Products:

To heal your tattoo you will need:

     *  a mild soap  such as Dove or Ivory (or any other white or clear soap that contains no dyes, perfumes or fragrances)

    *  unscented white lotion such as Lubriderm, Aveeno, Jergens

(For larger tattoos or tattoos that are in hard to heal places on the body, A&D ointment may be recommended by your tattoo artist for the first three days of healing. Do not use any ointments on your tattoo unless instructed to do so by your tattoo artist. Misusing ointment can ruin your tattoo and will forfeit your free touchup)

  Healing Instructions:

1.      Leave your bandage on until you get home or somewhere clean. Ideally you want to remove the bandage within one hour as all wounds need to breathe if they are to heal properly. After removing the bandage wash your tattoo. Do not cover or re-bandage your tattoo.  

Wash your tattoo 2-3 times a day for 2 weeks.

2.      Gently Wash the tattoo using your fingertips or hands only. Using a mild soap and cool to warm water,  take care to gently remove all traces of blood and/or plasma , residual body fluids cause scabbing. Do not scrub the tattoo during your healing period. Gently pat the tattoo dry with paper towel or just let it air dry.(  do not use  towels or washcloths on your tattoo as they can harbor bacteria. 

3.      Apply a small amount of lotion to the tattoo; only enough to where it will completely rub in with no excess, a little bit goes a long way.  Always wash your tattoo before applying new lotion.

Lotion your tattoo 2-3 times a day for 2 weeks

What to Expect:

·   It is normal for your skin to form a protective layer over your tattoo. However, if you over moisturize or do not moisturize enough, a thick hard scab may form that may crack when you move. It is important to try to avoid this kind of scab through proper washing and moisturizing. Moisturizing is a personal balance that can be different for each individual.

·   When your tattoo is healing your body will form a thin membrane to protect the tattoo while it heals. This layer peels off very similar to sunburn Do not pick at your tattoo or purposely try to make it peel while it heals. It will ruin your tattoo.  It is normal to see small flakes of colored skin peeling falling off during this stage of healing

·   Some people may also experience some heavier layers of buildup or scabbing. When dealing with scabs cut back on the lotion and make sure you do not scratch or pick at the scabs.

·   It is normal for the tattoo to become very itchy during healing, sometimes gently slapping or tapping a tattoo can help, do not scratch or pick!

Do Not:

·   Do not submerge your tattoo in water for at least 2 weeks.  Soaking your tattoo can soak through the soft tissue and cause your ink to flow down the drain. This includes swimming in the ocean or a pool, hot tubs, and saunas. Short showers are best, under 10 minutes if possible.

·   Avoid sun exposure and tanning until your tattoo is completely healed. Keep in mind that even after healing is complete the sun can and will fade your tattoo over time!

·   Do not use Vaseline on your tattoo ever. We don’t care what your friend said or how your uncle healed his tattoo, don’t use it.

·   Do not use lotions that contain color, fragrance or sparkles anywhere on or around your tattoo until the healing is complete

A tattoo isn’t completed until it is fully healed.

Tattoos are an investment and require active participation on your part.

The following segment contains all three sets of aftercare instructions for
       General Piercings, Oral Piercings and Nipple/Genital Piercings.
              -Please scroll down to find the aftercare appropriate for your piercing-

GENERAL PIERCING AFTERCARE (Ear, Navel, Nose, etc)

All piercings require one to two daily cleanings with the appropriate solutions to ensure proper healing.  Please try to be patient. Each body is unique, and healing times can vary considerably. If your piercing is tender or secreting you should continue the care regimen, even if it is past the stated average healing time range.

Cleaning solutions: use a very mild, liquid anti-microbial/germicidal medicated soap such as Provon or Satin. Inferior alternatives include products such as Dove, Almay Clearly Natural, Hypocare, or any other mild soap that is color/dye free and fragrance free.  

In addition to soap, mild, non-iodized sea salt soaks can be very helpful.

Sea Salt Soaking Instructions:  Dissolve ¼ teaspoon of non iodized sea salt into One cup (8oz) of warm water.  Saturate your piercing with the solution by dipping your piercing into the solution, using a clean cotton ball, paper towel or by actually suctioning the cup onto your piercing.  Soak for 2 -3 minutes up to 3 times daily.  Make a new solution for each soaking.  If you are using the sea salt method, only clean with soap once daily. Please see us if you need more detailed instructions.

