Tattoo Aftercare

  • Leave the bandage on for two hours
  • When you take the bandage off, wash your tattoo with soap and warm water then pat dry with a dry towel
  • Wash and dry your tattoo twice a day for two weeks
  • After washing, apply a think layer of skin lotion such as Lubriderm, Curel, etc
  • Blot or wipe off excess lotion so you only have a thin layer on your tattoo, more is not better
  • Apply lotion as described two or three times a day until it is healed. Healing takes about two weeks

Do not go swimming for at least 2 weeks. Do not scratch or pick your tattoo. Do not shave your tattoo, go to the tanning bed, or sunbathe until your tattoo is healed.

Do not shave the area where your tattoo is until it is completely healed (if you do, you might as well take a weed whacker to it.) The best way to know if it is okay to shave is to come into the shop and let the artist take a look at it. You can also close your eyes and run your finger over the area where your tattoo is. If you can tell you have a tattoo there, do not shave it. To be safe, plan on not shaving the area for about 4 weeks.

General Piercing Aftercare

Clean Piercing twice daily. Prior to cleaning, wash hands thoroughly with antimicrobial or antibacterial soap and hot water. Do not touch healing piercing with dirty hands!

Do not rotate, move or twist your jewelry. By doing that, you are picking a scab. Don’t use any other chemicals on your wound (neosporin, triple antibacterial, antibacterial soap, bactine, peroxide, alcohol, etc.) Most of those types of chemicals are for external use only. Always read warning labels!

Pre-cleaning Instructions
First remove any crust from the piercing and the jewelry. This is best accomplished by soaking. (See pre-soak instructions.) Don’t worry, discharge is normal and should be expected. As long as the piercing secretes liquid or forms crust, the piercing is still healing and cleaning procedures should be continued.

Saline Soaks
Use your Blairex wound wash saline twice daily by dampening a clean paper towel or gauze, soak your piercing for 5 minutes after you shower and 10 minutes any other time. A cotton ball can be used in hard to clean places (inside nostril, tragus, etc.)

Things to Know

  • Check all jewelry daily to make sure closures are secure, especially labret studs, straight, curved, and circular barbells. Beds are notorious breeding grounds for bacteria. Wash your bedding weekly and always wear clean clothing. Sleep deprivation and stress can greatly depress your immune system. Please try to take it easy. A waterproof bandage such as Tegaderm or Clean Seals may be worn temporarily when swimming in lakes and pools.
  • Avoid oral contact, rough play and contact with other’s bodily fluids until fully healed. Public waters such as jacuzzis, pools and lakes are dirty and are a harbor ground for bacteria and should be avoided.
  • If you have a genital piercing you must use latex barriers (condoms, dental dams) to prevent contact with other’s bodily fluids during healing. This applies to you even if you are in a monogamous relationship. With condoms make sure they are without spermicides!
  • If an infection does occur, the jewelry should be left in to allow drainage. Removal may result in an abscess.

Estimated Healing Times
Eyebrow/Lobes: 6–8 weeks
Nostril/Septum/Nipple: 2–3 months
Surface-to-Surface: 2 months
Navel/Ear Cartilage: 2 months

Oral Piercing Aftercare

Cleaning Instructions

  • Dilute mouthwash.
    If you use Tech 2000 remember to dilute 1 capful to every 4oz of water. This is best accomplished by purchasing a 16oz or 24oz bottle of water and add 4 to 6 capfuls, respectfully. Remember the solution is concentrated. Using full strength can be damaging to your piercing and is extremely wasteful.
    If you use Biotene dilute the mouthwash 1:1 with water. Although this solution is designed to  be used full strength using it as such can make the healing process unnecessarily long as well as lengthening the swelling time.
  • Rinse with mouthwash.
    The mouth should be rinsed for 30 to 60 seconds after each meal other than water for the initial healing period. To keep the mouth as clean as possible, adjust your eating schedule so that you eat just prior to rinsing.
  • You can over clean as easily as you can not clean enough!
  • Gently suck on clean ice for the first 48 to 72 hours. This will keep the pain and swelling down. Do not omit this step.

Optional Instructions

  • Rinsing with a warm sea solution before bedtime can often help to remove any buildup of discharge that will secrete from a fresh piercing.
    Sea Salt solution= 1/4 tsp sea solt mixed with a cup (8oz) of hot distilled water. Rinse for 3–5 minutes.

Swelling, Bruising & Bleeding

  • The oral cavity is extremely mobile and is a very vascular area of the body. Swelling can be very severe in many cases. Do Not Worry. All of these conditions are normal. Try to keep movement of the piercing down to a minimum. Speaking slowly and carefully will limit swelling and will keep soreness down.

Things to do

  • Check all jewelry daily to make sure closures are secure, especially labret studs, straight, curved and circular barbells.
  • Rinsing is important BUT normal oral hygiene should also be followed. Don’t forget to brush teeth, tounge and jewelry.
  • Remember to eat cool soft foods. Avoiding hot and spicy things will keep irritation and swelling to a minimum.
  • The combination of regular exercise and a balanced diet can often be the secret to fast healing. Sleep deprivation and stress can greatly depress your immune system. So try to take it easy.

Things Not to Do

  • Do not mess with the p iercing, especially with dirty hands.
  • Avoid oral contact, rough play and contact with other’s bodily fluids untill fully healed.
  • Drinking alcohol and smoking should be avoided for the first 3 to 5 days, since it can cause excessive swelling and scarring. Also, smoking after 3 days can slow the healing. Switching to a lighter cigarette and decreasing the amount you smoke will help dramatically.
  • Oral sex and “wet” kissing should be avoided for the initial healing time. This applies to you even if you are in a monogamous relationship.

Estimated Healing Times
Tounge: 6 weeks
Lip/Labret/Monroe: 8–12 weeks
Cheeks: 2–4 months