TATTOO AFTERCARE ​
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​​How long should I keep my bandage on after getting a tattoo?
If using Sani-Derm, leave on as long as artist instructed.
If plastic cellophane, leave on until you can properly clean your tattoo.
DO NOT clean it in a public restroom.
DO NOT leave on longer than 8 hours.
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How do I clean my tattoo?
Wash hands with non-scented soap and water before removing bandage.
Remove plastic and discard. Work up a lather with soap and water, gently cleaning the area with clean soapy hands.
Rinse soap off with clean running water, gently patting the area dry with a clean towel, paper towel or let air dry.
Repeat washing 3 times per day. Once in the morning, midday, and before
bed. If the area becomes dirty clean immediately with soap and water.
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What should I not do after getting a new tattoo?
DO NOT submerse the tattoo in pool, hot tub, lake or bath.
Tattoo must be fully healed to prevent damage before submersion into water.
Keep your new Tattoo out of the sun. Direct sun damage healing skin.
NO strenuous exercising or sweating for the first week of the healing process.
Light redness and swelling is normal with tattoos. Refrain from strenuous activity and sun for 2 weeks in area of tattoo.
PIERCING AFTERCARE
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What should I not do after getting a new piercing?
DO NOT use alcohol or peroxide on your new piercing! These products will kill the new cells that are forming to heal your new piercing. We recommend using a specialized saline piercing wash.
DO NOT use Bactine, Neosporin, Vaseline, Tea Tree or any other creams or ointments. Ointments and creams prevent oxygen from getting to your new piercing, which is needed to heal.
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How do I clean my piercing?
Always thoroughly wash your hands, before handling any new piercing until it has fully healed.
Avoid saliva, oral contact, rough handling, solid clothes, dirty hands or contact with bodily fluid.
You may wash, bathe, and swim with your new piercing.
Chlorine should be avoided, along with sand and lotions in direct contact with the piercing site while it is healing.
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FACIAL AND BODY PIERCINGS
Piercing located in the navel, eyebrow, septum, ears, nipples, or any other surface of cartilage, should be cleaned one to two times per day with Dial Gold anti-bacterial liquid soap, or a saline wound wash, such as NEILMED wound wash.
Remove all build up crusting and discharge from the jewelry and piercing site.
This should be followed throughout the entire process.
Always keep makeup, hair products, moisturizers out of and away from piercing.
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ORAL PIERCINGS
Rinse mouth with an antiseptic mouthwash such as Listerine EVERYTIME after you eat, drink, smoke, kiss, or put anything in your mouth.
Please make sure that any mouthwash is labeled as ANTISEPTIC.
Rinsing with warm salt water will help reduce healing time.
Jewelry in an oral piercing tend to rotate as with talking.
NO additional rotation is required. However, check your jewelry daily to make sure it is secure and tight, as oral piercings tend to get loose.
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Additional questions?
A Piercing is an open wound, if an infection or adverse condition occurs at the location the piercing, contact your physician for treatment and report it to the Southern Nevada Health District special programs 702-759-0677 or bodyart@snhd.org.
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