Cleaning Instructions:

Body piercings need to be cleaned once or twice daily, every day, for the entire initial healing time (6-10 weeks) . Most people clean morning and/or night, in the shower. Do not clean with your liquid soap product more often than twice a day as this can irritate your piercing, and possibly delay your healing. For once-a-day cleanings, do it at the end of your day. Optimal frequency will depend on your skin sensitivity, activity level, and environmental factors.

1. Before cleanings wash hands thoroughly with soap and hot water. If you wish, you may wear disposable latex or vinyl gloves and/or also use a hand sanitizing gel. Never, ever touch healing piercings with dirty hands. This is vital for avoiding infections.
2. 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 fingernails! This step is very important for your comfort.
3. Lather  up a small pea sized drop of cleaning solution in your hand then apply the lather  to the area with your clean hand. Cleanse the area and the jewelry, and gently rotate the jewelry back and forth a few times to work the solution to the inside of the piercing. (You do not need to rotate your jewelry during the first several cleanings).
4. Allow the solution to cleanse there for a minute or so. You may bathe normally, just don't purposely work anything other than the cleanser onto the inside of the piercing.
5. Rinse the area thoroughly under running water, while rotating the jewelry back and forth to completely remove cleanser residue from the inside and outside of the piercing.
6. Gently pat dry with disposable paper products such as gauze or tissues, as cloth towels can harbor bacteria.                                                                                                                  

What to do:

∙Wash your hands prior to contact on or near the area of your healing piercing!

∙Leave the piercing alone except for when you are cleaning it. It is not necessary or advisable to rotate the jewelry while healing except during cleanings.

∙Leave the starter jewelry in during the entire minimum initial healing time! (Assuming your initial jewelry is appropriate in terms of metal content, style, and size for the anatomy. Inappropriate jewelry should be changed out by a professional.)

∙Check twice daily with clean hands to make sure the balls are screwed on tight on threaded jewelry.

∙If you like your piercing leave jewelry in at all times. Even old, well-healed piercings can shrink or close in minutes after having been there for years! This varies from person to person, and even if your ear lobe piercings stay open without jewelry your body piercing may not! Contact your piercer if your jewelry must be temporarily removed (such as for a medical procedure). Monofilament nylon or another inert non-metallic substance may be able to be inserted to maintain the piercing until jewelry can be reinserted.

∙Make sure your bedding is clean and changed frequently while you are healing, especially if pets get into your bed.

∙Wear clean, comfortable, breathable fabric clothing in the area of a body piercing.

∙A multi-vitamin mineral supplement containing zinc and vitamin C may help boost your body's healing abilities. Take it with your morning meal according to package instructions.

∙Get enough sleep, eat a nutritious diet, and avoid undue stress, recreational drugs, and heavy alcohol consumption. The healthier your lifestyle, the easier it will be for your piercing to heal.

∙Showering is safer than taking a bath, as bath tubs tend to harbor bacteria. To bathe safely, clean your tub with a bleach product before each bath, and rinse the tub before you fill it. Also, be sure to do a running water rinse on your piercing when you are done in the tub.

∙In the event that the piercing drains a thick pus discharge instead of the normal liquid secretion, you may wish to see a physician for evaluation and possible antibiotic treatment. If you do have an infection, the jewelry should be left in the piercing to allow for drainage

What to avoid

∙Don't use alcohol, peroxide, Betadine, or Hibiclens to clean piercings, 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 wound and form a sticky residue which can cause complications. They are not designed for use on healing piercings.

∙Don't over clean. Cleaning more often than twice a day is not better. This can delay your healing and irritate your piercing.

∙Don't use too many different products; Select and use only one cleaning solution (such as Provon or Satin).

∙Avoid oral contact, rough play, and contact with other bodily fluids on or near your piercing during healing.

∙Don't use band aids on a healing piercing. They limit air circulation and the adhesive can irritate the surrounding area.

∙Avoiding sleeping directly on a piercing during healing is advisable.

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

∙Avoid submerging your piercing in water such as pools, lakes, Jacuzzis, etc. Unless you feel confident that the water is clean enough for you and an open wound (which is what your piercing is while it is healing). Most bodies of water harbor large amounts of bacteria. If there is sea life, motor oil or children in the water it is not clean enough!

∙Exercise during healing is fine; just listen to your body. Try to avoid activities that put undue stress on the area. Your own sweat and bodily fluids are not harmful to your piercing, provided you clean daily as directed.

What is normal?

