Piercing and Tattoo Aftercare

Your new tattoo will be bandaged when you leave the tattoo parlor. It is recommended to leave this bandage on your new tattoo for ONE hour, to protect it from any outside contact. A new tattoo is similar to a wound so don’t be surprised if your tattoo bleeds a little for the first few hours. This is normal and your bandage will help absorb any bleeding from your tattoo initially following your sitting.
When it is time to remove the bandage from your tattoo, do so carefully. It is possible that blood has dried to the bandage and if you rip it off, you could possibly damage the appearance of your new tattoo. If it is stuck to the tattoo run it under cool water then remove bandage.

Your tattoo is going to be sore, red, and possibly a bit swollen. This is normal; it will take a few days for this to subside.
Your primary focus when taking care of a new tattoo is to keep the tattoo clean. After the initial bandage is removed, gently wash your tattoo with soap and cool water. Do not use a washcloth or anything other than your hand. Wash gently; do not scrub but pat the tattoo. Rinse your new tattoo completely with water then pad it dry with a clean towel (do not rub). Allow your tattoo to air dry for 15 minutes or so.

After your tattoo has dried, gently apply tattoo aftercare such as aquaphor or product such as H2Ocean (this can be purchased at the shop). If using aquaphor apply a small amount to the tattoo 2 to 3 times daily for the first two weeks. If using a product such as H2Ocean adhere to the manufacturers guidelines.
Be sure to wear clean, loose-fitting clothing around your tattooed area and to sleep on clean sheets. IF ANY CLOTHING, SHEETS, OR OTHER MATERIALS GET STUCK TO YOUR NEW TATTOO DO NOT REMOVE WITHOUT WETTING DOWN THE MATERIAL FIRST.

 

Tattoo Care - Peeling, Is it Normal?

Allow the tattoo to peel away naturally –(scabbing will start to a cure in a few days) do NOT PICK the scabs or dry skin. This can pull the ink out of your tattoo leaving it discolored or uneven in appearance (and may cause scaring). You will also notice that your new tattoo feels tight, dry, and itchy. Keep applying your tattoo aftercare lotion to hydrate the tattoo and to alleviate these symptoms. It is normal to see small flakes of colored skin peel away from your tattoo as your tattoo is healing.

 

What Does a Healthy, Healing Tattoo Look like?

New tattoos may appear red and swollen immediately following your tattoo sitting. Areas of it may have a bluish tint as well. This appearance may continue for a few days during the tattoo healing process. Within a week to ten days, the skin surrounding the tattoo area should be free of heavy scabs. Most tattoos are completely healed in three weeks time.

 

TATTOOS ON THE FEET OR HANDS

These tattoos require specific instruction and you should consult with your artist on the important tips you should follow to care for these.
MOST IMPORTANT, THE CARE YOU SHOW YOUR TATTOO AFTER LEAVING THE STUDIO WILL REFLECT THE ARTIST WORK AND THE OVERALL APPEARANCE. WE CAN DO A GREAT TATTOO FOR YOU BUT IT’S ON YOU TO DO THE REST!

Navel, Nipple, Earlobe, Eyebrow, Genital Piercings:

All new piercings must be washed twice daily with water and anti-bacterial soap. (Dial Antibacterial etc.) Soap up the area generously and wash away any dried plasma (crusty scab-like), gently move jewelry to allow soap to get inside. Rinse the soap out completely and pat dry. This process should be done for an initial period of eight weeks. Then you may taper off to once a day until completely healed. (See healing time chart on reverse.) H2 Ocean spray can be used to cleanse and relieve any discomfort that may occur. H2 Ocean can be purchased at Elm City Ink.

In the event you have a healing issue, you may use a warm SEA SALT SOLUTION. 1Tsp. combined with 6 oz warm water. Dissolve sea salt in water. Bathe piercing well, and compress it for 15 min at a time. It will aid the healing process greatly. It is a natural disinfectant that can be used as often as possible to reduce redness, irritation, swelling, skin granulation/keloids and to help heal any minor infections.

DO NOT USE HYDROGEN PEROXIDE, ALCOHOL, EAR CARE SOLUTION OR ANY PETROLEUM BASED OINTMENTS LIKE BACITRACIN, NEOSPORIN ECT. ON ANY HEALING BODY PIERCING!!
These products are not meant for puncture wounds
 

Nostril & any ear Cartilage (tragus, conch, rook, industrial etc.):

Cartilage piercings are one of the most difficult piercings to heal.
Clean these piercings twice daily in the same fashion as described above.
Keloid and skin granulation development is common for ear cartilage and nostril piercings. The best way to help prevent them is to protect the piercing from trauma and unnecessary movement of the jewelry.
If a Keloid develops, please call your piercer for extended care instructions.
 

Tongue, Lip, Labret or any other Oral Piercings:

The outside of a lip or labret piercing should be cleaned in the same fashion as described above. For cleansing inside the mouth or tongue, we suggest, using Listerine antiseptic cut 50% with water. Swish the solution around the piercing and spit it out. Rinse mouth after all food, drink or smoking (except water). Avoid oral contact other than the intake of food and non-alcoholic beverage for at least two weeks. Smoking is not recommended. Gly-oxide (oral wound cleanser) can also be used, apply 2x a day to help speed up the healing process. (Available at any pharmacy.) Ibuprofen (Advil, etc.) may be taken every four hours for any discomfort or swelling.
A word on tongue piercing: The healing process can be very painful. Expect your tongue to swell for three to five days while healing. Swelling is a normal occurrence and can be very uncomfortable. Areas of the inside of your mouth can become sore and irritated due to the barbell rubbing against the soft tissue. This will subside with time. To help with swelling and discomfort, use ice chips, ice cream, Popsicles or other cold liquids. The length of your barbell is 7/8”. This is used to allow safe room for swelling. After the swelling subsides (1 to 2 weeks) you may downsize to 3/4” or 5/8” barbell.

WARNING for ALL NEW PIERCINGS (WHAT NOT TO DO):
TO BE SURE TO HEAL PROPERLY, YOU MUST LEAVE JEWELRY TOTALLY UNDISTURBED.
DO NOT TOUCH OR ROTATE JEWELRY WITH THE EXCEPTION