TATTOO
AFTERCARE
Apply a small amount of aftercare ointment 1-2 times per day.
Always wash your hands thoroughly before touching your tattoo or applying any product.
Choose a gentle product that hydrates without antibiotics. Your artist will suggest their preferred product
Zen Piercing + Tattoo recommends against using products containing a petroleum base, as these products can sit on the skin and attract more unwanted debris to the tattoo site. We also urge you to reconsider the use of any numbing agents prior to / post tattoo session as there are many indications that they interfere with the health of your tattoo.
Your tattoo will take approx. 6 weeks to initially heal. If your artist applies a Sani-Derm-like product, the wrapping will stay on for 3-5 days. Remove film gently in the shower and rinse the tattoo using a gentle soap. Apply moisturizer following the shower.
A traditional wrapping will be removed a few hours post-tattoo. Rinse the tattoo using a gentle soap and apply moisturizer following the rinse.
GENERAL GUIDELINES
Touch ups are done at the artists discretion. (Complimentary within 6 months)
Please note that not all tattoos require touch ups.
TOUCH UPS
Signs of Infection:
Pain and swelling: Intense or worsening pain, and redness or swelling that spreads or doesn't improve after the first few days.
Heat: The skin feels unusually hot to the touch.
Discharge: Pus or other foul-smelling drainage from the tattoo site.
Systemic symptoms: Fever, chills, or sweating.
Red streaks: Red streaks extending from the tattoo.
Signs of an Allergic Reaction:
Severe itching: Itching that worsens or a rash that spreads.
Swelling: Intense swelling, hives, or swelling in the mouth and throat.
Difficulty breathing: Trouble breathing, wheezing, or a tight chest.
Other severe symptoms: Dizziness, lightheadedness, or a racing heart.
WHAT ISN’T NORMAL?
DO’S
Keep your tattoo covered from the elements.
When in doubt, contact your artist directly for any questions.
Change bedding prior to getting your tattoo, and wear clean, non-abrasive clothing.
DONT’S
Avoid direct sun exposure to a new tattoo.
Do not expose tattoo to hot tubs, pools or bodies of outdoor water for 1 month.
Avoid picking at your new tattoo. If it’s itchy, apply moisturizer or gently “tap” it, DO NOT SCRATCH!
PIERCING
AFTERCARE
WASH your hands thoroughly prior to cleaning or touching your piercing for any reason.
SPRAY with sterile saline wound wash while healing. Moving or rotating jewelry is not necessary during cleaning/rinsing and may actually irritate the piercing.
DRY with clean, disposable products like gauze or cotton swabs, gently removing any crusty debris or build up. Cloth towels should be avoided as they can harbor bacteria and snag on jewelry.
Leave jewelry in at all times. Even well-healed piercings can shrink or close in minutes! If removed, reinsertion can be difficult or impossible.
Be patient, and keep cleaning throughout the entire initial healing period.
Initially: Some bleeding, localized swelling, tenderness, and/or bruising.
During Healing: Some discoloration, itching, secretion of a whitish/yellow fluid that will form some crust on the jewelry.
PIERCING NORMS
CLEANING YOUR PIERCING
Be sure to regularly check threaded and threadless ends on your jewelry for tightness.
(Before showering & after cleaning are great times!)
A soft baby toothbrush can be used to polish jewelry in healed piercings to remove deposits and return it to shiny!
JEWELRY MAINTENANCE
Your piercer selected a length that gives extra room for initial swelling that can occur post piercing.
Once the initial swelling has subsided, your jewelry may appear to be too long. This length is now susceptible to snagging.
A downsized piercing 2-3 months post piercing
(in most cases) should feel snug and not freely move as it once did. This will add comfort and reduce irritation!
Downsizing is an often overlooked, but necessary, part of the healing process. Discuss your personal piercings with your piercer for the best outcome.
DOWNSIZING
DO’S
Exercise & sweating is fine. Keep the piercing safe from excessive movement and from bacteria on gym equipment!
Change bedding regularly.
Choose showers over baths to limit exposure to bacteria.
DONT’S
Avoid oral contact, rough play, and contact with others’ bodily fluids on or near your piercing during healing.
Don’t over-clean or play with it! Friction can cause healing issues.
Do not submerge piercing in hot tubs, pools or bodies of water for 1 month. Showering is encouraged.