∙Bleeding, bruising, discoloration and/or swelling are not uncommon. Any break in the skin, including a new piercing can bleed off and on for a few days, or swell, or bruise. These are not indications of any complications. Reduce intake of aspirin, alcohol, and caffeine.

∙Some tenderness or discomfort in the area of a new piercing is not unusual. You may feel stinging, burning, or aching or other unpleasant sensations off and on for several days or longer. During healing there maybe 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 8-10 week initial healing time, even if the piercing seems healed sooner.

∙Tightness is normal. Do not expect jewelry to swing freely in most body piercings, even after they are thoroughly healed.

Body Piercing Hints and Tips :

Navel Piercings:

1.  Avoid tight, cinching belts and waistbands and inflexible clothing on the area during healing.

2. A hard, vented eye patch (sold at pharmacies) can be applied under tight clothing (such as nylon stockings) or secured using a length of ace bandage around the body (to avoid irritation from adhesive). This can protect the area from restrictive clothing, excess irritation, and impact during physical activities such as contact sports.

Ear/Ear Cartilage and Facial Piercing:

1. Shield piercings from hair spray and avoid getting lotion, makeup and other foreign substances in piercings.

2. Make sure pillow cases are clean and changed frequently.

3. Clean your telephone receiver inside and out with Lysol or other disinfectant. Avoid contact with your piercing to any public telephone.

If you have any questions, please call Katie or Diana or stop in at NEW ADDICTION TATTOOS 269-383-8282

Cleaning solutions for the  inside of your mouth:

 Use an alcohol- free antimicrobial or antibacterial mouthwash as an oral irrigator such as Crest Prohealth, Tech2000, Alcohol-free Listerine, Biotene, or other alcohol-free antimicrobial or antibacterial mouth rinses. 

If you do not have access to an alcohol free mouth wash, dilute regular mouthwash that contains alcohol 50% with water as a last resort.

Mild sea salt water rinses are optional but extremely advisable for any oral piercing

For Mild sea salt water rinses. Use 1/4 teaspoon non-iodized (iodine-free) sea salt to one cup (8 oz.) warm to hot water. (Avoid hot water for the first few days.)

Cleaning Instructions for the inside of your mouth:

1. Rinse mouth for 30-60 seconds with your alcohol free mouth wash (see Cleaning Solutions above) after meals during the entire minimum initial healing time.

The amount of rinsing entirely depends on the piercing you are caring for:

      Lip Piercings:   Rinse 0-3 times daily

Tongue Piercings:  Rinse 4-5 times daily if you are a non smoker

                                Rinse 6-8 times daily if you a smoker.  

2. If you wish,  you may also rinse mouth briefly (10-15 seconds) with the mild sea salt mixture (see recipe above) 2-3  times daily during the entire initial healing time in order to accelerate healing.

      --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Cleaning solutions for the outside of your mouth:

 Mild fragrance / color free soaps such as Dove, Provon or Satin soaps are best lathered together with water. Inferior alternatives include products such as Almay Clearly Natural, Hypocare, NutriBiotic; or other fragrance free and color free soaps.

Cleaning Instructions for the outside of your mouth:

1.       The outside of your 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 with your soap product more often than twice a day as this can irritate your piercing, and possibly delay your healing. For once-a-day cleanings, do it at the end of your day. Optimal frequency will depend on your skin sensitivity, activity level, and environmental factors.

2.       Before cleanings wash hands thoroughly with liquid antibacterial soap and hot water. If you wish, you may wear disposable latex or vinyl gloves and/or also use a hand sanitizing gel. Never ever touch healing piercings with dirty hands. This is vital for avoiding infections.

3.       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 fingernails! This step is very important for your comfort.

4.       Lather  up a small pea sized drop of cleaning solution in your hand then apply the lather  to the area with your clean hand. Cleanse the area and the jewelry, and gently rotate the jewelry back and forth a few times to work the solution to the inside of the piercing. (You do not need to rotate your jewelry during the first several cleanings).

5.       Rinse the area thoroughly under running water, while rotating the jewelry back and forth to completely remove cleanser residue from the inside and outside of the piercing.

6.       Gently pat dry with disposable paper products such as gauze or tissues, as cloth towels can harbor bacteria

      -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

What is normal?

∙Swelling of the area is perfectly normal during the first part of healing an oral piercing. It can be greatly reduced by gently sucking (rather than chewing) on clean ice. Chipped or shaved ice or small cubes are best.

(*The majority of the swelling usually only lasts for 3-5 days.)

