Care Info
TATTOO CARE INFO
• Leave bandage on for a maximum of 2 hours. This allows your skin to build up its protective layer against bacteria and germs. When you remove the bandage there will be ink on it - this is normal!
•For clients that opt to use tegaderm: Leave tegaderm bandage on for 2 to 3 days maximum. If you notice that there is build up of ooze or ink sacks, that is normal and do not pop or play with the sacks, this is normal.
*IF the tegaderm is applied and you notice any redness around the bandage (only the bandage) remove bandage and wash with cool to warm water with antibacterial soap and proceed with the steps of after care.
• Wash your hands with an antibacterial soap before removing your bandage. Never.... NEVER rebandage your tattoo.
• Wash tattoo with a neutral soap such as Neutrogena. Gently use your hands to rub soap over tattoo. Never use a washcloth. Always wash your hands before cleaning the tattoo.
• Pat dry.... PAT DRY. with a soft paper towel. NEVER RUB DRY. This will help avoid pulling any of the ink out of the skin that may be attached to a scab. Remember, your tattoo is a WOUND.
• Clean your tattoo 2 to 3 times a day until healed.
• When the tattoo begins to scab and dry out, apply lotion. You want to keep the tattoo moist but not wet. You can also apply a small amount of Aquaphor (commonly sold at drug stores). When choosing a lotion you must choose one with NO fragrances, and no acne or oil removers. We have found that some intensive dry skin lotions contain additives that react with tattoo ink causing the ink to reject such Triple Antibiotic Ointments. DO NOT USE TRIPLE ANTIBIOTIC OINTMENTS.
• Average healing time is 7 to 14 days.
• Never pick your scabs no matter how itchy they may become. Lightly slap the tattoo to get rid of the itch.
• Touch-ups are FREE for one year except for feet and hand tattoos which have a $25 touch up fee.
• You may shower 4 hours after receiving a tattoo. However, do not shower in really hot water and not for an extended period of time, meaning no longer than 15 minutes. NO BATHS or SWIMMING because this will cause your tattoo color to fade and possibly get infected. You may bathe and swim as soon as your tattoo is completely healed, meaning no scabs. This includes, oceans, rivers, lakes, hot tubs, pools, etc.
• You must keep your tattoo out of the sun and away from tanning beds until you are healed. The sun and tanning beds will fade the color in your tattoo faster than anything else. When you are healed we strongly recommend applying sunscreen to your tattoo any time it is exposed to the sun. We recommend 3 months of no direct sunlight, meaning do not sunbath with a fresh tattoo.
• You must take time off from training, working out, or any intense physical activities until you are healed. Profuse sweating has the same effect on your tattoo as soaking in water, it can cause infection if sweat gets into your fresh tattoo.
• You do not need to apply polysporin, bactine, or any other chemical products to your tattoo. Soap and water along with oxygen will heal your tattoo faster than anything that contains chemicals and synthetics. Chemical products will cause a longer healing time and may react with your tattoo ink.
PIERCING CARE INFO
• DO NOT FLIP, ROTATE, TOUCH, REMOVE OR CHANGE JEWELRY UNTIL HEALING TIME IS COMPLETE.
• NON-IODIZED salt and a gallon of distilled water is needed.
Distilled water can be found by the gallon at Walmart, Kroger, Myer, etc. It is cheap and you WILL need it.
• DO NOT USE TAP WATER (showers do not count)
Tap water has bacteria that can get inside your new open piercing.
• Non-iodized or pure sea salt can also be found at your local grocery store.
Table salt, kosher salt, Epsom salts, and iodized sea salts are NOT acceptable.
• Take 4 tsp of pure sea salt or non-iodized salt, and add it to the gallon of distilled water.
This will be the solution that will be used to clean the piercing.
Take a clean glass or ceramic cup/shot glass add the solution, and heat it in the microwave for a couple of seconds.
The solution should be body temperature or lukewarm.
If possible, submerge the new piercing in the solution for 7-15 minutes.
• Repeat this TWICE a day. (morning and night preferably.)
• For piercings that cannot be rested in this solution:
Take a CLEAN paper towel, saturate and let it soak on the piercing for 7-14 minutes.
• For piercings that are oral:
With the solution, rinse in mouth for 30 sections .
Do this morning, night, EVERYTIME you eat.
• If you smoke or use tobacco products, try not to during your healing period.
If used, rinse after for 60 SECONDS