Tattoo Aftercare

Getting a new tattoo involves breaking the skin surface so there is always a potential risk of infection to occur afterwards. Your tattoo should be treated as a wound initially and it important that this advice is followed so that the infection risk can be minimised.

Minimising infection risk guidance tips

. Avoid touching the new tattoo site unnecessarily so that exposure to germs is reduced. For the same reason do not pick at or scratch a healing tattoo.
. Always wash and dry your hands before and after handling a new tattoo site.
. The new tattoo will be an area of tiny skin breaks caused by the tattoo needles and thus needs to be kept covered with the sterile dressing applied by your practitioner for at least an hour until the skin stops any bleeding/fluid ooze.
. After removal of the dressing, gently wash the tattoo site with warm water (with/without a mild liquid soap) and PAT dry with clean tissues ((DO NOT rub or skin will become irritated.)
. Apply a moisturising skin cream after washing and drying the tattoo area (eg E45 or Diprobase, unless allergic to them) so that the skin is protected from dryness and the amount of potential scabbing decreased. Wash the area and apply the cream 2-3 times a day for the first 3 days. Repeat cream application 2-3 times a day to keep skin moisturised until fully healed. There is generally no need to use any other skin creams// antiseptic products.
. After approximately 2 weeks any scabbing should have gone and will be replaced with a ‘silver’ skin for a further week. The area should be finally healed in a further 10-14 days.

General aftercare tips

. If possible, shower rather than bathe whilst the tattoo is healing so that unnecessary water exposure is prevented. Always PAT the area dry either using a separate towel or tissues.
. Avoid petroleum based creams (eg ‘Vaseline’)) as these ingredients ‘draw out’ the tattoo ink, and therefore a degree of colour from your tattoo.
. DO NOT PICK at your tattoo as this will delay healing.
. Do not use skin products that have not been recommended by your practitioner or are not meant to be used for open wound healing.
. Avoid swimming, sun beds/ sun bathing until a new tattoo is fully healed as direct sunlight//chlorine can interact with tattoo dye pigments causing skin irritations//inflammation.
. Try to wear loose, cotton clothing to minimise rubbing and irritation to a new tattoo site.
. Always keep a new tattoo covered and protected if working in a dirty//dusty//oily environment.

If you have any problems//queries, please contact your practitioner initially. He//she will refer you onto your GP if there are signs of adverse reaction//infection.

 

 

Piercing Aftercare

Having a new piercing involves breaking the skin surface so there is always a potential risk for infection to occur afterwards. It is important that this advice is followed so that the infection risk can be minimised.

Minimising piercing infection risk – general guidance and information:

. Most piercings bleed at first but this should stop within a few minutes. This may occasionally reoccur a little during the first few days and should stop with applying pressure for a few minutes. If excessive/continuous, seek immediate medical help.

. Current medical advice strongly recommends that a new piercing is handled as little as possible, particularly for the first few days, so that exposure to germs is reduced. For the same reason, DO NOT PICK at or PLAY with a new piercing.

. Always wash and dry your hands before and after handling a new piercing site.

. DO NOT USE fingernails to move jewellery or manipulate the piercing.

. After removal of any dressing applied by your practitioner, clean the piercing at least once a day, if possible, twice a day.

. Most piercing holes can be cleaned using a fresh cotton bud and warm pre-boiled tap water or a sterile saline solution, which can be obtained in a sachet format from pharmacies. A fresh saline sachet should be used each time you clean the site. NEVER apply hot solutions to the skin or surgical spirit to a piercing site.

. Always use a clean (preferable disposable) cup or bowl to hold your cleaning solution.

. Soak off any crust formation before you attempt to turn or move it.

. Always PAT dry your piercing after cleaning with clean tissue.

. Avoid swimming for at least a month and preferably for the length of the healing period.

. It is advisable to shower rather than bathe whilst the piercing site is healing so that unnecessary water exposure is prevented. Always PAT the area dry using a clean tissue.

. Try to wear loose, cotton clothing to minimize rubbing and irritation to a new piercing site.

. Most piercings will swell to some extent hence jewellery inserted will be longer than between the piercing holes at first.

. New piercings should be kept dry and exposed as much as possible.

. Only turn/move the jewellery when you are cleaning it.

. Only buy jewellery from a reputable retailer. Your practitioner can advise you on this.

. A new piercing can be tender, itchy and slightly red and can remain sore for a few weeks. A clear, odourless fluid may sometimes discharge from the piercing and form a crust. This should not be confused with pus, which would indicate infection.

Specific piercing aftercare advise
(After the first two days/removal of sterile dressing)

Nipple (Male)

Clean as in the general advise section and leave exposed.

Nipple (female)

As for males but a cotton bra/nipple pad will also need to be used in order to protect the site from friction. If the site is oozing, nipple pads should be used and soaked off before cleaning the site.

MINIMUM HEALING TIME FOUR TO SIX MONTHS.

Ear lobe

Clean as in general advice section. Leave exposed.

MINIMUM HEALING TIME TWO MONTHS.

The cartilage area of the ear may take three months to a year.

Nose Septum

Use warm pre-boiled tap water to soften and remove crusts up to two times a day. Leave exposed.

MINIMUM HEALING TIME TWO MONTHS.

