Tattoo Aftercare | Piercing Aftercare

Tattoo Aftercare

1. Leave the bandage on for 2 hours. The purpose of the bandage is to stop the initial bleeding/seepage. It is normal to have some visible blood and seepage in your bandage by the time you remove it.

2. After you remove your bandage clean your tattoo with CLEAN fingertips and liquid Dial antibacterial soap, then apply a think layer of ointment.

3. Continue this washing process 3 to 4 times daily for 5 to 7 days.

4. After the first 5 to 7 days you can reduce washing to 2 times daily. At this stage you should use hand lotion (unscented.) Do this until your new tattoo has finished healing, which should take another 7 to 14 days.

DO NOT!

DO NOT: Sun bathe, take baths, swim, sit in hot tubs, or submerse your tattoo in water in any way for 14 days.

You may, of course, take a shower. It is even OK to put your tattoo right under the running water for short periods of time to wash it.

DO NOT pick flaking skin or scabs. Let them fall off naturally.

Things to Expect

Your tattoo will go through a healing period where it will seep, and it will also look like a little bit of ink is coming out. While you sleep your tattoo may seep blood and a little ink to leave an impression of your tattoo on your sheets in blood and seepage. Most commonly a tattoo will flake similar to peeling sunburn or it will simply scab.

All of the above mentioned subjects are common and need no extra attention.

Piercing Aftercare

The initial healing time is the period during which scar tissue has not completely formed inside the piercing. During this period the piercing should be washed with clean fingertips or a cotton swab twice a day and soaked in a sea salt solution once a day. The piercing should NOT be removed during this period.

Throughout this initial healing period a secretion of whitish matter will crust around the piercing. Plasma, waste matter and Lymphatic fluid form this discharge. This is normal and does not represent an infection.

New piercing may have mild redness, and may bleed, itch or swell. These symptoms should resolve soon after the piercing. (Approximately 2 to 8 weeks.)

The over all healing time takes much long then the initial healing period. (6 to 18 months) The piercing has completely healed when firm scar tissue and a layer of skin have formed inside the piercing, until this time your piercing should NOT be removed or changed.

While the piercing is healing it is important to avoid possible contamination. Until the scar tissue has matured and the skin has formed, the piercing is susceptible to organisms that can cause infection. Hands should be washed with antibacterial soap before handling the piercing avoid contact with bodily fluid such as saliva. Also avoid swimming pools, hot tubs, and any body of water since they can contain harmful chemicals and organisms.

Ear Lobe/Cartilage - Eye Brow - Nostril

Wash Hands well with a liquid antibacterial soap. Saturate a fresh cotton swab with (liquid Dial/Provon) solution. With the swab gently remove any crust from around the piercing. Then clean the jewelry with the solution, and gently rotate it several times. This should be done twice a day for the duration of your initial healing period, in addition to one sea salt soak a day. After the piercing has been washed mix 1/8 tbl. of sea salt in 8 oz. of warm water, saturate a fresh gauze pad in the sea salt solution, then place the gauze on the piercing for 10 minutes.

Approximate Initial Healing Times

Ear Lobe, Eye Brow - 6 to 8 weeks | Ear Cartilage, Nostril - 2 months to a Year

Naval - Nipples

Wash hands well with antibacterial soap (liquid Dial or provon). Then place the piercing under warm running water, long enough to loosen and soften the crust. Now gently remove the softened crust with a fresh cotton swab. Once the crust has been removed, antibacterial soap is again applied to the piercing and jewelry, after lathering the piercing carefully rotate the jewelry and soap into the piercing. Then thoroughly rinse with water. The above procedure should be done twice a day for duration of the initial healing period of your piercing, in addition to one sea salt soak a day. After the piercing has been washed mix 1/8 tbl. of sea salt in 8 oz. of warm water, saturate a fresh gauze pad in the sea salt solution, then place the gauze on the piercing for 10 minutes.

Approximate Initial Healing Times

Naval - 4 months to a Year | Nipples - 2 to 6 months

Tongue – Lip

Rinse 5 to 6 times with Biotene, particularly after oral contact with cigarettes or food. Avoid cigarette, wet kissing, oral sex and food with a spicy crunchy nature. Lip piercing should be rinsed on the inside with Biotene 5 to 6 times daily. Wash hands well with a liquid antibacterial soap. Saturate a fresh cotton swab with liquid Dial / Provon or Tech2000. Now with the swab gently remove any crust from around the piercing. Then clean the jewelry with the solution and gently rotate it several times. This should be done twice a day for the duration of your initial healing period, in addition to one seal salt soak a day. After the piercing had been washed mix 1/8 tlb. Of sea salt in 8 oz. Of warm water, saturate a fresh gauze pad in the sea salt solution, then place the gauze on the piercing for 10 minutes.

Approximate Initial Healing Times

Tongue - 4 to 6 weeks | Lip/Labret – 6 to 12 weeks