AFTERCARE | Fallen Angel Tattoo

Fallen Angel AfterCare

Cleaning Instructions for Body Piercings

WASH your hands thoroughly before cleaning or touching your piercing for any reason.
SALINE rinse as needed during healing. For certain placements, it may be easier to apply using clean gauze saturated with saline solution. A brief rinse afterward will remove any residue. If your piercer suggests using soap, gently lather around the piercing and rinse as needed. Avoid using harsh soaps or soaps with dyes, fragrances, or triclosan.
RINSE thoroughly to remove all traces of the soap from the piercing. It is not necessary to rotate the jewelry through the piercing.
DRY by gently patting with clean, disposable paper products. Avoid cloth towels as they can harbor bacteria and snag on jewelry, causing injury.

What Is Normal?

Initially, you may experience some bleeding or secretion of a whitish-yellow fluid (not pus), which can form a crust on the jewelry. The surrounding tissue may feel tight.
Once healed, the jewelry may not move freely in the piercing—do not force it. If cleaning is not part of your daily hygiene routine, bodily secretions may accumulate and produce odor.
A piercing may appear healed before the process is fully complete. Healing begins on the outside and moves inward, so while it may feel fine, the interior can remain fragile. Continue cleaning throughout the entire healing period.
Even healed piercings can shrink or close in minutes after years of being open. If you want to maintain your piercing, keep the jewelry in place and do not leave it empty.
What To Do
Wash your hands before touching your piercing. Avoid rotating the jewelry during healing unless instructed to do so.
Support your healing by staying healthy—get enough sleep, eat a nutritious diet, and exercise in moderation. Listen to your body.
Change your bedding regularly and wear clean, breathable clothing, especially at night.
Showers are safer than baths, as bathtubs can harbor bacteria. If you do take a bath, clean the tub thoroughly beforehand and rinse your piercing after.

What To Avoid

Avoid moving the jewelry in an unhealed piercing or picking away dried discharge with your fingers.
Avoid cleaning with Betadine®, Hibiclens®, alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, Dial®, or soaps containing triclosan, as these can damage healing tissue.
Avoid ointments—they prevent necessary air circulation.
Avoid Bactine®, pierced ear care solutions, and any products with Benzalkonium Chloride (BZK), as these can irritate the skin.
Avoid over-cleaning; it may delay healing and cause irritation.
Avoid trauma to the area, including friction from tight clothing, sleeping on the piercing, or excessive motion.
Avoid oral contact, rough play, and contact with others' bodily fluids near the piercing.
Avoid stress and substances that can inhibit healing, such as excessive caffeine, nicotine, and alcohol.
Avoid submerging your piercing in unclean water, such as lakes, pools, and hot tubs. If necessary, use a waterproof bandage.
Avoid all beauty and personal care products near the piercing, including cosmetics, lotions, sprays, and hair products.
Do not change the jewelry until the piercing is fully healed.
If you suspect an infection, rejection, or experience an unusual reaction, consult a licensed healthcare provider.

Oral Piercing Aftercare

Use antimicrobial or antibacterial alcohol-free mouth rinse, plain clean water, packaged sterile saline (without additives), or a sea salt solution. To make a sea salt rinse, dissolve 1/8 to 1/4 teaspoon of non-iodized sea salt into one cup (8 oz) of warm distilled or bottled water. Do not make a stronger solution—it can irritate the piercing.
If you have high blood pressure or a heart condition, consult your doctor before using salt-based solutions.
Rinse your mouth 4 to 5 times a day for 30 to 60 seconds after meals and before bed throughout the healing period. Over-cleaning may lead to irritation or discoloration.
For exterior piercings like labret, cheek, or lip piercings, follow the same WASH, SALINE RINSE, RINSE, and DRY process outlined above. Do not rotate the jewelry.

Oral Piercing Healing – What Is Normal?

During the first three to five days, expect swelling, light bleeding, bruising, and tenderness. After that, you may notice some swelling and secretion of a whitish-yellow fluid (not pus).
Remember, piercings heal from the outside in. Even if it feels fine, the inside may still be fragile. Continue aftercare until fully healed.
Piercings can still shrink or close even after years. If you like your piercing, do not remove the jewelry unnecessarily.
Reducing Swelling
Let small pieces of ice dissolve in your mouth.
Take over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medication like ibuprofen or naproxen, following the package directions.
Avoid excessive speaking or moving the jewelry unnecessarily.
Sleep with your head elevated above your heart for the first few nights.
Oral Hygiene During Healing
Use a new, soft-bristled toothbrush and keep it separate from others.
Brush your teeth and rinse (with saline or mouthwash) after every meal.
Floss daily, and gently brush your tongue, teeth, and jewelry. Once healed, you may brush the jewelry more thoroughly to prevent plaque buildup.

