AFTER CARE
This aftercare guide was created to support you through the healing process of your new piercing or tattoo and to answer any questions that may arise. At Master Pierce, we go the extra mile to ensure your body art looks great, feels great, and heals properly. By following these simple procedures and suggestions—based on years of professional experience and industry research—you’ll be giving your new work the care it deserves.
AFTER YOUR PIERCING
RECOMMENDED PRODUCTS
FOR BODY OR ORAL PIERCINGS
- Packaged sterile saline solution with no additives, such as NeilMed.
FOR ORAL PIERCINGS ONLY
- Antimicrobial or antibacterial, alcohol-free mouthwash, such as Biotene.
- Non-whitening toothpaste (Kids toothpaste) & new soft bristle toothbrush.
CLEANING INSTRUCTIONS
FOR BODY PIERCINGS ONLY
DON’T TOUCH IT UNNECESSARY
- Too much contact with the jewelry can cause healing complications.
- Itching is normal. DON’T relieve the itch! Disturbing the piercing site can cause healing complications.
- Leave your jewelry in the piercing site for the full recommended healing time.
- RINSE YOUR PIERCING 2-4 TIMES DAILY, AND DRY THOROUGHLY.
- Wash your hands prior to cleaning your piercing.
- Rinse the piercing site using Neilmed Sterile Saline Wound Wash to flush away any debris or crusties. Showers count as a rinse/cleaning, make sure to include those!
- A clean, disposable paper towel can be used to dry the piercing site. (Do not use Q-tips to clean or dry your piercing; you will only spread debris – not remove it – and/or leave fibers behind which can cause irritation).
FOR ORAL PIERCINGS ONLY
- (Once or twice a day- morning and night). Brush your teeth normally with your non-whitening toothpaste and new soft bristle toothbrush.
- For tongue piercings, lightly brush your tongue on the top and bottom to remove any plaque buildup.
- (Once or twice a day-morning/night). Rinse your mouth for 30 seconds with an alcohol-free mouth wash like Biotene.
- After eating, drinking, or smoking, rinse your mouth for 30 seconds with cold water. (Non-flavored)
FOLLOW-UP/DOWNSIZE
- Downsizing jewelry is crucial for proper healing.
- Come back to see us in 2-6 weeks minimum. No appointment is necessary.
AFTER YOUR TATTOO
RECOMMENDED PRODUCTS
FOR TRADITIONAL & ‘SECOND SKIN’ TATTOOS
- Mild & anti-bacterial soap. We recommend: Naked Foaming Soap Aftercare – a gentle daily cleanser with tea tree, aloe, lavender, and botanicals to keep skin fresh and clean.
- Always pat dry with a clean towel. Avoid harsh soaps, scrubs, or petroleum-based products.
- After Inked Tattoo Moisturizer – hydrates and protects while supporting proper healing.
AFTER CARE INSTRUCTIONS
FOR TATTOOS WITH RECOVERY BANDAGE ‘SECOND SKIN’:
- Keep tattoo covered with second skin bandage for 4 days.
- Gently remove the bandage in a warm shower. DO NOT RIP IT OFF. Using only your fingertips, gently wash with a foam soap and warm water.
- Air dry or pat dry your tattoo with a clean paper towel.
- Apply a VERY THIN layer of moisturizing cream on the tattoo.
- Keep applying moisturizing cream to the tattoo 3-5 times a day for the next 30 days. STEADY MOISTURE IS VITALLY ESSENTIAL FOR THE SKIN TO RETAIN ALL THE INK AND FOR A HEALTHY SCAB. The quality of your healed tattoo depends a lot on how well you take care of it!
- Make sure to wash your tattoo with antibacterial foam soap at least twice per day during the whole healing process.
FOR TATTOOS WITHOUT RECOVERY BANDAGE
- Keep tattoo covered with plastic wrap for 2-3 hours.
