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