Nostril

Clean as in general advise section once a day with a cotton bud on the OUTSIDE only. DO NOT touch the inside. Leave exposed.

MINIMUM HEALING TIME THREE MONTHS TO A YEAR.

Tongue

Half strength mouthwash should be used twice daily. The e mouth should also be rinsed with tap water after eating, smoking, drinking coffee or alcohol and after oral sex. The site can also be cleaned gently with toothpaste and a soft toothbrush if there is a build up of coating around the site. Chewing gum should not be used until the site is healed or you feel confident with the piercing. Care is needed when using cutlery so as not to damage the piercing. Spicy food/alcohol may need to be avoided for the first week as they may cause stinging. Oral sex should be avoided until after the first two weeks and the first bar change.

The bar should be changed after 10 –14 days (and not before) by the practitioner at the piercing premises. The bar balls must be checked twice daily to ensure they are screwed on tightly. WHEN THEY NEED CHANGING, BUY NEW ONES.

N.B

The tongue may swell to the length of the inserted bar, particularly in the first two weeks. Iced water may help to reduce the amount of swelling that occurs. If the bar becomes too tight please see your piercer. If out of hours contact NHS DIRECT or a walk-in centre. If you have any problems with swallowing or any neck pain you MUST CONTACT a medical practitioner straight away or go directly to your nearest Accident and Emergency (A&E) Department.

MINIMUM HEALING TIME TWO MONTHS

Lip/Cheek/Labret/Madonna & Philtrum

Clean the outside of the site twice daily with cotton bud as in general advice section. Use half strength mouthwash to clean the inside site.
If you have a ring clean the jewellery also as you move it around. If you have a labret stud you need to check that the ball is screwed on tightly at least twice a day.

MINIMUM HEALING TIME THREE MONTHS

Navel

The navel area tends to collect dirt and thus can be prone to infections. After a navel piercing, a small amount of redness and crusting is normal, as is a discharge of a small amount of clear fluid. These symptoms should lessen within six to eight weeks.
Clean both piercing holes twice a day with a cotton bud as in general advice section. Use a separate cotton bud for each hole. Avoid tight clothing around the waist and avoid the use of belts until sit is healed. Cover the site with a clean, dry dressing if doing stretching exercises/contact sports. Your piercer will advise when you can resume these sports activities. Avoid swimming if possible until the site is healed.

N.B
It is recommended that navel jewellery be only changed on the advice of, and by, your piercer. This is usually done between the first six to twelve months after a navel piercing.

MINIMUM HEALING TIME FOUR MONTHS TO ONE YEAR

Madison, Web, Fraenum (tongue, lip or penis sites)

These are ‘temporary’ surface piercings. The site should be cleaned as for navel site advice.

Genitals

Clean site twice daily with warm water. Both males and females are advised to use a panty liner to absorb moisture and provide protection to the site. Tight restrictive clothing should be avoided to prevent friction and irritation to the site. There may be intermittent bleeding for the first few days after the initial piercing. If the urethra is pierced (males only) you may also pass some blood in your urine for a few days. Any bleeding should be minor. If it is a continuous and/or heavy loss you MUST SEEK IMMEDIATE MEDICAL ATTENTION.

Sexual contact should be avoided for the first two weeks and should be gentle at first. Barrier protection should be used as part of a safe sex routine.

MINIMUM HEALING TIME ONE TO THREE MOTHS FOR GENITAL (male and female) piercings including inner labia and clitoral hood. An ampallang (across the penis piercing) may take four months to over a year to heal. An outer labia piercing may take several months to heal.

Common Complications

Infection

If aftercare advice is not followed correctly, infection may occur at the site.

Possible indications of an infection are:
. Increased redness and/or swelling
. The piercing is painful to touch
. There may be a painful throbbing sensation or a feeling of ‘heat’ at the site
. The discharge becomes yellow or green in colour and smells offensive

If the above symptoms occur you need to seek urgent medical attention either through your GP or local walk-in centre. In emergencies you should attend the local A & E Department. Try to avoid removing the jewellery before being assessed.

Jewellery Migration

This is when the jewellery starts to move outwards towards your skin. Eyebrow and navel piercings can be particularly prone to this. Please see your piercer if you notice this occurring, as if left unchecked, it can lead to the piercing being pulled/torn out of the skin. This may then lead to permanent scarring.

Possible Complications to Specific Piercing Sites

Ear & Nose

Small lumps may form around the piercing site, these are called granulomas. If they persist, please see your GP.

Nose Septum

Can be very tender for the first few weeks but this should lessen. If pain is excessive or prolonged, please consult a doctor.

Eyebrow

Can be problematic as the skin is quite thin. Migration can also occur forcing the piercing out. Although little can be done to prevent migration, please see your piercer for advice if this occurs.

Tongue

Piercing may cause permanent damage to teeth due to the constant friction of the jewellery against the teeth enamel. This can be reduced by, returning to your piercer to have your jewellery changed to a smaller sized piece.

If you have any problems/queries please contact your piercer initially. He/She will refer you onto your GP if there are signs of adverse reaction/infection. However, in an emergency, you MUST seek urgent medical help by going to your nearest Accident and Emergency (A&E) Department.