Tattoo Aftercare

Remove bandages after two to four hours.
With clean hands, gently wash tattoo with anti-microbial/unscented soap and warm water. Do not use anything abrasive. We recommend Tattoo Lovers Care Tattoo Foam Soap.
Pat dry with a clean paper towel and air dry for 15 minutes.
When the tattoo is dry, apply a very thin coat of ointment to the tattoo. We recommend Tattoo Lovers Care Tattoo Salve.
Wash, dry, and apply salve to the tattoo three times a day for the first ten days.
Salve can be applied if the tattoo is feeling too stiff or too dry, but do not over moisturize the area. Your body will absorb what it needs in the area that it needs it.
Switch to a regular, unscented moisturizer on the eleventh day (we recommend Tattoo Lovers Care Tattoo Cream) and stop using salve or similar ointment.
Avoid long showers, baths, or swimming for at least two weeks.
Do not scratch or pick at the tattoo.
Stay out of the sun (can start using sunscreen after 2 weeks)

If you have any additional questions or concerns, please contact your artist directly.

Saniderm/Dermshield Aftercare

We recommend leaving the first bandage on for 8 to 24 hours.
After removing the bandage with clean hands, gently and thoroughly clean the area with anti-microbial/unscented soap and warm water. We recommend Tattoo Lovers Care Tattoo Foam Soap. Do not use anything abrasive.
Pat dry with a clean paper towel and air dry for 15 minutes before applying a new Saniderm/Dermshield bandage.
When applying a new Saniderm/Dermshield bandage, the bandage should be about half an inch larger than the surface area of the tattoo.
Remove the white paper side first and place the sticky side on the tattoo.
Press down to remove as many air bubbles as possible.
Remove the plastic layer that is clear with letters on it.
Leave the new layer of Saniderm/Dermshield on for three to five days.
The tattoo may weep during the healing process, however if an excessive amount of fluid accumulates under the bandage, then remove the Saniderm/Dermshield and allow the tattoo to heal naturally with recommended Tattoo Lovers Care Aftercare Bundle or similar soap & moisturizer.
Avoid sweating excessively or submerging the tattooed area in water while using Saniderm.

If you have any additional questions or concerns, please contact your artist directly.

Piercing Aftercare

External Piercings
- Always wash your hands before touching any of your piercings.
- Apply saline solution to completely saturate the area twice a day. You may clean it a third time if you worked out, dog licked it, something got on it, etc. We recommend NeilMed Piercing Aftercare. Saline solution is a salt water solution. You can get it from us at Esperanza Ink Tattoos in a pre-packaged, sterile spray, or at any pharmacy as a simple saline spray or wound wash. Do NOT use contact solution or eye drops to clean your piercing. We do not recommend making your saline solution as that does provide room for bacteria to get on your utensils and inside the solution as you are packaging it.
- Take a q-tip or cotton swab with saline and go around the jewelry to remove any dirt/debris.
- Rinse completely with distilled water.
- DO NOT rotate/turn jewelry.
- Dry completely with a disposable paper product (cotton swab, tissue, paper towel, etc).
- Keep your nutrition up so your body has everything it needs to heal.
Oral Piercings
- Always wash your hands before touching any of your piercings.
- With anti-microbial or anti-bacterial ALCOHOL FREE mouthwash, swish 20ml for 30-60 seconds 3-5 times a day.
- For lip piercings, rinse with mouthwash 3-5 times a day and apply saline solution to completely saturate the area twice a day. You may clean it a third time if you worked out, dog licked it, something got on it, etc. We recommend NeilMed Piercing Aftercare. Saline solution is a salt water solution. You can get it from us at Esperanza Ink Tattoos in a pre-packaged, sterile spray, or at any pharmacy as a simple saline spray or wound wash. Do NOT use contact solution or eye drops to clean your piercing. We do not recommend making your saline solution as that does provide room for bacteria to get on your utensils and inside the solution as you are packaging it.
- Take a q-tip or cotton swab with saline and go around the jewelry to remove any dirt/debris.
- Rinse external area completely with distilled water.
- DO NOT rotate/turn jewelry.
- Dry completely with a disposable paper product (cotton swab, tissue, paper towel, etc).
- Keep your nutrition up so your body has everything it needs to heal.
- For swelling, let ice melt in your mouth or wrap ice in a paper towel and apply to the outside area, 10 minutes on/50 minutes off. Ibuprofen (Advil) and Naproxen Sodium (Aleeve) are great anti-inflammatories. Take up to 600mg ibuprofen or 300mg naproxen sodium twice a day for the rist 3-5 day to help reduce swelling.
- Cold foods and beverages are soothing to the area and can help reduce swelling.
Genital Piercings
- Nipples
  - Use external cleaning process.
  - Sport bras or an un-padded cotton bra may provide relief from external irritants.
- Genetalia
  - Use external cleaning process.
  - Do not be alarmed: Prince Alberts, Ampallangs and Apadravyas can bleed freely for the first couple of days.
  - Urinate after using soap to empty the urethra of any contaminants.
  - Avoid sexual activity until mostly healed to avoid trauma towards the piercing. Wearing a protective barrier like a condom or dental dam is mandatory until fully healed to avoid infection.
  - Clean with saline after oral or sexual intercourse.

