TATTOO AFTERCARE INSTRUCTIONS
*Each time tattooing is performed, the client shall received oral or written instructions on the care of their tattoo.
Now, you have your fresh tattoo, and you want to take good care of it! You were tattooed in a modern studio with sterile instruments and disposable needles and pigments. From this point on, your artist is not responsible for any infection or problems you may have with your tattoo if you don’t take proper care of it. It is very important that you follow these guidelines. A really beautiful tattoo can turn into a disaster of the proper care is not taken.
Leave that bandage alone! Your artist took the care to cover up your new tattoo for a very good reason – to keep airborne bacteria from invading your wound. Yes, as pretty as your new tattoo is, it is still an open wound. Open flesh is a breeding ground for bacteria and infection. Leave the bandage on for a minimum of two hours.
Washing and treating your tattoo: after you remove the bandage, you will want to wash her tattoo. Use lukewarm water and mild soap to gently wash and to completely clean the area. Do not use a washcloth or anything abrasive. Your hand is your best tool in this case. Then pat (do not rub) The area firmly with a clean towel or paper towel to get it completely dry. Do not get your new tattoo wet for at least 4 days then follow with a very light application of Aquaphor, or other water-based lotion, that your tattoo artist has recommended. Apply the Aquaphor, or other water-based at least 2-3 times daily after the 4 days.
**DO NOT OVER GREASE YOUR TATTOO OR YOUR WILL RUIN IT**
Bathing, showering, hot tub, and swimming: yes, you can and should shower with a new tattoo but please try to keep it covered and avoid excess moisture! Submerging your tattoo in a bath or hot tub can cause serious damage, so you’ll want to avoid those for 2–3 weeks. No pools, spas, Jacuzzi, lake or beach water, etc. Especially avoid water with salt or chlorine; these will affect the colors and healing.
Scabbing and peeling: after a few days, you will notice some peeling and possibly a little scabbing. You will also start to itch, just like a sunburn when it begins to heal. The advice here is, don’t panic, and don’t scratch! If the skin scratches, slap it. If it is peeling, or scabbing, just leave it alone. Your tattoo is almost healed, and now is not the time to ruin it.
Remember: at this point the tattoo artist job is complete. The rest is up to you, so please take great care in the healing of your tattoo. The better you follow these directions, the better it will look. Some friends may tell you “no, don’t use that; this is what I did...” Stop that conversation right there, this is what we do for a living and we know what works.
If a touch up is required due to the clients negligence, it will be performed at the client’s expense. If you have any questions or concerns about a tattoo, or if you wish to file a complaint please contact the Texas Department of State Health Services, Drugs and Medical Devices Group, at 1-888–839–6676.
Now, you have your fresh tattoo, and you want to take good care of it! You were tattooed in a modern studio with sterile instruments and disposable needles and pigments. From this point on, your artist is not responsible for any infection or problems you may have with your tattoo if you don’t take proper care of it. It is very important that you follow these guidelines. A really beautiful tattoo can turn into a disaster of the proper care is not taken.
Leave that bandage alone! Your artist took the care to cover up your new tattoo for a very good reason – to keep airborne bacteria from invading your wound. Yes, as pretty as your new tattoo is, it is still an open wound. Open flesh is a breeding ground for bacteria and infection. Leave the bandage on for a minimum of two hours.
Washing and treating your tattoo: after you remove the bandage, you will want to wash her tattoo. Use lukewarm water and mild soap to gently wash and to completely clean the area. Do not use a washcloth or anything abrasive. Your hand is your best tool in this case. Then pat (do not rub) The area firmly with a clean towel or paper towel to get it completely dry. Do not get your new tattoo wet for at least 4 days then follow with a very light application of Aquaphor, or other water-based lotion, that your tattoo artist has recommended. Apply the Aquaphor, or other water-based at least 2-3 times daily after the 4 days.
**DO NOT OVER GREASE YOUR TATTOO OR YOUR WILL RUIN IT**
Bathing, showering, hot tub, and swimming: yes, you can and should shower with a new tattoo but please try to keep it covered and avoid excess moisture! Submerging your tattoo in a bath or hot tub can cause serious damage, so you’ll want to avoid those for 2–3 weeks. No pools, spas, Jacuzzi, lake or beach water, etc. Especially avoid water with salt or chlorine; these will affect the colors and healing.
Scabbing and peeling: after a few days, you will notice some peeling and possibly a little scabbing. You will also start to itch, just like a sunburn when it begins to heal. The advice here is, don’t panic, and don’t scratch! If the skin scratches, slap it. If it is peeling, or scabbing, just leave it alone. Your tattoo is almost healed, and now is not the time to ruin it.
Remember: at this point the tattoo artist job is complete. The rest is up to you, so please take great care in the healing of your tattoo. The better you follow these directions, the better it will look. Some friends may tell you “no, don’t use that; this is what I did...” Stop that conversation right there, this is what we do for a living and we know what works.
