Aftercare
Aftercare
Taking care of your tattoo or piercing is an important step in making your piercing or new artwork last and stay beautiful. View our instructions on how to take care of your piercing or tattoo below or view our selection of artist trusted aftercare products.
- Tattoo Aftercare
- Piercing Aftercare
- Cosmetic aftercare
How To Take Care Of My Tattoo
Proper aftercare of a new tattoo is an essential part of the healing process. Outlined here a few things that will help you heal your beautiful new tattoo! Keep in mind, these are suggested aftercare instructions, as every tattoo will heal differently. The tattoo may weep lightly, scab, and peel or flake during healing – this is normal! It takes from three weeks to a month to heal a tattoo completely. Please consult with your artist if you have any questions!
The First 72 Hours
It is important to never touch your new tattoo without first washing your hands thoroughly – in general, keep hands off as much as possible.
- At the end of the day, or when instructed by the artist – remove the bandage or wrapping in a clean environment.
- Immediately wash the tattoo with a mild soap. Any unscented soap will do! If you don’t have a liquid soap, make sure not to put bar soap directly on the tattoo – lather in your hands, and use the underside of your fingers or your palm to wash the area.
- Do not scrub! Gently wash any lubricants off of the tattoo until the skin no longer feels greasy.
- Very gently pat your tattoo dry with a clean towel, or clean, disposable paper towel.
- Make sure you are sleeping on clean sheets and bedding – especially if you have pets!
After 72 Hours
- Wait to apply lotion or moisturizer until the tattoo begins to dry out and feel tight and/or itchy.
- Use an unscented, gentle lotion to moisturize the tattooed area. Apply a thin layer.
- Apply the lotion once or twice a day as needed. Make sure you do not over-saturate the tattoo, this does more harm than good.
- Do not scratch your pick at your tattoo! This could pull out parts of the tattoo and cause scarring. DO NOT SCRATCH.
Tattoo Touch Ups
We offer free touch ups at the artists discretion within one year of your original tattoo date. However there are particular parts of the body that are unpredictable when healing, and extra sessions are not considered touch ups. This includes: hands, wrists, ankles, feet, neck and lips.
Products We Like
Lotions: PurTect Tattoo Cream, Fragrance Free Lubriderm, Vitamin A&D Ointment Soaps: Dr. Bronner’s Unscented Soap, Dove Sensitive Skin Unscented, and Aquaphor
Rules to follow while healing a piercing
These rules are not difficult or demanding. But will make healing much easier!
- Do not sleep on your new piercing! A firm travel pillow can help a lot.
- Avoid touching your jewelry and piercing. This means absolutely no turning.
- Keep cosmetics, creams and lotions off of your piercing.
- Try to avoid submerging piercings in any standing water like pools, hot tubs and lakes.
- Tight or restrictive clothing directly on the piercing can irritate the healing wound.
- Never force jewelry to move. You don’t have to twist or turn the jewelry to clean or heal your piercing.
Other Helpful Tips
- Check your jewelry often to ensure the balls or threaded ends, such as gems, are snug. Wash your hands before doing this.
- Do not be tempted to change your jewelry too soon.
- You can change your jewelry after the piercing is healed. Jewellery must be worn 24/7 for no less than one year after receiving the piercing.
- If you believe your piercing is infected, please contact us or a physician immediately. DO NOT remove the jewelry, as this could “trap” the infection and could possibly lead to the formation of an abscess.
- Always be aware your aftercares expiration date and product’s shelf life.
All piercings are performed with longer or larger jewelry than necessary. This is to allow for swelling and irritation during the healing process.
Things Not To Use
- Anti-bacterial soaps or face washes.
- Rubbing Alcohol or hydrogen peroxide.
- Anti-biotic ointments.
- Bactine.
- Ear piercing aftercare products containing Benzalkonium Chloride.
- Q-tips, cotton balls or cotton pads.
- Sea salt.
- Tea Tree Oil.
Special Considerations For Other Piercings
- Oral piercings require rinsing off the mouth after eating, drinking, and smoking. Rinsing should be done using clean water or an alcohol free mouthwash (Biotene or Crest Pro Health)
- Tongue piercings are prone to swelling. You should begin working on swelling reduction immediately after the piercing. To reduce swelling, consume cold beverages as needed. Chamomile, or chamomile & lavender tea, as well as pineapple, mango, or papaya fruit juices are excellent for this purpose. If nothing else is available, ice water will also work.
- Genital piercings require that you abstain from sexual contact for a minimum of 3-4 weeks. Also, even in a strict monogamous relationships, it is important to use safe sex precautions until you are certain the piercing is fully healed.
- Surface Anchors should be covered with a small bandage when sleeping or in active situations. Small round Band-Aids can be found in most pharmacies and are perfect for anchors. Cold soaks are invaluable for anchors and are highly recommended.
