Aftercare

 
 

 TATTOO AFTERCARE

  • Remove bandage after a minimum of two hours

  • Always wash your hands before touching your new tattoo

  • Upon removing the bandage, wash the tattoo gently with an unscented soap

  • Pat your tattoo dry with a clean cloth or allow it to air dry

  • DO NOT re-bandage your tattoo… EVER. The only bandage it should ever be dressed with is the one your artist puts on before you leave the shop

  • Always wash your tattoo and pat dry before applying any lotion or cream

  • Apply aftercare lotion 2 – 3 times daily

  • Your tattoo will take 3-4 week to fully heal, in some cases it can take up to 2 months to fully heal

  • Flaking, scabbing, itchiness and/or redness of a tattoo are completely normal in the healing process

  • DO NOT pick, scratch or rub your new tattoo. This can cause colour loss, infection, and/or scarring

  • Do not let anyone touch your new tattoo during the healing process, as this can introduce bacteria into your tattoo, which may result in infection

  • If you notice any discharge, isolated redness, or have any cause for concern, please contact your tattoo artist before seeking medical attention

  • If the problem persists for more than 24 hours, please consult your family physician

  • DO NOT expose your new tattoo to sunlight, or tanning beds until your tattoo is FULLY healed

  • Once healed, make sure to apply sunblock when outdoors or tanning
    This will prolong the life of your tattoo by preventing fading

  • While tattoos are scabbed, avoid strenuous physical activity such as going to the gym, as it may damage the new tattoo due to sweating, stretching, rubbing, etc.

  • If for any reason your tattoo requires a touch up, please allow a healing period of one month before booking in for a touch up appointment

  • DO NOT soak the tattoo in a bath, pool, lake, hot tub, etc for a minimum of 2 weeks

  • The artist who originally did your tattoo will do one FREE touch -up
    You must book your touch up appointment within SIX months of when the tattoo was first done. After six months, the tattoo will be touched up at your own expense, unless otherwise stated by your artist.

  • Any tattoo that needs touch ups due to your own negligence will be done at your own expense.

  • If you have any questions or concerns about your new tattoo, please give us a call at 613-843-1970 or pop in to the studio so we can take a look at it

  • DO NOT ask for or take advice from “tattoo experts” on the bus, or your friends and family, or the internet, especially “google answers”, as everyone will give you their opinion. Remember that your artist know best!

    Thank you for choosing Sacred Ink Tattoo Collective. Enjoy your new tattoo and we look forward to seeing you again!

PIERCING AFTERCARE

  • Always wash your hands thoroughly before touching your piercing during the healing process.

  • Normal bathing and showering are permitted but otherwise keep the pierced area dry. This means no baths, pools, lakes, hot tubs, etc. until the piercing is fully healed.

  • Clean your piercing using a saline solution (we recommend the H2Ocean sea salt spray) 2-3 times daily. Apply your cleaning solution to a cotton swab and use the swab to remove any dry matter from the front and back of your piercing.

  • DO NOT rotate the jewelry

  • DO NOT use alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, or fragranced soap. Also, your piercing needs oxygen to heal. Petroleum based products such as polysporin, vitame E and similar creams are NOT recommended and will only harbor bacteria.

  • DO NOT touch your piercing when you are not cleaning it and only touch it with clean, freshly washed hands.

  • DO NOT pick, rub , or scratch your piercing.

  • If you must cover the piercing, allow access of air to the piercing by using a loose, breathable covering.

  • You may take an anti-inflammatory, such as aspirin, to help with any swelling or discomfort.

ORAL PIERCING AFTERCARE

  • Every time you eat, drink, or smoke anything you must rinse your mouth for a minimum of 30 seconds using H2Ocean oral rinse or a NON-alcoholic mouthwash.

  • You should avoid rinsing your mouth TOO often; once you’ve rinsed try not to put anything in your mouth for at least 30 minutes.

  • Avoid alcohol, meat or dairy products for the first 3-4 days

  • Avoid any vigorous/ aggressive kissing and oral sex (without barriers such as condoms) for a minimum of one month

PIERCING INFECTION FAQ’S

Q: I think my piercing is infected. What Should I do?

  • Your first plan of action should be to visit your piercer to have your body piercing examined. Many people mistake the typical healing process for an infection so it is important to have a professional opinion before seeking medical attention. If your piercer recommends seeing medical attention, it is very important for you to discuss with the doctor that the jewelry must remain in place to act as drainage for the infected discharge.

    Q: What are the common symptoms of an infection?

  • Dark colored discharge (such as dark yellow, brown or lime green pus)

  • Excessive redness around the piercing or a rash

  • Prolonged bleeding

  • Area will feel hot to the touch

  • Area may have an unusual smell

  • Black dead-tissue build up

  • Fever


    The basic steps to treating a piercing infection are:

  • Clean the piercing and surrounding area with a saline solution, or a cleanser recommended by your piercer. Using a cotton pad or swab for a minimum of one minute, as this will remove any skin bacteria on and around the piercing.

  • Remove any debris; dead tissue, pus, dirt or other foreign material on the piercing and jewelry.

  • Do not use Hydrogen Peroxide to clean the area as this will also kill white blood cells, responsible for fighting against the infection.

  • Rotate your piercing jewelry gently and apply more of the cleansing liquid, working it all the way through the piercing as much as possible. This will also encourage drainage of infected discharge from your piercing

  • Use a hot compress or shotglass to soak the piercing in warm salt water to encourage the infection to drain and increase blood circulation to the area.

  • Compresses should be made from clean, disposable materials such as gauze pads or paper towel.

  • Pat the area dry the area with a disposable cloth or cotton pad and avoid contact with unclean matter.

  • If problem does not improve within 24 hours, it is recommended that you consult your family physician.

  • If you have any questions concerning your piercing please do not hesitate to ask your piercer.