If a touch up is required due to the clients negligence, it will be performed at the client’s expense. If you have any questions or concerns about a tattoo, or if you wish to file a complaint please contact the Texas Department of State Health Services, Drugs and Medical Devices Group, at 1-888–839–6676.
PIERCING AFTERCARE INSTRUCTIONS
*In order to keep the healing time as short as possible, it is recommended that you clean your piercing with sea salt water - 1/4 tsp. sea salt per 8oz. of water. Use Advil, Ibuprofen or general anti-inflammatory medication to help reduce swelling, ice may also be applied. Do not play with your piercing. No twisting, turning or taking it out to clean it. Do not use rubbing alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, Bactine, Neosporin, or ointments of any kind. Be careful not to snag on clothing, bedding, or loofahs.
General Piercings: Soak with warm water and sea salt 3-4 times per day for about 5 minutes. Use a cotton ball or gauze dipped in the sea salt solution. Wipe away any plasma secretions with a Q-tip. *Plasma will be cloudy and tinted yellow. Do not mistake this for an infection – this is totally normal, it will dry and become a scab.
Oral Piercings: Rinse your mouth with salt water mixture for 30 seconds, 3-4 times daily, especially after eating, smoking, or drinking anything other than bottled water. Swish like mouthwash.
Dermal Anchors: These can take 2-4 months to completely anchor in. Keep bandaged for the first 2 days, remove the bandage, clean it. Clean 3-4 times a day and keep it bandaged at night for the next 4-6 weeks. The tops of your anchor are safe to change out after 8 weeks. Do not attempt to do this yourself, please consult with your body piercer. It is very important during the first 2-4 months not to have any accidents. If you have any concerns, come back in an assessment to make sure your anchor does not need to be reset. If something happens to cause it to sit in correctly, it could cause rejection or migration.
Normal Healing Time: With any piercing, there will be some swelling (it is worse with oral). It will be tender and itchy. There will be some bleeding, especially on genital piercings.
*Your piercing will have some good and bad days. Don’t think it’s uphill just because it isn’t secreting plasma for a few days ~ it can come back. If plasma is still occurring, continue with the cleaning.
*Always wash your hands before touching your piercing, avoid pools, lakes, rivers, oceans, bathtubs, Jacuzzi and hot tubs for 1 month, avoid tight or restrictive clothing, watch out for belts.
*Your piercing can be changed out after 4-6 weeks.
General Piercings: Soak with warm water and sea salt 3-4 times per day for about 5 minutes. Use a cotton ball or gauze dipped in the sea salt solution. Wipe away any plasma secretions with a Q-tip. *Plasma will be cloudy and tinted yellow. Do not mistake this for an infection – this is totally normal, it will dry and become a scab.
Oral Piercings: Rinse your mouth with salt water mixture for 30 seconds, 3-4 times daily, especially after eating, smoking, or drinking anything other than bottled water. Swish like mouthwash.
Dermal Anchors: These can take 2-4 months to completely anchor in. Keep bandaged for the first 2 days, remove the bandage, clean it. Clean 3-4 times a day and keep it bandaged at night for the next 4-6 weeks. The tops of your anchor are safe to change out after 8 weeks. Do not attempt to do this yourself, please consult with your body piercer. It is very important during the first 2-4 months not to have any accidents. If you have any concerns, come back in an assessment to make sure your anchor does not need to be reset. If something happens to cause it to sit in correctly, it could cause rejection or migration.
Normal Healing Time: With any piercing, there will be some swelling (it is worse with oral). It will be tender and itchy. There will be some bleeding, especially on genital piercings.
*Your piercing will have some good and bad days. Don’t think it’s uphill just because it isn’t secreting plasma for a few days ~ it can come back. If plasma is still occurring, continue with the cleaning.
*Always wash your hands before touching your piercing, avoid pools, lakes, rivers, oceans, bathtubs, Jacuzzi and hot tubs for 1 month, avoid tight or restrictive clothing, watch out for belts.
*Your piercing can be changed out after 4-6 weeks.
|
Piercing healing time:
Ear lobe: 4-8 weeks Ear cartilage: 3-8 months Eyebrow: 6-12 weeks |
Nostrils: 2-4 months
Nasal septum: 6-8 weeks Lip: 2-4 months Tongue: 4-6 weeks |
Nipple: 3-9 months
Navel: 7-12 months Female genitalia: 4-10 weeks Male genitalia: 4 weeks-6 months |
If you have any questions or concerns about a tattoo or body piercing studio, or if you wish to file a complaint or report an infection related to A tattoo or body piercing procedure, please contact the Drugs and Medical Device Group at (512) 834-6755. Correspondence may be addressed to: The Department of State Health Services, Drug and Medical Devices Group - MC 1987, P.O. Box 149347, Austin, Texas 78714.