General
Aftercare
Cleaning Solutions
- Liquid antimicrobial
soap
- Sea Salt
Avoided Solutions
- Povidone Iodine: Betadine®
- Benzalkonium Chloride:
Bactine®
- Chlorhexidine Gluconate:
Hibiclens®
DO
NOT USE
- Isopropyl Alcohol
- Hydrogen Peroxide
- Antibiotic Ointments,
such as
- Bacitracin®, Mycitracin®
or Neosporin®
Pre-Cleaning Instructions
- First remove any crust
from the piercing and the jewelry. This is best accomplished by soaking. (See
pre-soak instructions) Don’t worry, this discharge is normal and should
be expected. As long as the piercing secretes liquid or forms crust, the piercing
is still healing and cleaning procedures should be continued.
Pre-Soak Instructions
- Pre-soak solution = ¼
tsp. sea salt mixed with a cup (8oz) of hot distilled water
Soaking is best accomplished by placing a cup of the solution over the piercing
for 5-10 minutes. A saturated cotton ball or swab will also work for piercings
that are difficult to submerge. (nostril, septum, etc)
- Do not rotate jewelry
during pre-soak. If dry matter still remains after soaking, use a wet cotton
swab to remove it. Never pick discharge off with your fingernails!
- Use a liquid antimicrobial
soap such as Satin® or Provon®
- 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
in the piercing for 30 seconds, flush the piercing thoroughly with clean water.
- Do not twist or rotate
the jewelry during cleaning.
- Excessive movement of
the jewelry may cause scar tissue to form and slow the healing process.
- Finally, pat dry with
tissues, cotton swabs or other disposable paper product.
- Do not use cloth towels,
as they often harbor bacteria.
Vitamins
- A multi-vitamin taken
daily with meals has been proven to be quite effective in speeding up the
healing process.
Cleaning Instructions
- Clean Piercing 1 time
daily.
- DO
NOT touch healing piercings with dirty hands!
- Prior to cleaning, wash
hands thoroughly with antimicrobial soap and hot water.
THINGS TO DO
- Check That Jewelry!
- Check all jewelry daily
to make sure closures are secure, especially labret studs, straight curved
and circular barbells
- Wash Those Sheets!
- Beds are notorious breeding
grounds for bacteria. Wash your bedding weekly and always wear clean clothing.
- Eat them Veggies!
- 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 NEVER
DO!
- 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’s bodily fluids until fully healed.
- Pools and Lakes are BAD
- Public waters such as
Jacuzzis, pools and lakes are filthy and should be avoided.
- Sex?
If you have a genital piercing you must use latex barriers (condoms 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.
Please
Note:
- If you
have ANY questions… Please call us
Treat your piercing 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 reaction
or adverse reaction to that artist and to the Texas Department of Health –
Drugs and Medical Devices Division
(1-888-839-6676)
Obscurities/Trilogy Tattoo
4000B Cedar Springs
Dallas TX 75219 - 214-559-3706