Tattoo & piercing aftercare.
This is the same aftercare we go over in person and text you after your visit — saved here so it's easy to find. Healing is mostly about keeping it clean and leaving it alone. If anything ever looks off, you can always come back in and we'll take a look, free.
Taking care of your new tattoo
Most tattoos heal in about 2–4 weeks. Fresh ink! Treat it like a healing scrape: keep it clean, keep it lightly moisturized, and don't overthink it. Here's the short version.
- •Leave the bandage on as long as your artist said — a few hours for a basic wrap, or 3–5 days for a clear Saniderm-style one. A little plasma or ink under a clear bandage is normal.
- •Take the bandage off under warm running water, then wash gently with clean hands and fragrance-free soap.
- •Pat dry with a clean paper towel and let it air out for a few minutes.
- •Apply a thin layer of fragrance-free lotion (or the balm your artist recommended) a few times a day for 1–2 weeks. Thin — your skin needs to breathe.
- •Don't pick, scratch, or peel it while it flakes — let the flakes fall off on their own.
- •No soaking for about 3 weeks: skip pools, the ocean, baths, hot tubs, and saunas. Quick showers are fine.
- •Keep it out of direct sun while it heals, then use sunscreen to keep it sharp.
- •Don't re-bandage it once it's off, and keep scented lotions, alcohol, and Vaseline off fresh ink.
Normal vs. not: A little redness, swelling, and warmth in the first few days is normal. But if the redness spreads, the area gets hot, oozes pus, or you run a fever, that can be a sign of infection — call us at (562) 479-7293 or see a doctor.
Taking care of your new piercing
Piercings take longer than tattoos — anywhere from a few weeks to several months, depending on placement. New piercing! The whole game is: keep it clean, leave it alone, and be patient. Here's how.
- •Clean it twice a day with sterile saline made for piercings. Spray or soak, then gently pat dry with a clean paper towel.
- •Wash your hands before you touch it — every single time.
- •Leave the starter jewelry in until it's healed; we'll downsize or swap it for you when it's ready.
- •Sleep clean: fresh pillowcases, and try not to sleep on a new ear or face piercing.
- •Don't twist, spin, or play with the jewelry — that's the #1 thing that irritates a fresh piercing.
- •No soaking for about 3 weeks: skip pools, the ocean, baths, and hot tubs while it heals.
- •Skip alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, and ointments like Neosporin — they do more harm than good on piercings.
- •Don't change or take the jewelry out early, even if it looks healed on the surface.
Normal vs. not: Some redness, swelling, and light crusting early on is normal. But if the redness spreads, it gets hot, swells a lot, oozes thick pus, or you run a fever, call us at (562) 479-7293 or see a doctor. Don't take the jewelry out — that can trap an infection.
Not sure if something's normal?
Text or call us — we'd rather you ask. And if you're thinking about your next piece, book a free design consultation or read up on piercings.
Call or text (562) 479-7293