If you have any additional questions or concerns, please contact your piercer directly.

Signs of Infection/What to Avoid

Signs of Infection
- See a doctor immediately if you experience any of the following:
  - Your symptoms last for a week or worsen rapidly.
  - You experience fever, chills, nausea, vomiting, or dizziness.
  - The piercing/tattoo is extremely painful to the point you want to take it out (the piercing), is excessively swollen, or has read streaks from the piercing site.
  - You are seeing pus that is green or gray and emits a smell.
What to Avoid
- Tattoos
  - Avoid picking at your tattoo.
  - Avoid cleaning your tattoo with alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, or any harsh soaps with fragrances.
  - Avoid submerging your tattoos. Ex: pools, saunas, lakes, oceans, bath tubs, long showers, excessive sweating, etc.
  - Avoid direct sunlight, sunscreen, or anything other than the recommended aftercare for the next 2 weeks.
  - Avoid tight, restrictive clothing.
  - Avoid stress both mental and physical.
- External Piercings
  - Avoid picking/playing with your jewelry.
  - Avoid cleaning your piercing with alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, or any harsh soaps with fragrances.
  - Avoid removing jewelry too early.
  - Avoid submerging your piercings. Ex: pools, saunas, lakes, oceans, bath tubs.
  - Avoid tight, restrictive clothing as it can rub and move the piercing.
  - Avoid stress both mental and physical.
- Oral Piercings
  - Avoid picking/playing with your jewelry.
  - Avoid mouthwash containing alcohol.
  - Avoid oral contact/oral sex while healing.
  - Avoid stress both mental and physical.
  - Avoid alcohol and smoking for the first 3-5 days as they increase swelling.
  - Avoid straws for the first two weeks.
  - Avoid hard/crunchy foods until healed.
  - Avoid anything hot, spicy, salty, acidic for 3-5 days as they increase swelling.

Tattoo Aftercare

Remove bandages after two to four hours.

With clean hands, gently wash tattoo with anti-microbial/unscented soap and warm water. Do not use anything abrasive. We recommend Tattoo Lovers Care Tattoo Foam Soap.

Pat dry with a clean paper towel and air dry for 15 minutes.

When the tattoo is dry, apply a very thin coat of ointment to the tattoo. We recommend Tattoo Lovers Care Tattoo Salve.

Wash, dry, and apply salve to the tattoo three times a day for the first ten days.

Salve can be applied if the tattoo is feeling too stiff or too dry, but do not over moisturize the area. Your body will absorb what it needs in the area that it needs it.

Switch to a regular, unscented moisturizer on the eleventh day (we recommend Tattoo Lovers Care Tattoo Cream) and stop using salve or similar ointment.

Avoid long showers, baths, or swimming for at least two weeks.

Do not scratch or pick at the tattoo.

Stay out of the sun (can start using sunscreen after 2 weeks)

If you have any additional questions or concerns, please contact your artist directly.