∙Any new piercing can bleed off and on for a few days. There can also be some bleeding under the surface resulting in temporary bruising or discoloration. This is perfectly normal and not indicative of any complication.

∙Some tenderness or discomfort in the area of a new piercing is not unusual. You may feel aching, pinching, tightness or other unpleasant sensations off and on for several days or longer.

∙Don't be alarmed if you see a fairly liquid, yellowish secretion coming from the piercing. This is blood plasma, lymph and dead cells which is perfectly normal. All healing piercings secrete, it just looks different inside the mouth as it doesn't have a chance to dry and form a crust as it does on ear or body piercings. This is not pus, but indicates a healing piercing.

∙Plaque may form on tongue jewelry, commonly on the bottom ball and/or post. Scrub your barbell with a firm toothbrush (gently during healing). If you are diligent with oral hygiene the jewelry will not need to be removed for cleaning, and it can usually be left in even for routine visits to the dentist

∙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 healed sooner.

∙Each body is unique, and healing times can vary considerably.

What to do:

∙Try to sleep with your head propped up on pillows during the first few nights of healing; keeping your head above your heart will help to avoid much initial overnight swelling.

∙ Take an over the counter, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory such as Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, etc.) according to package instructions to reduce discomfort, and it can also help to diminish swelling during the first few days.

∙ With clean hands, Check twice daily with clean hands to be sure the threaded ends on your jewelry are on tight.

∙Replace your toothbrush and make sure to keep it clean so that everything that goes into your mouth is hygienic while you are healing. A "sensitive" type of toothpaste may be less irritating to your mouth during healing than a usual, stronger variety.

∙Try to go slowly when you eat and to take small bites when you are getting used to your new jewelry. Cold foods and beverages feel great and can help diminish swelling. Drink plenty of liquids, especially bottled water.

∙Get enough sleep and eat a nutritious diet. The healthier your lifestyle, the easier it will be for your piercing to heal.

∙If you like your piercing leave your jewelry in at all times. Even healed piercings can shrink or close in minutes after having been there for years! This varies from person to person, and even if your ear piercings stay open without jewelry your oral piercing may not!

∙Keep following the care procedures during the entire minimum initial healing time, even if the piercing seems healed sooner.

∙For Lip/cheek Piercings: Be cautious about opening your mouth wide when you eat as this can result in the backing of the jewelry catching on your teeth. Take small bites and go slowly at first.  The outside of the piercing may become somewhat red or pink during healing and this is normal.

What to avoid:

∙No oral or sexual contact including French (wet) kissing or oral sex during the entire initial healing period, even if you are in a monogamous relationship. (If you had a large cut you would not allow anyone to spit into it! This is essentially the same thing.)

∙Avoid chewing gum, tobacco, fingernails, pencils, sunglasses, etc., during healing. Don't share plates, cups or eating utensils.

∙Reducing smoking or quitting is highly advisable when healing an oral piercing. Smoking increases risks and can lengthen the healing time. Avoid undue stress and recreational drug usage.

∙Stay away from aspirin, large amounts of caffeine, and alcoholic beverages for the first several days. These can cause additional swelling, bleeding and discomfort. Refrain from eating spicy, salty, acidic, or hot temperature foods and beverages for a few days.

∙Do not play with the piercing for the initial healing time beyond the necessary movement for speaking and eating. The mouth withstands a lot of trauma from normal speaking and eating. Try to avoid other disturbances such as excessive talking, actively playing with the jewelry, or clicking the jewelry against your teeth. Undue stress on the piercing can cause the formation of unsightly and uncomfortable scar tissue, migration and other complications.

∙Even after healing, excessive play with oral jewelry can result in permanent damage to teeth, gums, and oral structures. Metal is harder than the human body; be gentle.

∙Do not use any mouthwash that contains alcohol. It can irritate the area and delay healing.

∙Don't use too many different products, select and use only one cleaning solution.

Disclaimer: These guidelines are based on a combination of vast professional experience, common sense, research, and extensive clinical practice. This is not to be considered a substitute for medical advice from a doctor. Beware, however, that many doctors and dentists have no specific training or experience regarding piercing and may not be educated on how to best assist you. If you do get an infection, the jewelry should be left in, so that pus can drain. If the jewelry is removed, the holes can close up, resulting in an abscess. LEAVE YOUR JEWELRY IN!

If you have any questions, please call Katie or Diana or stop in at NEW ADDICTION TATTOOS (269)383-8282