Aftercare

1. Leave the bandage on

After getting a tattoo, your tattoo artist will cover it with a bandage, plastic wrap or second skin. Leave this covering on for the time recommended by your artist. If it’s a bandage or plastic wrap, usually a few hours to overnight and if it’s a second skin, two days. This helps protect the tattoo from bacteria and promotes healing.​

2. Use water and mild soap to clean

Use mild, fragrance-free soap and lukewarm water to gently clean your tattoo. Remove any ointment, blood, or plasma with clean hands. Abrasive tools and scraping should be avoided since they may harm the tattoo.

3. After patting dry, apply a thin layer of ointment.

Use a fresh towel to gently pat dry your tattoo or allow it to air dry.
Next, apply a thin layer of the tattoo-specific ointment that your tattoo artist has suggested. We recommend you to use the tattoo aftercare we sell at Tiny Tattoo. This keeps the region protected and hydrated.

4. Stay away from picking and itching

It’s crucial to avoid picking, scratching, or peeling the flakes or scabs that appear on your tattoo. To avoid color loss or scarring, allow them to peel off naturally while the wound heals.

5. Protect from the sun

Keep your healing tattoo away from tanning beds and bright sunshine. UV radiation can harm the healing skin and cause the tattoo to fade. During the healing process, cover the tattoo with clothing if you must be in the sun.
Once the tattoo is healed, always use broad-spectrum sunscreen with a high SPF.

6. Avoid swimming or soaking

Don’t soak your tattoo with water during the first healing phase. This includes lengthy baths, saunas, hot tubs, and swimming pools. The tattoo may become infected or lose its color if it is submerged.

7. Wear clothing that is airy and loose

Throughout the healing process, wear loose-fitting, breathable clothing over the tattooed region. Clothing that is excessively tight or rough can irritate the tattoo and prevent it from healing.

8. Avoid sweating and physical activities

Avoid doing things that make you sweat a lot or strain the area where you have a tattoo. Excessive physical activity might raise the risk of infection and interfere with the healing process.

9. Follow your artist’s instructions

Depending on their methods or aesthetic, each tattoo artist may have different aftercare guidelines. For the optimum healing result, pay close attention to what they have to say and do as they say.
Keep in mind that appropriate aftercare is essential to the tattoo’s healing and long-term appearance. Speak with your tattoo artist or a medical expert if you have any worries or see any indications of infection.

💡 Remember, proper aftercare plays a crucial role in the healing and long-term appearance of your tattoo. If you have any concerns or notice signs of infection, consult your tattoo artist or a healthcare professional for guidance.

CLEANING ADVICE

• Before cleaning or touching your piercing for any reason, make sure your hands are completely clean.
• Rinse with SALINE as needed during the healing process. Applying clean gauze soaked in saline solution could be simpler for some piercings. Make a mild lather around the piercing with soap if your piercer recommends it, and rinse as necessary. Avoid harsh soaps and soaps containing scents or dyes.
• Rinse the location as necessary to get rid of any leftover cleaning solution. When cleaning or rinsing, jewelry does not need to be moved or rotated.
• DRY by gently patting with clean disposable paper towels. Cloth towels can snag on jewelry and hold bacteria, which can lead to infection.

WHAT CAN BE COMMON?

The first days you can experience some bruising, pain, regional swelling, and/or bleeding.

While the jewelry heals, there may be some discoloration, irritation, and the release of a white fluid (not pus) that will cause a crust to form. As the jewelry heals, the tissue may get tighter around it.

After the piercing has healed, the jewelry might not move freely; do not push it. Normal but smelly body secretions may build up if you neglect to clean your piercing as part of your daily hygiene regimen.

The piercing may appear healed before the process is actually finished. The reason for this is because tissue heals from the outside in, so even if it seems fine, the inside is still delicate. Throughout the first healing phase, be patient and continue cleaning.
Even piercings that have been healed for years can close or decrease can close in a few minutes!

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.

REMAIN HEALTHY

Your piercing will heal more easily if you lead a healthier lifestyle. · Get adequate sleep. Eat a healthy diet to promote healing and strengthen your defenses against infection. If not, think about taking dietary supplements on a daily basis. Do not pick or scrape. It’s crucial to avoid picking, scratching, or peeling the flakes or scabs that appear on your tattoo/piercing. To avoid color loss or scarring, allow them to peel off naturally while the wound heals.

WHAT TO AVOID

• Avoid strong items like alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, Dial®, or soaps that include triclosan or 2 iodine, as these can harm cells. Additionally, do not apply ointments since they obstruct essential airflow.
• Avoid pierced ear care products, Bactine®, and other items that contain benzalkonium chloride (BZK). These are not meant for long-term wound treatment and can cause irritation.
• Avoid excessive cleaning. This may aggravate your piercing and cause it to take longer to heal.
• Prevent excessive trauma by avoiding things like garment friction, moving the area a lot, playing with jewelry, and harsh cleaning. These actions may result in migration, protracted healing, the development of unpleasant and unattractive scar tissue, and other issues.

· While your piercing is healing, stay away from all oral contact, rough play, and contact with other body fluids.
Avoid stress and recreational drugs, such as excessive amounts of alcohol, nicotine, and caffeine.

· Keep the piercing out of unclean water sources such lakes, pools, hot tubs, etc. Alternatively, use a waterproof wound-sealant bandage to protect your piercing. The majority of pharmacies sell these.
Avoid using any cosmetics, lotions, sprays, or other personal care items on or around the piercing.
Until the piercing is completely healed, avoid hanging charms or anything else from your jewelry.