New York Tattoo Company

How To Care For Your New Tattoo
1. Remove the bandage from your new tattoo in 2-4 hours. If the bandage is sticking to the tattoo, DO NOT pull it free. Pour a little water on it to loosen up the dried blood or ointment that is holding it there. You don't want to cause any damage to the skin under it. Discard the bandage once it’s removed. There is no need to re-bandage the tattoo again unless instructed to when the tattoo was complete.

2. Wash your new tattoo with warm water and a mild soap. When washing, it is best to just use your hand and rub lightly on the tattoo to remove any dried blood, ointment or excess ink. Do not use a washcloth or an abrasive soap because at this time your tattoo is forming a scab and you do not want to cause any damage to it or the skin underneath. For The remainder of the healing process its best to wash it once in the morning and once at night. When you’re finished washing it, pat it dry with a soft towel.

3. Apply a thin layer of Bacitracin or Vitamin A & D ointment to the tattoo. Generally you do this about 4 times a day over the next week. Apply the ointment in small doses with your fingertip until it is completely covered in a thin film. Then pat it several times with a dry paper towel to remove any excess ointment. Keeping a thin layer on the tattoo. This will let it heal faster and retain its color better, where as a thick layer of ointment will cause the tattoo to push out too much excess ink, scab heavy, slow the healing time, and/or cause an allergic rash.

4. After a week, switch to moisturizing skin lotion. Curel or Lubriderm work very well, but any will do as long as its fragrance free. Again, you do this about 4 times a day over the next week. Rubbing it gently into the tattoo being careful not to remove any scabs that still remain.

5. Your tattoo will scab and flake during these 2 weeks. DO NOT pick at the scabs. Doing so can cause damage to the skin as well as the tattoo and result in color loss and scarring.

6. For the first 3 weeks avoid: Sun Tanning, Tanning Beds, Salt Water, Chlorine, Steam Rooms, and Hot Tubs. These will harm your healing tattoo by damaging the new skin that is forming over it.
Once your tattoo is finished it is your responsibility to take care of it. A few weeks are not a lot to ask for something that will last the rest of your life. The better you care for your tattoo the brighter it will stay for years to come.

Useful Tips For A Life Long Tattoo
Avoid exposing the tattoo to the sun for long periods of time without protection. The sun can fade a tattoo drastically over the years. Using a good strong sun block over the tattoo will help avoid this.

Use moisturizing skin lotion on the tattoo often. Dry skin can make a tattoo look dull and faded. The lotion will moisten that dry layer making it more translucent which in turn makes the tattoo more visible and brighter.

Use moisturizing skin lotion on rough skin areas. Tattoos on the fingers, hands, elbows and feet tend to fade faster then other areas. Use a moisturizing lotion often on these areas to keep the skin softer and more flexible. This will result in less shedding of the skin in those areas and help them retain the tattoo for many years.

Shave over the tattoo. This one is more for people that are hairy. Hair can obstruct the view of the tattoo on your skin again making it look dull and faded. Shaving that area will make the tattoo more visible and brighter looking. Despite the myth, your hair will not grow back faster and thicker.

Frequently Asked Questions About Tattoo Aftercare
1. Does every tattoo scab?
Yes every tattoo scabs to some degree. If taken care of correctly it should be very minimal. But this also depends on your body, how it heals and the type of tattoo. Black and gray pieces scab less and heal faster then color tattoos. Color tattoos require more work therefore create more trauma to the skin, which causes a heavier scab. Placement on the body also affects scabbing. Areas that bend, like the inside elbow, tend to form heavier scabs and take longer to heal.

2. Ink is coming out of my tattoo, is something wrong?
Yes and no. It is normal for your tattoo to push out small amounts of excess ink the first 2-3 days. But if it continues after that then you are applying too much ointment to your tattoo. Remember, thinner is better when it comes to applying the ointment. Re-read the aftercare above to learn the correct way to apply the ointment.

3. Will it be sore during the healing process?
Yes, for the most part. It should just be sore to the touch as you apply the ointment. But some areas like the ankles can swell if you tend to be on your feet for long periods of time through out the day. Ice inside a zip lock bag can be placed over the tattoo to help relieve the soreness in any area.

