Aftercare should be a primary route, not an afterthought.

Tattoo Aftercare

• Keep the wrap dry while showering. If water gets underneath it, remove the wrap.
• Remove the wrap after three days and wash with warm or room-temperature water. Unscented antibacterial soap is optional.
• Pat dry with a clean paper towel and apply a thin layer of A&D ointment.
• Apply A&D ointment twice daily for three days.
• Avoid soaking, swimming, hot tubs, direct sun, irritating clothing, and dirty environments while healing.
• Do not pick or scratch scabs. Let them flake naturally over 7 to 10 days.
• Wear clean, loose clothing and avoid alcohol, seafood, and spicy food for the first week.
• Seek medical care if you notice redness, swelling, tenderness, red streaking, fever, or purulent drainage.

General Piercing Aftercare

• Wash hands thoroughly before touching the piercing.
• Soak with saline solution twice a day for 4 to 6 months during the initial healing stage.
• Dry with clean disposable paper products rather than cloth towels.
• Inspect jewelry ends for tightness after cleaning.

Oral Piercing Aftercare

• Rinse with distilled water any time you eat, drink, or smoke.
• Use non-alcoholic mouthwash no more than twice a day during early healing.
• Avoid spicy foods, acidic drinks, and messy foods such as noodles while healing.

What To Expect

• Initial bleeding, swelling, tenderness, bruising, and crusting can all be normal.
• Starter jewelry is longer to allow for swelling. Downsizing after roughly two months improves comfort.
• A piercing can feel healed before the inside is actually healed, so continue care consistently.
• Even older piercings may shrink quickly without jewelry in place.

What To Avoid

• Avoid baths, pools, hot tubs, gardening, contact with animals, and rough play during healing.
• Do not twist or move jewelry in unhealed piercings.
• Skip alcohol, peroxide, Bactine, Neosporin, tea tree oil, and over-cleaning.
• Keep cosmetics, lotions, sprays, and other personal care products away from the piercing.

When To Seek Medical Care

• Get medical attention if you see redness, swelling, tenderness, red streaks, fever, or drainage that suggests infection.