Q:
Does it hurt? A: A tattoo is not extremely
painful; however, there is a certain amount of discomfort involved
in getting a tattoo. It generally feels like a slight sunburn
or a mild cat scratch.
Q: How long does it take to heal? A: In general most tattoos
heal in about 2 weeks. This is the initial healing time as this
is only the outside of the tattoo. It takes a few more weeks for
it to fully heal underneath.
Q: Can I go swimming? A: Only if you know how to.
However, you should not have your new tattoo submersed in water
during the initial healing stage (2 weeks) as the soaking will
open the pores of your skin and a loss of color could result.
Showers are OK, but keep them brief.
Q: How long before it fades? A: The initial fading that
most people see is the result of the healing process of the tattoo.
As the skin tissue heals, this layer of skin will mute the brightness
for the tattoo slightly. Most fading is due to exposure to the
sun. If you use a good strong sun block on your tattoo when you
are out in the sun, you will probably never need to have it touched
up or recolored.
Q: How do I take care of it?
A: after you get your tattoo, you should soak your
bandage off after one hour. Don't pull it off, because if it is
sticking to the tattoo you could pull out some of the color. Once
the bandage is off, wash the tattoo up with warm water and soap,
massaging away any blood that may be on the surface, then pat
the tattoo dry. Apply a small amount of A&D ointment, massaging
it into the tattoo. Wipe the excess away, leaving only a slight
shine on the tattoo. Repeat the above 4-5 times per day for 3
days. After the third day stop using the A & D ointment and
switch to a good quality dry skin cream. Apply the dry skin cream
frequently for the remainder of two weeks. Do not pick, scratch
or otherwise abuse your tattoo during the healing process. Do
not expose to sun or submerse in water.
ABOUT BODY PIERCING...
Q:
Does it hurt?
A: Most piercings don't hurt as the needles that we
use are extremely sharp.
Q: What if I do not wish to keep the
piercing, will it scar?
A: In general, most piercings, if they are taken care
of properly, the most scarring that would result is that of a
pox mark or acne scar.
Q: If I get my tongue pierced, how long before I can eat?
A: You could go out and eat shortly after getting it
pierced. Depending on how you feel, what you would be eating would
be somewhere between baby food and a steak dinner.
Q: How long does it take to do a piercing?
A: It generally take a few minutes to set up to do
the piercing (cleaning the area, marking it and getting out any
equipment necessary to do the piercing). Once everything is ready
to go most piercings are done within a second or two.
Q: How do I take care of my piercing?
1. Area
must be kept clean at all times.
2. Clean twice daily as follows:
3. Place warm wet wash cloth on piercing to remove any crusting.
4. Coat ring with betadine solution and rotate ring into piercing.
5. Allow betadine solution to remain in piercing for 3-5 minutes.
6. Rinse thoroughly with warm water and rotate ring back.
7. Rings must be kept in place on the average of 2-3 months
before jewelry can be changed.
8. Only use rings made of 14kt. solid gold, surgical steel,
niobium or titanium.
Q: What about oral aftercare?
1. Use
ice for 24-72 hours to keep swelling to a minimum.
2. Use listerine after consuming anything but water; including
cigarettes.
3. Use Gly-oxide twice daily to deep clean the piercing.
4. Periodically check the balls on the barbells for snugness.
5. Jewelry should remain in place the average of 2-3 months
before changing jewelry.
