4 – 6 weeks for the skin to completely recover

· Initially, blood and a secretion of a whitish-yellow, clear fluid (plasma) may form some crust on the tattoo. To remove dried blood or plasma, gently clean the tattoo, as directed above.

· Localized swelling, tenderness and minor bruising can be expected.

· Both redness surrounding the tattoo and skin that is warm to the touch are normal signs of healing.

· A thin membrane will form to protect the tattoo while it heals. This layer will peel off, very similar to a sunburn. It is perfectly normal to see small flakes of colored skin peel off during this period.

· The tattoo may appear dull, dry or flaky and, may itch excessively. Itching is natural during the healing process. As a protective measure, the body releases histamine in response to the wound and its sudden exposure to outside elements. Be mindful not to scratch or pick at the healing tattoo. Use a moisturizing lotion, as directed above, to help relieve the itch.

· Red or white bumps may form in the hair follicles over an area that has been shaved prior to tattooing. This can also be caused by over saturation of a recommended aftercare product or by using the incorrect aftercare product. Please contact us if this should occur.

What To Do

· Treat the tattoo with the same respect as you would any other kind of broken skin.

· Wash your hands prior to touching the tattoo. Leave it alone, except when cleaning or applying a recommended aftercare product or moisturizing lotion.

· Maintain an avid daily hygiene routine throughout the entire healing process.

· The healthier your lifestyle, the easier it will be for the tattoo to heal. Get enough sleep and eat a nutritious diet. Drink plenty of water.

· Wear clean, loose fitting clothes that do not rub or irritate the tattoo.

· Make sure your bedding is washed and changed regularly. Wear clean, comfortable, breathable clothing that protects the tattoo while you are sleeping.

· If clothing or linens become stuck to your tattoo, lightly moisten the area with cool water and gently work the cloth away from the tattoo.

· During the healing process, showering is okay but you should avoid a steady stream of water on the tattoo.

What To Avoid

· Avoid caking or globing on a recommended aftercare product. Your skin needs to breathe to heal and smothering it with a thick layer of aftercare product will extend the healing time and damage the tattoo. Do not wrap or bandage the tattoo.

· Avoid undue trauma such as friction from clothing, excessive motion of the area and vigorous cleaning or soaking the tattoo. These activities can cause disruption of the soft tissue resulting in irritation, the formation of unsightly and uncomfortable scar tissue and many other complications.

· Avoid all oral contact, rough play, and contact with others’ bodily fluids on or around the tattoo.

· Avoid submerging the tattoo in unhygienic bodies of water such as lakes, pools, hot tubs, etc.

· Avoid the use of isopropyl alcohol or hydrogen peroxide on or around the tattoo.

· Avoid using Bactine and other products containing Benzalkonium Chloride (BZK). These products should not be used on puncture wounds or over large areas of the body.

· Avoid all petroleum based ointments such as Neosporin or Bacitracin, as they can collect and promote the growth of bacteria. Do not use Vaseline or Vitamin A & D Ointment.

· Avoid all beauty and personal care products on or around the tattoo, including cosmetics, lotions, and sprays, etc.

· Avoid direct and indirect sunlight, tanning beds and the use of tanning products on or around the tattoo.

While tattoo pigments may initially simulate the exact color and tone desired, they may not always remain true. Tattooed pigments are constant, while your own skin color will vary depending on exposure to cold, heat, sun, and circulatory changes.

Exposure to UV rays, sunbathing and tanning can cause your healed tattoo to appear faded. A sun block of SPF 35+ or higher will help prevent exposure. 

  Aftercare Products

· Use a mild, fragrance-free, liquid anti-bacterial, anti-microbial or a germicidal soap. We highly recommend using Dr. Bronner’s Magic Soaps Unscented Baby-Mild Pure-Castile Soap.

· Use a prepackaged sterile saline solution with no additives. We highly recommend using either H2Ocean Piercing Aftercare Spray. 

Cleaning Instructions

· WASH your hands thoroughly prior to cleaning or touching the piercing.

· SOAP should be used no more than 1 – 2 times daily. While showering, lather up a pearl size drop of soap and gently clean the jewelry and the piercing. Leave the cleanser on the piercing for no more than 30 – 60 seconds.

· RINSE thoroughly, with cool water, to remove all traces of soap from the piercing. Gently turn the jewelry through the piercing as you rinse.

