Caring for Your New Tattoo

Tattooing involves piercing thousands of tiny holes in the skin at rapid speed. Your skin reacts to this as it would to any other wound, and it takes some time for the body to heal and the tattoo to set. At this stage, proper care is of the utmost importance to avoid dangerous infections that can ruin your tattoo and cause health problems.

To ensure proper care of your new tattoo, we recommend you follow these seven essential steps:

1. Remove the bandage after 1hour; until then, don't touch!
2. Wash the entire tattoo area gently with warm water and H2Ocean (recommended) following they're aftercare instructions.  If not H2Ocean then warm water and non scented antibacterial Dial soap.
3. Pat the area dry with a clean paper towel. Do not use a washcloth or anything abrasive on the tattoo
4. Apply a thin layer of H2Ocean lotion.  If not H2Ocean then use Aquaphore.  Apply throughout the day as needed.
5. Never scratch the skin, pick at scabs or peel at the tattoo! We know it itches ... deal with it. Slap it if you must.
6. Avoid baths, swimming pools etc. and keep the tattooed area shielded from direct sunlight for at least ten days.
7. Always apply high-SPF sunblock to the tattoo area before exposing it to direct sunlight.

If you follow these seven steps, your tattoo should set nicely within roughly two weeks. Don't forget to come back to our studio for a free checkup!

Even a perfectly done piercing job can cause problems if proper care is not taken afterwards. People's bodies react differently to various materials.

Body piercings should be cleaned at least 3 to 6 times a day until they are fully healed. Be careful not to overclean, as this can cause irritation and slow down the healing process.

Before each cleaning, thoroughly wash your hands with antibacterial soap and hot water. Spray with H2Ocean piercing aftercare.  H2Ocean is recommended however if H2Ocean is not used rinse the pierced area with warm water and unscented antibacterial Dial soap and use a cotton swab to remove any crust (never use your fingernails for this). If soap is used the jewelry used you may rotate with clean fingers.  If H2Ocean is used it is not necessary to rotate the jewelry. Leave to dry and do not wipe off.

Various skin types react differently to piercings, and some amount of bleeding, bruising, discoloring and/or swelling may occur. Please be patient as the wound heals. During this process there may also be secretion of a yellow-white fluid; this is normal and a sign of healing. If uncommon symptoms develop, contact your physician immediately.