When you get tattooed at InkHeart, your artist will either apply a Recovery Derm Shield adhesive bandage to your tattoo, or a non-stick gauze covering.

Recovery Derm Shield / Adhesive Bandage:

Your adhesive bandage can stay on for up to 6 days. It is normal for blood, plasma, and excess ink to collect under the bandage.
If you notice lots of fluid collecting under your bandage you can change it within the first 24 - 72 hours to a second bandage provided by your artist.

To remove the adhesive bandage, wash your hands, grip the edge of the bandage and peel the bandage SLOWLY over itself in the direction of hair growth. Avoid pulling upwards. This will work best under warm running water or in the shower.

Clean the area using only your hands and a mild unscented soap. Dry thoroughly with a clean towel. DO NOT use washcloths, exfoliants, etc.

Ensure the skin is totally dry, and free of soaps or residues. DO NOT apply lotions or ointments when applying your second adhesive bandage.

Peel off the paper backing to your second bandage and align it to your tattoo. Ensure the tissue is in a neutral position and apply the bandage using light pressure. Do not stretch the bandage while applying.

Remove the plastic top layer at the perforation, leaving only the see-through bandage.

The second bandage can be worn for up one week after your tattoo was done.

After removing the last bandage, use Mad Rabbit tattoo aftercare or another unscented lotion twice a day to moisturize the tattoo for several weeks.

Adhesive bandage warnings:

Use only as directed. Do not apply to infected wounds. Do not cover the nose or mouth as it will prevent breathing. Adhesive bandages should be kept away from babies and small children. For external use only. This product contains adhesives that may cause an allergic reaction in people who have adhesive allergies. If an allergic reaction occurs, discontinue use immediately, and if severe consult a physician.

If you something happens to your bandage or if you choose not to use Recovery Derm Shield, follow the instructions below.

Non - Stick Gauze Covering:

Your tattoo should remain covered for 2-8 hours. When you are ready to remove your gauze bandage wash your hands. Run the area under warm water, ore remove it in the shower. Lift the bandage away from the skin.

2-3 times a day for 7 days:

• Clean the area using only your hands and a mild unscented soap. Dry thoroughly with a clean towel. DO NOT use washcloths, exfoliants, etc.
• Moisturize your tattoo with a very thin layer of Mad Rabbit tattoo aftercare or an oil-based healing ointment. After 7 days, continue moisturizing your tattoo 2-3 times a day using Mad Rabbit tattoo aftercare or an unscented lotion.

Your tattoo may weep ink and bodily fluids in the first 48 hours. This may cause staining to clothing, bedding, or other fabrics.

No matter what bandage you use:

Do be sure to wear clean clean clothing, and clean bedding.

Do not scratch, itch, or pick at your tattoo.

Do not use washcloths, loofahs, exfoliants, etc. on healing tattoos.

Do not rebandage your tattoo unless instructed by your artist.

Do not expose your healing tattoo to unclean environments, pools, bathtubs, hot tubs, lakes, saunas, etc.

Do not let anyone else touch your healing tattoo.

Do not expose your tattoo to direct sunlight or tanning beds. Once your tattoo is healed, use sunscreen to protect your tattoo.

Symptoms of infection include but are not limited to severe pain, extreme and/or spreading redness, extreme swelling, heat/hot to the touch, red streaks emerging from tattoo, pus, green/dark colored discharge, fevers, chills, swollen lymph nodes, general malaise.

Consult a healthcare professional at the first sign of infection.

EVERYONE'S BODY HEALS DIFFERENTLY. Healing times can vary significantly and can take 6 months or longer. These instructions are based on years of industry experience, collective knowledge, and research, but should not be used in place of medical advice.

We pierce with only safe, verified, implant grade materials in compliance with the Association of Professional Piercers, and the Minnesota Department of Health. It is important that you keep quality jewelry in your piercing, and do not attempt to remove or change your jewelry before your piercing is fully healed. Even healed piercings can begin to shrink and close if the jewelry is removed. If you have any concerns regarding the sizing of your jewelry, or how your piercing is healing, be sure to contact your piercer and schedule a checkup.

When you are pierced at InkHeart Tattoo, you are pierced with jewelry long enough to allow for your piercing's initial swelling. An initial checkup should be done after 1-2 months to ensure healing is going smoothly, and to be fitted for shorter post if appropriate. This can be extremely beneficial and can prevent certain healing issues.

Although uncommon, if you do experience more swelling than expected and the jewelry becomes tight, or begins embedding in the soft tissue around your piercing, contact us immediately to be fitted for longer jewelry.

We offer checkups as often as needed if you have questions or concerns about your piercing at any time.

It is normal to experience mild redness, bleeding, bruising and localized swelling within the first 1-2 weeks after getting a piercing. Your piercing may be tender, and sensitive initially during healing. It is normal for secretions of white/clear/off white fluid called lymph to dry around your piercing and jewelry to form "crusties."

Cleaning your piercing:

Clean your piercing 1 - 2 times a day until your piercing is fully healed.

• Do not remove the jewelry.
• Always wash your hands.
• Spray the front and back of your piercing thoroughly with NeilMed sterile saline piercing aftercare to rinse away or loosen any built-up lymph that may have dried on your jewelry.
• Rinse the front and back of the piercing thoroughly under clean running water. Especially at the end of your shower to rinse away soap residue, etc.
• Use a sterile non-woven gauze pad or a clean paper towel to gently dry the area and wipe away any lingering lymph or crusties from your jewelry. Allow you piercing to fully air dry and keep excess moisture away from your piercing. *Avoid cotton swabs, cotton balls, or cotton pads as these are too fuzzy and can leave small fibers on your piercing and jewelry.

Oral Piercings:

For lip piercings, follow the cleaning instructions found above for the outside of your lip.

• Swish with water after you eat and/or smoke. Cut back or stop smoking while your piercing heals.
• Brush your teeth at least twice daily as normal, swish with an alcohol free mouth rinse up to 2 times a day, or swish with water.
• Mouthwash and toothpaste must be free of whitening agents, alcohol, and peroxide.

Do consult with your piercer or another licensed, reputable piercer if you have any questions or concerns about your piercing.

Do consult a medical professional if you experience symptoms of an infection.

Do keep makeup, hair products, moisture, and wet hair away from your piercing!

Do change bedding and pillowcases regularly.

Do not consult the internet or friends if you have questions or concerns about your piercing.

Do not twist, pull, or play with your jewelry.

Do not touch your piercing unless you are cleaning it.

Do not use alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, iodine, oils, ointments, etc. to care for your piercing,

Do not expose your piercing to unclean environments, pools, baths, hot tubs, lakes, saunas, etc. until the piercing is fully healed.

Avoid sleeping on your new piercing. Excess pressure is not helpful for healing.

Symptoms of infection include but are not limited to severe pain, extreme and/or spreading redness, extreme swelling, heat/hot to the touch, red streaks emerging from piercing, pus, green/dark colored discharge, fevers, chills, swollen lymph nodes, general malaise.

Consult a healthcare professional at the first sign of infection.