· DRY by gently patting with a clean, disposable paper towel. Cloth towels can harbor bacteria and snag the jewelry, causing injury.

· SALINE spray 1 – 2 times daily and allow to air dry.

· SOAK, only if the piercing becomes irritated, for 5 minutes 1 – 2 times daily. Invert a cup containing a recommended aftercare solution over the area to form a vacuum. For certain piercings, it may be easier to apply using a cotton ball or clean gauze saturated with a recommended aftercare solution. A brief rinse afterward will remove any residue.

· MOUTHWASH, that does not contain alcohol or peroxide, should be used for oral piercings immediately after eating or smoking.

Normal Healing

· The piercing will take several months to completely heal.

· Intermittent bleeding, localized swelling, redness, tenderness, minor bruising, discoloration and itching can be expected.

· A secretion of a whitish-yellow, clear fluid (plasma) may continuously form some crust on the jewelry. The tissue may tighten around the jewelry as it heals.

· Both redness surrounding the piercing and skin that is warm to the touch are normal signs of healing.

· Dead skin may form around the piercing that eventually peels off leaving a visible layer of fresh, pink skin.

· Smelly, but normal, bodily secretions may accumulate, particularly if you fail to clean the piercing as part of a daily hygiene routine.

What To Do

· Treat the piercing with the same respect as you would any other kind of broken skin.

· Wash your hands prior to touching the piercing. Leave it alone, except when cleaning.

· Maintain an avid cleaning routine throughout the entire healing process. A piercing may seem healed before healing is complete. This is because tissue heals from the outside in, and although it feels fine, the interior remains fragile for many months.

· The healthier your lifestyle, the easier it will be for the piercing to heal. Get enough sleep and eat a nutritious diet. Drink plenty of water.

· Wear clean, loose fitting clothes that do not rub or irritate the piercing.

· Make sure your bedding is washed and changed regularly. Wear clean, comfortable, breathable clothing that protects the 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 the piercing thoroughly when you get out.

What To Avoid

· Avoid using Band-Aids or other bandages over the piercing, as this will smother the wound and prolong the healing process.

· Avoid undue trauma such as friction from clothing, excessive motion of the area, playing with the jewelry, and vigorous cleaning. These activities can cause migration, the formation of unsightly and uncomfortable scar tissue and many other complications.

· Avoid all oral contact, rough play, and contact with others’ bodily fluids on or around the piercing.

· Avoid submerging the piercing in unhygienic bodies of water such as lakes, pools, hot tubs, etc.

· Avoid homemade solutions containing ordinary iodized table salt or iodized sea salt from the supermarket. Also keep in mind that tap water contains bacteria.

· Avoid using thick oils such as Tea Tree Oil or other homeopathic remedies that can clog the flesh tunnel and promote the growth of bacteria.

· Avoid the use of isopropyl alcohol or hydrogen peroxide on or around the piercing. These products may damage healthy cells and cause scar tissue. Do not use an alcohol based ear piercing cleaning product.

· Avoid using Bactine and other products containing Benzalkonium Chloride (BZK). These products should not be used on puncture wounds or over large areas of the body.

· Avoid all petroleum based ointments such as Neosporin or Bacitracin, as they can collect and promote the growth of bacteria. Do not use Vaseline.

· Avoid all beauty and personal care products on or around the piercing, including cosmetics, lotions, and sprays, etc.

· Avoid direct sunlight, tanning beds and the use of tanning products on or around the piercing.

· Avoid hanging charms or any object from your jewelry until the piercing is fully healed.

Body 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.

· Our professional body piercer will perform one jewelry change, after 2 weeks, at no additional charge.

· Solid surgical steel, yellow or white gold, solid titanium or titanium anodized solid surgical steel should be used in the piercing. Cheap jewelry such as surgical grade, sterling silver, non comedogenic or hypoallergenic jewelry should never be used in a piercing during the healing process. Most of these types of metal will cause a poor reaction even in a well-healed piercing.

· 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.

· Contact our professional body piercer if your jewelry must be removed for a medical procedure. There are non-metallic jewelry alternatives available.

· With clean hands or a paper towel, be sure to regularly check threaded ends on the jewelry for tightness. (righty-tighty, lefty-loosey)

· Should you decide you no longer want the piercing, simply remove the jewelry or have our professional body piercer remove it and continue cleaning the piercing until the hole has closed. In most cases, only a small mark will remain.