Now What !!!

Taking care of your body art whether it is a tattoo or a piercing is one of the most important steps in making sure it looks great when all is said and done.

Ask any tattoo artist the best way to ruin a great tattoo and they will tell you by not taking care of it correctly. So follow these easy steps to make sure your tattoo looks great for many years to come.

It is always best to follow the specific instructions from the artists that did your work. Please use the following as general guide lines only.

##### TATTOO CARE #####

1. After 1 to3 hours, remove the bandage gently and wash with warm water and mild soap. DO NOT REBANDAGE.
2. Apply a thing film of recommended ointment (A&D Ointment, Aquaphor, or the like at least 3 times a day for the next 3 days.
3. After 3 days, us a regular lotion like Dermasassge or Eucerine Cream until skin returns to pre-tattoo condition.
4. Stay out of sunlight and tanning booths until tattoo is healed, at least 3 to 4 weeks.
5. Do not soak tattooed area in the tub, sauna, jacuzzi or go swimming while your new tattoo is healing. Showers are fine.
6. Do not rub or pick the treated area while it is healing. Loss of color and/or infection could occur.
7. Extreme sun and exposure over the years can and will fade your tattoo. This can be minimized by using a strong sunscreen of at least SPF 45. Outlining your tattoo with a chapstick that has an SPF of 45 is also recommended.
8. To relieve itching during the healing of your tattoo, SLAP it with a very clean, freshly washed hand.

CONTACT THE ARTIST IMMEDIATLY WITH ANY PROBLEMS OR CONCERNS

##### PIERCING CARE #####

Congratulations, you've just received a body piercing. Now, follow these steps to help it heal correctly.

1. Always wash your hands before touching the piercing. leave it alone except when cleaning.
2. Keep your bedding & clothing clean to protect your piercing from dirt & debris.
3. Only use a recommended cleaning solution: PACKAGED STERIL SALINE SOLUTION & LIQUID ANTI-MICORBIAL SOAP.
4. Soak your piercing in the saline solution 2 to 3 times daily, by inverting a cup of warm solution over the area to create a vacuum. You may need to use clean gauze (NOT cotton balls) saturated with the saline solution for some piercing's depending on there placement.
5. Soap two to three times a day. Only allow the cleanser on the piercing no more than 30 seconds, rinse thoroughly to remove all soap residue.
6. Dry with clean disposable gauze (NOT Tissue). Do not use cloth towels as they can harbor bacteria & can get caught on jewelry causing trauma to the new piercing.
7. Avoid friction of clothing, over cleaning, playing with piercing.
8. Do not use hydrogen peroxide, alcohol, Betadine, Hibiclens or other ointment on your new piercing.
9. Avoid all oral contact, rough play, or contact with other's bodily fluids on or near your piercing during healing due to cross contamination.
10. Do not submerge the piercing in bodies of water such as lakes, pools, or jacuzzis until completely healed.
11. Avoid hanging charms or other objects from your piercing jewelry until it is totally healed.
12. Leave your initial jewelry in place for the entire healing period. Healing periods are different for each individual person. Your lifestyle and personal health will be the greatest determining factor in how long your piercing takes to heal.
13. Carefully check the threaded ends of your jewelry for tightness (lefty-loosey/righty-tighty).

Specific body areas have other specific care requirements. Please contact your artist for anything other than these general guidelines.