Golden Leaf Ink Gallery
Tattoo and Piercing aftercare/ FAQ
here you can find aftercare instructions on how to take care of your tattoo or piercing once you leave our shop. There is also some FAQ that you might have before getting your tattoo, so feel free to look over these to get the proper information you need before making your decision on getting your new tattooor piercing.
Piercing aftercare
ALWAYS WASH YOUR HANDS thoroughly prior to cleaning, or touching on or near your new piercing for any reason. Two hours after the piercing is done, wash it off with a sterile saline solution with no additives, which can be made with a non-iodized sea salt mixture (1/8 – 1/4 tsp of sea salt into one cup (8oz) of warm distilled or bottled water). Or a general anti-bacterial soap such as dial. Us the soap to clean the piercing no more that 2 to 3 times daily and rinse thoroughly.
Use the saline soak NO MORE than 3-4 times daily, or as needed. Simply invert a small cup of warm saline solution (this will form a vacuum) over the area for up to 5 minutes. For certain placements the saline solution may be easier to apply using fresh gauze or a saturated cotton ball. A brief rinse will remove any residue. Dry with disposable paper products such as gauze or tissue. DO NOT use cloth towels as they can harbor bacteria, and catch onto your jewelry causing injury.
It is normal for some bleeding, localized swelling, tenderness, or bruising during your healing process. During the healing some discoloration, itching, and secretion of a whitish-yellow fluid (not pus) can form a 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 follow your aftercare instructions and take care of your piercing as a part of your daily hygiene, normal but smelly bodily secretions may accumulate. Your piercing may seem healed before healing is complete. This is because piercings heal from the outside in, and although it may appear or feel healed the tissue remains very 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.
Unless there is a problem with the size, style, or material of the initial jewelry leave it in place for the entire healing period. Contact your piercer if your jewelry must be removed (such as for medical procedure) within a suitable time (3-5 days) of your procedure to schedule removal. There are non-metallic jewelry alternatives available for healed piercings.
In the event that an infection is suspected, the piercing jewelry should be left in place to allow for drainage. Possible indications of infection are increased redness or swelling. There may be a painful throbbing sensation or feeling of heat. Please contact your piercer if any of these symptoms occur. If your piercer is unavailable consult a physician or seek urgent medical attention. It is advised that aftercare instructions are followed throughout the ENTIRE healing process to aid in the proper healing of your piercing!
Tattoo aftercare
After you remove the bandage, you will want to wash your tattoo. Use lukewarm water and mild, liquid antibacterial or antimicrobial soap to gently wash away any ointment, blood and/or plasma and to completely clean the area. Do not use a washcloth or anything abrasive. Your hand is your best tool in this case. (If your tattoo feels slimy and slippery, you have probably been oozing plasma. Try to gently remove as much of this as possible - when the plasma dries on the skin surface, it creates scabs.) Then pat (do not rub) the area firmly with a CLEAN towel or paper towel to get it completely dry. Follow with a very light application of your choice of ointment or lotion (fragrance and dye free). A&D vitamin enriched ointment Bacitracin or a similar antibacterial ointment is acceptable. (We recommend that you do not use Neosporin. This is a wonderful product for cuts and scrapes, but not for tattoos. Some can have an allergic reaction to the Neosporin, which causes little red bumps. When the bumps go away, so does the ink, and you end up with a polka-dotted tattoo). Use the products as directed and continue for 3-5 days.
PROTECTION FROM SUN
After your tattoo is healed, from now on, you will always want to protect it from the sun's ultraviolet rays. These can fade and damage a brilliant tattoo very fast. Before spending a lot of time in excessive heat, protect your tattoo with a minimum 30SPF sun block. This will keep your tattoo vibrant for many years, and it will continue to be a source of great pride..
BATHING & SWIMMING
Yes, you can (and should!) shower with a new tattoo. It's OK to get your tattoo wet - just don't soak it. Submerging your tattoo in a bath or hot tub can cause serious damage, so you'll want to avoid those for 2-3 weeks, but showering is perfectly fine as long as you don't saturate your tattoo. If you get soap or shampoo on your tattoo, just remove it quickly with water. Swimming - whether it be a pool, fresh water or salt water - should be avoided for at least 2 weeks..
SCABBING & PEELING
After a few days, you will notice some peeling and possibly a little scabbing. Excessive scabbing could indicate a poorly-done tattoo, but a little is sometimes normal and there is no need to panic. Do not apply ointment or lotion to a softened scab - wait for it to dry. You will also start to itch, just like a sunburn when it begins to heal. The advice here is, don't pick, and don't scratch! If the skin itches, slap it. If it is peeling, put lotion on it. And if it is scabbing, just leave it alone. Your tattoo is almost healed, and now is not the time to ruin it!.
