Aftercare Guides

  • Wash tattoo area several times a day using a gentle, non scented antibacterial soap or a foaming soap labeled for Tattoo Aftercare. Gently pat dry.

    Apply a thin layer of aftercare lotion (we have several options available for sale) several times a day or as needed.

    Do not cover your tattoo, let it breathe. Avoid touching, scratching or picking at your tattoo!

    Avoid direct sunlight is possible. If unavoidable, apply tattoo safe sun tan lotion anytime you are in direct sunlight.

    *If you had saniderm (a clear, thin sticker) applied to your tattoo by the artist, leave on for 24-48 hours then follow the instructions above.

    If you have any additional questions, or concerns about your tattoos healing process, please contact us directly.

  • CLEANING SOLUTIONS

    • Packaged sterile saline is a gentle choice for piercing aftercare. Mixing your own sea salt solution is no longer a suggested practice from the APP. We strongly encourage you to use a sterile saline labeled for use as a wound wash. Contact lens saline, eye drops, and other saline products should never be used on a body piercing. Your saline ingredients should list .09% sodium chloride as the only ingredient. Mixing your own sea salt solution will commonly result in the product being far too salty and strong, this can over dry the piercing and interfere with healing.

    CLEANING INSTRUCTIONS FOR BODY PIERCINGS

    • WASH your hands thoroughly prior to cleaning or touching your piercing for any reason.

    • SALINE rinse as needed during healing. For certain placements it may be easier to apply using clean gauze saturated with saline solution. A brief rinse afterward will remove any residue.

    • If your piercer suggests using soap, gently lather around the piercing and rinse as needed. Avoid using harsh soaps, or soaps with dyes, fragrances, or triclosan.

    • RINSE thoroughly to remove all traces of the soap from the piercing. It is not necessary to rotate the jewelry through the piercing.

    • DRY by gently patting with clean, disposable paper products because cloth towels can harbor bacteria and snag on jewelry, causing injury.

    WHAT IS NORMAL?

    • Initially: some bleeding, localized swelling, tenderness, or bruising.

    • During healing: some discoloration, itching, secretion of a whitish-yellow fluid (not pus) that will form some crust on the jewelry. The tissue may tighten around the jewelry as it heals.

    • Once healed: the jewelry may not move freely in the piercing; do not force it. If you fail to include cleaning your piercing as part of your daily hygiene routine, normal but smelly bodily secretions may accumulate.

    • A piercing may seem healed before the healing process is complete. This is because tissue heals from the outside in, and although it feels fine, the interior remains fragile. Be patient, and keep cleaning throughout the entire healing period.

    • Even healed piercings can shrink or close in minutes after having been there for years! This varies from person to person; if you like your piercing, keep jewelry in—do not leave it empty.

    WHAT TO DO

    • Wash your hands prior to touching the piercing; leave it alone except when cleaning. During healing it is not necessary to rotate your jewelry

    • Exercise during healing is fine; listen to your body.

    • Make sure your bedding is washed and changed regularly. Wear clean, comfortable, breathable clothing that protects your piercing while you are sleeping.

    • Showers tend to be safer than taking baths, as bathtubs can harbor bacteria. If you bathe in a tub, clean it well before each use and rinse off your piercing when you get out.

    WHAT TO AVOID

    • Avoid cleaning with alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, antibacterial soaps, iodine, or any harsh products, as these can damage cells. Also avoid ointments as they prevent necessary air circulation.

    • Avoid Bactine®, pierced ear care solutions, and other products containing Benzalkonium Chloride (BZK). These can be irritating and are not intended for long-term wound care.

    • Avoid over-cleaning. This can delay your healing and irritate your piercing. • Avoid undue trauma such as friction from clothing, excessive motion of the area, playing with the jewelry, and vigorous cleaning. These activities can cause the formation of unsightly and uncomfortable scar tissue, migration, prolonged healing, and other complications.

    • Avoid all oral contact, rough play, and contact with others’ bodily fluids on or near your piercing during healing.

    • Avoid stress and recreational drug use, including excessive caffeine, nicotine, and alcohol.

    • Avoid submerging the piercing in unhygienic bodies of water such as lakes, pools, hot tubs, etc. Or, protect your piercing using a waterproof wound sealant bandage. These are available at most drugstores and work best for nipple, navel, and surface piercing placements.

    • Avoid all beauty and personal care products on or around the piercing including cosmetics, lotions, and sprays, etc.

    • Don’t hang charms or any object from your jewelry until the piercing is fully healed.

