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Aftercare is critical to the healing process
and the longevity of your tattoo. Simply put, the better you look
after your tattoo within the first two weeks, the brighter the colors
will be, and the longer the detail will last.
- Remove the bandage in 4 to 5 hours
- WASH with HOT water and soap. Let it air dry.
- When the tattoo is completely dry, apply a
layer of ointment, rebandage, and wear throughout the night.
- Remove the bandage in the morning, and again
wash your tattoo in HOT water and soap, let it air dry, and then
apply ointment and rebandage.
- Keep washing and rebandaging your tattoo throughout
the day, every 5 to 6 hours. (This will be slightly uncomfortable
but is very necessary in helping the tattoo heal well.
- After two days of washing and bandaging, remove
bandages and leave your tattoo dry for 7 to 10 days, or until
your tattoo is fully healed. Your tattoo will be fully healed
when the peeling and flaking is completely done.
- You can begin to use lotion on your tattoo
approximately 7 to 10 days after you get it done if no scabbing
is present.
- Tattoo will begin to peel and flake after about
5 days.
- Do NOT pick at you tattoo; let it heal in its
own time.
- If scabbing occurs, do not pick it or scratch
it. Also make sure not to get any lotion into the scabs.
- Do NOT exercise or sweat until tattoo is fully
healed; sweat can cause infection and can potentially damage your
tattoo.
- After your tattoo is fully healed, apply liberal
amounts of sun block every time you go outside.
- You have been tattooed in a professional studio.
It is now up to you to make sure your tattoo heals properly by
following these instructions.
If you have ANY questions
or concerns about the way your tattoo is healing, please give us
a call IMMEDIATELY at 480.970.5042
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1) During the first stage your
body produces a tunnel of tissue around the piercing and the jewelry.
It is during this stage that the piercing is in fact an open wound
and more prone to infection and growing shut. This information will
cover the steps that need to be followed to reduce this. Due to
the fact that everyone heals at different paces, the healing time
could be shorter or longer than the minimum healing times listed.
So if the piercing seems healed but you are unsure, stop by the
piercing studio and ask a professional.
2) The second stage is called
the seasoning or toughening period. During this stage your body
adds layer upon layer or tissue to the tunnel to make the piercing
permanent. This stage can take 1 to 3 years to complete. removing
the jewelry for long periods of time can result in the loss or closing
of the piercing. A good rule of thumb is if you like the piercing,
leave something in it.
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1) |
Slight bleeding off and on for
the first few days (especially with genital piercings). |
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2) |
Tenderness, itchiness, slight
bruising and slight redness for the first week to two weeks
on or around the piercing. |
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3) |
A secretion of a yellowish/whitish
fluid (lymph discharge) that hardens on the ring throughout
the healing time. |
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4) |
A tightening around the jewelry
throughout the healing time. |
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1) |
Wash your hands with an antibacterial
soap before you even think about touching your jewelry. |
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2) |
Remove the lymph discharge
by spraying warm water onto the piercing and the jewelry. this
is best done under running water in the shower. Lymph discharge
is your body's way of removing waste from the piercing. The
discarge/crust is hard and sharp and will form around the piercing
holes and onto the jewelry. If you notice discomfort when trying
to move the jewelry, repeart removal until the jewelry moves
freely. Never force the jewelry to move because this may draw
waste back into the piercing or dislodge the piercing tunnel.
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3) |
Once the jewelry and piercing
holes are free of discharge/crust on both sides, gently apply
a small amount of liquid antibacterial soap to the piercing
area. Then gently work the soap into a later on the around the
jewelry. The antibacterial soap needs to have an active ingredient
of Triclosan such as Dial Liquid Antibacterial, Lever 2000 Antibacterial,
Soft Soap Antibacterial, or Almay Hypocare Antibacterial. If
you are sensitive to Triclosan try Clearly Nature Antibacterial
(active ingredient Iodine) or Nutribotic Antibacterial (active
ingredient grapefruit seed oil). |
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4) |
Rotate the jewelry through
the piercing 6-10 times to work the antiseptic cleaner into
the piercing. Always handle the jewelry by the bead or ball.