4. After my tattoo healed I can see some spots missing, can this be fixed?
Yes, even the most well taken care of tattoo can heal with a spot or 2 missing. It is good to wait a week or 2 after your tattoo is completely healed before you come back for any touch ups. Going into the skin too soon can cause scarring.

5. My tattoo broke out in a red rash with pimples what should I do?
This rash is caused by the use of the ointment whether it’s Bacitracin or Vitamin A & D. Stop using it at once and start applying rubbing alcohol to the tattoo 4 times a day until the rash is gone. This will dry up the rash as well as the tattoo causing it to take a little longer to heal. While it won't look like it during this time, the tattoo should heal up fine.

6. Can I still tan if I cover my tattoo while it’s healing?
No, UV rays can still penetrate through and damage the newly forming skin.

7. When my tattoo healed I noticed that it isn't as bright as when I first had it done, is this normal?
Yes. New skin forms over the tattoo as it heals. So essentially when you look at a tattoo you're looking at it through your skin. The darker your skin tone is the less vibrant the colors will be. This is a normal process of your body and going over the tattoo again won't make it any brighter. Apply some moisturizing skin lotion to the tattoo. It will make the top layer of skin more translucent which in turn makes the tattoo more visible and brighter.

8. My friends told me a different way to heal my tattoos, who should I listen too?
While we're sure your friends care about you and want the best for you, if they are not professional tattoo artists then you shouldn't be listening to them about your tattoo care. Also there are many tattoo artists out there with many ways to heal a tattoo, and we find that our aftercare is what works best with our style of tattooing. We are always available to answers any questions you have about your tattoo.

How To Care For Your New Body Piercing
Cleaning Your New Piercing
1. Clean your hands. Always wash your hands thoroughly prior to cleaning, or touching on or near your piercing. When cleaning your hands or pierced area use a liquid anti-microbial or germicidal soap.

2. Saline soak your piercing at least two to three times daily. Invert a cup of warm saline solution over the area to form a vacuum for a few minutes. On some areas of the body it may be easier to apply the saline solution with a fresh gauze or cotton ball saturated with the saline solution. Lightly rinse the area after to remove any residue. Use a sterile saline solution with no additives or a non-iodized sea salt mixture made by dissolving 1/8 - 1/4 teaspoon of non-iodized sea salt into one 8oz cup of warm distilled or bottled water. A stronger mixture is not better, saline solution that is too strong can irritate the piercing.

3. Clean your piercing using liquid anti-microbial or germicidal soap no more than once or twice a day. While showering, lather up a pearl size drop of the soap to clean the jewelry and the piercing. Leave the cleanser on the piercing no more than thirty seconds, then rinse thoroughly to remove all traces of the soap from the piercing.

4. Pat dry your new piercing with a paper towel or tissue. Cloth towels can harbor bacteria and catch on new piercings causing injury.

These are some normal things that you may experience with your piercing:
Initially you may experience some bleeding, localized swelling, tenderness, or bruising.

During the healing process some discoloration, itching, or secretion of a whitish-yellow fluid that will form some crust on the jewelry may occur.

As the piercing heals the tissue may tighten around the jewelry.

Once the piercing is healed the jewelry may not move freely. Do not force it.

A piercing may seem healed before healing is complete. This is because piercings heal from the outside in, and although it feels healed the tissue remains fragile on the inside. Be patient, and keep cleaning throughout the entire healing period.

Even healed piercings can shrink or close in minutes after having been there for years. If you like your piercing, leave the jewelry in place.

Here are a few tips to help your piercing heal:
Wash your hands prior to touching the piercing and leave it alone except when your cleaning it. It is not necessary to rotate the jewelry while healing except possibly during cleaning.

Stay healthy. Get enough sleep and eat a nutritious diet. The healthier your lifestyle, the easier it will be for your piercing to heal. Exercise during healing is fine, just “listen” to your body.

Make sure your bedding is kept clean and changed regularly. Wear clean, comfortable breathable clothing that protects your piercing while sleeping.

Showering is safer than taking a bath, because bathtubs tend to harbor bacteria. If you would like to take a bath, clean the tub well before each use.

