After Care of Your Tattoo

You were tattooed in a modern studio with sterilized instruments and pigment. The long term appearance of your tattoo is dependent on the care it receives in the next few days. Following these instructions will insure that it heals quickly and remains attractive.

• After approximately 2 to 4 hours, remove the bandage that the artist applied. If you notice that the bandage has dried to the tattoo simply wet the bandage with luke warm water and remove it slowly.
• Wash the tattoo with a mild hand soap and warm water, rubbing the tattoo with your fingers until all of the dried blood has been removed. DO NOT scrub or wash your tattoo with any type of abrasive cloth.
• Once the tattoo is clean, blot it dry (being careful not to use anything abrasive). Allow the tattoo to air dry for approximately 30 minutes.
• Then once the tattoo is dry to the touch, apply a very small amount of A&D ointment (available for purchase at the front desk) to the tattoo. Massage the ointment into the tattoo with your fingertip. It is VERY important that you use a very tiny amount of A&D ointment, just enough to make it moist. If you see a greasy sheen, you have applied too much ointment. If this occurs, gently wipe the excess off.
• Clean the tattoo and apply the A&D ointment twice a day for the firs 2-3 days. After the third day, stop using the A&D ointment. Begin using a mild hand lotion 2-3 times a day until the tattoo is completely healed.
• For the first two weeks, do NOT go into the swimming pool, hot tub, sauna, tanning bed, or lay out in the sun. The only exposure to water should be your regular showers. Be careful not to let the shower water beat directly on the tattoo for an extended period of time.
• Do NOT re-bandage the tattoo. Use only A&D ointment. Keep clean, loose clothing over the new tattoo.
• Do NOT scratch, pick at, or peal the new tattoo.
• Do NOT expose your new tattoo to direct sunlight.
• Once the tattoo is healed we recommend using 15-30 SPF sunscreen when the tattoo is exposed to the sun.

REMEMBER the tattoo is YOUR responsibility once you leave the tattoo studio.

After Care of Your Piercing

Every person being pierced has a right to:

To be pierced in a scrupulously hygienic, open environment, by a clean conscientious piercer wearing a fresh pair of disposable latex gloves.
• To a sober, friendly, calm and knowledgeable piercer, who will guide them through their piercing experience with confidence and assurance.
• To the peace of mind which comes from knowing that their piercer knows and practices the very highest standards of sterilization and hygiene.
• To be pierced with a brand new, completely sterilized needle, which is immediately disposed of in a medical sharps container after use on the piercee alone.
• To be touched with only freshly sterilized, appropriate implements, properly used and disposed of or re-sterilized in an autoclave prior to use on anyone else.
• To know that ear piercing guns are never appropriate and are often dangerous, when used on anything other than earlobes.
• To be fitted only with jewelry which is appropriately sized, safe in material, design, and construction, and which best promotes healing.
• Gold plated, gold filled, and sterling silver jewelry are never appropriate for a new or unhealed piercing.

Basic Piercing Information:

• Healing time for piercings varies greatly from piercing to piercing and from person to person.
• Some people assume they can remove their jewelry at any time and reinsert it easily. This is not true.
• If your piercing was done properly and you conscientiously attend to the aftercare your risk of infection is minimal.
• Most problems are caused by:
       1. Oral contact or handling your piercing with dirty hands.
       2. Using a cleaning agent which is not compatible with your body.
       3. Over cleaning, under cleaning, or not cleaning your piercing properly.
       4. Wearing jewelry to which you are allergic or which is not appropriate in material, size, or design for your particular piercing.
• Excessive crusting, discharge of a clear fluid, and/or enlargement of the piercing usually indicate an allergic reaction to either the cleaning agent or to the material the jewelry is made of.
• Signs of an infection are swelling, pain, excessive redness, and/or discharge of a non-clear puss.
• Removing your jewelry will not necessarily end an infection and may in fact make matters worse by eliminating a passageway for the discharge of puss and other matter.
• Over cleaning and using too many different cleaning agents at once can create problems, so don't change your routine unless you are certain your body is reacting negatively to it.

• Cleaning agents:
       1. Technicare liquid antibacterial soap
• Healing plan:
       1. Wash hands thoroughly before contact with piercing.
       2. No oral contact of any kind for at least 3 weeks.
       3. Use a wet Q-Tip to remove any dried discharge from around the piercing and jewelry.
       4. Wash the piercing 2 times a day.
       5. After letting sit for 1 minute, rinse by rotating (15 - 20 times) under running water.
       6. Do not use Betadine, Bactine, Hydrogen Peroxide, alcohol, or ointments.
       7. No use of pools, ponds or hot tubs.
       8. Wear clothing to bed to protect the piercing.
       9. Check the ends of the jewelry to ensure the balls are tight.