The Inkwell

TATTOO AFTERCARE

Remove the bandage in about an hour but NO MORE than 4 hours. Wash the tattoo using your clean fingertips or hand only. Use a mild anti-bacterial soap and cool water. Take care to clean the entire tattoo thoroughly, but be gentle. Do not scrub the tattoo with a wash cloth during the two-week healing process. Pat the tattoo gently with a clean soft paper towel to dry, or simply allow it to air dry for 5-10 minutes. Wash your tattoo at least 3 times a day or whenever it becomes dirty. Tattoos are VERY susceptible to infection in the first 3-5 days. Infection may cause color loss, scarring and possibly, more serious issues. Cleaning your tattoo according to the above instructions is the best way to prevent against infection.

After washing your tattoo and allowing it to dry, your should apply Lubriderm lotion to the tattoo. Please note that substituting Lubriderm with another lotion is NOT a good idea. Lubriderm is a fragrance free, dye free, and perfume free lotion. It is extremely mild and works very well for healing your tattoo. DO NOT USE VASELINE OR NEOSPORIN!!! Lotion should be applied after washing your tattoo and whenever it feels stiff or dry. Keeping the tattoo moist will help minimize scabbing and help quicken the healing process. Continue to use lotion on your tattoo even after it is healed, this will always help to “brighten” your tattoo up.

Your skin will form a protective layer no matter what you do. If you do not keep your tattoo moist it will form a thick hard scab that may crack when you move. When you form this kind of scab, the ink sits within the scab and slowly heals into the skin. When the tattoo is kept moist it doesn’t have a chance to form a scab but does form a thin membrane to protect the tattoo while it heals. This layer peels off like a sunburn (do not peel your tattoo, you will pull the ink out!) and it is normal to see small flakes of colored skin falling off during this stage of healing.

Do not soak your tattoo in water while it is healing. Showers are fine, but avoid swimming pools, hot tubs, bathtubs, and the ocean while your tattoo is healing.

Do not pick or scratch at your tattoo. This WILL lead to color loss! To relieve the itching, simply smack at the tattoo, the sting will help alleviate the itching.

The sun (this includes tanning beds) is VERY BAD for your tattoo, especially while it is healing. A sunburn on a new tattoo can cause scarring, color loss and will prolong the healing process greatly. Once the tattoo is healed, applying a high SPF sunscreen to your tattoo(s) will help protect it from color loss. Please keep in mind that light colors such as white, yellow and pink will be the first colors to fade. Just a note: Remember that hands and feet reproduce skin cells much faster than other parts of the body. A tattoo in these areas will sometimes take an extra two weeks to heal. During this time refrain from washing dishes, wearing gloves, or wearing socks and shoes (sandals must not rub the tattoo). Any friction of this type WILL wear away the tattoo in a very short period of time.

General Piercing Aftercare

Cleaning Instructions:

Wash your hands vigorously with warm soapy water before touching your piercing. Wash the pioercing at least twice a dayusing a mild anti-bacterial soap and warm water. Cleaning your piercing more often than this may irritate the piercing. Be sure to remove any debris or crust from the piercing. Gently rotate the jewelry to clean the inside of the piercing.

Sea Salt Rinses:

Mild sea salt water rinses will greatly aid in the healing process. Dissolve a pinch (1/4 teaspoon) iodine-free sea salt into one cup (8oz.) warm water. Invert the cup over the piercing to form a vacuum and soak for several minutes. For certain placements it may be easier to use a clean cotton ball or gauze to apply the salt water. This should be done once a day or at a bare minimum once a week. Sea salt soaks are the only other recommended product to use in the care of your piercing.

DO NOT USE ALCOHOL OR PEROXIDE!!! These products are overly frying and WILL delay the healing process!

DO NOT REMOVE YOUR JEWELRY FOR AT LEAST 8 WEEKS.

Piercings can close up very fast, especially in the inital healing period. After the inital healing period, you may wish to change your jewelry. If you are not comfortable changing the jewelry yourself, we will be more than happy to help you do so.

What’s Normal:

In the first week: Swelling (normally lasts 3-5 days), soreness, bruising, minor bleeding, aching, pinching, tightness and other unpleasant sensations.
Do not be alarmed if you see a fairly liquid, white-ish/yellowish secretion coming from the piercing. This is blood plasma, lymph and dead cells …. this is perfectly normal. This is not puss, but indicates a healing piercing.

Piercings may have a series of ups and downs while they are healing. They may seem fully healed and then suddenly regress. Try to be as patient as possible, and continue to clean and care for your piercing as instructed for the entire healing time, even if the piercing seems fully healed. Each body and each piercing is unique and healing times vary considerably. Take it easy, and use common sense. If it hurts…. don’t do it!

Make sure to check the balls on your jewelery once every few days to make sure they are tight. All threaded ends (balls) tighten to the right. (This does not apply to captive bead rings.)

Oral Piercing Aftercare

Cleaning Instructions:

Rinse mouth out several times a day with an alcohol-free mouth rinse. Please note that most mouth rinses contain alcohol, which may increase swelling.

Sea Salt Rinses:

Mild sea salt water rinses will greatly aid in the healing process. Dissolve a pinch (1/4 teaspoon) iodine-free sea salt into one cup (8oz) warm water. Rinse mouth for 30-60 seconds. Do not rinse with sea salt solution more than 2-3 times per day and make sure to space them throughout the day. If you rinse too frequently the top of your tongue may turn white or yellowish white. If you have heart problems or high blood pressure you will need to eliminate the sea salt and simply rinse with warm water. Sea salt rinses are particularly helpful after meals.
To remove or prevent against plaque build up on your jewelry, simply clean with a soft bristle toothbrush. Be gentle if your piercing is still tender.
Make sure you continue your normal routine of oral hygiene as well.

DO NOT REMOVE YOUR JEWELRY FOR AT LEAST 8 WEEKS.

Piercings can close up very fast, especially in the initial healing period. After the initial healing period, you may wish to put a smaller or shorter piece of jewelry in. If you are not comfortable changing the jewelry yourself, we will be more than happy to help you to do so.

What’s Normal:

In the first week: Swelling (normally lasts 3-5 days), soreness, bruising, minor bleeding, aching, pinching, tightness and other unpleasant sensations.
Sleeping with your head elevated above your heart, sucking on ice chips and taking an over the counter anti-inflammatory such as Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, etc.) may help reduce any swelling that occurs.*
Do not be alarmed if you see a fairly liquid, whiteish/yellowish secretion coming from the piercing. This is blood plasma, lymph and dead cells… this is perfectly normal. This is not puss, but indicates a healing piercing.
Avoid aspirin, caffeine, alcohol and spicy foods for the first several days. These may irritate your new piercing.

Piercings may have a series of ups and downs while they are healing. They may seem healed and then suddenly regress. Try to be as patient as possible, and continue to clean and care for your piercing as instructed for the entire healing time, even if the piercing seems fully healed. Each body and each piercing is unique and healing times vary considerably. Take it easy, and use common sense. If it hurts…. Don’t do it!

Make sure to check the balls on your jewelry once every few days to make sure they are tight. All threaded ends (balls) tighten to the right.