AFTERCARE | artofthehearttat2

PIERCING AFTERCARE INSTRUCTIONS

WHAT TO EXPECT:

May be tender, itchy, or bruised for a few weeks.
May bleed a little for the first few days.
May be slightly red. Redness may persist on and off for the entire healing period. May secrete a whitish-yellowish fluid, which may crust on the jewelry. This is lymph discharge and will stop when the piercing is healed.
May be swollen. An ice pack wrapped in a clean disposable paper towel and applied to the swollen area will alleviate the swelling. An over-the-counter anti-inflammatory such as Ibuprofen, Aleve, or Motrin may also help reduce swelling.
May need to be checked periodically to ensure threaded jewelry is still tight. Threaded jewelry is like anything else, "righty tighty, lefty loosey." Make sure you wash your hands before touching your jewelry

DONT'S

DO NOT touch your piercing or let anyone else touch it with unclean hands.
DO NOT allow anyone's bodily fluids to come into contact with the piercing.
DO NOT swim in lakes, rivers, pools, hot tubs, etc., while it's healing.
DO NOT remove or change the jewelry prematurely.
DO NOT wear tight-fitting clothing (such as for navel or dermal piercings).
AVOID using any beauty and personal care products on or around the piercing, including cosmetics, lotions, sprays, etc.
AVOID cleaning with Betadine, Hibiclens, rubbing alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, or strong soaps, as these can damage the healing piercing.
DO NOT use Neosporin, Bactine, or other antibiotic ointments on the piercing. These items can restrict air circulation and may contain ingredients not suitable for long-term use.

INFECTIONS:

Redness accompanied by swelling.
A sensation of heat around the piercing area.
An elevated body temperature.
Continuous pain, especially throbbing or spreading pain.
Unusual discharge that may be yellowish, greenish, or grayish in color.
Red streaks extending from the piercing site towards the heart.

These symptoms could indicate an infection or other complications. It is crucial to consult with a healthcare professional or a piercing specialist to receive appropriate advice and treatment. They will be able to assess the situation and provide guidance on how to address the issue.

HEALING TIMES:

The healing time for piercings can vary depending on the type of piercing & individual factors. Generally, it is advised to allow a healing period of:

6 TO 8 WEEKS

BRIDGE

CHEEKS

CUPID

DERMAL ANCHORS

LABRET

LIP

EAR LOBES

EYEBROW

MONROE

NOSE

SMILEY

TONGUE

WEBBING

3 MONTHS TO 1-YEAR

CORSET

CARTILAGE

CLAVICALS

CONCH

DAITH

DIMPLES

HELIX

INDUSTRIAL

NAPE

NAVEL

NIPPLES

ORBITAL

ROOK

SEPTUM

STERNUM

TRAGUS

HOW TO CARE FOR YOUR PIERCING

Clean the piercing with saline solution twice per day until healed
Rinse the piercing with clean water to remove any remaining saline.
Avoid rotating or removing the jewelry
Avoid harsh products-Beauty products or chemicals
protect the piercing from exposure to dirty environments

TATTOO AFTERCARE

After 1 hour, gently remove the bandage and wash the tattooed area with warm water and mild soap, such as Dial Foam. Avoid re-bandaging unless you are using a second skin bandage, in which case, follow the artist's instructions regarding when to remove the bandage before proceeding to the next steps.
Once the bandage is removed and your hands and the tattooed area are clean, apply a thin film of Aquaphor 2-3 times daily for the next 3 days. Remember to use clean hands only. After 3 days, switch to a non-scented lotion until the skin returns to its pre-tattooed condition. Apply a thin layer to avoid suffocating the skin, which can cause irritation.
Avoid sunlight and tanning booths until the tattoo is fully healed, which typically takes at least 4 weeks.
During the healing process (at least 1 month), do not soak the tattoo in a tub, sauna, jacuzzi, or salt water, and refrain from swimming. Showers are acceptable.
Keep animals away from the tattooed area until it is fully healed.
Do not rub, pick, or scratch the treated area while it is healing, as it may result in loss of color and/or infection.
Prolonged sun exposure can cause your tattoo to fade over time. Minimize this by using sunscreen with a minimum SPF of 25.
Your tattoo should heal within 2-4 weeks. Consult your physician if you experience any signs or symptoms of infection, such as redness, swelling, tenderness at the procedure site, red streaks extending from the procedure site towards the heart, elevated body temperature, or pus-like drainage from the procedure site.
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact us directly.

Note: This instruction form is provided as a general guideline. Please follow the advice and instructions given to you by your tattoo artist, as they may have specific recommendations tailored to your tattoo and individual needs.