AfterCare

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• Wash Hands 
• Carefully remove bandage and tape 45 min to an hour after getting tattoo. Bandage may be left on overnight if it feels comfortable and secure. After bandage is removed tattoo may stick too or stain bed sheets. Maintain clean bedding throughout the healing process. 
• After removing bandage wash tattoo immediately with warm water and fragrance free antibacterial soap (gold dial soap recommended). Lather soap in hand with warm water and gently clean tattoo in circular motion, until all ointment, blood, and lymphatic fluid are removed. 
• Rinse tattoo and wash once again, gently, until skin is clean.
• Once tattoo is dry apply a thin layer of an approved ointment. Suggested ointments are Aquaphor or a tattoo specific balm that can be purchased in our studio. 
• Repeat process three to four times a day for the first 5-7 days after getting tattoo.
• After one week switch to an unscented lotion (Lubriderm recommended) until tattoo is completely healed or tattoo is done scabbing. If your skin is extremely sensitive, lotion may cause an acne- like break outs. This can be taken care of by reducing the number of lotion applications per day. 

For the first 2 weeks DO NOT 

• Swim or take long baths 
• Go tanning or leave tattoo exposed in the sun too long 
• Scratch or pick at any scabs 

DO:

• Clean your piercing 2-3 times a day using a sterile saline solution or a scent free antibacterial soap.
• You can either apply directly (with a spray from a slight distance) or by using a evenly coated Q-Tip.
• Make sure to dry well after cleaning with a clean paper towel or non-woven gauze pad.
• Use a patting or gentle wiping motion while cleaning drying to avoid snagging your new jewelry.
• Make sure to consistently wash hands and sanitize any obiects that may make undesired contact near the site of your new piercing.
• Take your time doing things you normally do that mav affect vour piercing (brushing hair teeth, putting on glasses/masks). Just take your time adiusting to life with something new on your body:
• Ask the piercer about downsizing jewelry as you navigate the healing process. If you had longer jewelry put in to start, downsizing can be an important part of keeping a piercing healthy.

DON'T:

• Don't use products like Peroxide or Alchohol on your healing piercing. Also avoid ointments/creams/oils (things like A&D, neosporin, essential oils).
• Avoid "playing" with your jewelry, especially during the first year of healing. You can easily backtrack a healthy piercing into irritation and bumps.
• Don't attempt to change jewelry early on in the healing process. You should wait at minimum 8-12 weeks after being pierced to change piercings. It is highly encouraged to wait 6 months or more (especially for cartilage).
• Avoid excess moisture around the piercing site for extended periods of time. (I.e., falling asleep with wet hair not drying after cleaning.)
• Don't start over-cleaning or trying "google solutions" if a small issue occurs (redness/bump/clear fluid), a lot of times these things are normal. Contact your piercer about any concerns before taking actions that deviate from standard aftercare procedures.
• Don't use reusable cleaning supplies (washeloths or towels) to clean your piercing. Always use something sanitary and disposable for every cleaning.
• Don't use hand measured salt and water in a glass bowl. You cannot guarentee they are clean, and can easily be contaminated while handling near kitchens/restrooms.

Never hesitate to reach out to vour piercer with questions or concerns. Be prepared to send in a picture or take a trip to the shop if needed to make sure your piercing gets the care it needs.

Troubleshooting is a delicate process but is a vital part of aftercare and is meant to help you heal in the safest way possible.