TATTOO CARE:

Remove the bandage within two hours. Wash your hands and then wash your tattoo with an antibacterial soap using your finger tips. DO NOT use a wash cloth or a scrubber! Rinse thoroughly and then pat dry with a clean towel. Allow your tattoo to air dry for another 20-30 minutes or longer if it appears to be oozing or moist.

 

When dry, apply a very thin amount of ointment twice a day for the first four to five days (or until peeling begins). We recommend Bacitracin, Aquaphor, or Tattoo Goo. After the first four to five days, moisturize with a small amount of fragrance and dye free hand lotion, such as Lubriderm. Moisturize your tattoo five or six days, or whenever it appears dry. Always wash your hands before applying ointment or lotion

 

DO NOT pick, scratch, or peel any loose skin or scabs! They will come off when ready when washing or applying the moisturizer.

 

DO NOT soak your tattoo in pools, baths, hot tubs, lakes, rivers, etc. until the tattoo is completely healed - about two to three weeks. Short showers are okay.

 

NO direct sunlight until the tattoo is completely healed. Once healed, if you cannot prevent exposure to the sun, then apply maximum strength sun block (SPF 45 or higher) to keep your colors looking bright and new.

 

Be aware that during the first few days of healing, the tattoo may seep ink, blood, or lymph which may stain clothing, sheets, and other fabrics.

 

PIERCING CARE:

Thoroughly clean your piercing daily in the shower using an anti-microbial soap. Allow warm, running water to help remove any dried build-up on the piercing. Lather the soap onto the jewelry and piercing. It is crucial that you remove any dried matter from the jewelry prior to rotating. Next, slowly move the jewelry through the piercing to work the soap in. Allow soap to be in contact with the piercing for one full minute and then rinse. Make sure to thoroughly rinse the piercing under fresh, running water. Any soap left on the piercing or jewelry may agitate or over-dry the piercing.

 

Clean your piercing an additional two to three times daily. Use the method above OR a mixture of sea salt and warm, clean water. To make the sea salt mixture, combine one cup of water and one tablespoon of sea salt.

 

When you use sea salt, place the solution on a clean cotton swab to gently work away any dried up discharge from the jewelry. Use a new cotton swab to clean different areas to avoid transferring bacteria. Once the build up has been removed, gently move the jewelry back and forth through the piercing to work some solution into the skin.

 

We strongly suggest you clean your piercing at least two times daily for the first 4-6 weeks. After the first six weeks of cleaning, multiple daily cleanings are not necessary. Daily cleaning in the shower is strongly recommended to maintain a healthy piercing. Try not to over clean your piercing as this could over dry your skin and slow the healing process. Also, be sure to use caution when changing clothes so you don't catch or snag the jewelry.

 

SPECIAL NOTES:

Facial Piercings: 

Do not apply make-up in the direct area of the piercing. Make-up will clog the site and cause irritation.

 

Ear Piercings: 

Make sure not to put any public phones directly on the freshly pierced ear; use a tissue as a barrier against bacteria. Disinfecting home or work telephones prior to use is also suggested to prevent irritation.

 

Piercings Below the Neck: 

Do not wear tight or restrictive clothing, especially during the first four to six weeks. This can cause severe irritation, especially to navels and surface piercings.

 

Increasing Jewelry Size - Stretching or gauging your piercing: 

It is crucial to wait until your piercing is fully healed before you increase jewelry thickness so as not to cause healing problems or scarring. Once healed, a piercing should never be stretched more than one gauge size per every six weeks. Stretching too fast can easily lead to severe scarring.