Aftercare Instructions
Piercing Aftercare
*Body Piercings:
Cleaning Process:
To take care of your body piercing(s), wash hands before touching the pierced area, and clean with an unscented antibacterial soap and warm water. When cleaning the piercing, you can move the jewelry slightly to clean the area using a new cotton swab to clean hard-to-reach areas.
General Care:
- DO wear clean, breathable clothing to reduce irritation and friction on body piercings
- DO rinse piercing well after showering with shampoo/soap to remove residue
- DO be patient—healing can take months
- DO NOT swim for at least 3 weeks. Avoid pools, lakes, hot tubs, and bathtubs until fully healed, as standing water breeds bacteria
- DO NOT sleep directly on fresh piercings (especially cartilage piercings). Use a clean pillowcase
- DO NOT wear makeup, lotion, sunscreen or perfumes directly on or near the piercing during healing
- DO NOT tug, bump, or apply pressure to piercing
Jewelry Change:
Body Piercing jewelry may be changed 3 months after the initial piercing date.
*Oral Piercings:
Cleaning Process:
For oral piercings, use alcohol free mouthwash and toothpaste and brush around the piercing. Brush teeth and tongue gently twice a day using a soft-bristle brush to avoid irritating surrounding piercings. With oral piercings, DO drink plenty of water and stick to cool, soft foods the first couple of days. DO NOT consume any bread, dairy, beer or malt liquor as this can lead to a yeast infection in the mouth. Hot, spicy, acidic and crunchy foods can irritate or damage tissue around the oral piercing(s). Avoid kissing and oral sex for 3-4 weeks.
Healing Process & Jewelry Change:
- Initial swelling (3-5 days; sometimes longer)
- Surface healing (4-6 weeks: tongue piercings/ 6-8 weeks: lip, cheek, frenulum)
- Full healing: (Oral piercing(s) may be take up to 12 months to heal and jewelry could be changed 3-6 months from the initial piercing date)
Swelling & Irritation:
To help reduce swelling and irritation you can use the following for comfort:
- Cold compresses: For oral piercings, you may suck on small ice chips or sugar-free popsicles to reduce swelling. In addition to this, avoid talking excessively and do not play with the jewelry.
- Ibuprofen or similar NSAID (acetaminophen will not help with swelling but can help with discomfort) for the first 3-4 days as directed on the packaging. Consult your primary physician before taking any medication.
Please consult a health care practitioner at the first sign of infection or allergic reaction and to report any diagnosed infection, allergic reaction, or adverse reaction to the Texas Department of Health, Drugs, and Medical Devices at 1-888-839-6676 and the shop owner at 210-310-6232.
Tattoo Aftercare (pre and post care)
Pre-Procedure Instructions:
The day before you tattoo, moisturize the desired tattoo area with unscented lotion and keep the desired tattoo area out of the sun. We cannot tattoo on sunburns. If your desired tattoo area is in an area that you do not normally shave, please allow the artist to shave the area you when you come in for your appointment or shave yourself carefully the day of your appointment. BE SURE to drink plenty of water up to the appointment time. DO NOT consume alcohol or any drugs before the procedure. Wear comfortable clothes that make the area easily accessible and that you don’t mind possibly getting stained. To help reduce swelling and irritation, you should take Ibuprofen or similar NSAID an hour or two before the appointment.
Post-Procedure Care:
Ointment Option:
First Day: Remove Dri-Lock/Tegaderm 1-2 hours after your appointment.
Initial 3-5 Days: Squeeze a small amount of unscented anti-bacterial soap into the palm of your hands. With warm water, gently pat the soap and water mixture to clean your tattoo ensuring any dry blood/ink is removed. Pat with a clean, dry paper towel. Squeeze a small amount of Vitamins A&D Ointment onto your clean fingers, spreading a thin, even layer over the entire tattooed area, absorbing into the skin. *Avoid using too much, as excessive ointment can suffocate the skin and delay healing. Only cover with a Dri-Lock if needed by positioning the Dri-Lock onto your tattoo. Secure the Dri-Lock with Surgical Tape and Reinforce the bandage with Athletic Tape.
Day 6-14 (As Needed): Dispense a small amount of C&E V5 Vitamin Body Lotion (Unscented) onto your clean fingertips and gently spread a thin layer of the lotion over the tattooed area.
14+ Days (As Needed): Dispense a small amount of Sunscreen onto your clean fingertips. Spread it evenly over the tattooed area, ensuring complete coverage. (DO NOT apply Sunscreen to a fresh or healing tattoo. Wait until your tattoo is fully healed, typically 2-4 weeks after your appointment date).
Do you not submerge the tattoo and water for at least 14 days. Also, you will need to keep any pets from touching the tattoo because it can possibly get contaminated or developed an infection. It may develop a scab, if so please do not scratch or pick up the scab. The tattoo itself may itch during the healing process as well, please do not scratch it or put anything other than lotion on it. It is always good to use a high SPF sunblock once the tattoo is at least two weeks old. To help reduce swelling and irritation, use Ibuprofen or similar NSAID (acetaminophen will not help with swelling but can help with discomfort) for the first 3-4 days as directed on the packaging. At four weeks, the tattoo will typically be fully healed and we can do any necessary touchups after that time. You’ll just need to call and schedule that for whatever the artist has available Mondays through Fridays. We do not do free touchups on Saturdays or Sundays.