Fallen Angel Tattoo Aftercare Instructions

Caring for Your New Tattoo

WASH your hands thoroughly before touching your tattoo.
GENTLY remove the bandage after 2–4 hours, or as instructed by your artist. If the bandage sticks, dampen it with warm water to ease removal—never rip it off dry.
WASH the tattoo with warm water and a mild, fragrance-free soap. Use your hands, not a washcloth or sponge. Gently remove any blood, plasma, or ointment.
PAT DRY with a clean paper towel or allow it to air dry. Do not rub the tattoo with cloth towels, as they may harbor bacteria.
APPLY a thin layer of a recommended aftercare product (such as Aquaphor, Hustle Butter, or a tattoo-specific balm). Do not over-apply—your skin should feel moisturized, not greasy.
Continue to gently wash and moisturize your tattoo 2–3 times daily for the first week.
After the first few days, you may switch to a lighter, fragrance-free lotion such as Aveeno or Lubriderm. Continue using this lotion until your tattoo is fully healed.

What Is Normal?

It is normal for your tattoo to be red, swollen, or slightly tender for the first few days.
You may notice some light scabbing, flaking, or peeling—this is part of the healing process. Do not pick or scratch.
Your tattoo may feel itchy as it heals. This is normal. Gently slap the area or apply a small amount of lotion to relieve discomfort—never scratch.
As the tattoo heals, some ink may appear to flake off or fade slightly. Once fully healed, the color will settle into your skin.
Healing typically takes 2–4 weeks but can vary depending on size, placement, and your body’s healing process.

What To Avoid

Avoid soaking the tattoo in water for at least 2 weeks—this includes baths, swimming pools, hot tubs, lakes, and oceans.
Avoid direct sunlight and tanning beds. UV exposure can damage a fresh tattoo and cause fading. Once healed, always apply sunscreen to protect your ink.
Avoid wearing tight or abrasive clothing over the tattooed area while it heals.
Avoid applying petroleum jelly (Vaseline), Neosporin, or any ointments not specifically recommended by your artist.
Avoid picking, scratching, or peeling scabs or flakes—let them fall off naturally.
Avoid working out or activities that cause excessive sweating if your tattoo is in an area prone to rubbing or friction.

Long-Term Tattoo Care

Keep your skin moisturized, even after the tattoo has healed.
Always apply SPF when exposing your tattoo to the sun. This helps preserve the vibrancy and detail of your artwork.
If you have any questions or concerns during the healing process—or notice signs of infection such as excessive redness, swelling, pus, or fever—contact your artist or a licensed healthcare provider.

Fallen Angel AfterCare

Cleaning Instructions for Body Piercings

WASH your hands thoroughly before cleaning or touching your piercing for any reason.

RINSE thoroughly to remove all traces of the soap from the piercing. It is not necessary to rotate the jewelry through the piercing.

DRY by gently patting with clean, disposable paper products. Avoid cloth towels as they can harbor bacteria and snag on jewelry, causing injury.

What Is Normal?

Initially, you may experience some bleeding or secretion of a whitish-yellow fluid (not pus), which can form a crust on the jewelry. The surrounding tissue may feel tight.

Once healed, the jewelry may not move freely in the piercing—do not force it. If cleaning is not part of your daily hygiene routine, bodily secretions may accumulate and produce odor.

A piercing may appear healed before the process is fully complete. Healing begins on the outside and moves inward, so while it may feel fine, the interior can remain fragile. Continue cleaning throughout the entire healing period.

Even healed piercings can shrink or close in minutes after years of being open. If you want to maintain your piercing, keep the jewelry in place and do not leave it empty.

What To Do

Wash your hands before touching your piercing. Avoid rotating the jewelry during healing unless instructed to do so.

Support your healing by staying healthy—get enough sleep, eat a nutritious diet, and exercise in moderation. Listen to your body.

Change your bedding regularly and wear clean, breathable clothing, especially at night.

Showers are safer than baths, as bathtubs can harbor bacteria. If you do take a bath, clean the tub thoroughly beforehand and rinse your piercing after.

What To Avoid

Avoid moving the jewelry in an unhealed piercing or picking away dried discharge with your fingers.

Avoid cleaning with Betadine®, Hibiclens®, alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, Dial®, or soaps containing triclosan, as these can damage healing tissue.

Avoid ointments—they prevent necessary air circulation.

Avoid Bactine®, pierced ear care solutions, and any products with Benzalkonium Chloride (BZK), as these can irritate the skin.

Avoid over-cleaning; it may delay healing and cause irritation.

Avoid trauma to the area, including friction from tight clothing, sleeping on the piercing, or excessive motion.

