aftercare

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PIERCING AFTERCARE

Getting a new piercing is an exciting experience, but taking care of it properly is essential to ensure it heals well and looks great. Here's an introduction to piercing aftercare to help you understand the basics and keep your new piercing healthy.

Each piercing has a different healing time, and it’s important to be patient. Here are some general healing times for common piercings:

  • Earlobes: 8-12 weeks

  • Cartilage (e.g., helix, tragus): 6-12 months

  • Nostrils: 4-6 months

  • Navels: 6-12 months

  • Eyebrows: 3-4 months

  • Tongue: 4-6 weeks

  • Lips: 2-3 months

The Healing Process

  1. Hands Off: During the healing process, avoid twisting, spinning, or rotating your jewelry. Avoid touching your piercing with dirty hands. Always wash your hands thoroughly before cleaning or touching your piercing. Leave the piercing undisturbed except for cleaning purposes.

  2. Cleaning: Clean your piercing twice a day with a saline solution or a product recommended by your piercer. Only use a Sterile Saline spray to clean your piercing. Ensure the only ingredients are 0.9% Sodium Chloride and purified water. Avoid any products containing Benzalkonium Chloride (BZK).

  3. Physical Activities: It's okay to exercise and sweat during the healing process. However, avoid activities that could jostle or aggravate the piercing. Make sure to protect the piercing from bacteria commonly found on gym equipment or exercise mats.

  4. Bedtime: Ensure your bedding is washed and changed regularly. Wear clean, comfortable, breathable clothing that protects your piercing while sleeping.

  5. Avoid Irritants: Keep hair, makeup, lotions, and other potential irritants away from the piercing. Be cautious with shampoos, soaps, and other products that might get into the piercing. When cleaning your piercing, it's helpful to rinse it under the shower stream for the last 30 seconds to ensure all products are thoroughly washed off. This gentle method can effectively remove any remaining debris without causing irritation to the piercing.

  6. Avoid Submersion: Do not submerge your piercing in bodies of water such as pools, hot tubs, bathtubs, saunas, lakes, or oceans. These can introduce bacteria and cause infections.

  7. Wear Loose Clothing: For body piercings, wear loose-fitting clothing that won't rub against the piercing and cause irritation.

  8. Tightening Jewelry: Regularly tightening internally threaded beads or tops on your piercings is important to prevent them from loosening over time. This helps maintain the security and stability of your jewelry, reducing the risk of it coming loose or falling out accidentally. It's a good practice to check and tighten them periodically to ensure your piercing jewelry stays securely in place.

  9. Return For Downsize: Don't forget to return for your downsize appointment! It's important to replace your initial piercing jewelry with shorter posts or studs once the swelling has reduced. This helps in healing and prevents irritation.

Basic Aftercare Steps

  • Use zero alcohol mouthwash to clean your piercing twice a day. (Listerine Zero Alcohol mouthwash)

  • Avoid spicy or citrusy foods.

  • Refrain from heavy open-mouth kissing or oral activities.

  • Avoid playing with or biting on your new piercing.

  • Minimize smoking and using straws during the first few weeks of healing.

Additionally, you can take an anti-inflammatory (if approved by your doctor) and drink ice water to help alleviate pain and reduce swelling.

Oral piercings

In the event your new piercing develops an irritation bump, here are the steps to treat it:

  1. Spray saline solution or use purified water on a non-woven gauze pad.

  2. Heat the gauze on a clean plate for 15 seconds.

  3. Apply and hold the gauze to your piercing with minimal to light pressure for 10 minutes.

This routine can be performed twice a day. If the irritation bump persists after a week, please contact your piercer.

  • DO NOT remove your jewelry for any extended period, as piercings can close and shrink rapidly, even when fully healed.

  • Maintain good hygiene and a healthy immune system to promote a smooth healing process.

  • Avoid using products like Bactine, Neosporin, or Hydrogen Peroxide.

IRRITATION BUMPS

  • Swelling and Redness: It’s normal to experience some swelling, redness, and tenderness around the piercing site, especially in the first few days.

  • During Healing: You may notice some discoloration, itching, and the secretion of a whitish-yellow fluid that forms crust on the jewelry. The tissue may also tighten around the jewelry as it heals. This is part of the healing process. A piercing may seem healed before the healing process is actually complete. This is because this type of wound heals from the outside in. Although it may feel fine on the outside, the interior could still be fragile. Be patient and keep the piercing clean throughout the entire healing period.

  • Once Healed: The jewelry may not move freely in the piercing; do not force it. Cleaning your piercings as part of your regular hygiene routine can help them stay clean and prevent the accumulation of normal, possibly smelly, secretions.

What to Expect

  • Alcohol and Peroxide: Avoid using alcohol, peroxide, or harsh antiseptics on your piercing, as they can irritate the skin and delay healing.

  • Changing Jewelry: Do not change your jewelry until the piercing is fully healed. Consult your piercer before making any changes.

  • Sleeping on Piercings: Avoid sleeping on new piercings to prevent irritation and pressure, which can hinder the healing process.

What to AVOID

While some discomfort is normal, be aware of signs of infection, such as:

  • Thick Discharge: Green, yellow, or foul-smelling discharge may indicate an infection.

If you suspect an infection, contact your piercer or healthcare provider immediately.