Does getting a tattoo or piercing hurt?
Tattoos and piercings can be painful in some areas of the body, and spots are more sensitive than others.
Most Painful Areas: (Men) - Abdomen, Spine, Chest (Women) - Ankle, Spine, Ribcage
Least Painful Areas: (Men) - Buttocks, Arm, Back (Women) - Abdomen, Buttocks, Thigh, Shoulder
Will there be any blood?
Yes, there will be some blood, but the amount varies from person to person. It is advised that you limit the amount of alcohol you drink 24 hours prior to getting any tattoo or piercing work.
I'm not 18 yet, can I bring my parent with me to get a tattoo or piercing?
Different states have different laws regarding tattoo or piercing work on a minor. Our studio allows you to bring your parent or legal guardian with you at the age of 16 for a tattoo, and 14 for a piercing.
How do I take care of my tattoo?
From this point on, your artist is not responsible for any infection or problems you may have with your tattoo if you don't take proper care of it. It is very important that you leave the bandage alone for at least 2 hours. After you remove the bandage, you will want to wash your tattoo with lukewarm water and mild, liquid antibacterial or antimicrobial soap. (If you prefer, you can also use a specialty products.
After that, continue to keep it clean, but you can use lotion when needed to keep the skin soft. Whatever lotion you use, it should be dye and fragrance free. If it is peeling, put lotion on it. And if it is scabbing, just leave it alone. Your tattoo is almost healed! If you spend time in the sun protect your tattoo with a minimum 30SPF sunblock. This will keep your tattoo vibrant for many years!
Does Pens & Needles have autoclave and sterilization equipment?
Yes! Our autoclave is essential and is used for sterilizing our tattoo instruments. All equipment is single service. This means that tube used is soaked in Omnicide (cold water sterilization product), cleaned by medical grade lab detergent, individually packaged, dated, sealed and autoclaved. Our artist will open a fresh set of single use needles as well as sterilized/ or disposbale tubes in front of you. Any ointments, pigments, needles, gloves, razors, plastic trays or containers used in applying your new tattoo are discarded after use. After the tattoo application, the artist will disinfect the work area with an EPA approved virucidal that will kill any surface bacteria or viruses.
Should I make an appointment?
Yes! After you have picked out your design, or figured out an idea for one, it's a good idea to visit your tattoo artist and discuss your tattoo. It's good to make an appointment if needed so that you set aside a time when both you and your artist will be prepared to sit and concentrate on your tattoo. If not we highly recommend walk-ins as well!
What is the tattoo process? How does it work?
After the stencil is applied to your skin (hand drawn on the skin, or prepared), the artist uses a machine to do your tattoo. The tattoo machine uses fine groups of needles to deposit small amounts of ink into the upper layers of the skin. The needle groups are driven up and down very rapidly by small magnets on the tattoo machine. Using the machine, the artist will carefully render your stencil with ink, until it has been permanently transferred to your skin. This is how your stencil provides the foundation of your tattoo, giving it much of it's detail and clarity. Next, the artist will usually use a different grouping of needles and a different machine to apply the shading and color. Once your tattoo is finished, your artist will clean the area making sure to remove any excess ink. After you have looked at your new tattoo in the mirror, the artist will bandage it up to make sure it stays clean.
What types of body modification does Golden Leaf Ink Gallery offer?
Our master piecer does dermal anchors, surface piercings, and basic body piercings.
Does Pens & Needles offer a military discount?
Yes! We offer every branch of service, as well as police, fire and rescue services 20% off, and 10% for spouses or dependants!
Commemorative and Ritual tattoos require a well thoughout decision process in which
Golden Leaf Ink Gallery can assist you. this style of tattooing has existed for over 30 years, but recently has caught the attention of those looking to make that long lasting impression, and intimatcy with their body art.
This style of tattooing is very similar to regular tattoos, only with a twist: cremated ashes are added to the tattoo ink so that the person being tattooed can literally carry the memory with them always. It may seem like a morbid practice to some, but for many, it can be a moving and deeply emotional experience.
Considering a Sacred Service from Golden Leaf Ink Gallery please contact us at goldenleafinkgallery@gmail.com or www.facebook.com/GoldenLeafInkGallery or call (336) 330 - 1659 !!