Cleaning and Maintenance

Aftercare
for Tattoo
and Piercing

Step by step instructions for
your new tattoos and piercing

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Fresh Tattoo Aftercare Instructions


Basic Instructions

Take bandage off in 2 hours. Wash tattoo gently with warm water and an antimicrobial or antibacterial soap DO NOT SCRUB. Lightly pat the tattoo with a clean paper towel until dry or let air dry DO NOT RUB. Apply a very thin amount of A&D™, Bacitracin, or Aquaphor™ ointment 3-4 times a day for no longer than 2-3 days. Be sure to rub in the ointment so that there is not a sticky layer on top of the tattoo (If ointment is put on too thick you will block the pores and begin to get small red bumps or bumps that look like small zits). After 2-3 days keep the tattoo from drying out using unscented lotion.

Although re-bandaging a tattoo in not recommended, if covering the tattoo is necessary, a sterile bandage or dressing should be used. Be sure and wash the tattoo every night and morning DO NOT SOAK. Avoid tattoo exposure to direct sunlight and refrain from swimming in fresh, salt, or chlorinated water for at least 2 weeks.

After External Healing

Tattoos heal quickly BUT fading can still be a problem. Apply hand lotion until dryness stops. Vaseline Intensive Care, Lubriderm, Nivea, etc. (unscented). Tanning also fades tattoos. Always cover fully healed tattoo with sun block (the stronger SPF the better).

Please Note: If you have ANY questions please call us: (918) 712-1122.

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Brookside Body Piercing and Tattoo

Established 2004

Directions

Piercing Instructions


Basic Piercing Instructions

Your piercing needs to be cleaned once a day for the first part of the healing period. Do not clean the piercing more than once a day and do not for any reason remove, rotate, or twist the jewelry “even when cleaning the piercing”. Once healed, meaning there is no redness, soreness, or sensitivity to the piercing or skin around the piercing the jewelry can be changed. We do not recommend changing the jewelry yourself for the first time. We will do this for you at no charge. Healing times vary from piercing to piercing and can span from as little as 2 months to as long as 8 months.

Oral Aftercare Instructions

You will need to rinse your mouth with a sea salt and distilled water mixture twice a day for at least the first 2-3 weeks. In addition to this use an alcohol free mouth wash diluted with water to rinse your mouth out every two to three hours also for the first 2-3 weeks. After this time you will need to come back for a shorter piece of jewelry due to the decrease in swelling. You can help to minimize the swelling by avoiding excessive movement of the jewelry and keeping yourself hydrated as well as keeping the area cold. This can be done by holding ice in your mouth as much as possible. During the first few days eat slow, eat small bites, and stick to cold softer foods.

Instructions for cleaning

Pre-soak solution =1/4 tsp. sea salt mixed with a cup (8oz) of hot distilled water (use disposable cups) Soaking is best accomplished by placing a cup of the solution over the piercing for 5-10 minutes. A saturated cotton ball or swab will also work for piercings that are difficult to submerge.

(Nostril, septum, etc) Do not rotate, turn, twist, or move the jewelry while cleaning. If dry matter still remains after soaking, use a wet cotton swab to remove it. Never pick discharge off with you fingernails! Use a liquid ant microbial soap such as Satin or Provon with clean fingers or a cotton ball, apply the soap to the piercing and surrounding area. After the soap has been on the piercing for about 30 seconds, rinse with clean water. Excessive movement of the jewelry may cause scar tissue to form and slow the healing process. Finally, pat dry with tissues, cotton swabs, or let air dry. Do not towel dry, cloth can often harbor bacteria or can get caught on the jewelry. Let air dry.

Oral cleaning

Saline solution = 1 tsp. sea salt mixed with an 8oz cup of warm distilled water(use disposable cups). You will want to get a mouthful of the saline solution and gently rinse the inside of your mouth for about 60 to 90 seconds. This needs to be done once in the morning and then again before bed. Mouth wash = Take two capfuls of Tech 2000 (approximately 2 tbl spoons) and mix with 20oz of distilled or bottled water. Rinse with this mixture every two to three hours for the first 2-3 weeks. Do not rotate, turn, twist, or remove the jewelry while cleaning. Excessive movement of the jewelry may cause scar tissue to form, increase swelling and slow the healing process. If this piercing is an oral to non- oral piercing such as a labret, lip, cheek, etc. The outside of the piercing needs to be soaked with saline for 10 minutes then cleaning with an antimicrobial soap once a day. For soaking use disposable paper cups or cotton balls.

Avoid

  • Povidone Iodine (Betadine™)
  • Benzalkonium Chloride (Bactine™)
  • Chlorhexidine Gluconate (Hibiclens™)
  • Isopropyl Alcohol
  • Hydrogen Peroxide
  • Antibiotic Ointments such as: Bacitracin, Mycitracin, or Neosporin™

Vitamins

A multi-vitamin taken daily with meals has been shown to be helpful in speeding up the healing process.

Oral: Additional things to avoid

  • Listerine™
  • Scope™
  • Any mouthwash that contains alcohol or peroxide

Important Tips

If you get into any body of water while healing the piercing such as: lakes, ponds, swimming pools, hot tubs, or even the ocean the piercing needs to be covered with a water proof bandage such as a: Tegaderm Patch

Prior to cleaning, wash hands thoroughly with antimicrobial soap and hot water. If for any reason you think you have developed an infection come back in as soon as possible. For no reason should you remove the jewelry due to the potential risk of trapping the infection under the skin causing an abscess.

If your new piercing is a genital piercing you need to avoid contact with anyone else’s bodily fluids for the healing period. During this time make sure and use protection such as (condoms, dental dams, etc.) even in a monogamous relationship. Bodily fluids can transfer germs as well as spread infections or S.T.D.’s.

Oral: Additional Tips

Drinking as much water as possible especially before going to sleep and after waking up can help reduce swelling. Eat soft cool or cold foods such as: pudding, ice cream, apple sauce, or even baby food. Avoid smoking for the first week to two weeks. Avoid the consumption of alcoholic beverages during the healing process. This can prolong healing time as well as being under the influence generally increases how much you play with the piercing. Also keep in mind the piercing is considered an open wound and any oral contact with other people puts you at a potential risk of obtaining infections, bacteria, or even disease.

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