Things to avoid:
Avoid undue trauma such as friction from clothing, excessive motion of the area, playing with the jewelry and vigorous cleaning. These activities can cause the formation of unsightly and uncomfortable scar tissue, migration, prolonged healing, and other complications.

Avoid the use of alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, Betadine, Hibiclens or ointment.

Avoid over cleaning. This can delay your healing and irritate your piercing.

Avoid all oral contact, rough play, and contact with others’ bodily fluids on or near your piercing during healing.

Avoid stress and recreational drug use including excessive caffeine, nicotine, and alcohol.

Avoid submerging the piercing in bodies of water such as lakes, pools, jacuzzis, etc. Or protect your piercing using a special waterproof bandage such as Tegaderm, which is available at drugstores.

Avoid all beauty and personal care products on or around the piercing including cosmetics, lotions, and sprays, etc.

Don’t hang charms or any object from your jewelry until the piercing is fully healed.

Helpful Tips About Jewelry
Unless there is a problem with the size, style, or material of the initial jewelry, leave it in place for the entire healing period. Come see us if any changes with the jewelry need to occur.

Contact us if your jewelry must be temporarily removed, such as for a medical procedure. There are non-metallic jewelry alternatives.

Leave jewelry in at all times. Even old, well-healed piercings can shrink or close in minutes after having been there for years. If removed re-insertion can be difficult or impossible.

With clean hands or paper product, be sure to regularly check the threaded ends on your jewelry for tightness.

Should you decide you no longer want the piercing, come see us to help remove the jewelry. Continue cleaning the piercing until the hole closes. In most cases only a small indentation will remain.

In the event that an infection is suspected, quality jewelry or an inert alternative should be left in place to allow for drainage of the infection. Should the jewelry be removed, the surface cells can closeup sealing the infection inside the piercing channel, resulting in an abscess. Until such time an infection is cleared up, leave quality jewelry in.

Helpful Tips For Particular Areas
Navel
A hard, vented eye patch can be applied under tight clothing (such as nylon stockings) or secured using a length of ace bandage around the body (to avoid irritation from adhesive). This can protect the area from restrictive clothing, excess irritation, and impact during physical activities such as contact sports.

Ear, Ear Cartilage and Facial
Dress your pillow in a large, clean t-shirt and turn it nightly. One clean t-shirt provides four clean surfaces for sleeping.

Maintain cleanliness of telephones, headphones, eyeglasses, helmets, hats and anything that contacts the pierced area.

Use caution when styling your hair and advise your stylist of a new or healing piercing.

Nipple
The support of a tight cotton shirt or sports bra may provide protection and feel comfortable, especially for sleeping.

Genital
In most cases you can engage in sexual activity as soon as you feel ready. Comfort and hygiene are vital.

During healing all sexual activities must be gentle. To increase comfort and decrease trauma, soak in warm saline solution or plain water to remove any crusty matter, prior to sexual activity.

Use barriers such as condoms, dental dams, and Tegaderm, etc. to avoid contact with a partner’s bodily fluids, even in long-term relationships. Use clean, disposable barriers on sex toys.

Wash hands before touching on or near the piercing.

Use a new container of water based lubricant. Do not use your own saliva as a lubricant.

After sex, an additional saline soak or clean water rinse is suggested.

Prince Albert and Apadravya piercings can bleed freely for the first few days.

If using soap, urinate after cleaning any piercing that is near the urethra. Each body is unique and healing times vary considerably. If you have any questions, please contact us.

How To Care For Your Oral Piercing
Cleaning For Piercings That Are Inside Your Mouth
Rinse your mouth 4-5 times daily with an antimicrobial or antibacterial alcohol-free mouth rinse for 30-60 seconds. Make sure to rinse after meals and at bedtime during the entire healing period. If you over clean that area, it may cause discoloration or irritation of tongue.

Cleaning For The Exterior Of Labret, Cheek And Lip Piercings
1. Clean your hands. Always wash your hands thoroughly prior to cleaning, or touching on or near your piercing. When cleaning your hands or the pierced area use a liquid anti-microbial or germicidal soap.

