Aftercare

Tattoo Aftercare

General Tattoo Healing
Your new tattoo can take anywhere from 2 to 4 weeks to completely heal, depending on its location, your skin type, and aftercare used. To maximize the safety and pleasure of your new tattoo be sure to follow all the relevant guidelines suggested by your artist. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact us immediately! This aftercare information is based on years of experience and research, but is not intended to be a substitute for consulting with a physician.

General Hygiene
Do not touch your tattoo unless for cleaning purposes, and always wash your hands before you do. Do not wear tight or restrictive clothing, and absolutely NO swimming pools, hot tubs, baths, ponds, oceans or submerging your tattoo fully of any kind. Showering is OK. Stay out of direct sunlight, you will feel the burn if you don’t!

What you will need to clean your tattoo:
* A fragrance-free, liquid antimicrobial soap, such as our ER Bodycare Aftercare Cleanser or Dial
* A fragrance-free, water based lotion, such as our ER Bodycare Tattoo Healing Lotion
* Ibuprofen (if tattoo area becomes swollen)

Saniderm/Clear Waterproof Dressing Aftercare Instructions
Leave on for 3-5 days. Blood, plasma, and excess ink will pool inside the dressing and may take the tattoo look smeared or smudged; this is completely normal. If leaking occurs, push the leak out using a paper towel and reseal the dressing. If outside elements enter the dressing, remove it immediately and begin general aftercare. After 3-5 days, remove the dressing in the shower using a mild soap and warm water. Begin general aftercare.

General Aftercare Instructions
Wash hands and remove bandage after a few hours. Wet the tattoo with warm water, and lather tattoo generously washing in circular motions making sure to remove all blood, plasma, and tattoo residue. Rinse and pat dry with paper towel. Do not use a dirty cloth towel, or dry in a rubbing or wiping motion. Once tattoo is dry fully, apply a very thin layer of lotion or ointment. Do not oversaturate the tattoo as it can clog pores, and force ink out of the skin in spots. Only wash your tattoo as needed, usually 2-3 times a day depending on your activities and skin type. Cool, clean, and dry creates the perfect environment for healing where as warm, dirty, and wet can cause infections. When your tattoo starts to scab and flake, DO NOT pick at your tattoo! These pieces will fall off naturally, and if they’re peeled off too soon it can remove the ink. Follow the washing and lotion process for the entirety of the healing time, and once your tattoo is fully healed make sure to wear SPF to protect your ink!

If you have ANY questions or concerns, please call or email us immediately!

Piercing Aftercare

Body Piercings
Wash hands thoroughly before touching or cleaning piercing site.
Cleanse with a saline wound wash, such as NeilMed Piercing Aftercare, 2-3 times per day.
Pat dry using a single-use disposable cloth or gauze.

Oral Piercings
Wash hands thoroughly before touching or cleaning piercing site.
Cleanse with a saline wound wash, such as NeilMed Piercing Aftercare, 2-3 times per day.
Rinse with an antibacterial alcohol-free mouthwash after eating.
Pat dry using a single-use disposable cloth or gauze.
Avoid spicy, salty, acidic, or hot food and beverages.
Avoid chewing gum, tobacco, and smoking.
Avoid bodily fluids via drink-sharing, kissing, etc.

Do:
* Use anti-inflammatories, such as Ibuprofen or Naproxen, for tenderness and swelling as directed on the packaging.
* Keep your jewelry in at all times to avoid your piercing site from closing.
* Contact your physician at signs of infection such as excessive swelling, pain, discharge, fever, etc.

Don’t:
* Cleanse with alcohol, peroxide, antibacterial soaps, iodine, Bactine, ointments, or any other harsh cleansers.
* Apply creams, makeup, chapstick, etc. on or around piercing site.
* Play with, rotate, or sleep directly on your piercing.
* Submerge your piercing in bodies of water such as lakes, rivers, oceans, etc.

If you have ANY questions or concerns, please call or email us immediately!