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The Healing

Aftercare

The work is ours together. The healing is yours, and it decides how good the piece looks in ten years. This is the same guidance we read aloud with every client.

Tattoo Aftercare

The film

  • Your tattoo leaves sealed under OG Produce film, the breathable second skin we apply after every tattoo.
  • Fluid and ink pooling under the film looks dramatic. It is normal. Leave it alone.
  • Your full aftercare arrives by text the same day, so these instructions stay in your pocket.

If you are allergic to adhesives

  • Tell your artist before we bandage. An adhesive allergy is the only time we use plastic wrap instead of the film.
  • Remove plastic wrap after 2 to 4 hours. Wash gently with unscented antibacterial soap and lukewarm water, then pat dry.
  • Do not re-wrap unless your artist tells you to. Go straight to the wash and moisturize routine below.
Day 0: Leaving the Studio
  • Leave the film on for 4 to 7 days. The long wear is the protocol. It shields the tattoo through the messiest part of healing.
  • Shower like normal. The film is waterproof. No baths, pools, hot tubs, or soaking.
  • Only replace the film if it starts opening or leaking. Otherwise leave it be.
  • If it does open or leak: peel it off, wash the tattoo, pat dry, and stop by the studio for a fresh piece.
  • Itchy, red, raised skin spreading past the edges of the film can mean the adhesive disagrees with you. Take it off, wash, and switch to the wash and moisturize routine. Text us and we will adjust your plan.
Days 1 to 7: While the Film Is On
  • Take the film off in a warm shower. Find an edge and peel slowly, parallel to the skin, back over itself. Warm water loosens the adhesive.
  • Peel low and slow. Do not rip it upward.
  • Wash with unscented soap and lukewarm water. Pat dry with a clean towel.
  • Apply a thin layer of Hustle Butter or the aftercare you picked up from us. Thin is the rule. Skin needs air to finish the job.
Days 4 to 7: Removal
  • Wash once or twice a day with unscented soap. Do not soak the tattoo.
  • Moisturize 2 to 3 times a day with Hustle Butter or a fragrance-free lotion.
  • Light flaking and peeling are normal, and much lighter than plastic-wrap healing. Do not pick or scratch.
  • Loose clothing over the piece. No pools, hot tubs, or open water until the surface is fully closed, about 2 to 3 weeks after the film comes off.
  • No direct sun or tanning beds on a fresh tattoo.
  • Spreading redness, heat, swelling, or pus is not part of healing. Call us, then see a healthcare professional.
The Two Weeks After Removal
  • Once the skin is smooth and settled, sunscreen becomes the aftercare. SPF 30 minimum any time the tattoo sees sun. Sun is what ages tattoos.
  • Keep the skin moisturized and drink water. Healthy skin holds ink.
  • Anything look off, this month or next year? Call the studio before you guess.
Week 3 and Beyond

Check-ins and Products

You do not have to remember any of this. Our system texts your aftercare the same day as your session, then checks in around day 3 while the film is still on. Piercings get their check-in around the two week mark.

Questions between check-ins, or a healing photo you want eyes on? Reply right to that text thread. The studio reads every message.

We Check On You
  • OG Produce second skin film. What we seal every tattoo with.
  • Hustle Butter. The aftercare we use in the studio and recommend for healing. On the shelf at the front counter.
  • NeilMed sterile saline spray. The only thing your new piercing needs. Also at the counter.

Grab them on your way out and healing starts with zero guesswork. Pharmacy versions work too. Ours are just the ones we trust on our own skin.

What We Use and Carry

Piercing Aftercare

  • Spray the piercing with sterile saline 3 to 4 times daily for the first 2 to 3 months. We carry NeilMed at the counter.
  • To prevent bacteria transfer from your hands, only use a Q-tip to clean your jewelry.
  • Use a Q-tip to remove any crusties from the piercing area.
Cleaning
  • Swelling and redness are normal reactions to a new piercing.
  • You should see a noticeable reduction within a few days. If these conditions persist longer, come back to the shop and let our piercer inspect for signs of infection.
  • Be patient. Healing takes time.
Swelling & Redness
  • Use non-alcoholic mouthwash after smoking or eating.
  • Assess the soreness of your oral piercing regularly.
  • If you were pierced with a longer bar to accommodate initial swelling, ask your piercer when to switch to a shorter bar.
Oral Piercings

Your body is adjusting to a new, beautiful addition. Treat it with care and respect.

  • Hydrate and eat before your appointment.
  • No alcohol or drugs before a session.
  • Wear clothing that gives easy access to the tattoo or piercing area.
  • Bring a valid government photo ID.
Before Your Appointment

Questions or concerns? Call or stop by the shop: (336) 456-1161