After care

1) Depending on the bandage type your Artist uses on you, we'd like you to remove the covering after: 4-6 hours (with plastic wraps, or absorbent pads); 1-2 days (SecondSkin-types of long-term stick-wraps).  
2) If bandage tries to stay stuck to the tattoo, wet it with some warm water to gently peel it from tattoo.
3) Wash tattoo softly with mild soap and warm water to remove excess ointment, ink, dried blood/plasma, etc.
4) Dry tattoo by blotting with soft, dry, clean towel.
5) For the next 2-5 days (your Artist will be more specific for your tattoo based on size & location) use your Artist-Recommended & tested ointment, such as: BagBalkm, *Neosporin, *Polysporin, A+D, Bacitracin, TattSavvy, TatWax, H2Ocean, etc.  (generic store-versions of some of these are acceptable).     (*=allergy warning: may contain Penicillin)
6) Apply just a thin, shiny layer of product on tattoo as needed throughout the day, to prevent over-drying.  We find that 4-8 times a day is about right.
7) once the days of ointment use are through, follow up with 1-2 weeks of daily lotion (your own choice of lotion is usually fine, tho we like Lubriderm & Aveeno). P lease, no Vaseline or similar during this time. 
8) A very light, protective layer of flaking or fine scabbing is normal in 2-5 days.  Initial healing happens in @10 days, tho complete healing usually take @4 weeks.
9) During the first few weeks of healing, we strongly advise the following:
  --DO NOT scratch or pick-at the tattoo
  --DO NOT expose tattoo to tanning or direct sunlight
  --DO NOT soak tattoo in tub or long showers
  --DO NOT take tattoo swimming (as chlorine or salt-water may cause 'bleaching' of unhealed tattoo)
 -- DO NOT allow animals or people to SLAP or LICK your fresh, new tattoo, ya sicko!

If you'v got any further questions or concerns, please call or visit your Tattoo Artist ASAP.  Rely on us; We love you :) 

Congratulations on your new piercing! Below you will find some information you’ll need for the care of that piercing, and future ones as well!

1. Know that healing times for your new piercing can vary greatly, depending on the wearer’s body and, more importantly, how well the wearer takes care of the piercing. During the healing period, people often assume they can remove their jewelry at any time and re-insert it easily. This is not so; if the jewelry is removed from an unhealed piercing, the hole can start to close almost immediately! In some cases, even healed piercings need tome to “toughen up” so that re-inserted jewelry doesn’t scratch or tear the tissue within the hole. If you absolutely need to remove the jewelry before the minimum recommended time, we advise inserting a short piece of new heavy mono-filament fishing line through the length of the piercing; the material is safe for the body and usually clear enough to be covert.

2. It is vital to do everything possible to avoid infection. Your risk of infection is small, if you conscientiously attend to the aftercare. However, even mild infections from daily mishandling can, at the very least, lengthen healing time further, and irritate the area around the piercing. Common causes of healing problems are: a) oral contact and/or handling of your piercing with dirty hands, b) using a cleaning agent that is not compatible with your body, c) not cleaning the piercing properly, or d) wearing jewelry to which you are allergic. If you have any problems or concerns about your new piercing, please call or stop by the studio. We will be happy to offer suggestions based on our experience. If those suggestions do not produce rapid improvement, you should consult a physician as soon as possible, leaving the jewelry in.

3. Minor soreness may be experienced with any new piercing as it heals. Itching, a rash, or a discharge of clear fluid usually suggests an allergic reaction to the cleaning agent or to the jewelry metal. Signs of infection, however, are swelling, pain, excessive redness, and/or discharge of pus. If infection occurs, use an antibiotic ointment, (such as Neosporin, Bacitracin, A+D, etc. ) for a few days. After cleaning, place a small amount on the jewelry at the opening of the piercing, and rotate the jewelry though to help ensure the ointment’s introduction to the interior of the piercing. Do not use ointments for a prolonged period, since they keep oxygen, a natural healing element, from reaching the piercing. Remember, your’e not trying to “fight” the piercing hole; you’re fighting the infection within. Please exercise care when you are using antibiotic ointment- read the label. Some people are allergic to the contents, such as penicillin. If an infection occurs, removing the jewelry will not necessarily end the infection. It may make the issue worse by eliminating the passageway for the discharge of pus & matter. If possible, leave the jewelry in when consulting your physician. Oral contact with, or excessive handling of new piercings can case infection, and should be avoided.

