Heal Right
Aftercare
Your tattoo or piercing is an investment. Proper aftercare ensures it heals beautifully and lasts a lifetime. Follow these guidelines from our team.
Tattoo Aftercare
Initial Care — First 24 Hours
Treat your fresh tattoo as an open wound. Keep the bandage your artist applied on for 24 hours. Your artist may adjust this based on the piece — always follow their specific instructions.
★ Once the initial bandage is removed, do not re-bandage the tattoo. Let the skin breathe.
Cleaning
Gently wash your tattoo with lukewarm water and fragrance-free antibacterial soap. Pat dry with a clean paper towel — never use cloth towels.
Days 1–3: Ointment Phase
Apply a thin layer of antibacterial ointment twice a day for at least one week. A thin film is all you need — do not over-saturate.
★ Do not use Vaseline or petroleum jelly. Use Aquaphor or a dedicated tattoo-healing balm instead.
Day 3+: Lotion Phase
After the third day, transition from ointment to a thin layer of unscented, fragrance-free lotion applied after each cleaning. Continue this routine until fully healed.
Weeks 1–4: Protect
Avoid direct sunlight, swimming pools, hot tubs, and saunas. Do not pick or scratch peeling skin — let it shed naturally. Once fully healed, always apply SPF 50+ before sun exposure.
★ Wear loose-fitting clothing over the tattoo for at least 2 weeks to prevent friction and irritation.
What to Avoid
No soaking in water, no gym or heavy sweating for 48 hours, no alcohol-based products on the area. If you see signs of infection — excessive redness, swelling, pus, or fever — contact us or seek medical attention immediately.
Piercing Aftercare
Cleaning Routine
Rinse once a day with saline spray (0.9% sodium chloride) or warm running water. Do not use rubbing alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, or ointments — they damage healing tissue.
★ After cleaning, dry only with a clean, one-time-use product — sterile gauze or a Q-tip. Never use cloth towels.
Hands Off — No Twisting
Never touch your piercing with unwashed hands. Do not touch, twist, or rotate the jewelry at all — not even to 'help it heal.' Movement introduces bacteria and tears the healing fistula.
Sleep Care
Do not sleep on the piercing. Use the opposite side or a specific piercing pillow / travel neck pillow to keep pressure off the jewelry overnight.
Avoid Water Exposure
Avoid all swimming — pools, hot tubs, rivers, and the ocean — for at least 6 weeks. These environments carry bacteria that can cause serious infection in a fresh piercing.
Downsizing
Visit a professional piercer after 4 to 6 weeks to have the jewelry shortened (downsized). The initial jewelry is longer to accommodate swelling; a properly fitted piece reduces snagging and speeds up healing.
Healing Timeline
Ear lobes: 6–8 weeks. Cartilage: 6–12 months. Nostril: 4–6 months. Navel: 6–12 months. Do not remove jewelry until fully healed — the hole can close immediately, even in a well-established piercing.
Immune Health
Stay healthy, drink plenty of water, and eat vegetables. Your immune system directly affects healing speed and quality. Poor health habits will extend healing time and increase complication risk.
Warning Signs
Mild redness and swelling are normal for the first few days. If you experience excessive swelling, green/yellow discharge, persistent pain, or fever, contact us or visit a healthcare provider immediately.