Norfolk's Custom Tattoo & Piercing Studio
Norfolk Ink Gallery is a custom and walk-in friendly tattoo studio located in Norfolk, Virginia. We also offer a wide variety of body jewelry and body piercing. Stop in today and chat us up about your ideas.
We carry a large stock of body jewelry from
Aftercare
No matter what, your body will heal. Touch ups are always available. This is why we guarantee our work. Remove the bandage after 3 hours. There is no need to re-bandage the tattoo. All wounds need to breathe if they are to heal properly.
Almost all artists will advise you to keep the tattoo moist. This can keep it from forming a scab. But what happens when that doesn't work? We notice a lot of people over-applying ointment and lotion too frequently or just too much of it. Keeping it too moist, to the point that it's nearly turning any repairing tissue to mush. Then, while they sleep the mush hardens, turning to a scab. Morning comes and on goes more goo that then absorbs into the scab turning it to mush again and later, dries out to form a thicker scab. More is not better. It won't make healing go any faster. This is not a scraped knee.
- Cleaning Solutions
- Inside the Mouth
- Exterior of Cheek/Lip
- What is Normal?
- What to Do
- Stay Healthy
- What to Avoid
- Jewelry
- Eating
- Read More
- H2Ocean mouth wash
- Antimicrobial or antibacterial alcohol-free mouth rinse
Soak in H2Ocean solution and/or wash with liquid antimicrobial or germicidal soap* as described below:
1 WASH your hands thoroughly prior to cleaning, or touching on or near your piercing for any reason.
2 SOAP no more than once or twice a day. While showering, lather up a pearl size drop of the soap to clean the jewelry and the piercing. Leave the cleanser on the piercing no more than thirty seconds, then rinse thoroughly to remove all traces of the soap from the piercing.
3 DRY with disposable paper products such as gauze or tissues, because cloth towels can harbor bacteria and catch on new piercings causing injury. Pat gently to avoid trauma.
- For the first three to five days: significant swelling, light bleeding, bruising, and/or tenderness.
- After that: Some swelling, light secretion of a whitish yellow fluid (not pus).
- A piercing may seem healed before healing is complete. This is because piercings heal from the outside in, and although it feels healed the tissue remains fragile on the inside. BE PATIENT, and keep cleaning throughout the entire healing period.
- Even healed piercings can shrink or close in minutes after having been there for years! This varies from person to person; if you like your piercing, leave the jewelry in place.
- Allow small pieces of ice to dissolve in the mouth.
- Take an over the counter, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory such as Ibuprofen or Naproxyn Sodium* according to package instructions.
- Sleep with your head elevated above your heart during the first few nights. To maintain good oral hygiene.
- Use a new soft-bristled toothbrush and keep it clean.
- Brush your teeth, and use your chosen rinse (saline or mouthwash) after every meal.
- During healing floss daily and gently brush your teeth, tongue and jewelry. Once healed, brush the jewelry more thoroughly to avoid plaque build up.
- The healthier your lifestyle, the easier it will be for your piercing to heal.
- Get enough sleep and eat a nutritious diet.
- DO NOT PLAY WITH THE JEWELRY. Long term effects of playing with and clicking the jewelry against the teeth can result in permanent damage to teeth and other oral structures.
- Avoid undue trauma; excessive talking or playing with the jewelry during healing can cause the formation of unsightly and uncomfortable scar tissue, migration, and other complications.
- Avoid any mouthwash containing alcohol. It can irritate the area and delay healing.
- Avoid oral sexual contact including French (wet) kissing or oral sex during healing (even with a long term partner).
- Avoid chewing on gum, tobacco, fingernails, pencils, sunglasses, etc.
- Avoid sharing plates, cups, and eating utensils.
- Avoid smoking! It increases risks and lengthens healing time.
- Avoid stress and all recreational drug use.
- Avoid any aspirin or alcohol, and large amounts of caffeine.
- Avoid submerging in bodies of water such as lakes, pools, etc.
- Once the swelling has subsided, it is vital to replace the original, longer jewelry with a shorter post.
- Consult your piercer for their downsize policy.
- Because this necessary jewelry change may occur during healing, it should be done by a qualified piercer.
- With clean hands or paper product, be sure to regularly check threaded ends on your jewelry for tightness ("Righty-tighty, lefty-loosey").
- Carry a clean spare ball in case of loss or breakage.
- Contact your piercer if your jewelry must be temporarily removed (such as for a medical procedure). There are non-metallic jewelry alternatives.
- Should you decide you no longer want the piercing, seek professional help in the removal of the jewelry and continue cleaning the piercing until the hole has closed. In most cases only a small indentation will remain.
- In the event that an infection is suspected, quality jewelry or an inert alternative should be left in place to allow for drainage of the infection. Should the jewelry be removed, the surface cells can close-up sealing the infection inside the piercing channel, resulting in an abscess. Until such time an infection is cleared up, leave quality jewelry in!
- Slowly eat small bites of food, placed directly onto