Voice: +1.208.457.9500 | Text: 208.820.2339
Tattoos are by appointment only. Lobby open Noon-8pm Mon. Thurs. Fri. Sat.
Piercing aftercare
Each body is unique and healing times can vary considerably.
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact us.
208.457.9500 voice
208.820.2339 text
Tattoo aftercare
Wash your hands!
SOAKER PAD or PLASTIC WRAP DRESSING
- Dressing can be worn for 2-4 hours after leaving the studio..
- After removing dressing, gently wash tattoo with cool water and mild soap. Blot dry with a clean paper towel or allow to air dry. Do not re-bandage. Apply a very thin layer of A&D ointment. Applying too much ointment will not allow your tattoo to breathe which will slow the healing process.
- Repeat the washing process every 3-4 hours for the first 2 days.
- After the first 48 hours, stop using A&D and start using a thin layer of Goop, Aquaphor or unscented lotion such as Lubriderm, Curel, or Aveeno after washing for approximately one week.
TRANSPARENT BANDAGE
- Wear the first transparent bandage for 2-5 days, depending on how much the tattoo weeps. If fluid begins leaking out of the bandage, remove within a couple hours.
- Remove transparent bandage by finding an edge and pulling gently in the direction of hair growth. If you can, remove the bandage in a warm shower, the warmth will loosen the adhesive and make it easier to remove. You can also use a small amount of coconut oil and apply it to the edge of the bandage. The oil will weaken the adhesive and it will come right off.
- After removing bandage, use a thin layer of Goop, Aquaphor or unscented lotion such as Lubriderm, Curel, or Aveeno as needed.
The transparent bandage is both latex free and hypoallergenic, so allergic reactions are rare. Some people, however, may be allergic to adhesives (medical tape, bandages, etc). If you experience a rash, abnormal skin irritation, or other symptoms of an allergic reaction, discontinue use and wash with mild soap and water. Consult a physician if necessary. The transparent bandage should never be used on infected skin.
ADDITIONALLY
- Do not soak tattoo in bathtub, sauna, hot tubs or go swimming while your tattoo is healing. Showers are okay. Dry your new tattoo with fresh paper towels or a freshly washed towel.
- Stay out of sunlight and tanning booths until your tattoo is healed, at least 10-14 days.
- Extreme sun and exposure over the years can and will fade your tattoo. This can be minimized by using a sunscreen with at least SPF25.
- Do not scratch, rub, or pick the tattooed area while it is healing. Loss of color and/or infection could occur.
- If your tattoo is extremely itchy, try one of these: gently slap or pat the tattoo (with clean hands!); place an ice compress wrapped in a clean towel on the tattoo.
- Your tattoo should heal in about two weeks. Consult a physician immediately if any signs or symptoms develop such as redness at site, green/yellow discharge (foul smelling) and/or fever.
Your tattoo from Second Star Tattoo & Body Piercing is guaranteed for one year. If a touch-up is necessary, please call the studio to schedule an appointment. Touch-up appointments are NOT available on Fridays or Saturdays.
Please note: If you choose to no-show your touch-up appointment, you will forfeit your free touch-up.
If you have any problems or questions, please call us at 208.457.9500 or text us at 208.820.2339
Aftercare instructions
What is Normal?
Initially: Some bleeding, localized swelling, tenderness or bruising.
During healing: Some discoloration, itching, secretion of a whitish-yellow fluid (not pus) that will form crust on the jewelry. The tissue may tighten around the jewelry as it heals.
Once healed: The jewelry may not move freely in the piercing; DO NOT force it. If you fail to include cleaning your piercing as part of your daily hygiene routine, normal but smelly bodily secretions may accumulate.
A piercing may seem healed before healing is complete because piercings heal from the outside in. Although it feels healed, the tissue remains fragile on the inside.
BE PATIENT and keep cleaning your new piercing throughout the entire healing period.
If after 2 weeks your piercing continues to be painful or becomes discolored, please contact us.
What To Do
Always wash your hands prior to touching the piercing and leave it alone except when cleaning. It is not necessary to rotate the jewelry while healing except during cleaning.
Make sure your jewelry and skin are free from any discharge before you attempt to move the jewelry. Irritation can occur when crusty matter is accidentally forced into the piercing.
Stay healthy. 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.
CLEANING INSTRUCTIONS
Twice daily, use a gentle soap to wash your piercing. Lather up a pearl size drop of soap to clean the jewelry and the piercing.
Use a Q-Tip and soap to remove any crust from the jewelry and skin before rotating the jewelry. Crusting is normal while your piercing is healing.
Rinse thoroughly to remove all traces of soap from the piercing.
Gently pat dry with disposable paper products such as gauze, tissues, or paper towels. Do not use cloth towels as they can harbor bacteria and catch on new piercings causing injury.
SEA SALT SOAK
If you develop "The Bump" next to your piercing or your piercing is mildly inflamed, try doing sea salt soaks 2 or more times a day.
Mix 1/4 teaspoon of fine-grain, non-iodized sea salt (Do not use more salt as it can dry out your skin) with 1 cup clean, warm water (distilled is best, bottled water second best, filtered water third.) Warm the water on the stove or in the microwave. It should be the temperature of a drinkable hot beverage.Use caution to not use too hot of water. Also, do not premix a large batch to use later as a stored supply can become contaminated.
For piercings such as navel, nipples, dermals, etc. you can fill a clean small glass or shot glass with the soak mixture and place over the piercing for 5-10 minutes. For piercings such as nose, lips, eyebrow, ears, etc. soak a sterile gauze pad or Q-tip in the solution and hold on your piercing for 5-10 minutes, rewetting as needed. After soaking, rinse your piercing with fresh, clean water to remove any salt crystals.
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 rubbing alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, Betadine, witch hazel or ointments.
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, hot tubs, etc. Or protect your piercing using a water-proof bandage which are available at drug stores.
Avoid all beauty and personal care products on or around the piercing including cosmetics, lotions, sprays, etc.
Don’t hang charms or any other object from your jewelry until the piercing is fully healed.
Additional CARE FOR ORAL PIERCINGS
Rinse mouth with a 50/50 solution of antiseptic mouth wash/water after using the mouth for anything other than drinking clean water. Clean outer skin surface piercings as instructed above.
Do not eat salty or spicy food for the first week as they could inflame the piercing.
Do not drink beer or wine for the first 3 weeks; they could cause a yeast infection in your mouth.
Do not engage in oral sex for 4 weeks.
Avoid dairy products for the first 48 hours. Dairy contains bacteria which may cause infection or swelling.
PLEASE NOTE: Oral Piercings are extremely bad for your mouth. Your teeth can chip; the piercing can deteriorate the bone structure in the roof of the mouth; the piercing may cause the gum line to recede, leaving the teeth exposed to decay. This damage does not get better or go away.
Oral piercings are not recommended.