Aftercare for Tattoos and Body Piercings - Razorblade Products Mega-Store

TATTOO AFTERCARE

All aftercare instructions are suggestions, not guarantees.
The following is a list of tattoo aftercare do's and don'ts taken from the BME website

Do:

Leave the tattoo bandaged for a minimum of 3 hours and no longer than 12 hours.
Remove bandage under warm running water. If bandage is stuck to the tattoo, gently remove it while under running water, therefore reducing the risk of damaging the tattoo.
Once bandage is removed, using an unscented anti-bacterial soap, wash the tattoo off well with your hand and warm soapy water. (if you are not sure on what brand of soap to use please ask)
When done washing the tattoo off, gently pat the tattoo dry with a clean towel and allow the tattoo to air dry for about 5-10 minutes.
Apply Curel (Ultra healing/Fragrance free) or other unscented dry skin lotion to the tattoo 4-6 times a day.
The lotion can be applied to the tattoo about 3-4 times daily for about 10-14 days or until the tattoo is completely done peeling.
Somewhere between 3 and 6 days, the tattoo will start to flake off like tissue paper. Do not pick at or scratch. Let the skin peel naturally. You will notice small pieces of dry skin containing color coming off while using the lotion or washing the tattoo. This is normal - it is just the top layer of dead skin coming off. Your tattoo is not disappearing.

Do Not:

Re-bandage the tattoo once the bandage is completely removed.
Allow direct sunlight on tattoo for first 2-3 weeks.
Pick or scratch tattoo while it is peeling.
Soak the tattoo for 2 weeks.
Swim, take a bath, or enter a hot tub or sauna for 2 weeks or until the tattoo is completely peeled.
Shave or wax the area until tattoo is completely healed.
Apply alcohol, Vaseline (petroleum jelly) or sun block to fresh tattoo.
Put too much faith in commonsense advice: If you have questions, call or visit the artist that did your tattoo!

Some extra stuff:

Once you leave the shop, proper care of your tattoo is your responsibility.
Small amounts of color may appear on clothing or sheets for first few days.
When tattoo is peeling, color will appear in pieces of dry skin.
If the tattoo is in an area where it can be exposed to the air, allow it to breathe. Allowing the tattoo to breathe will help the healing. Your body and oxygen are going to heal the tattoo.
If possible, wear loose fitting clothing over tattoo and be careful not to suffocate tattoo with socks or pantyhose.

Antibacterial Soap

Some people use antibacterial soap, such as Dial, to clean their tattoos. However many professionals say the ideal soap to use is an Anti-microbial soap, such as Satin, Provon, or Tattoo Goo Soap.

The reason for this is because Anti-Bacterial soap attacks and removes both Resident and Transient Bacteria from the body. And if used for prolong periods of time, will actually reduce the amount of Resident Bacteria that the body produces to fight the invading Transient Bacteria.

BODY PIERCING AFTERCARE Back to Top

All aftercare instructions are suggestions, not guarantees.
The following is a list of piercing aftercare do's and don'ts taken from the BME website

Basic Cleansing

Wash your hands with antibacterial soap, paying attention to the fingernails, where bacteria can be trapped. Do not touch your piercing until you have washed your hands!
Set up as best a sterile zone as you can by washing down the surfaces you are touching.
Make your sea salt solution - ¼ teaspoon sea salt per 8oz (one cup) of distilled warm water- in a clean glass or receptacle.
Soak your piercing, either by putting the glass of solution up against your piercing or by putting your piercing into the glass, for no more than 10 minutes.
Air-dry, as patting or wiping dry with a towel can spread the very bacteria you were seeking to avoid.
Repeat this process two or three times a day for the first several months.

LITHA

Some people "leave it the hell alone," trying not to touch the piercing at all, allowing the body to heal the piercing.

Antibacterial Soap

Some people use antibacterial soap, such as Dial, to clean their piercings. However many professional piercers say the ideal soap to use is an Anti-microbial soap, such as Satin, Provon, or Tattoo Goo Soap.

Important Notes

If there are "crusties" around the entrance or exit holes of your piercing, use a warm compress to loosen them - do not pick them off dry, as this can compromise healing tissue.
Some people find it easier to use a shot glass to hold solution against smaller body parts such as nipples.

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