Allow the soap to stay in contact with the piercing for 2
to 3 minutes. |
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5) |
Rinse the soap off while rotating
the jewelry through the piercing for a full minutes. With genital
piercings urinate immediately after cleaning. |
 How
else can I help my body to heal the piercing?
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1) |
Being in good health by eating
a well-balanced diet, getting plenty of rest and reducing stress.
|
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2) |
Taking a Zinc Orate supplement
for the first two weeks (60mg for women/120mg for men) and 1000mg
supplement of Mineral Ascorbate of Vit. C three times daily.
Always take supplements with meals. |
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3) |
Hot soaks or compresses with
sea salt and warm water (1/8 teaspoon) or sea salt per cup of
warm water (should taste as salty as your own tears). Do this
about three times a week. Soak should be done while leaning
forward and pushing a coffee cup up into the area until a vacuum
has occurrred, then you can stand or sit erect for 10 minutes
while you soak. Compresses should be done using a clean paper
towel or gauze. |
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4) |
With genital piercings (especially
with Guiche piercings) use a panty liner to absorb moisture
and aid in cushioning. |
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5) |
Use Bactine no more than 2 times
a day. Apply to piercing with a Q-Tip. |
While the piercing is going through it's first
stage of healing it is like a portal into the body, so it's important
that the following steps be taken until the healing is complete.
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1) |
No oral contact (including your
own saliva) or exchanging of bodily fluids in/on or around the
piercing. |
| |
2) |
WASH YOUR HANDS with an antibacterial
soap, then handle the jewelry only by the beads or the ball
to clean it. |
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3) |
Avoid handlgling the piercing
or jewelry after touching anything because it will increase
the chance of cross contamination. |
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4) |
Make sure that everything
(clothing, towels, sheets, pillow cases, hats, etc) that may
come into contact with the piercing are clean. Also avoid
contact with shampoos, cosmetics, hairsprays, etc. |
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5) |
Do not submerge the piercing
during the first stage of healing into any body of water (natural
waters, hot tubs, swimming pools, etc.) Take a shower, not baths.
|
During the first YEAR don't remove your own jewelry.
Have a professional do it for you. Otherwise every 2 to 3 years
you should have it replaced.
A good rule of thumb is, the more you baby it
and the less contact you have with the piercing, the faster it will
heal and the less problems you will have. During the first stage
of healing:
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1) |
AVOID Clothing
that is too tight, abrasive, irritating and/or may limit oxygen
flow to the piercing. For NAVEL PIERCINGS do NOT wear pants
that have a waistband that contacts with the piercing. |
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2) |
AVOID
Sleeping on the piercing or other contact. |
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3) |
AVOID Using
harsh cleaning agents like Alcohol, Witch Hazel, Hydrogen Peroxide,
Hibiclens, and Betadine. |
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4) |
AVOID
Using antibacterial and ANY other ointments. They tend to
block the flow of oxygen to the piercing hider the natural
discharge development and/or provide a place for contaminants
to breed. |
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1) |
Keep ice in your mouth CONSTANTLY
for the first three days or longer. |
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2) |
SHUT UP! DON'T TALK! Do NOT
stick it out, play with it, or move it around at all (if you
can help it) for the next three days or longer. |
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3) |
RINSE after ANYTHING goes in
your mouth of the first two weeks. The best rinses are alcohol-free
such as Tech-2000 and Biotene, but Listerine or generic Listerine
will work as well. You can also swish with sea-salt a couple
times a day. |
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4) |
In a few days a small amount
of pus will form around the hole. Do not worry - it will go
away by itself. |
If you have any quesions, please call Chuck,
your piecing specialist.
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