Aftercare

Its important to continue to take care of your new tattoo or piercing after getting it. Here is a list of rules you should follow.

Common After Effects

Tattoos

TRADITIONAL

Tattoos

SANIDERM-TYPE HEALING

Piercings

Oral Piercings

Tattoo Traditional

(TRADITIONAL HEALING)

            You may take the protective wrap off about an hour after leaving, once you are home and not in public, where you would be possible exposed to infections. Remember to wash all the plasma off thoroughly during the first 24 hours. You may need to wash the plasma off the skin about every 2-3 hours, depending on you. Blood plasm is one of the leading causes of the skin scabbing. Also, not necessary, but if your able, wash with warm water. This will help open the pores as to clean thoroughly.

Just remember to wash off your tattoo before you go to bed, do not reapply medicine, and re-wrap the tattoo with plastic wrap. Plastic wrap is recommended so as not to stick to your skin. Re-wrap the tattoo the first 2-3 nights only, depending on bleeding.

Try to keep your hands off. Hands collect the most bacteria and will deposit onto your open skin. This is the most common cause of infection.

Wash tattoo every 2-3 hours for the first week, depending on bleeding.

When using ointment, always apply paper thin. Do this as needed. Try not to clog the pores, the skin needs oxygen to breath and heal properly. We recommend Aquaphor or some other triple antibiotic but use what best works for your skin.

Do not go into pools, lakes, or submerge under any bodies of water for 2-3 weeks. Running water, such as showers, only. Also, no tanning beds or sunlight on your tattoo for 2-3 weeks. After healing of your tattoo, always use a sun block of SPF 45 or more. This will protect your tattoo and prolong the life of your ink.

Also, do not use multiple products on your fresh tattoo. It may cause chemical reactions between the ointments.

Anti-inflammatory pain reliever may reduce pain and swelling. Ice packs will also help as well as keeping the body part elevated above heart, if possible.

If tiny bumps or rash like symptoms appear, clean tattoo off immediately. This is sometimes caused by too much medication and clogging of pores. Remember, tattoos tend to have a fever and warm or hot to the touch, so after applying ointment, check 30 minutes later and wipe off excess.

Tattoo Snaiderm/Tegaderm

(MY ARTIST USED A TEGADERM/SANIDERM WRAP FOR HEALING, HOW DOES THAT WORK?)

Tegaderm or Saniderm wrap is a special bandage used in the medical field for many purposes, including the healing of burns and to keep IV ports secure. Over the years tattoo artists have started using Tegaderm for the healing of tattoos as it helps speed up the healing process, helps shield the tattoo from infection causing bacteria, and makes the aftercare process much easier for the client.

While rare, some people may experience an allergy to the tegaderm.  People that have an allergy to adhesives or band aids usually experience an allergy to Tegaderm. If you’ve had these reactions in the past be sure to let your tattoo artist know.

After your tattoo is complete, you artist will apply the tegaderm wrap, which looks like a giant, clear sticker over your tattoo. We advise leaving the wrap on for 4 full days
before removing the wrap. The wrap is waterproof, so it is okay to shower with the wrap,
however the wrap does not protect from heat, so it is best to use lukewarm water.

Side Note: Depending on the tattoo and the advice of your artist, some tattoos will be left wrapped for the full 3-5 days. While some will need to have the Saniderm removed 24 hours later, cleaned and redressed with a fresh Saniderm wrap. If the tattoo needs to be swapped out after 24 hours, then start the 3-5-day process with the second wrap.

The first couple hours after the wrap is applied, you will begin to notice liquid forming and moving around underneath the wrap. This liquid is made up of excess ink and blood, and may appear dark in color. This is perfectly normal. The first two days wearing the wrap you will continue to have this wet; liquid build up underneath your wrap. The amount of liquid varies from person to person, depending on the individual’s biology as well as the size and style of the tattoo you received. We do not recommend draining this liquid.

In some cases, if the amount of liquid becomes too heavy or too much pressure is applied to the wrap, the wrap could open up and the liquid could leak out. If it’s just a small opening, cleanse and dry the area, and re-seal with another piece of tegaderm or medical tape. If larger sections of the wrap begin to lift and the tattoo becomes exposed, remove the wrap early.

Wash and dry the area and re-apply a new piece of tegaderm.
If you do not have tegaderm then skip ahead to the “After Tegaderm” instructions.

On the 3rd and 4th day using the tegaderm, you’ll notice the liquid underneath the wrap has dried and formed a dark film over the tattoo, again this is perfectly normal.

Remove the tegaderm wrap at the end of the 4th or beginning of the 5th day. It will be similar to removing a band aid. When removing the tegaderm, it’s helpful to be in the shower with water running over the wrap while your peeling it off.

Around the 4th day is when the tattoo will begin to start peeling like a sunburn.
The dead skin will shed off in the same colors as the tattoo, do not be alarmed as this is NOT the tattoo ink falling out and is a very normal part of the process. If your tattoo is already at this stage when your removing your tegaderm, you may notice some of the shedding skin coming off, and or stuck to the tegaderm wrap. This is normal. If your tattoo is not yet at this stage,
you will notice it begin to start peeling within a couple days after removing the wrap.

