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Tattoo Aftercare Instructions
Thank you for choosing Mystic Tat2 for your tattoo experience! Your tattoo has been done in a sterile, professional environment that uses the most modern and safe techniques and pigments. Now that your tattoo is finished, it is your turn to take care of it. Please follow the instructions below to avoid infection or damage to your new tattoo!

Day of Tattoo:
Leave the applied wrap (if not using Saniderm/Derm Shield) on after the tattoo on for 2-6 hours, no more than 10 hours. This barrier is meant to protect the wound from air-borne bacteria and other contaminants in the environment.
Wash your hands with antibacterial soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds prior to carefully removing the wrap and touching the tattooed area.
Carefully remove the wrap. If you find that it sticks and is hard to come off, apply a warm, damp cloth. Peel back slowly from one corner. Do not force it off.
After the removal of the wrap, clean gently with an antibacterial, unscented soap (Dial and Dove are recommended) and rinse with warm water. Pat the area dry with a clean towel and do not scrub. You are allowed to shower but we recommend not putting your new tattoo directly under hot water. Do not submerge in a bath or go swimming.
Let the tattooed area air dry for the evening. Do not apply ointment or lotion to the tattoo overnight.
Make sure you wear clean clothing and use clean sheets/pillowcases. Keep in mind this is a fresh wound and needs to be treated carefully.
Make sure you drink water and eat a good meal. Don’t stress your body and take time off from activities or work. It is recommended that you do not go to the gym directly after your tattoo.

Days After Tattoo:
Wash your hands with antibacterial soap and warm water and then apply a THIN layer of aftercare product. This can be an unscented lotion such as Jergens Ultra Healing, Aquaphor, Cetaphil or Bag Balm. If you use anything with Petroleum, make sure it is applied very thin and does not glob!
Do not overapply ointment. No more than twice a day is acceptable.
If a scab appears do not pick or scratch at it. Allow it to heal on its own.
Some people may find they have reactions to the aftercare product. If this happens, stop applying the product and let the area dry out for the remainder of the day. Wait until the reaction has subsided and after washing with antibacterial, unscented soap and warm water to the tattoo to apply a different approved product. Consult with your artist and a doctor with any questions by messaging through our Mystic Tat2 Facebook page or calling (319) 981-8184!.
Reactions to the product might include swelling, redness, irritation or bumps. If the issue does not resolve itself within 24-72 hours, you might be having an allergic reaction to the ink. This is possible as many artists use different brands of ink.
Please consult a physician if reactions become worse or persist and keep your artist informed.
If you spend time outdoors during the healing process, try your best to protect the tattoo using a thin layer of sunscreen. Be sure to clean the area thoroughly with warm water and antibacterial, non-scented soap afterward.

The healing process typically takes 3-5 weeks to complete. And 2-5 months to settle in the skin. Most compare the process to a sunburn. The skin of the tattoo will peel off and appear flakey until new skin grows over the tattoo. It can take time for the tattoo to settle into your skin after it is healed.

Things to avoid for your new tattoo

Do Not:
-Do not use Vaseline, Peroxide, Iodine or alcohol based products.
-Do not scratch your tattoo during the healing process. This can take the ink out and cause irritation.
-Do not tan (in the sun or a tanning bed)
-Do not submerge your tattoo (this means swimming or taking a bath).

Please do not hesitate to reach out to your artist with any questions! We are here to help and cannot do so if we are unaware of the issue.

Saniderm/Derm Shield Use:

Keep the applied bandage on for anywhere for 12-24 hours, depending on how much the wound is weeping. It’s fine if there is some plasma/blood/lymph fluid buildup under the bandage during this period, but don’t leave it longer than 24 hours.

To remove the Saniderm, find an edge of the bandage and pull it back over itself in the direction of hair growth. The shower is the ideal place to remove Saniderm. Running water will help loosen the adhesive and relax the skin, making the removal much more comfortable. Dry removal of Saniderm may cause discomfort and added trauma to the skin.

Discard the used bandage and wash the tattoo with a fragrance-free, antibacterial soap, and allow the tattoo to dry. Pat with a clean towel.

If desired, apply a thin layer of aftercare product to your tattoo. If you have naturally oily skin or live in a high humidity climate, feel free to skin this step. Otherwise use a thin layer of petroleum-free moisturizer (unscented) to help the tattoo retain moisture. Do this no more than twice a day.

If you’d like to apply a second bandage to the tattoo, do so right after cleaning and drying your tattoo. The Saniderm must be applied to a dry area to apply correctly. This second bandage can be left on for up to three -six days. If the skin appears irritated or if there is excess fluid buildup early, removal is advised.

Follow the aftercare regime listed above for the remainder of the healing period. DO NOT apply the saniderm during the scabbing/flaking period of healing.

With any questions regarding your tattoo or risk of infection, reach out to your artist, Mystic Tat2 and your general physician!

Piercing Aftercare

Thank you for choosing Mystic Tat2 for your Piercings procedure! Please notify us with any questions or concerns regarding your piercing via email, Facebook, calling 319-981-8184, or stopping into our shop!

The biggest part of healing your new body piercing is to NOT TOUCH. The less you touch it, the quicker it heals! Except to clean your piercing, do not mess with or touch the area. It will increase the risk of infection. This is a fresh wound, so please treat it as such.

To clean your piercing:

-Wash your hands with soap and warm water
-Use a saline solution or a mixture of warm water and sea salt (¼ tsp sea salt to 1 cup warm water) to saturate your piercing with a cotton swab or paper towel.
-TIP: Do not use wash cloths or non-disposable cleaning products that might contain bacteria.
-Pat dry and remove all residue from the piercing site, it is not necessary to rotate your jewelry, just make sure you keep it clean with the saline solution!

The Healing Stage:

Be patient with all piercings, everyone heals differently so if you have any particular questions don’t hesitate to ask!

After the piercing is done, it is normal for swelling, irritation, redness, tenderness and partial bruising to occur.
Discoloration, itching and the discharge of white/yellow fluid is normal! This forms a crust around the jewelry and needs to be cleaned gently with your saline solution.
Don’t force your piercing to move, the inside of the wound is fragile and healing from the outside in, so it might seem as though it is healed outwardly but the inside is not done yet.

Don’t take out the jewelry if you want to keep the piercing! Some people are lucky and can keep their jewelry out without the hole closing, but many close right away--even if you’ve had it for years.

Take care of your body during the piercing!
Follow your regular daily routine, shower, exercise and avoid stress...this can increase healing time!

Oral Piercings:

Make sure to use an antibacterial, alcohol-free mouthwash after eating, drinking or smoking.
Eat ice chips to help reduce swelling and take Ibuprofen or Tylenol. Listen to your body when it comes to food and try to avoid chewing gum or playing with the jewelry to avoid dental damage.
Avoid kissing and oral sexual activity, sharing food and drink.

DO NOT:
-Wash your piercing with hydrogen peroxide, dial soaps or ointments that contain petroleum.
-Do not over clean your piercing. No more than two times a day.
-Stay away from anything that will snag the jewelry and create tension or trauma to the wound.
-Do not submerge and keep away makeup and such products.
-Do not take out or change your jewelry until the healing process is complete.

If there are any issues, please contact Mystic Tat2 and we will help you.