The best aftercare will depend on various factors.  Each body is unique and will react differently to tattoos.  There are a number of things that you can do to help heal your body.

TATTOOS:

·        You may take the protective wrap off about an hour after leaving.  Just remember to wash off your tattoo before you go to bed (do not reapply medicine) and re-wrap it, THE FIRST NIGHT ONLY, so you will not stick to your sheets and cause ink to be pulled out.

·        Try to keep your hands off!  Hands collect the most bacteria and will deposit it into your open skin.  This is the most common cause of infection.

·        Use a thin layer of medicine. Whether you use a special aftercare product or simple A&D ointment, always apply paper thin every 2-4 hours. Try not to clog the pores; the skin needs oxygen to heal properly.

·        Recommended ointments: Tattoo Goo, Aquaphor, Triple-antibiotic, & A&D.

·        Do not go into pools, lakes, soak in a tub, or any bodies of water for 2-3 weeks, showers only. Also, no sun or tanning beds for 2-3 weeks. When you are in the sun, protect your tattoo against fading and peeling with a specialty product or SPF over 45.

ALSO:

·        Do not use multiple products on your tattoo. It may cause chemical reactions between the medicines.

·        Anti-inflammatory pain reliever may reduce pain and swelling in both tattoos.

·        If tiny bumps or rash like symptoms appear, clean tattoo off immediately.  This is sometimes caused by too much medication and smothering of the tattoo.  Remember the tattoo needs to breath.  When applying ointment, check 30 min. later, and wipe off excess ointment (tattoos tend to have a fever and will melt the ointment).

After Care for Body Piercings: 

          Wash ONCE a day with Provon Soap or non-perfumed antibacterial  soap.

A dime sized amount of soap at the end of your shower time is plenty. Make sure to rinse area thoroughly to remove soap.

          We recommend moving the jewelry after cleaning, when doctoring up with the saline solution.

          2-3 times a day you will need to doctor with a sea salt or saline solution. To mix this, use 1 cup of warm water to ¼ tsp of Non Iodized sea salt.  Make a warm compress using a clean paper towel, using a q-tip or fitting the small cup over your piercing for the soak.  Pat dry with a clean paper towel.

          A simple saline solution can be purchased at any store.

         X-pression Piercing Aftercare: This is an easy and convenient way to care for your piercing. It’s premixed and pocket ready. A single pump spray 2x to 3x times a day is recommended.

Helpful Hints:

          Swelling is normal.

          Swelling and pain can be eased by taking an over the counter anti-inflammatory.   Zinc and Vitamin C are helpful supplements that will promote healing.

What to Avoid:

          Do not use any other products other than what has been recommended to you by your piercer including but not limited to: alcohol, peroxide, Neosporin, bacitracin, triple-anti biotic, A&D ointment, etc.

          Do not play with or touch your piercing. Fingers are dirty no matter who you are, so please be cautious! *Hands washed within 30 seconds of touching jewelry for tightening twice a day are the exception*

          Avoid Pools, lakes, Jacuzzis, bathtubs *soaking*, any major saturation in a body of water during the healing time.

          Wear jeans loose and below the navel during healing.*navel piercing only*

          Wash and change bedding at least once a week.

          Exercising is fine, but remember, if it hurts, STOP.

After Care for Oral Piercings 

          Rinse after eating, drinking, kissing, or smoking with alcohol free anti-septic mouthwash. Tech2000 is the recommended mouthwash. Biotene mouthwash is an acceptable substitute that can be found at any drugstore as well as a diluted Listerine.

         Brush teeth at least twice a day. Normal toothpaste is fine. Lightly brush the top and bottom of the tongue for tongue piercings. Lightly brush along the gums for labret, lip, or Monroe piercing to keep plaque from building up around the jewelry.

          Rinse 2 times daily with sea salt water.  It’s important not to use too much salt, because to high of a salt content will hender healing, so mix salt water: 1 cup of warm water to ¼ tsp of salt water.

          Tighten balls twice a day with CLEAN hands. *washed within 30 seconds of touching your piercing*

Mouthwash dilution:

          You do not want to use your mouthwash full strength!

          Tech2000- 1 4 oz bottle will make 1 GALLON of mouthwash.  Pour just enough water out of a DISTILLED gallon of water, to pour in the whole bottle of Tech2000 mouthwash. Shake well. Refill your 4 oz. bottle with the diluted rinse for a pocket size to keep on you! *this is very handy.*

          Biotene- 50/50 rinse.  The top makes a hand measure. 2 caps of Biotene and 2 caps of water is enough to rinse for most people.

Helpful hints:

          Swelling is normal.

          An over the counter anti-inflammatory will help control pain and swelling.  Zinc and Vitamin C are helpful supplements that will promote healing.

Ice and Ice Water! Water between cubes is a good idea so that you don’t freeze your piercing.

          Don’t use any products other than those suggested by your piercer. If you are concerned or have a question about how you are healing please call us so we can help you.

What to avoid:

          Do not chew on fingernails, pens, pencils, etc. foreign objects carry germs.

          We recommend cutting back on smoking, but stop completely on any tobacco dip products.

Do not touch or play with your piercing. *Clean hands tightening balls are an exception.*                Excessive play can damage your teeth, gums and the piercing itself. 

          Kissing should be kept to a minimum during the healing time, and absolutely eliminated for 1 week at least; any body fluids not produced by you, are foreign and leave you open to possible infection.

Feel free to call us at Karmic Tattoo and we will try to help you out with any problems you might experience. Thank you and enjoy your piercing and/or tattoo.

Karmic Tattoo, for your mind, body, and soul.