It is important to remember that tegaderm does not protect against heat or light. It is important to keep your tattoo out of the sun and to avoid hot water during your healing process.

After Tegaderm:
Give the tattoo a good wash with warm water and an antibacterial soap. We recommend Dial hand soap. Wash the tattoo at least twice a day, morning and night, along with whenever the tattoo may become dirty for the next two weeks. Allow the tattoo to dry, then apply a non-scented hand lotion after washing and whenever needed for the following two weeks. Whenever the tattoo feels dry and tight, it’s best to re-apply the lotion. We recommend non-scented Lubriderm and Aveeno lotions.

While the majority of the tattoo healing is completed in the first two weeks, it does take four weeks for the tattoo to be fully healed. For tattoos that experience a rough heal (experiencing scabbing, allergic reaction or infection) it may take longer than usual.

While rare, as tattoos are wounds, there always runs a chance of possible infection.
If you believe your tattoo could be infected, contact the studio, or your artist directly and consult a medical professional.

After your tattoo is healed, it is best to continue to regularly lotion your skin, and wear sunscreen over your tattoo when your tattoo is exposed to the sun to help your tattoo last as long as possible.

Body Piercings

(AFTER CARE FOR BODY PIERCING)

Wash once a day with Provon Soap or non-perfumed antibacterial soap. A dime size amount of soap is plenty. Make sure to rinse the area thoroughly with fresh water to remove the soap residue.

We recommend moving the jewelry, with clean hands, after cleaning, when cleaning with the saline solution. We recommend cleaning your fresh piercing 2-3 times a day with saline solution.

A simple saline solution can be purchased at any store. X-pression Piercing after-care, sold here, is an easy and convenient way to care for your piercing. Its premixed and pocket ready. A single pump spray 2-3 times daily is recommended.

If you would like to mix your own solution, included is how.

SOLUTION MIX:

Use 1 cup warm water to ¼ teaspoon of NON iodized sea salt.

Make a warm compress using a clean paper towel, using a Q-tip or fitting a small cup over your piercing for the soak.

Pat dry with a clean paper towel.

HELPFUL HINTS:

Swelling is normal.

Swelling and pain can be eased by taking an over the counter anti-inflammatory. Zinc and vitamin C are helpful supplements that will promote healing.

Tighten jewelry at least twice a day (wash hands at least 20-30 seconds before doing so).

WHAT TO AVOID:

Do not use any other product other than what has been recommended to you by your piercer. Including, but not limited to, alcohol, peroxide, Neosporin, or any ointment at all.

Do not play with the piercing. Fingers are dirty, no matter who you are. Use caution and always wash hands 20-30 seconds before touching the piercing, jewelry, and or tightening the jewelry.

Avoid pools, lakes, jacuzzies, baths (do not soak in bathtub) or any major saturation in a body of water during the healing time.

Naval piercing: Wear loose jeans and below the naval during the heling.

Wash and change bedding at least once a week.

Exercise is fine, but if it hurts, stop.

Oral Piercings

(ORAL PIERCING AFTER CARE)

Rinse after eating, drinking, kissing, or smoking with alcohol-free anti-septic mouthwash. Tech 2000 is the recommended mouthwash. Biotene is an acceptable substitute that can be found at any drug store as well as diluted Listerine.

Brush teeth at least twice a day. Normal toothpaste is fine. Lightly brush the top and bottom of the tongue piercing. Lightly brush along the gums for labret, lip, or Monroe piercing to keep plaque from building up around jewelry.

Rinse two times daily with sea saltwater. It’s important not to use too much salt, because too high a salt content will hinder healing, so mix saltwater: 1 cup warm water to ¼ tsp of salt.

Tighten balls twice a day with clean hands. Wash hands 20-30 seconds before touching your piercing.

MOUTHWASH:

You do not want to use your mouth wash full strength.

Tech 2000: one 4 oz bottle will make 1 gallon of mouth wash. Pour just enough water out of a DISTILLED gallon of water, to pour in the bottle of Tech 2000 mouth wash. Shake well. Refill your 4 oz bottle with the diluted rinse for a pocket size to keep o you. (This is very handy).

Biotene: 50/50 rinse. The top makes a hand measure. 2 caps of Biotene and 2 caps of water is enough to rinse for most people.

Listerine: If this is your choice, mix 50/50 with Listerine and water.

HINTS:

Swelling is normal.

An over the counter anti-inflammatory will help control pain and swelling. Zinc and vitamin C are helpful supplements that will promote healing.

Ice and ice water! Water between cubes is a good idea so you don’t freeze your piercing.

Don’t use any products other than what is suggested to you by the piercer. If you are concerned or have a question about how you are healing, please call us so we can help.

Do not chew on fingernails, pens, pencils, etc. Foreign objects carry germs.

We recommend cutting back on smoking but stop completely on any tobacco dip products.

Do not touch or play with your piercing. Clean hands tightening balls are the exception. Excessive play can damage your teeth, gums, and the piercing itself.

Kissing should be kept at a minimum during the healing time, and absolutely eliminated for 1 week at least: body fluids not produced by you, are foreign and leave you open to possible infection.