Signs of Infection

Proper aftercare is crucial for a smooth healing process and to avoid complications. Follow your piercer's instructions and be diligent about cleaning and caring for your new piercing. With the right care, your piercing will heal beautifully and be a source of joy and self-expression.

If you have any specific questions or concerns about your piercing, feel free to reach out to your piercer for personalized advice.

TATTOO AFTERCARE

Getting a tattoo is a significant and exciting step in self-expression, but proper aftercare is crucial to ensure your new ink heals well and looks its best. Here’s a comprehensive guide to tattoo aftercare to help you through the healing process.

Tattoo healing can take several weeks, and it involves multiple stages. Here's an overview of what to expect:

  1. Initial Healing (Days 1-6): Your tattoo can potentially be red or swollen during this time. It is not unusual to have some oozing of plasma and ink, which will stay trapped under your saniderm bandage.

  2. Peeling and Itching (Days 7-14): Once your bandage is off, the tattoo will start to peel, similar to a sunburn, and may become itchy. Do not scratch or pick at it. Though you can pat it, if needed.

  3. Settling In (Days 15-21): The outer layers of skin will have likely healed at this point. For the most part it will look like what you expect your tattoo to appear as and most people consider it fully healed at this point. However, your deeper layers of skin are still hard at work and the tattoo may appear slightly dull as it fully settles into place.

  4. Complete Healing (Day 30+): If all aftercare is minded, your tattoo should be fully settled into the skin around the 1 month period and the tattoo will be vibrant and clear. This is the ideal time to contact your artist if you have noticed any points that may need a touch up during the healing process.

The Healing Process

  1. Leave the Bandage On: Keep the initial Saniderm on for up to 7 days. As long as you are not feeling heat around the edges of the bandage and no ink or blood is leaking out of the sealed bandage, you can leave it on for up to the full week. If you are allergic or opt out of Saniderm then leave your coverings on for up 2 hours or until you get home where you can wash it.

  2. Wash Gently: While removing your saniderm, do so in the shower or under running water. If you yank it like you are starting a lawn mower it will feel like you are ripping off your skin. Dont do that. Once you remove the bandage, wash the tattoo gently with lukewarm water and a mild, fragrance-free soap. Pat dry with a clean paper towel or air dry.

  3. Apply a Thin Layer of Ointment: Use a recommended tattoo ointment such as Hustle Butter or a fragrance-free lotion to keep the tattoo hydrated. Avoid using things such as Vaseline, Aquaphor or other similarly viscous ointments. These not only can be sticky, encouraging bacteria to cling to your fresh tattoo, they are also too thick and run the risk of suffocating your tattoo.

  4. Moisturize Regularly: Keep the tattoo moisturized by applying a thin layer of fragrance-free lotion or Hustle Butter 2-3 times a day. Avoid using petroleum-based products like the ones listed above.

Basic Aftercare Steps

  1. Direct Sunlight: Keep your tattoo out of direct sunlight, as UV rays can fade the colors and damage the healing skin.

  2. Submerging in Water: Avoid swimming in pools, hot tubs, lakes, or oceans, and refrain from long baths. Showers are fine, but keep the tattoo out of direct water spray.

  3. Tight Clothing: Wear loose, breathable clothing to avoid friction and irritation on the tattooed area.

  4. Picking and Scratching: Do not pick at scabs or scratch the tattoo, even if it itches. This can cause fall out or even scarring.

  5. Be Mindful of Pets: Pet dander is one of the leading causes of infections in tattoos. If pet hair or dander gets under your skin during the healing process, your body really reeeeally doesn’t like it. So be sure to wash your sheets and try to avoid snuggling your fur baby up to your fresh ink while going through the first 2-3 stages of healing. This is where the Saniderm really comes in handy.

What to AVOID

Be aware of signs that may indicate an infection, such as:

  • Excessive Redness and Swelling: Persistent or worsening redness and swelling. After around 3-4 days you really shouldn’t see any lingering redness or swelling.

  • Severe Pain: Intense pain that doesn't subside or gets worse. Tattoos can definitely be tender after a session, it is a wound after all, but the pain should not be extreme or debilitating in any way. If it is, seek medical attention.

  • Discharge: Yellow, green, or foul-smelling discharge from the tattoo. If this is occurring, seek medical attention immediately.

  • Fever: Experiencing a fever along with other symptoms more than 24 hours after your tattoo. Though some people do experience the “Tattoo Flu” which comes from the demanding process of being tattooed for extended periods of time, it is unusual to experience this past the first 24 hours of your service.

If you notice any of these signs, contact your tattoo artist or a healthcare professional immediately.

Signs of Infection

Even after your tattoo has healed, continue to take care of it too extend its life:

  • Sun Protection: Always use sunscreen on your tattoo when exposed to the sun to prevent fading.

  • Moisturize: Keep the skin hydrated to maintain the tattoo's vibrancy.

  • Healthy Skin Habits: Practice good skincare habits such as exfoliating, moisturizing or drinking water regularly to keep your tattoo looking fresh.

LONG-TERM CARE

Proper aftercare is essential for ensuring your tattoo heals correctly and looks great for years to come. Follow your tattoo artist's specific instructions and be diligent in your care routine. If you have any questions or concerns, don't hesitate to reach out to your artist for advice.

With the right care, your new tattoo will be a beautiful and lasting piece of art on your body.