- Piercing & Tattoo -
AFTERCARE
Ink Junkies Tattoo is located in Arvada, CO, just outside of Denver. Our tattoo shop is proud to provide body art for all the great people of Colorado. Since we opened our doors in 2011, we have housed some of the best tattoo artists in Denver. Our artists take pride in giving you a clean, comfortable, and professional tattoo. Each of these talented people creates custom tattoos, and are ready to work with you to create the perfect design because every tattoo big or small holds importance.
Caring for
your Tattoo
Week 1
For the first week make sure to wash your tattoo 2 – 3 times a day. When washing your tattoo make sure to use a gentle fragrance-free soap and just your fingertips to cleanse the area.
Next, pat dry with a clean towel (or fresh paper towel) and apply a LIGHT layer of Aquaphor or bag balm. Make sure to rub it all the way in. Overuse of these ointments can result in clogged pores, which people often confuse for a reaction or infection. Clogged pores due to the over usage of ointments can cause your tattoo to remain too moist and result in ink falling out.
week 2
After the first week, we recommend switching to a fragrance-free lotion (anything with fragrance will burn your tattoo) to keep your tattoo hydrated. Continue to wash it as you have the week before.
During week 2 or 3, peeling will likely occur. Don’t pick or scratch at the peeling tattoo. Your skin may be peeling in the color of ink where it is applied, this is okay. Your tattoo could also become itchy. Don’t scratch it.
NO SWIMMING.
NO BATHS.
NO HOT TUBS.
NO WATER SUBMERSION.
NO SAUNAS.
NO TANNING.
NO SUN EXPOSURE.
NO SUNSCREEN.
NO PICKING OR SCRATCHING.
If you have any other questions please contact your artist.
Caring for
your peircing
Healing times:
- Navel/nipples: 6 months-1 year
- Jewelry can be changed in 6-8 weeks
- Eyebrow/ears/oral piercings: 4-6 weeks
- Jewelry can be changed in about 4-6 weeks.
- Nostril/septum/cartilage: 4-6 months
- Jewelry can be changed in 6-8 weeks
Piercing aftercare is very crucial! You’ll need to clean your piercing at least twice a day, every morning and every night, for at least a month. During the healing process, your body secretes a matter known as lymph, which is primarily white blood cells that aid in the healing process. This fluid should be clear or white and can dry yellowish. If the discharge changes the color green, brown, or becomes bloody please consult a physician.
DO NOT TOUCH YOUR NEW PIERCING UNLESS YOU ARE CLEANING IT AND HAVE WASHED YOUR HANDS.
How to clean a new piercing:
- Wash your hands with antibacterial soap.
- Take a clean Q-tip with warm water and remove any crusted matter around the jewelry.
- Lather your hands with soap and gently lather the jewelry. Take a hold of the jewelry and gently, but firmly, move the jewelry back and forth through the piercing about ten times.
- Next, rinse away the soap and run the jewelry through the piercing with clean water. Make sure to thoroughly rinse away the soap as it could lead to irritation. If you feel you’re experiencing an adverse reaction, please come see us let you know whether it is simply irritation or requires seeing a physician.
DO NOT USE ALCOHOL, HYDROGEN PEROXIDE, OR OINTMENTS. Alcohol and peroxide kill off skin cells that must regenerate to help heal your piercing. Using these products could result in longer healing times. Ointments suffocate the piercing and trap bacteria.
DO NOT allow others to touch your piercing while it’s healing.
DO NOT submerge your new piercing in lakes, oceans, swimming pools, hot tubs or baths for the next month. The bacteria content is high in these places and increases your chance of infection.
Lip/Monroe/Philtrum/Labret:
tart with clean washed hands. Rinse with mouthwash after you eat or drink anything. Wash the outside with soap and water 2-3 times a day as directed above.
If you start with the post style jewelry (versus a ring), check for food particles that could get stuck behind the flat back.
Tongue:
Use mouthwash after you eat or drink anything that is not water.
Lip/Monroe/Philtrum/Labret:
Avoid oral contact with others for about a month and avoid drinking alcohol (especially beer) for about three weeks. Consumption of beer could result in a yeast infection.
If you smoke, use mouthwash after each time or try to avoid it completely.
Jewelry for oral piercings is often longer to give room for the area to swell. After the swelling goes down your jewelry will likely be a little too large and often annoying. Please wait the four weeks before changing it out as additional swelling can occur within the month. If jewelry is changed prematurely it can prolong the total healing time.