Tegaderm Option:
First 1-6 Days: If Tegaderm was applied at your appointment within the first 24 hours after being tattooed. To remove the patch, peel it slowly and gently from the edges. Pull it in a downwards motion, away from your body, using soapy water to help reduce discomfort. Squeeze a small amount of unscented anti-bacterial soap into the palm of your hands. With warm water, gently massage the soap and water mixture to clean your tattoo ensuring any dry blood/ink is removed. Pat dry with a clean, dry paper towel. Before applying Tegaderm, ensure the skin surrounding the tattoo is completely dry and clean. Gently place the Tegaderm over the tattoo, starting from one edge and smoothing it down to prevent air bubbles. Ensure the Tegaderm has a 1" boarder surrounding the tattoo. Remove the Tegaderm after 5-6 days, as long as the edges stay sealed. If the edges start to peel drastically, replace with a new Tegaderm if available or refer to the "Ointment Option" care guide.
Please be aware that any allergies or sensitivity to adhesive‘s will need to be mentioned to your artist so that they do not use this product as it will irritate the skin a great deal and slow the healing process of the tattoo. If any redness or irritation occurs while using Tegaderm, remove and refer to the "Ointment Option" care guide and contact us at (210) 816-7167 or on social media @twistedtattootx.
Day 6-14 (As Needed): Dispense a small amount of C&E V5 Vitamin Body Lotion (Unscented) onto your clean fingertips and gently spread a thin layer of the lotion over the tattooed area.
14+ Days (As Needed): Dispense a small amount of Sunscreen onto your clean fingertips. Spread it evenly over the tattooed area, ensuring complete coverage. (DO NOT apply Sunscreen to a fresh or healing tattoo. Wait until your tattoo is fully healed, typically 2-4 weeks after your appointment date).
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Please consult a health care practitioner at the first sign of infection or allergic reaction and to report any diagnosed infection, allergic reaction, or adverse reaction to the Texas Department of Health, Drugs, and Medical Devices at 1-888-839-6676 and the shop owner at 210-310-6232.
Laser Tattoo Removal Aftercare
The tattoo removal laser treatment may create a superficial burn wound. There is immediate whitening, swelling, and redness of the treated area, which usually lasts for several minutes. Some clients may then develop blisters, crusts, or scabs within 8-72 hours, which can last for 1-2 weeks or more. The treated areas may be pink or pale after the scab separates. Some patients may experience bruising or swelling, which usually fades over the first week after treatment. Scarring, which can be hypertrophic or keloid in nature, may occur but are very rare. Pigmentation abnormalities can occur, but are temporary except in very rare cases. Primary healing is usually complete within 4 weeks, although this may differ depending on several variables. Continued fading can be seen in the following months. A few things to keep in mind to ensure the best possible fading and removal outcome:
Keep the treated area clean and dry while it is healing. Clean the area gently with soap and water and then pat the area dry. You may apply a thin coating of ointment (i.e. Aquaphor, Petrolatum, Neosporin) up to three times a day for three days while the area is healing. Keep the area covered with a sterile dressing at that time.
Blisters are possible and likely to occur within the first 8 hours after treatment. Don’t be alarmed, as well cared for blisters heal very well and are part of the normal healing process. Be sure to keep them clean and disinfected by applying a solution of 1 part white vinegar and 2 parts water to the affected area with a cotton ball. DO NOT pop, rip, or pick at the blister(s). This could introduce bacteria and possibly cause a severe infection.
In the first few hours, the treated area may feel similar to a sunburn. Applying cool compresses can help ease some of the discomfort and inflammation from the treatment.
Should you scab, don’t pick or expose the scabbed area, as it may result in infection, scarring, or permanent pigment change. Shaving should be avoided in the treated area until it is completely healed.
It is ok to shower after the treatment, but take care to avoid high pressure water hitting the treated area. Baths, hot tubs, swimming pools, or any form of soaking are not recommended until all blistering and scabbing are completely healed as they may increase the risk of infection.
Exercise is generally safe after treatment taking into account the other after care instructions provided here. Some bruising may be experienced if muscles underneath the treated area are exercised.
Wear a sun block SPF of 25 or higher, protecting against UVA/UVB rays over the area for the full time between sessions while removal is performed. Limiting sun exposure between treatments will reduce the amount of tan in the area, thereby reducing the risk of side effects. Do not wear makeup or any cream on the treated area unless recommended by our office for 48 hours.
Itching is common due to the dehydrating effect of the laser treatment. Use Aquaphor, vitamin E ointment, or hydrocortisone cream to the treatment area. Itching resulting from an allergic reaction is rare, but also possible. Notify us if itching or swelling persists for more than a week after treatment.
If the area looks infected (honey colored crusting and oozing or spreading redness), if you experience an unusual discomfort or bleeding, if any other complications develop, or if you have any questions or concerns, contact the office immediately.
Of course, if you have any extreme reaction, call 911 or visit the emergency room at the nearest hospital.
Please consult a health care practitioner at the first sign of infection or allergic reaction and to report any diagnosed infection, allergic reaction, or adverse reaction to the Texas Department of Health, Drugs, and Medical Devices at 1-888-839-6676 and the shop owner at 210-310-6232.
(If you need immediate assistance regarding aftercare for your tattoo or piercing, you can text 210-310-6232 any time and we will get back to you as soon as possible.)