Good Life Tattoo Co. Aftercare & Disclosure Statements
Disclosure Statement / Notice for Filing Complaints
Public Act 375, which was enacted in December of 2010, indicates that individuals shall not tattoo, brand, or perform body piercing on another individual unless the tattooing, branding, or body piercing occurs at a body art facility licensed by the Michigan Department of Community Health. Body art facilities are required to be in compliance with the “Requirements for Body Art Facilities,” which provide guidelines for safe and sanitary body art administration.
As with any invasive procedure, body art may involve possible health risks. These risks may include, but are not limited to: transmissions of bloodborne diseases such as HIV and viral hepatitis, skin disorders, skin infections and allergic reactions.
In addition, persons with certain conditions including, but not limited to diabetes, hemophilia, or epilepsy are at higher risk for complications and should consult a physician before undergoing a body art procedure.
If you wish to file a complaint against a body art facility related to compliance with Public Act 375 or have concerns about a potential health risks, please visit:
General Body Piercing Aftercare
Cleaning Solutions:
We strongly encourage you to use a sterile saline, labeled for use as a wound wash. Your saline ingredients should list .09% sodium chloride as the only ingredient (sometimes purified water will be listed). Additives like moisturizers and antibacterials should be avoided.
Cleaning Instructions:
Wash your hands thoroughly prior to cleaning or touching your piercing for any reason.
Spray piercing with sterile saline wound wash while healing. Moving or rotating jewelry is not necessary during cleaning/rinsing and may irritate the piercing.
Dry with clean, disposable products like gauze or cotton swabs, gently removing any crusty debris or build up. Cloth towels should be avoided as they can harbor bacteria and snag on jewelry.
What is Normal:
Initially:some bleeding, localized swelling, tenderness, or bruising.
During healing:some discoloration, itching, secretion of a whitish-yellow fluid that will form some crust on the jewelry. The tissue may tighten around the jewelry as it heals.
A piercing may seem healed before the healing process is complete. This is because this type of wound will heal from the outside to the inside. Although it may feel fine on the outside, the interior could still be fragile. Be patient and keep the piercing clean throughout the entire healing period.
Once healed:the jewelry may not move freely in the piercing; do not force it. Cleaning your piercings as part of your normal hygiene routine can help them stay clean and avoid having normal, possibly smelly, secretions accumulate.
Tips & What to Avoid:
Piercings, even healed ones, can shrink or close in minutes, even after having been there for years! This varies from person to person; if you like your piercing, keep jewelry in—do not leave it empty.
Exercise and sweating during healing is fine. Avoid activities that could jostle or aggravate the piercing. Keep the piercing protected from bacteria present on gym equipment or exercise mats.
Make sure your bedding is washed and changed regularly. Wear clean, comfortable, breathable clothing that protects your piercing while you are sleeping.
Avoid submerging the piercing in bodies of water such as lakes, pools, oceans, hot tubs, etc. Or, protect your piercing using a waterproof transparent film dressing. These are available at most pharmacies and are ideal for nipple, navel, and surface piercing placements. Showers tend to be safer than taking baths, as bathtubs can harbor bacteria.
Avoid cleaning with alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, antibacterial soaps, iodine, or any harsh products, as these can damage cells. Also avoid ointments as they prevent necessary air circulation.
Avoid Bactine®, pierced ear care solutions, and other products containing Benzalkonium Chloride (BZK). These can be irritating and are not intended for long-term wound care.
Avoid over-cleaning. This can delay your healing and irritate your piercing.
Avoid undue trauma such as friction and pressure 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.
Avoiding things like excessive stress, drug use, excessive caffeine, nicotine and alcohol are suggested as they can prolong the healing process.
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.
Tattoo Aftercare
Leave your bandage on for at least 3 days, no more than 6 days. During this time your tattoo is going to weep, and the bandage is going to fill up with a mix of plasma and excess pigment. This is completely normal so don’t freak out. Your bandage is also breathable and water-resistant (please continue to shower as normal, but do not submerge the tattoo). Do not rebandage!
Rule number one! When touching your healing tattoo ALWAYSmake sure your hands are clean. Germs and bacteria are everywhere and just plain out nasty!
When you’re ready to take off the bandage, try to do so while in the shower. Place your tattoo under warm water and slowly remove the bandage by gently pulling the bandage over itself in the direction of hair growth (Some dead skin may or may not come off with the bandage so don’t be alarmed if you see this). Immediately wash your tattoo with a fragrance-free liquid anti-bacterial soap. Gently massage the area using only your fingertips to get it nice and sudsy! NEVER EVERuse a rag or a loofa to exfoliate your tattoo while it’s healing.
Rinse off your tattoo and pat dry with a fresh clean towel or paper towel.
Apply a small amount of lotion to your tattoo so long as it is unscented such as Aveno. NEVER use any oils, anti-itch creams, healing creams or ointments such as aquaphor, neosporin, A/D, etc. The bandage removes the need to use any such ointments.
Repeat the washing and lotion steps twice a day or as needed until your tattoo is healed. In between washes if your tattoo appears to be dry or peeling you can apply lotion as needed in between washes. Be careful not to over moisturize the tattoo, just keep the area flexible.
The only time you will take the bandage off before the 3-6 days is up is if you either have a negative reaction to the bandage or if it partially comes off and exposes the tattoo. If either of these happen continue onto the next step.
Your tattoo may still peel/flake and also itch. Be sure to not pick at your tattoo, or scratch at it.
For the next two weeks you’re going to want to avoid submerging the tattoo in water as well as no sun or tanning! Showers only.
You will also want to not do any working out or gyms for a few days. Sweat and bacteria will not be beneficial to your healing process!
Over
REMEMBER, THIS IS YOUR INVESTMENT. IT IS UP TO YOU ONCE YOU LEAVE THE STUDIO TO MAKE SURE YOU CARE FOR YOUR TATTOO PROPERLY AND AS INSTRUCTED. AS ALWAYS IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS DON’T HESITATE TO GET IN TOUCH WITH ME.
We love healed photos so please feel free to snap a picture for us or swing by the shop so we can take one for you. we like knowing that our clients have well healed work. We guarantee this by offering a free touch up if it is needed after the healing process is complete.
THANK YOU AGAIN FOR YOUR TRUST AND CHOOSING US FOR YOUR ART!!!