Aftercare Instructions

Tattoo Aftercare         Body Piercing Aftercare

 

Tattoo Aftercare Instructions:

A tattoo should be treated as a surface wound; this means it is subject to infections. The better care you take of your tattoo, the better your tattoo will heal and reduce your risk of infection. Please follow these simple steps to ensure the quality of your new tattoo:

  • Please keep the original bandage applied by your artist on for one to two hours. If the bandage sticks when trying to remove it, rinse under lukewarm water. There is no need to re-bandage.
  • Next, wash the tattooed area with antimicrobial soap and warm water. Rinse with cool water and gently pat dray with a clean towel.
  • Let the tattoo air dry for another few minutes
  • With clean hands you should then apply a thin layer of slave, lotion or foam. All of these products are available at Zaza Ink. be aware that too much will clog your pores, too little and your tattoo will get too dry.
  • Repeat this process three to four times a day for ten to fourteen days (average healing time) or until it is fully healed. Your tattoo is fully healed when it is no longer shiny and you can run your hand over it and not feel any bumps, etc.
  • During the healing process your tattoo may start to peel, scab and look dull as the new skin regenerates, or shiny as the new skin heals. DO NOT pick at your tattoo.  Let it heal naturally.
  • Do not use products containing petroleum, lanolin or alcohol on your tattoo.
  • Keep your new tattoo out of the sun, tanning booth, hot tub, sauna, swimming pool, etc. until it is fully healed. These activities will fade your tattoo and put you at risk for infection.
  • Keep pets at a distance to reduce exposure to dirt and bacteria.
  • If you notice redness, puffiness or something just isn’t right with your tattoo, please do not hesitate to contact us. If you think you are having a reaction to your aftercare, discontinue use and contact us.
  • Enjoy your new tattoo and thank you for your business!

 

Body Piercing Aftercare Instructions:

Cleaning Solution

A mild liquid antimicrobial/germicidal medicated soap and water or other mild, fragrance- free liquid antibacterial soap such as Dial should be used to clean your piercings. It should be diluted with distilled or bottled water, depending on product strength.

 

How to Clean Your Body Piercing:

1. Wash your hands thoroughly prior to cleaning or touching on or near your piercing with antibacterial soap and hot water.

2. Prepare the area for the cleansing by rinsing or soaking with warm water. Apply a small amount of your diluted antimicrobial/germicidal medicated soap to the area with your clean hands.

3. Gently massage into your skin for a few minutes.

4. Use a Q-Tip soaked in your diluted antimicrobial soap to remove any lymph deposits (crusties). Do not rotate jewelry. Never pick with fingernails! This step is important for your comfort.

5. Pat the area dry if needed with disposable paper products such as gauze or tissues, as cloth towels can harbor bacteria.

During the first four weeks, clean your piercing twice per day. Following the four weeks, clean your piercing one to two times per day.

 

Some additional notes to help care for your piercing:

  • Everyone’s body is unique, and healing times can vary considerably. If your piercing is tender or secreting, you should continue the care regimen, even if it is past the stated average healing time range.

  • Showering is safer than taking a bath, as bathtubs tend to harbor bacteria. To bathe safely, clean your tub with a bleach product before each bath, and rinse it well before you fill it. Also, be sure to do a running water rinse on your piercing when you  are done in the tub.

  • For threaded bead jewelry such as barbells, with clean hands make sure your beads are secured tightly. The beads tighten to the right.

 

What is normal?

  • Initially some bleeding, localized swelling, soreness, tenderness and bruising are not uncommon. These are not indication of any complication. Reduce intake of aspirin, alcohol and caffeine. For above-the-neck piercings, try sleeping with your head elevated above your heart (prop up on some pillows) to limit overnight swelling. Studies show that non-steroidal anti-inflammatory products such as Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) can help minimize swelling.

  • During healing, some discoloration, itching, secretion of a whitish-yellow fluid (lymph, not pus) will form some crust on the jewelry. The tissue may tighten around the jewelry as it heals. You may feel stinging, burning, aching or other unpleasant sensations off and on for several days or longer.

  • A piercing may seem healed before healing is complete. This is because piercings heal from the outside in, and although it feels healed, the tissue remains fragile on the inside. BE PATIENT and keep cleaning throughout the entire healing period. Your body cannot initially heal in less than six weeks.

