STEP 1: Wash your hands any time you are going to touch your tattoo. Touching your tattoo with dirty hands is one of the easiest ways to cause infection.
STEP 2: Gently remove the bandage after 1-2 hours. If the bandage is stuck to your tattoo wet the bandage in order to slide it off; do not pull or force its removal.
STEP 3: Cleanse the area with aftercare soap and lukewarm water. Work up a lather in your hands and gently rub the tattoo to remove any blood or other bodily fluids completely.
STEP 4: Gently pat the tattoo dry with a clean towel or let the tattoo air dry completely for approximately 10 minutes.
STEP 5: Lightly work a THIN layer of aftercare ointment or lotion over the tattoo, and wipe away any excess. Be careful not to overly saturate your tattoo with aftercare.
Repeat steps 3 through 5 approximately 2-3 times a day or more if the tattoo is exposed to excess dirt and/or sweat.
As your tattoo heals, expect peeling and itching much like a sunburn.
Only use products formulated for use on tattoos, other products may cause improper healing and/or allergic reactions.
Avoid direct sunlight on your tattoo.
Avoid baths, pools, hot tubs, and oceans until your tattoo has healed. Overly saturating your tattoo in water could cause infection and/or loss of pigment.
Do not pick at any scabs that may form. Your tattoo will be dry and peeling while it heals but do not scratch the tattoo. Picking at scabs and scratching can cause loss of pigment and scarring in the tattoo. Unscented lotion will help relieve itching.
The first night before bed you may re-bandage your tattoo with plastic wrap in order to keep it from sticking to your sheets and potentially staining your bedding or clothing with ink and/or blood. Do not continue to use plastic wrap beyond this.
The total healing time is generally around 2 weeks, but is it ultimately determined by your body as each person will heal differently. Continuing with a plain unscented, water-based hand lotion will keep your tattoo looking brighter longer. After healing is completed you should use sunblock on your tattoo while outdoors to prevent fading.
What is Normal?
Initially
- Bleeding, localized swelling, tenderness or bruising.
During Healing
- Discoloration, itching and white or yellow secretions which dry up and form “crusties”.
Do Not Pick at your Piercing!!
A piercing may seem healed before the healing process is complete because tissue heals from the outside in, and although it feels fine, the interior remains fragile. Be patient!
What to Do
- Leave it alone! Unless you are cleaning it avoid touching your new piercing.
- Stay Healthy! The better your immune system the better your piercing will heal.
- Eat Well
- Sleep Well
- Take Multivitamins
- Keep yourself as well as your clothes and bedding fresh and clean!
What to Avoid
Avoid cleaning with Betadine®, alcohol, hydrogen perozide, Dial® or other harsh soaps, as these can damage cells. Also avoid ointments as they prevent necessary air circulation.
Avoid Bactine®, pierced ear care solutions and other products containing Benzalkonium Chloride (BZK). These can be irritating and are not intended for long term wound care.
Body Piercings
What you will need:
Packaged Sterile Saline Wound Wash or…a non-iodized sea salt mixture.
Dissolve no more than 1/4 teaspoon of non-iodized (iodine-free) sea salt into one cup (8 oz) of warm distilled or bottled water.
What you’ll need to do:
Always wash hands before handling a healing piercing.
Soak a cotton ball or gauze with Saline solution and hold it against the piercing for 5-10 minutes.
For most piercings, do this morning, noon and night; three times a day. If you think it needs extra cleaning you can use the saline solution up to 5 times a day.
If you feel you need a little extra oomph you can also use a mild, fragrance free liquid soap; preferably Anti-microbial or Anti- germicidal.
Using warm water wet the area.
Create a lather using the liquid soap and water and gently clean the area.
Fully rinse the area and let it air dry you may use a blow dryer on the cold setting.
Oral Piercings
What you will need:
Antimicrobial or antibacterial alcohol-free mouth rinse and/or Packaged Sterile Saline solution or…a non-iodized sea salt mixture.
Dissolve no more than 1/4 teaspoon of non-iodized (iodine-free) sea salt into one cup (8 oz) of warm distilled or bottled water.
What you’ll need to do:
Rinse with chosen solution 3-5 times a day only.
Rinse mouth after any time you eat or smoke (although smoking during healing period is highly frowned upon and will slow down the healing process) only with clean water. Over-cleaning can lead to a longer healing time.
The tongue will swell for the first 3-6 days so if you can take over the counter, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory such as Ibuprofen or Advil it could assist with swelling as well as plenty of ice.
Once the swelling has subsided it is very important to come in and change the longer barbell to a shorter one. This service is free for my customers.
Surface Anchors
For the first 4 days keep the anchor covered with a small bandage that applies only light pressure.
You should allow it to breathe before bed and clean residue from bandage but keep the anchor dry.
Starting day 5, follow same instructions as body piercing aftercare.
Until they are fully healed continue to wear a bandage to bed or if you will be very active (sports, dancing, etc) and/or if you will be wearing tight clothing directly over it (which should be avoided).
| Tatu-derm® Instructions
How to use Tatu-derm® Tatu-derm should be applied within one hour of completing the new tattoo. Apply Tatu-derm to clean dry skin with no residue from the tattoo process. Tatu-derm should completely cover the tattoo with one inch all around for good adhesion. Glycerin in green soap residue will react with the adhesive and should be rinsed well before Tatu-derm is applied. Tatu-derm should stay in plac for couple days as long as it is sticking well to the skin and there is no fluid build up. If the tattoo is done lightly and there is no fluid buildup the initial application can stay in place longer. If redness occurs remove the Tatu-derm and discontinue use. If you are allergic to adhesives test a small piece on your skin. Redness will clear up once the Tatu-derm is removed and the tattoo will not be affected. To remove Tatu-derm, peel it back SLOWLY from the edge or corner. Peel it back over itself, not away from the body. Avoid stretching the skin. Once Tatu-derm is removed, clean and dry the area and proceed with your preferred topical aftercare. Tatu-derm is FDA registered product, patented, manufactured and sterilized in the USA. |