Tattoo & Piercing Aftercare Tips from Our Gainesville, FL, Studio

Tattoo Aftercare

  • Take the bandage off after 3-5 hours unless told otherwise by your artist.
  • Wash your hands before touching or washing your tattoo.
  • Wash your tattoo gently and quickly 1-3 times a day with antibacterial soap, water, and your
  • HAND (do not use anything other than your hand). Light rubbing may be necessary to remove the coagulated blood and ink.
  • Rinse thoroughly and dab dry with a disposable towel.
  • Allow the tattoo to air dry 1/2 hour to 1 hour.
  • Moisturize with any white, water-based lotion, free of perfume and alcohol. If your artist suggested moisturizer, please follow their suggestion.
  • Take the time to massage the lotion thoroughly. Tattoos need air to heal. DO NOT EVER leave large amounts of unabsorbed lotion/ointment on your tattoo. 

Do Not

Pick Scab

Re-bandage tattoo

Soak in hot tubs, showers, ocean, springs, pools or lakes

Wear tight clothing on the tattoo area - no shoes or socks on tattooed feet (2 weeks)

Get in a tanning bed

Use antibiotic creams 

If you have any questions or feel something is wrong with your tattoo, come to the shop or contact your artist Immediately.

Do Not

  • Pick Scab
  • Re-bandage tattoo
  • Soak in hot tubs, showers, ocean, springs, pools or lakes
  • Wear tight clothing on the tattoo area -no shoes or socks on tattooed feet (2 weeks)
  • Get in a tanning bed
  • Use antibiotic creams 

If you have any questions or feel something is wrong with your tattoo, come to the shop or contact your artist Immediately.

Touch-Up Policy

Our artists guarantee their work and offer a one-time free touch-up if your tattoo loses color/ink in the healing process. Touch-ups are at the artist's desecration and don't include the normal fading of a tattoo.

We do NOT do FREE touch-ups on:

Hands

Face

Lips

Feet

Fingers

  • Hands
  • Face
  • Lips
  • Feet
  • Fingers

Saniderm Aftercare

The first piece of Saniderm can be left on your new tattoo for 8 to 24 hours. If you notice excessive weeping or fluid under the Saniderm, remove and replace it with a fresh piece.

If your artist gave you an extra piece of Saniderm, In 24 hours, remove the Saniderm and gently wash the tattoo area with a mild antibacterial soap. Allow the tattooed area to dry completely.

Once dry, apply a second piece of Saniderm. This piece will stay on for up to 6 days.

Helpful Tips

The best way to remove Saniderm is to find an edge of the bandage and then pull it back over itself toward hair growth. Pulling upward on the bandage is painful, and we don't recommend it. You can also remove the bandage in the shower under warm water.

Piercing Aftercare

Oral piercings:

  • Use Alcohol Free Oral Rinse 3 - 4 times daily. 
  • Avoid- kissing, oral sex, smoking, drugs, alcohol, chewing gum, drinking from straws, "playing with the piercing" (sticking out of the mouth, banging on teeth, touching with fingers), hot drinks, and spicy food.
  • When eating - take small bites and chew slowly. If it hurts to eat it, do not eat it.
  • Swelling- eat ice cream, popsicles, ice chips, ice water.
  • DO NOT suck on popsicles or ice! Just let it melt in your mouth.
  • Suction can cause bleeding. No Straws.
  • Rinse after eating or drinking ANYTHING.

Ear piercings and navel piercings:

  • We recommend you use H2 Ocean spray 4-6 times daily.
  • Hold the spray bottle close to the piercing and soak thoroughly the front and back of the piercing.
  • Avoid- pools, lakes, beaches, hot tubs, springs, and tanning beds for at least 6-8 weeks.
  • Things to be careful with: pets, children, seat belts, tight clothing, masks, hugging, sex, or anything that will rub on the pierced area.

Genital piercings:

  • Avoid sex for 6-8 weeks. Sorry!
  • Avoid- pools, lakes, beaches, hot tubs, springs, and tanning beds for at least 6-8 weeks.
  • Spray with H2Ocean cleaning spray 4-6 times a day.
  • Cleaning piercing if you didn't get H2Ocean spray.
  • Clean your piercing 3 -4 times a day using warm water and antibacterial liquid soap, lather well, and make sure to clean off all dried secretions that may be present.
  • RINSE WELL.
  • If H2 Ocean is not used, a sterile saline solution can be used.

If you have any questions or feel something is wrong with your piercing, come to the shop OR contact your piercer directly.

Ensure your tattoo's beauty and longevity. Call 352-376-4090 for aftercare tips and advice!