Welcome to Dark Seas Tattoo and Piercing

Aftercare Products

· Use a mild, fragrance-free, low Ph soap that doesn't destroy your body's natural biome.  Anti-bacterial soap has proven too strong, killing the bacteria that naturally lives in and on our skin and helps our immune system.  We have found that Dr. Bronner’s Magic Soaps (diluted according to instructions on bottle), Ivory, and Dove are all great soaps, although there are many great options on the market.

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

Cleaning Instructions

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

· GENTLY remove the waterproof bandage after 72 hours.  Place your finger on top of the gem and peel the bandage from around the edges.  Do not rip bandage off as it can pull the dermal out of your skin.  

· 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 dermal. 

· 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.

Normal Healing

· The dermal 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 form some crust on the jewelry. The tissue may tighten around the jewelry as it heals.

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

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

What To Do

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

· During the healing process, it is recommended to wear a Steri-strip vertically over the dermal whenever you are not cleaning it for two weeks after removing the first bandage.

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

· Maintain an avid cleaning routine throughout the entire healing process. A dermal 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 dermal 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 dermal.

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

· During the healing process, showering is okay, but you should avoid soaking or swimming with the dermal until it has had a chance to heal. It takes a week or two for the body to form a seal around the base of the dermal.  

What To Avoid

· 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 dermal.

· Avoid submerging the dermal 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 dermal.

Body Jewelry

· The top of your dermal can be changed out after the initial healing period. Our professional body piercer will perform one jewelry change, after 3-4 weeks, at no additional charge.

· Yellow or white gold, solid titanium or titanium anodized solid surgical steel should be used in the dermal top. The dermal base is titanium and has the thread pattern for a 14-gauge top.  Cheap jewelry such as surgical grade plastic, sterling silver, non-comedogenic or hypoallergenic jewelry should never be used in a dermal during the healing process. Most of these types of metal will cause a poor reaction even in a well-healed piercing.

· The dermal base is made from surgical titanium and is non-removeable.  

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

· Should you decide you no longer want the dermal, it is advised to contact your doctor for removal.  They will typically give you a local anesthetic before making an incision and removing the dermal.  In most cases, only a small mark will remain.  If the dermal is rejecting, there may be a chance that it can be removed by the piercer, once they have had a chance to inspect the dermal and deem it safe to do so.