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Do:

-Allow any blisters or scabs to fall off on their own. Once your blisters fall off naturally, apply a thin coat of antibiotic ointment over the area.

-Wear sunblock with an SPF of 25 or higher over the area for 3 months following the treatment.

-Avoid any soaking of the treatment site or prolonged contact with water. This includes swimming pools, baths, tubs, lakes, rivers, etc.

-Get your blood pumping. Patients are highly encouraged to exercise and drink plenty of water. Patients with a healthier and active immune system usually experience faster fading and better results.

Don't:

-Pick at the scab or allow the skin to become scraped, as this may result in infection and scarring.
Shaving should be avoided in the treated area until it is completely healed.

-Wear makeup or any cream or medication on or near the treated area.

If you experience any symptoms that seem out of the ordinary or you have specific questions, please call us immediately at  941-747-1700. If you feel it’s a medical emergency, call 911 or seek medical attention immediately.

Keep the treated area clean and dry while it is healing. Clean the area gently with soap and water, and then pat the area dry. You may apply a thin coating of antibiotic ointment up to three times a day for 3 days while the area is healing, and you should keep the area covered with a sterile dressing for those 3 days.

Use the recommended antibiotic ointment, such as Neosporin, Aquaphor, or Lubriderm, and apply to the treated area up to 3 times a day for the first three days following your treatment. Covering the area with a sterile dressing during those first three days will decrease chances of infection and aid in the healing process.

You may apply a cold compress, Vitamin E oil, or hydrocortisone cream to the treatment area. Avoid Aspirin or other blood thinners as they can increase risks of bruising and or bleeding. Tylenol may be taken for pain relief.

Feel free to shower 2 hours after the treatment but take care to avoid high pressure water hitting the treated area.

The tattoo removal laser treatment may create a superficial burn wound. Some patients may experience bruising or swelling. There is immediate whitening of the treated area, which usually lasts for several minutes. Many clients then develop blisters, crusts, or scabs within 8-72 hours, which may last for 1-2 weeks or more. The treated areas may be pink or pale after the scab separates. Scarring, which can be hypertrophic or even keloid, can occur but is very rare. Loss of skin pigment in the treated area can occur and is temporary except in very rare cases. Healing is usually complete within 4 weeks, although this may vary.

Don’t be alarmed if you experience mild blistering and scabbing. Blistering and scabbing are common side effects of laser tattoo removal. A good indication that your skin is healing is when blisters are present. This means that your body is working to remove the ink from your skin. Not everyone experiences blisters, and there is no predicting who will or who won’t. Everyone’s healing process is unique. Don’t get discouraged or read too much into it based on your blistering or lack of blistering.

Itching is very common due to the dehydrating effect of the laser treatment. Use Aquaphor, vitamin E ointment, or hydrocortisone cream to the treatment area.

Often times, customers think they have an infection where they actually have irritation, and a slight adjustment to aftercare will fix the issue.  If you're concerned that you may have an infection, come in and see one of our knowledgeable piercers.  Do not remove the jewelry if you can help it.  One of our piercers can assist you with removing the jewelry if necessary.

Do:

- Get pierced by experienced professionals and listen to your piercer. 

-Only touch new piercings with clean or gloved hands.

-Remove "crusties" (dried lymph) with a saline-soaked swab.

-Avoid alcohol and nicotine.

-Do continue to shower as normal.

-If you can medically take them, Advil, or any other anti-inflammatory, will help to reduce swelling in your piercing. Tylenol is not an anti-inflammatory.

-Call you piercer ASAP if you get a rash or have extreme swelling. We want your piercing to heal beautifully just as much as you do.  We are here to help.

Don't:     

-Don't listen to friends or family that got pierced using a "piercing gun". This practice is often done by a unlicensed individual, is not safe, not hygienic, extremely unsanitary and causes unnecessary trauma to the area. 

-Don't play with your jewelry​— Don't turn/slide it to loosen "crusties"

-Don't clean with alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, or Neosporin

-Don't over-clean your piercing

-Don't swim, take baths or use hot tubs, and do not swim in the ocean. Ocean water is NOT the same as purified saline solution. Stay out of the ocean until fully healed.

-Don't let others bodily fluids near your piercings

-Don't sunbathe or use tanning beds

-Don't clog your piercing with creams, oils, or makeup

The best way to fully heal a piercing is to keep it clean with these two steps:

​Step 1: Saturate the piercing using a sterile saline solution taking care to not touch the nozzle or spray top to the piercing.

Step 2: Carefully go over the affected area with a dry q-tip, removing any built up debris. This debris is usually from your body healing, be it dead skin cells or scabbing and is completely normal.

​Avoid touching your piercing with bare hands to prevent bacterial build up or potential infection.

Healing times vary greatly depending on the piercing. While the average ear lobe could take around 8 weeks to heal, other piercings can take anywhere from 8 months to a year to fully heal. 

Your lifestyle and daily routine can and most likely will effect your healing times as well.  For example, if you're active and have a navel piercing, a lot of crunches and sit-ups at the gym could agitate the skin, however you could get the same effect if you have poor posture sitting down on the couch.  Its best to be mindful of your piercing until its fully healed just to be safe. 

​When it doubt, give us a shout.  We would rather have you come in so that we can assess whether your piercing is fully healed or not, before you attempt to change or take out the jewelry and you potentially run into complications.  We're here to help.

Depending on the piercing, it may be normal to experience some of the following symptoms while healing your new piercing.

​-Minimal bleeding

-Swelling

-Tenderness

-Itching

-Bruising

-Soreness

-Formation of body crusties.

During the healing process it is common to expect some redness, itching, dryness, and a crust forming on the jewelry. If you do have any questions or concerns, please reach out to your piercer.  We would rather you and your piercing be safe, rather than sorry.