Downsizing Your Jewelry
Nearly all piercings need to have the jewelry downsized or replaced with a smaller piece of jewelry. Most piercings done with studs or barbells generally require downsizing after 5-6 weeks, or as swelling allows. Timing is different for everyone! It is vital to the health of your piercing that you downsize your jewelry as recommended by your piercer. Failing to downsize your jewelry in a timely manner can affect the angle of the piercing, lead to the forming of scar tissue, or lead to extreme long term discomfort. When concerning oral piercings, failure to downsize can also lead to oral damage.
Please note: Any upgraded or downsized jewellery is an extra cost. This includes your new shorter post, or smaller ring.
Special Note
- Be aware that we are not responsible for lost jewelry, infections, rejections, migrations or an inability to heal your piercing.
- This information is based on our many years of experience in the body piercing industry and should not be taken as medical advice as we are not physicians or in any way affiliated with the medical industry.
- ALL sales and services rendered are final. Absolutely no returns, exchanges or provide refunds
What To Expect During Healing
I. Immediately following your procedure, the tattooed area will be darker and bolder in colour than after the healing is done. The tattoo can feel like a sunburn afterwards but there should be very little discomfort. Taking a Tylenol or Advil right after the procedure helps.
II. The tattoo will be very dark up to day 5 and then by day 7 they should start to flake a bit. DO NOT pick the scabs; this will pull the pigment off the area. Some people report no flaking; it just depends on the person. If the tattoo is tight and itchy, apply a small amount of light moisturizer.
III. Around day 10-14 you will think your tattoo fell out and did not work. This is not true, you just have to be patient, and see that by 4 weeks, when the skin regenerates, the colour will come back. This is a normal part of cosmetic tattoo aftercare. If there are any spots that are too light or maybe did not hold from oily skin, health conditions, or not following the aftercare directions, the second touch up is when we fill in the gaps and perfect.
V. The complete healing process takes about 6-8 weeks, at which time the final colour of the tattoo is exposed and the touchup can be completed.
How Do I Heal My Eyebrow Tattoo Or Other Cosmetic Makeup Tattoo
It is important to never touch your new tattoo without first washing your hands thoroughly – in general, keep hands off as much as possible.
- At the end of the day, or when instructed by the artist – remove the bandage or wrapping in a clean environment.
- Immediately wash the tattoo with a mild soap. Any unscented soap will do! If you don’t have a liquid soap, make sure not to put bar soap directly on the tattoo – lather in your hands, and use the underside of your fingers or your palm to wash the area.
- Do not scrub! Gently wash any lubricants off of the tattoo until the skin no longer feels greasy.
- Very gently pat your tattoo dry with a clean towel, or clean, disposable paper towel.
- Make sure you are sleeping on clean sheets and bedding – especially if you have pets!
Tattoo Aftercare
How To Take Care Of My Tattoo
Proper aftercare of a new tattoo is an essential part of the healing process. Outlined here a few things that will help you heal your beautiful new tattoo! Keep in mind, these are suggested aftercare instructions, as every tattoo will heal differently. The tattoo may weep lightly, scab, and peel or flake during healing – this is normal! It takes from three weeks to a month to heal a tattoo completely. Please consult with your artist if you have any questions!
The First 72 Hours
It is important to never touch your new tattoo without first washing your hands thoroughly – in general, keep hands off as much as possible.
- At the end of the day, or when instructed by the artist – remove the bandage or wrapping in a clean environment.
- Immediately wash the tattoo with a mild soap. Any unscented soap will do! If you don’t have a liquid soap, make sure not to put bar soap directly on the tattoo – lather in your hands, and use the underside of your fingers or your palm to wash the area.
- Do not scrub! Gently wash any lubricants off of the tattoo until the skin no longer feels greasy.
- Very gently pat your tattoo dry with a clean towel, or clean, disposable paper towel.
- Make sure you are sleeping on clean sheets and bedding – especially if you have pets!
After 72 Hours
- Wait to apply lotion or moisturizer until the tattoo begins to dry out and feel tight and/or itchy.
- Use an unscented, gentle lotion to moisturize the tattooed area. Apply a thin layer.
- Apply the lotion once or twice a day as needed. Make sure you do not over-saturate the tattoo, this does more harm than good.
- Do not scratch your pick at your tattoo! This could pull out parts of the tattoo and cause scarring. DO NOT SCRATCH.
Tattoo Touch Ups
We offer free touch ups at the artists discretion within one year of your original tattoo date. However there are particular parts of the body that are unpredictable when healing, and extra sessions are not considered touch ups. This includes: hands, wrists, ankles, feet, neck and lips.
Products We Like
Lotions: PurTect Tattoo Cream, Fragrance Free Lubriderm, Vitamin A&D Ointment Soaps: Dr. Bronner’s Unscented Soap, Dove Sensitive Skin Unscented, and Aquaphor
Piercing Aftercare
Rules to follow while healing a piercing
These rules are not difficult or demanding. But will make healing much easier!
- Do not sleep on your new piercing! A firm travel pillow can help a lot.
- Avoid touching your jewelry and piercing. This means absolutely no turning.
