Aftercare Guide
Tattoo Care Instructions
- Take bandage off in 2 hours
- Wash tattoo carefully with warm soapy water
DO NOT SCRUB - Lightly pat the tattoo until dry
DO NOT RUB
- Apply a very thin coat of Aquaphor 3 times a day for 3 to 5 days
- Although re-bandaging a tattoo is not recommended, if covering the tattoo is necessary a sterile bandage or dressing should be used
- Be sure and wash the tattoo every night and morning – DO NOT SOAK
- Avoid tattoo exposure to direct sunlight and refrain from swimming in fresh, salt, or chlorinated water for at least 2 weeks
After External Healing
Tattoos heal quickly but fading can still be a problem. Apply hand lotion once a day until dryness stops (Vaseline Intensive Care, Lubriderm, Nivea, etc.). Tanning fades tattoos, make sure you always cover fully healed tattoos with sun block – DO NOT RUIN YOUR INVESTMENT. If you have any questions, please call us. Treat your tattoo with care. Improper care and bad advice can destroy your art!
Please contact a health care practitioner at the first sign of infection or an allergic reaction, and report any diagnosed infection, allergic reactor or adverse reaction to that artist and to the Texas Department of Health – Drugs and Medical Devices Division (888-839-6676).
Piercing Care Instructions
Cleaning Instructions
- Clean your piercing 1 time a day.
- DO NOT teach healing piercings with dirty hands! Prior to cleaning, wash your hands
- Pre-cleaning Instructions
- First, remove any crust from the piercings and the jewelry. This is best accomplished by soaking. (SEE SOAKING INSTRUCIONS.) Don’t worry, this discharge is normal and should be expected. As long as the piercing is secreting liquid or is forming a crust, the piercing is still healing and cleaning procedures should continue.
- Soaking Instructions
- Soaking solution = 2 teaspoons in 1 gallon distilled water
Soaking is best accomplished by placing a cup of the solution over the piercing for 5-10 minutes. A saturated cotton ball, swab, or gauze pad can also work for piercings that are difficult to submerge. NOTE: if the cotton ball (or whatever) gets cold during the soak, throw it out and submerge a fresh one. Do not rotate jewelry during the soak. If dry matter still remains after soaking, use a wet cotton swab to remove it. Never pick off crust with your fingernails!
Now you are ready to clean the piercing. - Cleaning Instructions
- Next, use a liquid antimicrobial soap such as Provon or Satin.
With clean fingers or cotton swab, apply the soap directly to the surrounding area, working in a circular motion away from the piercing.
After the soap has been on the piercing for 30 seconds, flush the piercing thoroughly with clean, running water.
Do no twist or rotate the jewelry during cleaning.
Excessive movement of the jewelry may cause scar tissue to form and prolong the healing process.
Finally, let the piercing air dry.
Do not use cloth towels, as they often harbor bacteria and collect dust. They can also snag the piercing. - Vitamins
- A multi-vitamin taken daily with meals has been proven to be quite effective in speeding up the healing process. Always consult with a doctor before taking any medications, even over the counter.
Things to Do
- Check the Jewelry
- Check all jewelry daily to make sure the beads are secure, especially labret studs, straight, curved, and circular barbells.
- Wash Your Sheets
- Make sure that your bed sheets and linens are clean before you go to bed. Beds are notorious breeding grounds for bacteria. Wash your bedding weekly and always wear clean clothing.
- Eat Your Vegetables
- The combination of regular exercise and a balanced diet can often be the secret to fast healing.
- Relax
- Sleep deprivation and stress can greatly depress your immune system. So take it easy.
- Keep it Dry
- A waterproof bandage such as Tegaderm or Clean Seals may be worn temporarily when swimming in lakes and pools.
Things to Don’t
- Don’t Mess With It
- This means you and everyone else! Unwashed hands WILL spread bacteria. So, don’t touch.
- Keep Your Mouth To Yourself
- Avoid oral contact, rough play, and contact with other people’s bodily fluids until fully healed.
- Pools & Lakes Are Really BAD
- Public waters such as Jacuzzis, pools, and lakes are filthy and should be avoided for the duration of the healing. Chlorinated water can really dry out and irritate a piercing. Minimize exposure to the sun for at least 2 weeks.
- Sex?
- If you have a genital piercing, you must use protection (condoms or dental dams) to prevent contact with other’s bodily fluids during healing. This applies to you even if you are in a monogamous relationship.
Warning: If an infection does occur, the jewelry should be left in to allow drainage. Removal may result in an abscess.
Remember, if you run into ANY problems, or have ANY questions, please contact us immediately.
Also, contact a health care practitioner at the first sign of infection or allergic reaction, and report any diagnosed infections, allergic reaction or adverse reaction to your piercer and the Texas Department of Health – Drug and Medical Devices Division (888-839-6676).