    • Sleeping directly on a healing cartilage piercing can cause irritation, even causing shifts in the piercing’s angle. Placing a travel pillow, on top of your pillow, and then placing your ear in the opening can be helpful to avoid this

    FOR PARTICULAR AREAS

    NAVEL:

    • A hard, vented eye patch (sold at pharmacies) can be applied under tight clothing (such as nylon stockings) or secured using a length of elastic bandage around the body (to avoid irritation from adhesive). This can protect the area from restrictive clothing, excess irritation, and impact during physical activities such as contact sports.

    EAR/EAR CARTILAGE AND FACIAL:

    • Use the t-shirt trick: Dress your pillow in a large, clean t-shirt and turn it nightly; one clean t-shirt provides four clean surfaces for sleeping.

    • Maintain cleanliness of telephones, headphones, eyeglasses, helmets, hats, and anything that contacts the pierced area.

    • Use caution when styling your hair and advise your stylist of a new or healing piercing.

    NIPPLES:

    • The support of a tight cotton shirt or sports bra may provide protection and feel comfortable, especially for sleeping.

    GENITAL:

    • Genital Piercings – especially Triangles, Prince Alberts, Ampallangs, and Apadravyas – can bleed freely for the first few days. Be prepared. Additional cleaning after urination is not necessary

    • Wash your hands before touching on (or near) a healing piercing.

    • In most cases you can engage in sexual activity as soon as you feel ready, but maintaining hygiene and avoiding trauma are vital; all sexual activities should be gentle during the healing period.

    • Use barriers such as condoms, dental dams, and waterproof bandages, etc. to avoid contact with your partners’ body fluids, even in long-term monogamous relationships.

    • Use clean, disposable barriers on sex toys.

    • Use a new container of water-based lubricant; do not use saliva.

    • After sex, an additional saline rinse is suggested.

    SURFACE ANCHORS:

    • These piercings require maintenance during their entire lifetime because matter can build up underneath the threaded top causing the piercing to become irritated. Saline and/or shower rinses may be helpful with removing matter from underneath the threaded top.

    • Avoid putting makeup on these piercings even after healing.

    • Even with proper care, surface anchors may be less permanent than other body piercings.

  • CLEANING SOLUTIONS

    Use any or all of the following solutions for inside the mouth:

    • Antimicrobial or antibacterial alcohol-free mouth rinse*

    • Plain clean water

    • Packaged sterile saline (with no additives, read the label) is a gentle choice for piercing aftercare. Saline for contact lenses should not be used as piercing aftercare. Wound wash saline is available as a spray at pharmacies throughout North America.

    CLEANING INSTRUCTIONS FOR INSIDE THE MOUTH

    • Rinse mouth as needed (4-5 times) daily with a cleaning solution for 30-60 seconds, after meals and at bedtime during the entire healing period. When you over clean, it may cause discoloration or irritation of your mouth and piercing.

    WHAT IS NORMAL?

    • For the first three to five days: significant swelling, light bleeding, bruising, and/or tenderness.

    • After that: Some swelling, light secretion of a whitish yellow fluid (not pus).

    • A piercing may seem healed before the healing process is complete. This is because they heal from the outside in, and although it feels fine, the tissue remains fragile on the inside. Be patient, and keep cleaning throughout the entire healing period.

    • Even healed piercings can shrink or close in minutes after having been there for years! This varies from person to person; if you like your piercing, keep jewelry in-do not leave the hole empty.

    WHAT TO DO TO HELP REDUCE SWELLING

    • Allow small pieces of ice to dissolve in the mouth.

    • Take an over the counter, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory such as ibuprofen or naproxen sodium according to package instructions.

    • Don’t speak or move your jewelry more than necessary.

    • Sleep with your head elevated above your heart during the first few nights.

    WHAT TO AVOID

    • Do not play with your jewelry. Long term effects include permanent damage to teeth, gums, and other oral structures.

    • Avoid undue trauma; excessive talking or playing with the jewelry during healing can cause the formation of unsightly and uncomfortable scar tissue, migration, and other complications.

    • Avoid using mouthwash containing alcohol. It can irritate the piercing and delay healing.

    • Avoid oral sexual contact including French (wet) kissing or oral sex during healing (even with a long-term partner).

    • Avoid chewing gum, tobacco, fingernails, pencils, sunglasses, etc.

    • Avoid sharing plates, cups, and eating utensils.

    • Avoid smoking! It increases risks and lengthens healing time.

    • Avoid stress and all recreational drug use.

    • Avoid aspirin, alcohol, and large amounts of caffeine as long as you are experiencing bleeding or swelling.

    • Avoid submerging healing piercings in bodies of water such as lakes, pools, etc. Each body is unique and healing times vary considerably. If you have any questions, please contact your piercer.

  • We recommend a variety of products that aid in the healing process of Tattoos & Piercings. Click HERE to buy them from Pierced Republic. You can pickup in store or have it shipped to your door.