Tattoo And Piercing Care
How do I care for my tattoo?
There are several things that you can do to keep your tattoo looking it's best. The first and most important is to keep your tattoo from getting too much sun. Too much sun will cause even a fresh tattoo to fade and deteriorate. Whenever you go out in the sun, always apply an alcohol free, high SPF sunblock to your tattoo. You can keep your tattoo shiny and vibrant by keeping it moisturized, we recommend tattoo enhancing products such as Tattoo Goo. You should also regularly wash your tattoo with mild soap and water.
How Do I care for my piercing?
Here are some guidelines to follow:- Cleaning Solution A mild liquid anitmicrobial/germicidal medicate soap such as Provon or Satin, and water.
- Salt Water Soaks Mild Sea salt water soaks are strongly suggested at least once a day to accelerated healing and increase your comfort. Dissolve a pinch of sea salt into a cup of warm or hot water in a clean cup. Distilled water is optimal. A stronger solution is not better as you can burn your piercing with too much salt.
-
Cleaning Instructions
- Body piercings need to be cleaned once or twice daily, every day, for the entire initial healing time. Most people clean morning and/or night, in the shower. DO NOT clean more often as this can irritate your piercing, and possibly delay your healing. Before cleaning wash hands thoroughly with liquid antibacterial soap and hot water. Never touch healing piercings with dirty hands.
- Prepare the area for the cleansing by rinsing or soaking with warm water and be sure to remove any stubborn crust using a cotton swab and warm water. Never pick with your fingernails! This is important for your comfort.
- Apply a small handful of cleansing solution to the area with clean hands. Cleanse the area with your clean hands. Cleanse the area and the jewelry, and gently rotate the jewelry back and forth a few times to work the solution inside.
- Allow the solution to cleanse there for a minute.
- Rinse the area thoroughly under running water, while rotating the jewelry back and forth to completely remove the cleanser from inside and outside of the piercing.
- Gently pat dry with disposable paper products such as gauze or tissues, as cloth towels can harbor bacteria.
What is normal
- Bleeding, bruising, discoloration, and/or swelling is not uncommon. Any break in the skin, including a new piercing can bleed and bruise. These are not indications of any complication. Reduce intake of aspirin, caffeine, and alcohol. For above the neck piercings try sleeping with your head elevated above your heart to limit overnight swelling. Ibuprofen often helps reduce swelling.
- Some tenderness or discomfort in the area of a new piercing is not unusual.
- You may feel stinging, burning, aching or other unpleasant sensations off and on for several days or longer. During healing there may also be some itching.
- Secretion of a fluid which contains blood plasma, lymph and dead cells is perfectly normal. It is fairly liquid, whitish-yellow in color and forms a crust on the jewelry at the openings of the piercing. This is not pus, but indicates a healing piercing.
- Once healed your piercing may secrete a semi-solid white malodorous substance from the oil glands called sebum. This is not pus, but indicates a healed piercing.
- Piercings may have a tendency to have a series of ups and downs during healing by seeming healed and then regressing. Try to be patient and do keep cleaning during the entire initial healing time, even if the piercing seems to have healed sooner.
What to avoid
- Don't use alcohol, peroxide, Betadine, or Hibiclens as they are overly strong and drying which can hinder healing.
- Don't apply any ointment such as Bacitracin, Neosporin, or any triple antibiotic ointment on your piercing. These prevent oxygen from reaching the piercing and form a sticky residue.