4. New piercings should be cleaned at least twice per day. A diluted surgical scrub, such as PROVON, or Hibiclens (1 part of either, to three parts water) is best. If unavailable, use a good anti-bacterial product or low pH soap, such as Anti-bacterial Dial, Bactine (diluted), Physoderm, or Liquid Lever 2000. Avoid any soaps that contain deodorants, cold creams, strong perfumes or other additives that will irritate the piercing. Products like Betadine, saline solutions, (i.e. for contact lenses), and sea salt soaks are ok, but only one or two times per week, and in addition to your normal piercing cleaning. These products, though safe, can be excessively drying to a new piercing if used more ofter. NEVER use hydrogen peroxide or alcohol on body piercings.

5. During the healing process, matter secreted from the piercing will dry on the jewelry and around the opening of the piercing. Wash hands thoroughly, then using warm water only, rinse this matter from the jewelry and piercing. Next, using your cleaner from section 4, gently lather and wash the jewelry and around the piercing opening. Rinse thoroughly, working the jewelry back and forth several times under running water to make sure that all traces of cleaning agent are removed. Sections 4 and 5 may be conveniently carried out during showering.

6.. Tongue/Lip/Cheek— Suck on ice or popsicles for the first 24 hours to help minimize swelling. Rinse with either Gly-Oxide, Peroxyl, diluted (50/50) Listerine anti-septic, or a 1/4 tsp salt and 8 ounces of water gargle, each time after doing anything with your mouth, (including eating, drinking, smoking, kissing, etc.) other than drinking plain water. A good anti-bacterial soap or mild surgical scrub is to be used on the external part of the lip and cheek piercings (see section 4 and 5). No heavy, wet kissing, or giving of oral sex, during the first 4-6 weeks. Reduce your intake of hot beverages, hot or spicy foods, tobacco, or alcohol during the first 1-2 weeks. With a new tongue piercing, a liquid or soft-food diet is recommended for a couple of days, as your tongue may be too tender to maneuver harder foods for chewing. Listen to your body’s level of sensitivity.

7. Ear/Nostril/Septum/Eyebrow— One of the best products for cleaning any of these piercings will contain the antiseptic Benzalkonium Chloride, sold under the trade name, Ear Care or Sensitive Ears. An alternative cleanser is Bactine, diluted with water. Clean twice daily, following the same steps in sections 4 and 5, however, use a cotton swab saturated with cleanser to remove any matter around the piercing. Cartilage piercings will take longer to heal than many other piercings, and demand sensitive handling. Any suspected septum piercing infection should be evaluated by a medical professional quickly.

8. Navel/Nipples— Sections 4 and 5 apply especially to these piercings. New piercings, particularly at the navel and nipples, should not be subjected to heavy abuse during the healing period. If this advice is not adhered to, serious infections can occur. Navel piercings should be kept free of tight fitting, or irritating clothing, although the female nipple piercings can benefit from a comfortable bra to keep the jewelry in place.

9. Genital (Male and Female)— Sections 4 and 5 apply to below the belt piercings. No oral sex is to be applied to any of the newly pierced areas for the first several weeks. Urination does not normally present a problem, or irritation for the piercing, as your urine is sterile for your body. Although genital piercings do not prohibit standard sexual encounters, good hygiene is recommended, and that men wear condoms during intercourse to minimize the risk of infection to either party, regardless of who has the piercing.

Again, congratulations, and good luck with this new piercing! Please consult this guide, or see us at the studio if there are any questions. Body piercings should be a source of pride and enjoyment, as long as you take good care of them!