Body Piercing Aftercare

*Always wash your hands before touching your tattoo!
*When you get home: Remove bandage within 2-3 hours after getting your tattoo.
*Wash your tattoo with an anti-bacterial liquid soap. Be gentle, do not use a washcloth or anything that will exfoliate your tattoo. Only use your hands.
*Use WARM water first, this will help open your pores to get out excess fluids and cream.
*When you are done, use cold water to help close your pores. This ensures that when you reapply cream, it will go on top of your skin instead of in it.
*The first 3-4 days: Rub a SMALL amount of cream on your tattoo.  We use After Inked. This should be applied in a very thin layer like chapstick. Too much cream will cause the tattoo to become soggy and you will LOSE INK.  
*On the first night, you may want to bandage your tattoo with either dental bibs or saran wrap to prevent sticking to your bedding. Do not use any cloth bandages, as the fibers of this material can adhere to your open tattoo and hinder the healing process and cause infection.
*After day 4: On the 3rd or 4th day your tattoo will begin to peel. This is normal! Do not pick at the skin. You may begin using a mild, white, unscented lotion, free of dyes or perfumes. (If you are using After Inked, continue with After Inked from Day 1 to the end of your healing.)
*Use an unscented, alcohol free lotion for minimum 2 weeks, 1-2 times daily. 

Gently clean and pat dry the tattoo and surrounding area, ensuring there is no soap or any residue on the skin. Cut the derm to cover tattooed area plus a 1 to 2 inch margin from the edge of the tattoo. Peel off backing to expose adhesive side and position the derm over the tattoo with the adhesive side facing the skin. Gently apply using light pressure, starting from the center to the edges to eliminate air bubbles. Do not stretch the derm during application.

The first derm application should stay in place for 24 hours, depending on level of exudation. It is normal for blood and fluids to collect under the bandage.

A second application can be used for several days, and a third application may be used if necessary. Gently clean and dry the area between applications. Do not wear any piece longer than one week.

Directions for Removal:
Gently peel the derm by pulling it slowly from the edge back over itself. Do not pull the bandage upwards. 

After your last application of derm you may begin using a mild, white, unscented lotion, free of dyes or perfumes for 1-2 times daily for about a week. 

THINGS TO AVOID:
    *Do not pick, scratch, peel, slap, rub or irritate your tattoo.
    *You can shower, but you may not soak your tattoo for 2 weeks. No swimming, soaking or hot tub.
    *You may not expose your tattoo to the sun for at least 3 weeks, after that you must use sun block.
    *Do not wear abrasive materials, jewelry, or shoes that rub against your tattoo.
    *Do not let anyone touch your tattoo, unless they wash their hands.
    *Beware of gym equipment, wash it well before using it.

You can also:
    Ice your tattoo to reduce swelling.
    Elevate your tattoo, to reduce swelling.
    Take short showers.

If you do not take care of your tattoo, it may become infected or damaged.

Infections are very red around the outside of the tattoo and may have thin red lines extending from it. It may ooze, pus, or bleed abnormally.