Section 01
Tattoo
aftercare.
Surface heal: 7–10 days. Full heal: up to a month depending on skin.
- 01
Days 1–3 — Wash & ointment
Wash the tattoo with a mild, non-scented soap three to four times a day. Allow about 10 minutes of air drying, then reapply ointment. Recommended products: Hustle Butter, Aquaphor, A&D Ointment, or a tattoo-specific care product. Between washings, keep the area covered with a modest amount of ointment — just enough for a slight shine, not enough to clog pores.
- 02
Be gentle when applying
When applying ointment, be careful not to scratch the area — abrasion can pull ink out of the skin.
- 03
Day 4+ — Transition to lotion
Around day three, you'll start to peel like a sunburn. At this point you can switch to an unscented lotion (optional).
- 04
Healing timeline
Surface healing typically takes 7–10 days. Full healing can run 2 weeks to a month depending on your skin.
- 05
Breakouts? Switch to lotion
If you break out around the tattoo, ointment is probably clogging your pores. Switching to lotion usually resolves it without affecting the heal.
- 06
Treat it like an open wound
A tattoo is an open wound — treat it as one. Avoid anything that breeds bacteria: pools, hot tubs, even resting it on a restaurant table.
- 07
Day 14+ — Sunscreen forever
Always use sunscreen to protect your tattoo. Sun is the single biggest killer of color and contrast over time.
Section 02
Piercing
aftercare.
General body piercings — heal times vary by placement, typically 2–9 months.
- 01
Hands off
Do not touch your piercing(s). The only time you should touch it is to tighten a threaded jewelry top.
- 02
Clean twice daily
With clean hands, spray sterile saline (Nielmed or any aerosol sterile saline) onto a non-woven gauze pad and gently clean around the piercing site in a circular motion.
- 03
Don't twist or rotate
Twisting, turning, or rotating jewelry damages the healing fistula. Leave it alone.
- 04
No submersion
Avoid hot tubs, saunas, and submerging your piercing in any body of water during healing.
- 05
Keep products clear
Avoid products within a quarter-size diameter of the piercing — makeup, cleansers, moisturizers, self-tanners, etc.
- 06
Final rinse in the shower
Rinse your piercing under the shower stream for the last 30 seconds of your shower to flush off any excess products.
- 07
Come back for your downsize
Once you've healed enough to swap to a shorter post, come back in. This prevents snags and helps the piercing settle.
Oral Piercings
Additional steps if your piercing is tongue, lip, or anywhere oral.
Zero-alcohol mouthwash, twice daily
Clean with a zero-alcohol mouthwash twice a day. Listerine Zero Alcohol works.
Skip spicy / citrusy foods
Both will irritate the wound.
No heavy kissing or oral contact
Bacteria swap = irritation and risk of infection.
Don't play with it
Avoid clicking, chewing, or biting on the jewelry.
Cut smoking and straws if you can
Especially in the first few weeks.
Drink lots of water
Helps with pain and swelling.
Critical Warnings
- •Avoid Bactine, Neosporin, and hydrogen peroxide on piercings.
- •Don't remove jewelry for any extended period — even healed piercings can close and shrink fast.
- •Irritation bump? Apply a heated saline-soaked gauze pad for 10 minutes with light pressure, twice a day. If it persists past a week, call the shop.
Section 03
Tooth gem
aftercare.
Bonded to enamel, no drilling. Expected lifespan: 2–12 months with good care.
- 01
First 12 hours — water only
Stick to water for the first 12 hours. If you're drinking anything else, use a straw. Don't smoke or vape. Skip sticky or hard foods.
- 02
24-hour adhesive cure
The adhesive reaches full strength at 24 hours. Be most careful with your gem during this window.
- 03
Brush, floss, repeat
Brush twice daily and floss once a day. Don't pick at or play with the gem.
- 04
Professional cleanings are fine
Regular dental cleanings are compatible with tooth gems. If a gem falls off, a dental professional can polish away any remaining adhesive — no damage to the enamel since the gem bonds without drilling.
- 05
Expected lifespan
With good care, expect 2–12 months. Sometimes longer.
- 06
If swallowed
Solana's tooth gems are lead-free and body-safe.
Need a Second Look?
Something off?
Come by.
Bumps, redness past a few days, or anything that doesn't look right — call or stop in. We'd rather take a look than have you worry.
Get in Touch