Saniderm/Dermshield Aftercare

We recommend leaving the first bandage on for 8 to 24 hours.

After removing the bandage with clean hands, gently and thoroughly clean the area with anti-microbial/unscented soap and warm water. We recommend Tattoo Lovers Care Tattoo Foam Soap. Do not use anything abrasive.

Pat dry with a clean paper towel and air dry for 15 minutes before applying a new Saniderm/Dermshield bandage.

When applying a new Saniderm/Dermshield bandage, the bandage should be about half an inch larger than the surface area of the tattoo.

Remove the white paper side first and place the sticky side on the tattoo.

Press down to remove as many air bubbles as possible.

Remove the plastic layer that is clear with letters on it.

Leave the new layer of Saniderm/Dermshield on for three to five days.

The tattoo may weep during the healing process, however if an excessive amount of fluid accumulates under the bandage, then remove the Saniderm/Dermshield and allow the tattoo to heal naturally with recommended Tattoo Lovers Care Aftercare Bundle or similar soap & moisturizer.

Avoid sweating excessively or submerging the tattooed area in water while using Saniderm.

If you have any additional questions or concerns, please contact your artist directly.

Piercing Aftercare

External Piercings

Always wash your hands before touching any of your piercings.

Take a q-tip or cotton swab with saline and go around the jewelry to remove any dirt/debris.

Rinse completely with distilled water.

DO NOT rotate/turn jewelry.

Dry completely with a disposable paper product (cotton swab, tissue, paper towel, etc).

Keep your nutrition up so your body has everything it needs to heal.

Oral Piercings

Always wash your hands before touching any of your piercings.

With anti-microbial or anti-bacterial ALCOHOL FREE mouthwash, swish 20ml for 30-60 seconds 3-5 times a day.

Take a q-tip or cotton swab with saline and go around the jewelry to remove any dirt/debris.

Rinse external area completely with distilled water.

DO NOT rotate/turn jewelry.

Dry completely with a disposable paper product (cotton swab, tissue, paper towel, etc).

Keep your nutrition up so your body has everything it needs to heal.

Cold foods and beverages are soothing to the area and can help reduce swelling.

Genital Piercings

Nipples

Use external cleaning process.

Sport bras or an un-padded cotton bra may provide relief from external irritants.

Genetalia

Use external cleaning process.

Do not be alarmed: Prince Alberts, Ampallangs and Apadravyas can bleed freely for the first couple of days.

Urinate after using soap to empty the urethra of any contaminants.

Avoid sexual activity until mostly healed to avoid trauma towards the piercing. Wearing a protective barrier like a condom or dental dam is mandatory until fully healed to avoid infection.

Clean with saline after oral or sexual intercourse.

If you have any additional questions or concerns, please contact your piercer directly.

Signs of Infection/What to Avoid

Signs of Infection

See a doctor immediately if you experience any of the following:

Your symptoms last for a week or worsen rapidly.

The piercing/tattoo is extremely painful to the point you want to take it out (the piercing), is excessively swollen, or has read streaks from the piercing site.

You are seeing pus that is green or gray and emits a smell.

What to Avoid

Tattoos

Avoid picking at your tattoo.

Avoid cleaning your tattoo with alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, or any harsh soaps with fragrances.

Avoid submerging your tattoos. Ex: pools, saunas, lakes, oceans, bath tubs, long showers, excessive sweating, etc.

Avoid direct sunlight, sunscreen, or anything other than the recommended aftercare for the next 2 weeks.

Avoid tight, restrictive clothing.

External Piercings

Avoid cleaning your piercing with alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, or any harsh soaps with fragrances.

Avoid removing jewelry too early.

Avoid tight, restrictive clothing as it can rub and move the piercing.

Oral Piercings

Avoid mouthwash containing alcohol.

Avoid oral contact/oral sex while healing.

Avoid stress both mental and physical.

Avoid alcohol and smoking for the first 3-5 days as they increase swelling.

Avoid straws for the first two weeks.

Avoid hard/crunchy foods until healed.

Avoid anything hot, spicy, salty, acidic for 3-5 days as they increase swelling.