Aftercare Information for Tattoos and Piercings

Ear, Eyebrow, and Nose Piercing Aftercare

  • Shield piercing from hairspray, and avoid getting lotion, make-up, and other foreign substances into piercing.
  • Make sure pillowcases are clean and changed frequently.
  • Clean your telephone receiver with a disinfectant.
  • Exercising during healing is fine; just listen to your body.  Try  to avoid activities that put undue stress on the area.  Your own sweat and body fluids are not harmful to your piercing, provided you clean daily as directed.
  • The best aftercare will depend on various factors.  Each body is unique and every piercing is different.  There are a number of things you can do to help your body to heal your piercing including:
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    1. Wash your hands vigorously before touching the pierced area. Dirty unwashed hands are the worst enemy for piercings. During the course of the day your hands become covered in germs. If you touch the piercing, even just near the area, you will deposit bacteria at the piercing site, possibly causing an infection.
    2. Eat correctly.It is a proven fact that with a well-balanced diet, your body will heal faster. A multivitamin with vitamin C and Zinc helps expedite the body’s healing abilities.
    3. It is proven if you apply sea salt (saline) to your piercing it can help. Your body heals your piercing. Use a clean Q-tip or cotton ball.
    4. It is widely accepted that a mild liquid soap used to gently wash the piercing followed by a thorough rinsing is suitable for most piercing. Usually twice a day works best. Also, don’t use multiple cleaners at the same time.
    5. Never use hydrogen peroxide because it is too strong and may cause more problems to the piercing, (unless otherwise directed).
    6. Never use antibiotic ointments, gels, or creams because they trap dirt and germs inside a piercing and prevent oxygen from reaching the wound. They may work well for cuts and scrapes but are not good for piercing.

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  • Make sure to leave the starter jewelry in the entire healing time before accessorizing. To schedule a body piercing appointment, please contact us.

Tongue Aftercare Instructions

  • For the first two weeks, rinse with medicated Listerine mixed with equal parts of distilled water after every meal and every 8 hours.  Or use Tech 2000, Biotene, or distilled water mixed with sea salt.
  • When brushing your tongue, do so gently along with your jewelry.  Once healed, brush tongue and jewelry thoroughly to keep plaque away.
  • Avoid smoking while your piercing is healing.  Smoking increases risks and can lengthen healing time.  Also avoid undue stress such as sucking through a straw.
  • For the first few nights, try propping pillows a little higher than normal to reduce chance of swelling overnight.  The piercing should be elevated above your heart.
  • 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 the first few days.
  • Avoid touching your piercing and contact with others because it is an open wound.
  • Absolutely avoid all oral contact including French kissing during the entire initial healing period.
  • Avoid playing with your jewelry because it increases the risk of tearing and prolonged healing.  The mouth withstands a lot of trauma from normal speaking and eating.  Try to avoid undue stress such as playing with the jewelry or clicking the jewelry against your teeth.  This can cause the formation of scar tissue and other complications.
  • Try to focus on keeping your tongue level in your mouth while eating to avoid on the jewelry as you eat.  Your mouth is likely to feel uncoordinated at first, but this will pass.
  • Try eating small bites of solid foods by placing food directly onto the molars with clean fingers or a fork.  Food at the back of your mouth does not have to get moved there by your tongue.

Naval Piercing Aftercare Instructions

  • Avoid tight, clinching belts and waistbands and inflexible clothing on the area during healing.
  • A hard ventilated eye patch sold at pharmacies) can be applied under tight clothing. This can protect the area from restrictive clothing, excess irritation, and impact during physical activities such as contact sports.
  • Make sure to leave starter jewelry in the entire healing time before accessorizing.
  • Wear loose clothing over the piercing.
  • Showering is safer than a bath, as tubs tend to harbor bacteria. To bathe safely, clean your tub with a bleach product before each bath and rinse the tub thoroughly before bathing. Also, be sure to rinse your piercing thoroughly when you are finished bathing.
  • Wash your hands vigorously before touching the pierced area.
  • Eating correctly helps your piercing heal properly. It is a proven fact that eating a well-balanced diet will help your body heal faster. A multi-vitamin with Vitamin C and Zinc helps your body’s healing ability.
  • Applying sea salt (saline or bactine spray) to your piercing will help your body heal your piercing.
  • It is widely accepted that a mild liquid soap used to gently wash the piercing followed by a thorough rinsing is suitable for most piercings.  Do not get soap inside the pierced area. Usually twice a day works best. Also, don’t use multiple cleaners at the same time.
  • Never use hydrogen peroxide or rubbing alcohol because it is too strong and may cause more problems to the piercing.
  • Never use antibiotic ointments, gels, or creams because they trap dirt and germs inside a piercing and prevent oxygen from reaching the wound.

Tattoo Aftercare

  • Remove the bandage after two hours.
  • Using antibacterial soap and your clean fingertips, lather the tattoo, and gently wash with warm water until the tattoo is completely clean.
  • Do not apply washcloths or towels. Simply let the tattoo air dry.
  • For the first few days, use A&D Ointment.  The proper amount that should be applied is small and minimal.  Overuse can delay healing and extreme loss of color.
  • Treat your tattoo as an open wound that usually takes six days or longer to heal.  Avoid direct contact with people, animals, and unsanitary objects.  Do wear clean loose-fitted clothing to protect your new tattoo.
  • For the first month, avoid direct sunlight as it can cause the tattoo to fade.
  • Avoid soaking your tattoo in a hot-tub, swimming pool, or direct shower.
  • As your tattoo heals, small flakes may form.  Do not pick them. Simply let them run the natural course of falling off by themselves.
  • After your tattoo is fully healed, it is recommended to use Vaseline Intensive Care in the yellow bottle frequently to keep your tattoo moisturized.
  • If you are out in the sun, make sure you use the highest sun block protection available. Learn more about protecting your tattoo from the sun’s damaging rays.