Aftercare
Your New Tattoo
Congratulations on your new tattoo!
To maximize the healing process, we recommend four weeks to let your skin heal post tattoo or piercing. During the healing process, your tattoo and/or piercing will appear to go through many stages, so it is important to have patience in order to see the finished product.
Judgment of your results should be deferred three to four weeks following the final procedure.
Under no circumstances should you pick, scratch or rub the treated area or attempt to remove the scab. (we can tell if you messed with it)
As the outer layer flakes off of your new tattoo, you will notice that the color is lighter and softer than when you initially got it. This is a normal part of the healing process and eventually saturation will return to normal. After one month, your healing process should be complete
· Ice packs wrapped in a clean paper towel can be applied for 10 to 15 minutes each hour for the first 4-8 hours following the procedure. The ice is used to reduce swelling and provide comfort.
· No abrasive cleansers or scrubs on the treated area for at least 7 days. Do not over wash your tattoo! All cleansing should be done with cool water and gently dabbed on the treated area. Wash your hands relatively often as they may have bacteria on them. Do not rub the area in any way.
For Recovery Derm Shield:
· IF you have a latex allergy, DO NOT USE.
Leave the Recovery Derm Shield on for 4-7 days to protect your new tattoo, but take off immediately if adverse reactions occur to tattoo or skin around such as red bumps or hives. Some redness and fluid buildup is NORMAL underneath the bandage. Take off the bandage if there’s leaking, rash, bumps, or hives. No submersion in water or excessive sweaty activities wearing this bandage or allergic reaction and/or infection will occur. After 4-7 days, gently pull down on a corner of the shield to release under warm, running water. (if your skin is sticky, you took it off too fast) Wash your tattoo 3x a day with antibacterial soap. Apply plain unscented lotion as needed (NOT ointment).
· IF THE RECOVERY DERM FALLS OFF EARLY and/or You are allergic to the Recovery Derm and cannot use it: Apply A&D ointment, or Aquaphor if you are not sensitive to it only for the first three days. Fourth day, let the tattoo rest. Fifth day, switch from ointment to plain unscented moisturizer. Always apply with clean hands to the procedure area for the first 24-36 hours. Twice a day at most, do not over apply the ointment for the first 3 days. DO NOT use mineral oil or petroleum-based products such as Vaseline. If you are vegan, use coconut oil instead.
· If excessive redness, swelling or rash occurs call 212-777-0621 for NYC or 973-837-8778 for NJ or email victoryartandtattoo@gmail.com immediately.
· Showers are permitted but do not rub, or scrub the treatment area. Hot, steamy baths and scalding showers should be avoided completely. If shampoo or anything other than antibacterial soap touches the treatment area, gently rinse the area with warm water.
After three weeks, you may resume all regular activities
· For at least four weeks, no excessive sun exposure or swimming in chlorinated pools
· Do not use any cosmetics on or near the treated area for four weeks.
· If needed, over-the-counter medications like Tylenol or Advil are recommended unless otherwise advised by your doctor.
· Variations to these recommendations are NOT encouraged and will most likely affect the final out come of your procedure. Do not listen to anyone other than a trained professional from Victory.
· At the end of four weeks, your procedure should be healed on the surface. Please contact your artist if you feel that the area needs a touchup.
Free touchups are only offered as needed by the artist and are not standard or always necessary.
Please do not wait longer than 3 weeks after the initial procedure to contact the artist and send a healed photo if you suspect you need a touchup.
Should you suspect an infection in or around the procedure area, please contact the shop immediately!
Your New Piercing
Congratulations on your new Piercing!
To maximize the healing process, we recommend six weeks to let your skin heal. During the healing process, your piercing will appear to go through many stages, so it is important to have patience in order to see the finished product. It is truly the finished work that determines the quality of the procedure.
Post-Procedural Considerations - After Care:
The after care procedures are as important as the actual implantation process. During these periods, the primary objective is to allow the body to heal naturally, and to let your immune system do what it does best.
For piercings:
· Please gently wash the area three times a day with antibacterial soap. Do not use a loofah or sponge when cleaning your piercing. Pat dry with a clean paper towel.
· You can spray Steri-Wash on the piercing in the shower, and clean away crusties with a sterile q-tip three times a day. DO NOT touch, spin or pick at your new piercing, as the tissue is extremely delicate and prone to infection and scarring. (titanium negates the need to spin the jewelry)
· DO NOT pick at the crusts that form on the outside of the piercing. They are beneficial to the healing of the procedure, and are the body’s first natural line of defense at preventing infection. Introduction of bacteria by your hands occurs, so it is very important to not pick at your piercing.
· DO NOT cover the piercing with a bandage or clothing unless absolutely necessary to prevent infection
· If swelling occurs, ice packs wrapped in a paper towel with light pressure can be beneficial, as are over the counter pain medications like Tylenol, Motrin, and Advil.
· If Irritation Bumps occur on your fresh piercing, please call the shop for guidance.
· In 6 weeks your piercing should be almost healed. We prefer you to call the shop to have us change your jewelry if you wish to upgrade.
· If irritation or infection occurs, please call the shop at 212-777-0621 or our jersey location at 973-837-8778 for guidance. Please note, infection of piercings is RARE, unless the aftercare instructions weren’t followed exactly.
· Judgement on the results of your new piercing should follow after 6 weeks.
Judgment of your results should be deferred three to four weeks following the final procedure. The intensity of the procedure is most prominent following the procedure itself, as bruising, redness, and puffiness on the exit site side are all normal (for example, for septum piercings). Special care should be exercised while the treated area is healing.
Please pick jewelry that is light, smooth, and easy to clean as to not unintentionally cause: discomfort, migration, irritation, or infection
