AFTER-CARE

TATTOO AFTER-CARE

Caring for your tattoo is easy! The goal is to keep your tattoo clean, hydrated and calm. Please read the instructions based on which kind of plastic wrap was used on your tattoo!

If you notice an allergic reaction, or infection, please consult a health care practitioner and report to us as well. If you have questions about the healing, send us a text or drop by the shop to talk to the artist.

SECOND SKIN

The Derm Shield bandage will stay on 4-6 days during the healing process. It is meant to stay on through the healing process - however if it fills with a lot of fluid, you may remove it carefully in the shower as directed by your artist. Do not peel it off in the opposite direction, pull down and away (think command strip). The bandage is waterproof and will keep your skin clear from debris and unwanted lotions and soaps. Once removed, please wash the area with unscented anti-bacterial soap and warm water gently. Please do not put another bandage on, unless directed by your artist.

Here is a YouTube Video demonstrating the proper way to remove the second skin.

Once the bandage is removed, you will cleanse it with antibacterial soap twice a day, and pat it dry with a clean paper towel (or air dry). You may apply a very thin layer of aquaphor to your tattoo twice a day for 2 days after the bandage is off. We have provided you with some aquaphor in your aftercare bag.

Apply a thin layer of unscented daily use lotion twice a day until healed (2 weeks). Please continue to keep your tattoo clean, dry and free of debris and tight clothing.

PLASTIC WRAP

If your artist used regular plastic wrap, we suggest removing it at home the same night you received it and cleaning it with a scent free, antibacterial soap. Apply a thin layer of aquaphor to your clean tattoo 3-4 times a day. Do not apply too much ointment, your tattoo needs to breathe. After two days, switch to unscented daily use lotion, applying 3-4 times a day. Please continue to keep your tattoo clean, dry and free of debris and tight clothing for two weeks.

LOTION

Please use a daily use, unscented lotion. Do not smother your tattoo, as it needs to breathe. If you have any questions on brands, please text or call us! We sell Hustle Butter for $12 and you can purchase this at the front desk. Medical ointments, such as Neosporin will alter the healing of your tattoo and should only be used if recommended by your physician.

PEELING

A very normal part of the healing process is peeling, please do not pick, scratch, or scrub while your skin is peeling. New skin needs to grow before the old skin falls off to ensure proper ink retention. We know it's itchy, feel free to gently "pat" your tattoo to relieve the itch along with a thin layer of lotion.

SUN/WATER

Keep your new tattoo away from direct sunlight for at least 2 weeks! The sun is the quickest way of fading your tattoo and not allowing it to heal properly. We also recommend to avoid submerging your tattoo in water, such as pools, ocean, baths for 2 weeks. After your tattoo is healed, use a high spf sunscreen when in contact with sunlight to protect your tattoo.

GYM

Fitness is key, but not for 24-48 hours after your tattoo! Sweat can alter the healing of your tattoo and can lead to infection. Please do not exercise or engage in any actives that will cause your body temperature to raise for extended periods of time.

AVOID

Please refrain from gardening, recreational water activities, contact with animals (as much as possible), and excessive sweating for the next two weeks.

PIERCING AFTER-CARE

Caring for your piercing is easy! The goal is to keep your wound clean and calm.

CLEANING

WASH your hands thoroughly prior to cleaning or touching your piercing for any reason.

SPRAY with sterile saline wound wash while healing. Moving or rotating jewelry is not necessary during cleaning/rinsing and may actually irritate the piercing.

DRY with clean, disposable products like gauze or cotton swabs, gently removing any crusty debris or build up. Cloth towels should be avoided as they can harbor bacteria and snag on jewelry.

SOLUTIONS

Mixing your own sea salt solution is no longer a suggested practice. Mixing your own sea salt solution will commonly result in the product being far too salty and strong, this can over dry the piercing and interfere with healing. We strongly encourage you to use a sterile saline, labeled for use as a wound wash. Your saline ingredients should list 0.9% sodium chloride as the only ingredient (sometimes purified water will be listed). Additives like moisturizers and antibacterials should be avoided, as well as similar sounding products like contact lens saline, nasal spray, or eye drops. Please do not use alcohol, or hydrogen peroxide for your piercings.

JEWELERY

Unless there is a problem with the size, style, or material of the initial jewelry, leave it in place for the entire healing process. Many piercings require a downsize before the piercing is healed. See a qualified piercer to perform downsizes or any jewelry changes during healing.

Leave jewelry in at all times. Even well-healed piercings can shrink or close in minutes! If removed, reinsertion can be difficult or impossible. Contact your piercer for a non-metallic jewelry alternative if your metal jewelry must be temporarily removed (such as for a medical procedure).

With clean hands or paper products, be sure to regularly check threaded and threadless ends on your jewelry for tightness.

Should you decide you no longer want the piercing, simply remove the jewelry (or have a professional piercer remove it for you) and continue cleaning the piercing until the hole closes. Body piercings create a permanent change to the body, while most scarring is minimal, piercings will leave scars in their absence,

In the event an infection is suspected, discuss with your physician if you should leave quality jewelry or an appropriate substitute in place

WHAT TO EXPECT

Initially: some bleeding, localized swelling, tenderness, or bruising.

During healing: some discoloration, itching, secretion of a whitish-yellow fluid that will form some crust on the jewelry. The tissue may tighten around the jewelry as it heals.

A piercing may seem healed before the healing process is actually complete. This is because this type of wound will heal from the outside to the inside. Although it may feel fine on the outside, the interior could still be fragile. Be patient, and keep the piercing clean throughout the entire healing period.

Once healed: the jewelry may not move freely in the piercing; do not force it. Cleaning your piercings as part of your normal hygiene routine can help them stay clean and avoid having normal, possibly smelly, secretions accumulate.

AVOID

Avoid undue trauma such as friction and pressure from clothing, excessive motion of the area, playing with the jewelry, and vigorous cleaning. These activities can cause the formation of unsightly and uncomfortable scar tissue, migration, prolonged healing, and other complications.

Avoid all oral contact, rough play, and contact with others’ bodily fluids on or near your piercing during healing.

Avoiding things like excessive stress, drug use, excessive caffeine, nicotine and alcohol are suggested as they can prolong the healing process.

Avoid submerging the piercing in bodies of water such as lakes, pools, oceans, hot tubs, etc. Or, protect your piercing using a waterproof transparent film dressing. These are available at most pharmacies and are ideal for nipple, navel, and surface piercing placements.

Avoid all beauty and personal care products on or around the piercing including cosmetics, lotions, and sprays, etc.

Don’t hang charms or any object from your jewelry until the piercing is fully healed.