- Gently remove the wrap in a warm shower. DO NOT RIP IT OFF. Using only your fingertips, gently wash with a foam soap and warm water.
- Air dry or pat dry your tattoo with a clean paper towel.
- Apply a VERY THIN layer of moisturizing cream on the tattoo.
- For the first two nights, gently wash your tattoo and pat dry with a paper towel before going to bed. Wrap it in plastic for the night.
- In the morning, remove the plastic wrap and wash it as normal.
- Keep applying moisturizing cream to the tattoo 3-5 times a day for the next 30 days. STEADY MOISTURE IS VITALLY ESSENTIAL FOR THE SKIN TO RETAIN ALL THE INK AND FOR A HEALTHY SCAB. The quality of your healed tattoo depends a lot on how well you take care of it.
- Make sure to wash your tattoo with antibacterial foam soap at least twice per day during the whole healing process.
- Tattoo will take approximately 30-60 days to heal completely.
- If the tattoo sticks to clothing or sheets, take the fabric into the shower with you and gently soak it until it comes off on its own. DO NOT try to peel stuck fabric off your tattoo!
AFTER YOUR VISIT
AFTER YOUR PIERCING
WHAT TO EXPECT
BODY PIERCINGS
Initially: Spot bleeding, swelling, redness, soreness, and bruising are all common after receiving a piercing. (REMEMBER YOUR PIERCING IS A PUNCTURE WOUND).
While Healing: Itching, discoloration, clear/white/light yellow fluid that will ooze from the piercing site and dry to form crusties. (THIS IS NOT PUSS).
Healed: Once your piercing is healed, the jewelry may not move freely. (DO NOT FORCE IT. THIS COULD CAUSE IRRITATION OR DAMAGE).
ORAL PIERCINGS
Initially: Significant swelling, light bleeding, bruising, and tenderness for 3-5 days.
While Healing: Some swelling, light secretion of clear/white/ light yellow fluid. (THIS IS NOT PUSS).
Healed: Once your piercing is healed, the jewelry may not move freely. (DO NOT FORCE IT. THIS COULD CAUSE IRRITATION OR DAMAGE).
(*Lip piercings will go through a “nesting” stage; this means the disk on the inside of your lip may start to sink in slightly. This is normal and helps protect your gum line and teeth. If you have concerns, speak to your piercer*).
SUGGESTIONS & TIPS
- Piercings often feel and look healed before they are. This is because tissue heals from the outside in.
- BE PATIENT and clean your piercing for the recommended time. Unless there is a problem with the size, style, or material of the initial jewelry, leave it in the piercing for the length of the healing period. If your jewelry needs to be changed during this time, please return to your piercer.
- IRRITATION DOES NOT MEAN INFECTION!! Sometimes piercings can become irritated and form bumps. This is called unstable scarring. NOT KELOIDS. Most people mistake these bumps for infections.
- If an infection is suspected, seek the help of a physician, quality jewelry or an adequate alternative should be left in the piercing for drainage, unless your physician tells you otherwise.
- Removing the jewelry can result in the surface cells closing, trapping the infection inside the body, causing an abscess. Even healed piercings that you’ve had for years can close or shrink in minutes making it difficult to get jewelry back in. This varies from person to person. So, IF YOU LIKE YOUR PIERCING, KEEP JEWELRY IN IT.
AFTER YOUR TATTOO
WHAT TO EXPECT
AFTER CARE INSTRUCTIONS
FOR ALL TATTOOS
Initially: Your tattoo and the surrounding area may be swollen and red for up to a week.
While Healing: Ink may come to the surface, this is normal, wash this away and reapply ointment. Do not let your tattoo stick to sheets or clothing.
Your tattoo may form a thin scab, this is normal, never pick at your tattoo!
Healed: Shading may fade, and colors may dull a bit as they heal, the tattoo will heal fully after about a month.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
- Don’t re-bandage your tattoo.
- Don’t let your tattoo dry out, but don’t smother it. It needs to be moist AND breathable.