2. Saline soak your piercing at least two to three times daily. Invert a cup of warm saline solution over the area to form a vacuum for a few minutes. On some areas of the body it may be easier to apply the saline solution with a fresh gauze or cotton ball saturated with the saline solution. Lightly rinse the area after to remove any residue. Use a sterile saline solution with no additives or a non-iodized sea salt mixture made by dissolving 1/8 - 1/4 teaspoon of non-iodized sea salt into one a 8oz cup of warm distilled or bottled water. A stronger mixture is not better, saline solution that is too strong can irritate the piercing.

3. Clean your piercing using liquid anti-microbial or germicidal soap no more than once or twice a day. While showering, lather up a pearl size drop of the soap to clean the jewelry and the piercing. Leave the cleanser on the piercing no more than thirty seconds, then rinse thoroughly to remove all traces of the soap from the piercing.

4. Pat dry your new piercing with a paper towel or tissue. Cloth towels can harbor bacteria and catch on new piercings causing injury.

These are some things that may experience with your piercing that are normal:
For the first 3-5 days you may experience significant swelling, light bleeding, bruising, and tenderness.

During the healing process some swelling or a light secretion of a whitish-yellow fluid may occur.

A piercing may seem healed before healing is complete. This is because piercings heal from the outside in, and although it feels healed the tissue remains fragile on the inside. Be patient, and keep cleaning throughout the entire healing period.

Even healed piercings can shrink or close in minutes after having been there for years. If you like your piercing, leave the jewelry in place.

Here are a few tips to help you during the healing process:
To help reduce swelling allow small pieces of ice to dissolve in the mouth.

Take an over the counter, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory such as Ibuprofen or Naproxyn Sodium according to package instructions.

Sleep with your head elevated above your heart during the first few nights.

To maintain good oral hygiene use a new soft-bristled toothbrush and keep it clean.

Brush your teeth, and use your rinse after every meal.

During healing floss daily, and gently brush your teeth, tongue and jewelry. Once healed, brush the jewelry more thoroughly to avoid plaque build up.

Things to avoid:
Do not play with the jewelry. Long term effects of playing with, and clicking the jewelry against your teeth can result in permanent damage to teeth and other oral structures.

Undue trauma such as excessive talking or playing with the jewelry during healing can cause the formation of unsightly and uncomfortable scar tissue, migration, and other complications.

Avoid any mouthwash containing alcohol. It can irritate the area and delay healing.

Avoid oral sexual contact including kissing or oral sex during healing, even with a long term partner.

Avoid chewing on gum, tobacco, fingernails, pencils, sunglasses, etc.

Avoid sharing plates, cups, and eating utensils.

Avoid smoking. It increases risks and lengthens healing time.

Avoid stress and all recreational drug use.

Avoid aspirin or alcohol, and large amounts of caffeine.

Avoid submerging in bodies of water such as lakes, pools, etc.

Helpful Tips About Jewelry
Once the swelling has subsided, it is vital to replace the original longer jewelry with a shorter post.

This necessary jewelry change may occur during healing. Do not attempt to change the jewelry yourself, please come see us first.

With clean hands or paper product, be sure to regularly check the threaded ends on your jewelry for tightness.

Contact us if your jewelry must be temporarily removed, such as for a medical procedure. There are non-metallic jewelry alternatives.

Should you decide you no longer want the piercing, come see us to help remove the jewelry. Continue cleaning the piercing until the hole closes. In most cases only a small indentation will remain.

In the event that an infection is suspected, quality jewelry or an inert alternative should be left in place to allow for drainage of the infection. Should the jewelry be removed, the surface cells can closeup sealing the infection inside the piercing channel, resulting in an abscess. Until such time an infection is cleared up, leave quality jewelry in.

Helpful Tips About Eating With Your New Piercing
Slowly eat small bites of food, placed directly onto the molars.

Avoid eating spicy, salty, acidic, or hot temperature foods or beverages for a few days.

Cold foods and beverages are soothing and help reduce swelling.

For tongue piercing, try to keep your tongue level in your mouth as you chew and swallow.

For labret, cheek and lip piercings be cautious about opening your mouth too wide as this can result in the backing of the jewelry catching on the teeth.

Each body is unique and healing times vary considerably. If you have any questions, please contact us.

If you still have any questions feel free to e-mail us at newyorktattoo@hotmail.com.

Looking for a new tattoo design? Check out the links below.