When removing the dressing rinse the tattooed area
under cold water. Blot dry, do not rub.
Apply a good antiseptic cream three or four times
daily.
Allow the area to breathe, but try and keep it our
of sunlight, at least for the first month or two, the longer the better
.
The dried crusty surface that develops is part of
the healing process. Although it may itch, it is important that you do
not pick or scratch the area as this could cause scarring
Cover the area when working in a dirty environment.
If you want the color of your tattoo to remain
bright then sunlight on the area should be avoided as long as possible.
The color in tattoos must he allowed to settle - too much exposure to the
sun will age the tattoo quickly.
However black and gray inks do not fade in the
sun
Piercing
Aftercare
The afterward of your new piercing is of the utmost
importance. If you follow everything on this sheet, you should not have
any problems. If you don't keep to the procedures you run the risk of local
infections and possibly blood poisoning. So keep it clean please.
Infections can develop easily on a new piercing since
it is an open skin wound. Be sure to keep dirty fingers and tight or dirty
clothing away from a new piercing. Avoid excessive tugging and pulling.
Hair can also be a problem since it does hold oil and dirt. With oral and
genital piercings, please refrain from oral and sexual contacts until the
area is well healed, as viruses bacteria and other germs can easily be
passed through an open wound. Remember it is your body and an infection
does hurt.
Clean your piercing twice a day with salt water.
A mix of 2-3 teaspoons of salt to a cup of warm water is the best (and
cheapest) cleaning solution to use. After a few days the piercing will
start to weep (lymph). This will dry hard on the ring. This is what you
are cleaning off. Hold the ring to stop it moving and with either cotton
wool or cotton wool buds dipped in the cleaning solution. Clean off all
the dried matter. When it is all gone, wash around the area with clean
water to remove all traces of the solution.
If the piercing is a little sore, you can use a little
Germolene on it, as this contains a mild local anesthetic.
Recreational drugs. stress and lack of sleep do affect
the body's healing process, so take care of yourself. You could try taking
50-l00mg of Zinc Tablets once a day with a meal which may promote faster
healing.
For nipple and navel piercings. please wear a clean
cotton T-shirt to bed or cover the piercings with a swab or non-stick gauze,
and tape with microspore tape around the edges. For genital piercings clean
cotton under wear should be worn during the healing period. The piercing
should be, as far as possible, kept dry except when cleaning. Please do
not cover the piercing all the time as this does not permit air to circulate.
The use of plasters and similar dressings is discouraged.
After care for oral piercings: Listerine, Glycerine
or Thymol, or a mixture of 1 cup of warm water to 1 teaspoon of sea salt,
should be used every time you eat, drink, smoke, sleep, or after any kind
of oral contact. Brush your teeth and tongue 2-3 times a day with a non-sugar
based toothpaste.