Avoid oral contact, rough play, and contact with others' bodily fluids near the piercing.

Avoid stress and substances that can inhibit healing, such as excessive caffeine, nicotine, and alcohol.

Avoid submerging your piercing in unclean water, such as lakes, pools, and hot tubs. If necessary, use a waterproof bandage.

Avoid all beauty and personal care products near the piercing, including cosmetics, lotions, sprays, and hair products.

Do not change the jewelry until the piercing is fully healed.

If you suspect an infection, rejection, or experience an unusual reaction, consult a licensed healthcare provider.

Oral Piercing Aftercare

If you have high blood pressure or a heart condition, consult your doctor before using salt-based solutions.

Rinse your mouth 4 to 5 times a day for 30 to 60 seconds after meals and before bed throughout the healing period. Over-cleaning may lead to irritation or discoloration.

For exterior piercings like labret, cheek, or lip piercings, follow the same WASH, SALINE RINSE, RINSE, and DRY process outlined above. Do not rotate the jewelry.

Oral Piercing Healing – What Is Normal?

During the first three to five days, expect swelling, light bleeding, bruising, and tenderness. After that, you may notice some swelling and secretion of a whitish-yellow fluid (not pus).

Remember, piercings heal from the outside in. Even if it feels fine, the inside may still be fragile. Continue aftercare until fully healed.

Piercings can still shrink or close even after years. If you like your piercing, do not remove the jewelry unnecessarily.

Reducing Swelling

Let small pieces of ice dissolve in your mouth.

Take over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medication like ibuprofen or naproxen, following the package directions.

Avoid excessive speaking or moving the jewelry unnecessarily.

Sleep with your head elevated above your heart for the first few nights.

Oral Hygiene During Healing

Use a new, soft-bristled toothbrush and keep it separate from others.

Brush your teeth and rinse (with saline or mouthwash) after every meal.

Floss daily, and gently brush your tongue, teeth, and jewelry. Once healed, you may brush the jewelry more thoroughly to prevent plaque buildup.

Fallen Angel Tattoo Aftercare Instructions Caring for Your New Tattoo

WASH your hands thoroughly before touching your tattoo.

GENTLY remove the bandage after 2–4 hours, or as instructed by your artist. If the bandage sticks, dampen it with warm water to ease removal—never rip it off dry.

WASH the tattoo with warm water and a mild, fragrance-free soap. Use your hands, not a washcloth or sponge. Gently remove any blood, plasma, or ointment.

PAT DRY with a clean paper towel or allow it to air dry. Do not rub the tattoo with cloth towels, as they may harbor bacteria.

APPLY a thin layer of a recommended aftercare product (such as Aquaphor, Hustle Butter, or a tattoo-specific balm). Do not over-apply—your skin should feel moisturized, not greasy.

Continue to gently wash and moisturize your tattoo 2–3 times daily for the first week.

After the first few days, you may switch to a lighter, fragrance-free lotion such as Aveeno or Lubriderm. Continue using this lotion until your tattoo is fully healed.

What Is Normal?

It is normal for your tattoo to be red, swollen, or slightly tender for the first few days.

You may notice some light scabbing, flaking, or peeling—this is part of the healing process. Do not pick or scratch.

Your tattoo may feel itchy as it heals. This is normal. Gently slap the area or apply a small amount of lotion to relieve discomfort—never scratch.

As the tattoo heals, some ink may appear to flake off or fade slightly. Once fully healed, the color will settle into your skin.

Healing typically takes 2–4 weeks but can vary depending on size, placement, and your body’s healing process.

What To Avoid

Avoid soaking the tattoo in water for at least 2 weeks—this includes baths, swimming pools, hot tubs, lakes, and oceans.

Avoid direct sunlight and tanning beds. UV exposure can damage a fresh tattoo and cause fading. Once healed, always apply sunscreen to protect your ink.

Avoid wearing tight or abrasive clothing over the tattooed area while it heals.

Avoid applying petroleum jelly (Vaseline), Neosporin, or any ointments not specifically recommended by your artist.

Avoid picking, scratching, or peeling scabs or flakes—let them fall off naturally.

Avoid working out or activities that cause excessive sweating if your tattoo is in an area prone to rubbing or friction.

Long-Term Tattoo Care

Keep your skin moisturized, even after the tattoo has healed.

Always apply SPF when exposing your tattoo to the sun. This helps preserve the vibrancy and detail of your artwork.

If you have any questions or concerns during the healing process—or notice signs of infection such as excessive redness, swelling, pus, or fever—contact your artist or a licensed healthcare provider.

Fallen Angel Tattoo Aftercare Instructions

Caring for Your New Tattoo