- Keep cosmetics, creams and lotions off of your piercing.
- Try to avoid submerging piercings in any standing water like pools, hot tubs and lakes.
- Tight or restrictive clothing directly on the piercing can irritate the healing wound.
- Never force jewelry to move. You don’t have to twist or turn the jewelry to clean or heal your piercing.
Other Helpful Tips
- Check your jewelry often to ensure the balls or threaded ends, such as gems, are snug. Wash your hands before doing this.
- Do not be tempted to change your jewelry too soon.
- You can change your jewelry after the piercing is healed. Jewellery must be worn 24/7 for no less than one year after receiving the piercing.
- If you believe your piercing is infected, please contact us or a physician immediately. DO NOT remove the jewelry, as this could “trap” the infection and could possibly lead to the formation of an abscess.
- Always be aware your aftercares expiration date and product’s shelf life.
All piercings are performed with longer or larger jewelry than necessary. This is to allow for swelling and irritation during the healing process.
Things Not To Use
- Anti-bacterial soaps or face washes.
- Rubbing Alcohol or hydrogen peroxide.
- Anti-biotic ointments.
- Bactine.
- Ear piercing aftercare products containing Benzalkonium Chloride.
- Q-tips, cotton balls or cotton pads.
- Sea salt.
- Tea Tree Oil.
Special Considerations For Other Piercings
- Oral piercings require rinsing off the mouth after eating, drinking, and smoking. Rinsing should be done using clean water or an alcohol free mouthwash (Biotene or Crest Pro Health)
- Tongue piercings are prone to swelling. You should begin working on swelling reduction immediately after the piercing. To reduce swelling, consume cold beverages as needed. Chamomile, or chamomile & lavender tea, as well as pineapple, mango, or papaya fruit juices are excellent for this purpose. If nothing else is available, ice water will also work.
- Genital piercings require that you abstain from sexual contact for a minimum of 3-4 weeks. Also, even in a strict monogamous relationships, it is important to use safe sex precautions until you are certain the piercing is fully healed.
- Surface Anchors should be covered with a small bandage when sleeping or in active situations. Small round Band-Aids can be found in most pharmacies and are perfect for anchors. Cold soaks are invaluable for anchors and are highly recommended.
Downsizing Your Jewelry
Nearly all piercings need to have the jewelry downsized or replaced with a smaller piece of jewelry. Most piercings done with studs or barbells generally require downsizing after 5-6 weeks, or as swelling allows. Timing is different for everyone! It is vital to the health of your piercing that you downsize your jewelry as recommended by your piercer. Failing to downsize your jewelry in a timely manner can affect the angle of the piercing, lead to the forming of scar tissue, or lead to extreme long term discomfort. When concerning oral piercings, failure to downsize can also lead to oral damage.
Please note: Any upgraded or downsized jewellery is an extra cost. This includes your new shorter post, or smaller ring.
Special Note
- Be aware that we are not responsible for lost jewelry, infections, rejections, migrations or an inability to heal your piercing.
- This information is based on our many years of experience in the body piercing industry and should not be taken as medical advice as we are not physicians or in any way affiliated with the medical industry.
- ALL sales and services rendered are final. Absolutely no returns, exchanges or provide refunds
Cosmetic aftercare
What To Expect During Healing
I. Immediately following your procedure, the tattooed area will be darker and bolder in colour than after the healing is done. The tattoo can feel like a sunburn afterwards but there should be very little discomfort. Taking a Tylenol or Advil right after the procedure helps.
II. The tattoo will be very dark up to day 5 and then by day 7 they should start to flake a bit. DO NOT pick the scabs; this will pull the pigment off the area. Some people report no flaking; it just depends on the person. If the tattoo is tight and itchy, apply a small amount of light moisturizer.
III. Around day 10-14 you will think your tattoo fell out and did not work. This is not true, you just have to be patient, and see that by 4 weeks, when the skin regenerates, the colour will come back. This is a normal part of cosmetic tattoo aftercare. If there are any spots that are too light or maybe did not hold from oily skin, health conditions, or not following the aftercare directions, the second touch up is when we fill in the gaps and perfect.
V. The complete healing process takes about 6-8 weeks, at which time the final colour of the tattoo is exposed and the touchup can be completed.
How Do I Heal My Eyebrow Tattoo Or Other Cosmetic Makeup Tattoo
It is important to never touch your new tattoo without first washing your hands thoroughly – in general, keep hands off as much as possible.
- At the end of the day, or when instructed by the artist – remove the bandage or wrapping in a clean environment.
- Immediately wash the tattoo with a mild soap. Any unscented soap will do! If you don’t have a liquid soap, make sure not to put bar soap directly on the tattoo – lather in your hands, and use the underside of your fingers or your palm to wash the area.
- Do not scrub! Gently wash any lubricants off of the tattoo until the skin no longer feels greasy.
- Very gently pat your tattoo dry with a clean towel, or clean, disposable paper towel.
- Make sure you are sleeping on clean sheets and bedding – especially if you have pets!