PREPARING FOR A TATTOO OR BODY PIERCING
Make sure you are well rested and that you have eaten. An empty stomach combined with nerves can lead to dizziness or even fainting. Make sure you DO NOT DRINK OR TAKE PAINKILLERS. These only thin the blood and cause excessive bleeding. If getting tattooed, alcohol and pain killers can affect the skins ability to accept the ink.
WHEN IS THE BEST TIME TO GET TATTOOED?
Always keep in mind is that the level of care given to a tattoo during the healing process will determine the end results. An important fact to remember; sun is the worst enemy to a healing tattoo-it dulls the color significantly and it can give the tattoo an “aged” appearance-even if you use sun block. With this said, you can say the best time to get tattooed is during the WINTER MONTHS. This is true, not only for the benefit of your tattoo but also your pocket. Even though winter is the ideal time to get tattooed, it also happens to be the slowest season. This brings many advantages to the client:

1. There will be less waiting.

2. Without a hectic crowd, you will receive more attention.

3. You can have a fully healed tattoo for your Spring Break vacation.

4. Chances are you’ll probably get a better price because it’s the slow season.
HEALING PROCESS FOR A BODY PIERCING
Everything used during the piercing process is sterile, so there is no chance of infection. Once you go home, the responsibility to take care of the piercing is in your hands.

Make sure you NEVER touch your new piercing with dirty hands. Always treat it like an open wound. YOU MUST CLEAN EVERY PIECING DAILY for at least three weeks (more or less depending on the piercing and individual). During the healing process you will experience an off-white sticky discharge that will dry and form into crusts around the piercing. DO NOT PICK, SCRATCH OR PLAY WITH THE CRUST-they will fall off when cleaning the area.

You will also experience slight redness around the holes, immediate swelling and some soreness. DO NOT PANIC, these symptoms are all part of the healing process and should steadily subside during the first few weeks.

If you plan to keep your piercing do not remove your jewelry for any length of time during its healing phase. If you want to change your jewelry, we suggest that you wait at least two weeks-we recommend waiting three. If a jewelry change is needed due to a metal sensitivity or dimension concerns, come in to see us and we will help you through and through.

Most body piercings require at least a year or two before they can be left empty without the risk of growing closed. Every piercing is different, as is every person.

Facial and body piercings below the neck (nipples, navels and clitoral hoods):

You should use a fragrance free antibacterial soap, like dial, at least two to three times daily. We suggest once in the morning and once before you go to sleep. Simply use some warm water and antibacterial soap on a cotton swab. Gently clean both entrance and exit sites removing all puss and crust. When finished use a saline solution on cotton swabs to rinse away all soap. DO NOT leave any soapy residue, it will irritate the piercing and may even cause infection.

When showering, you should clean the piercing and rotate the jewelry. Prior to cleaning with soap, you MUST SOAK IT IN WARM WATER for a few moments-this will loosen up the skin so the jewelry can be rotated. Use your fingers and a small dime sized amount of antibacterial soap to gently remove anything from jewelry and piercing. Move jewelry back and forth making sure soap gets inside of the piercing. Be certain to rinse the piercing thoroughly while moving the jewelry-any residue will cause irritation and infection.

**Labret, Monroe, Medusa and Lip: Clean outside only. Use antibacterial soap on a cotton swab with warm water and rinse with saline solution.

Oral piercings:

You MUST rinse with Listerine after anything, with the exception of water, enters your mouth. This would include food, drink, smoke, saliva, etc… Also rinse before you sleep and after you wake.

Use either the blue or green Listerine. We recommend that you dilute the Listerine with water before using. Mix 3 parts Listerine with 1 part water. In other words, pour out one quarter of the Listerine into a separate bottle and set aside. Then mix cold water with the remaining Listerine. Now, giver yourself a pat on the back-you’ve just created your new best friend-carry it with you always.

*To help reduce swelling eat crushed ice and take an Advil , Aleve or ibuprofen.

If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact us 718.822.5655
HEALING PROCESS FOR A TATTOO
Tattoos will be covered with a bandage. After approximately 2 hrs, remove the bandage and wash gently. Use soap, warm water and your hand-DO NOT USE A WASHCLOTH and DO NOT LET THE WATER HIT THE TATTOO DIRECTLY. Pat the tattoo dry and apply a very thin layer of bacitracin ointment, massaging it into the tattoo. DO NOT DOUSE THE TATTOO WITH OINTMENT.

Do not re-bandage unless otherwise directed. Apply bacitracin ointment at least 3 times daily. You need to apply the ointment as many times as it takes to keep it moist-remember only a thin layer-anything more will not allow the tattoo to breath properly and you can jeopardize the outcome of the tattoo.

After 3-4 days switch over to a FRAGRANCE FREE moisturizer. We suggest Lubriderm or Curel, but any moisturizer will do-just make sure it does not contain fragrance or aloe they will cause an allergic reaction.

Keep out of the sun for at least 2-3 weeks. Be sure to keep the tattoo covered when it is in direct sunlight during the first 2 weeks-sun block will NOT help during these crucial days-only after it is healed.

Do not submerge in water-no baths, no swimming (chlorine, ocean or lakes), saunas, hot tubs or Jacuzzis for the first 3 weeks. You can shower of course, but follow the directions from the first day-use your hand with some warm water and soap.

During the healing process your tattoo may be soar and appear red around it-this is ok. Should the problem persist past 2 weeks, stop in the shop and let us take a look so we can direct you as to what you’re doing wrong. And yes, your tattoo will peel and it may scab. DO NOT PICK OFF THE SCABS-just let them fall off naturally. If you pick them off you risk picking off a piece of your tattoo along with it. Also itching is a part of the healing process-DO NOT SCRATCH, just pat lightly.

If small pimples or a rash form around the tattoo-DO NOT PANIC, either (a) you are allergic to the ointment you’re using or (b) you are using too much ointment. Either way, you are experiencing a rash called prickly heat and it is no big deal. Simply stop using the ointment and pat down the tattoo with rubbing alcohol 3 times daily for 2-3 days and it should clear up. If it does clear up, continue treating the tattoo, but this time use a FRAGRANCE FREE moisturizer. If the rash does not subside come to us first, remember we are professional and we know best.

The most important rule of advice was saved for last:

DO NOT TAKE ANY ADVICE FROM FRIENDS!!!


If you follow our instructions carefully, your tattoo should heal fast and look great. Any problems or questions please feel free to contact us. 718.892.9370


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