- NO picking, scrubbing, or scratching your tattoo! This can cause ink to fall out and/or scarring. Tapping or lightly slapping your tattoo can relieve itching.
- Avoid clothing that rubs and any activities that directly impact the new tattoo until it’s fully healed. Avoid strenuous exercise for 1-2 weeks.
- Do not submerge your tattoo in water for 3 weeks. This includes lakes, pools, bathtubs, and the ocean. Saunas should also be avoided.
- Avoid tanning and direct sunlight on your tattoo until fully healed! After healing, always apply sunscreen to your tattoo to keep it from fading.
- DO NOT USE alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, Bacitracin, Neosporin, Tea Tree Oil or any other aggressive chemicals on your tattoo.
- Check any unlisted ointments and lotions with your tattoo artist before applying. No advice from friends on how to take care of your tattoo. Your artist has developed a custom care program through experience.
Generally speaking, if you have been tattooed before, you should do what works best for your healing. You know your body best. There is no one right way; there are some ways better than others, which entirely depends on the kind of tattoo you got and your skin type.
If you don’t know what works, it may be best to simply follow what your artist recommends.
HEALING TIMES FOR PIERCINGS
Do not change your jewelry until your piercing is completely healed. Below are the minimum healing times:
SUGGESTIONS AND TIPS
Navel: Avoid tight fitting clothing and over excursion of the area. (6-9 months).
Ear Cartilage/Facial: Change your pillowcase frequently. Avoid getting make-up, face wash, or moisturizers in or around the piercing site. Maintain cleanliness of cellphones, headphones/earbuds, eyeglasses, sunglasses, helmets, hats, etc. (Earlobes: 6-8 weeks; Ear Cartilage: 3-6 months; Bindi/Vertical Bridge/Bridge: 4-6 months; Eyebrow: 4-8 weeks; Nostril: 3-4 months; Septum: 6-8 weeks).
Oral: To reduce swelling, dissolve small pieces of ice in your mouth. Take an over-the-counter non-steroidal anti-inflammatory such as Ibuprofen. Don’t speak or move your jewelry more than necessary. Sleep with your head slightly elevated above your heart for the first few nights, and DO NOT PLAY WITH YOUR JEWELRY. Maintain good oral hygiene; use a new soft bristle toothbrush and floss daily. Once healed, brush your jewelry more thoroughly to avoid plaque build-up. (Vertical Tongue: 6-8 weeks; Lip (Monroe): 2-3 months; Lip (lower/side): 6-8 weeks; Central Labret: 6-8 weeks; Philtrum: 3-4 months).
Nipples: Avoid tight fitting clothing. Bras should be appropriately fitted, no tighter than a sports bra. (Female: 6-9 months; Male: 3-4 months).
Surface Anchors/Surface Bar: These are advanced piercings that require great attention to detail by both the practitioner and the client. They are not always successful and are limited on placement. Seek professional advice regarding placement. (Surface Anchors/Surface Bars: 6-9 months; Teardrop: 3-4 months).
Genitals: Urinate after using soap to clean any piercing that is near the urethra. You can engage in sexual activity as soon as you’re ready; just be gentle. Use barriers (condoms, dental dams, and waterproof bandages) to avoid contact with your partner’s bodily fluids. Clean, disposable barriers on sex toys. Use a new container of water-based lubricant if needed. After sexual contact, rinse your piercing with a sterile saline solution.
HEALING TIMES FOR GENITALS:
4-8 weeks: Vertical Clitoral Hood (VCH); Labia (Inner); Clitoris; Prince Albert (PA); Princess Diana.
6-8 weeks: Fourchette.
2-3 months: Foreskin.
3-4 months: Guiche; Labia (Outer); Dydoe; Lorum; Pubic; Frenum; Scrotum; Triangle.
4-6 months: Reverse Prince Albert.
6-9 months: Ampallang; Apadravya; Christina.