  • Once healed the jewelry may not move freely in some piercings. DO NOT force it as this will cause trauma. If you fail to include cleaning your piercing as a part of your daily hygiene routine, normal but smelly bodily secretions may accumulate.

  • Once healed your piercing may secrete a semi-solid white, malodorous substance from the oil glands call sebum. This is not pus, but indicates a healed piercing.

  • Piercings may have a tendency to have a series of ‘ups and downs’ during healing by seeming healed and then regressing. Try to be patient and keep cleaning during the entire initial healing time, even if the piercing seems healed sooner.

 

Hints and Tips:

  • Make sure your bedding is kept clean and changed frequently while you are healing, especially if pets get into your bed.

  • Wear clean, comfortable, breathable fabric clothing that protects your piercing while sleeping.

  • There is no reason at all to pick at, move, twist or rotate your jewelry during the healing process. Your body will not ‘grow’ to the jewelry. Rotating the jewelry will irritate the piercing and cause foreign bacterial to enter the piercing, causing infection.

  • In the event that the piercing drains a thick pus discharge instead of the normal liquid secretion, you may wish to see a physician for evaluation and possible antibiotic treatment. IF you do have an infection, the jewelry should be left in the piercing to allow for drainage of pus. If the jewelry is removed, the holes can close up, resulting in an abscess.

  • Unless there is a problem with the size, style or material of the initial jewelry, leave it in place for the entire healing period. Consult your body piercer at Zaza Ink to perform any necessary jewelry changes that occurs during the healing period.

  • Stay healthy. Get enough sleep and eat a nutritious diet. The healthier your lifestyle, the easier it will be for your piercing to heal.

  • Leave jewelry in at all times. Even old, well-healed piercings can shrink, collapse or close in minutes after having been there for years! If removed, re-insertion can be painful and difficult. Consult your piercer at Zaza Ink for proper re-insertion.

  • Avoid beauty and personal care products on or around the piercing.

  • Avoid submerging your piercing in water such as pools, lakes, hot tubs etc. unless you feel confident that the water is clean enough for an open wound (which is what your piercing is while it is healing).

  • If you are going to be in water of questionable cleanliness, use a breathable, non water-permeable wound sealant such as Tegaderm or Clean Seals (available at drugstores and pharmacies) before you go in, to protect yourself and prevent dirty water from getting inside your open wound. Cleaning afterwards is not likely to be effective in preventing infection.

  • Avoid stress and recreational drug use including excessive caffeine, nicotine and alcohol.

  • Do not take piercing advice from your friends, family or other unqualified people. Listen to the professionals at Zaza Ink – we are always willing to help.

  • If you think there is something wrong with your piercing, contact your body piercer at Zaza Ink for proper identification and advice.

  • If you have any problems, questions, comments or concerns, feel free to contact your body piercer at Zaza Ink.

 

Hint for particular body areas:

Navel:

  • Avoid tight, cinching belts and waistbands and inflexible clothing on the area during healing.

  • A hard, vented eye patch (sold at pharmacies) can be applied under tight clothing (such as nylon stockings) or secured using a length of ace bandage around the body (to avoid irritation from adhesive). This can protect the area from restrictive clothing, excess irritation and impact during physical activities such as contact sports.

 

Ear, Ear Cartilage and Facial:

  • Shield piercings from hair spray and avoid getting lotion, makeup and other foreign substances in your piercings.

  • Make sure pillow cases are clean and changed frequently.

  • Avoid sleeping on your piercing during healing.

  • Clean your phone’s receiver with a disinfectant and avoid contact with public/shared telephones.

 

Nipple:

  • It is advisable to sleep in a cotton tank top or t-shirt, especially if you have any pets that get on or in your bed. Many women find sleeping in a bra or sports bra to be comfortable with a healing nipple piercing.

 

Genital:

  • Sexual activity isn’t prohibited, but it must be hygienic. Avoid oral contact, rough play and contact with others’ bodily fluids on or near your piercing during healing.

  • Listen to your body! If something feels sore, it means you need to ease up or stop for the time being. Use condoms (without Nonoxynol 9) and dental dams for all sexual contact to prevent sharing of bodily fluids. This is required even if you are in a monogamous relationship. It is mandatory for your health and safety during the entire minimum initial healing time.

  • Pleasure Plus condoms have extra room for jewelry.

  • Use water-based lubricants, such as KY Jelly.