Tattoo & Piercing Aftercare Guide
Getting a tattoo or a piercing is quite the commitment. Not only is it a body modification that is difficult to remove, but it is also something you will need to take care of to ensure proper healing. Additionally, you will want to prevent any infections by keeping it clean.
Any reputable tattoo artist or piercer will have their preferred methods of aftercare that they recommend to clients. These aftercare rules are a must-follow if you want your piercing or tattoo to heal flawlessly.
As soon as your artist is finished with your tattoo, they will likely put a thin layer of first aid antibiotic ointment on it. Bacitraycin Plus is the best option for this, because products containing neomycin can cause a tattoo to run if there is an allergic reaction.
These aftercare rules will help your piercing or tattoo heal flawlessly.
Then, they will cover your new tattoo with plastic wrap or some other bandage. This is to keep the tattoo from rubbing on your clothing or becoming irritated.
After the initial bandaging, the artist will guide you in how long you should keep it covered. Ideally, it should be covered in its original bandages for 24-48 hours. After that, you may gently wash it with antibacterial soap once per day and continue applying a thin layer of Bacitraycin Plus two to three times a day for the first five to seven days. This is necessary to help avoid complications and improve healing.
Generally, new tattoos will heal in about a week. And even after it has healed, it is still a good idea to keep it clean and well moisturized as much as you can for the first few weeks.
If you get a new piercing, the artist will clean the area before you leave the shop. It’s important to clean your piercing a few times a day with a saline solution and apply an antibiotic ointment like Bacitraycin Plus to promote healing. If it gets infected, do not try to remove the piercing yourself. Head back to your piercer for further guidance.
Continue to gently wash it with the saline solution or antibacterial soap for the first few days. Some piercings take over a year to heal completely, so never remove the jewelry without guidance from your piercer until it is fully healed.
Now that you have a general idea of the dos and don’ts of tattoo and piercing aftercare, go forth and get that new art!
