Durham InkTattoos and Body Piercings

Making Informed Decisions

Office of Health Education and PromotionHealth ServicesUniversity of New Hampshirewww.unh.edu/health-servicesFacebook/Twitter: UNHHealth

Tattoos

Choosing a TattooStep 1: Pick a Tattoo Design  Choose a tattoo that fits your personality. Discuss size and color with the artist. Learn all you can about tattoos before actually getting inked. Remember that a tattoo is permanent . Try a temporary tattoo before getting a permanent one.

Step 2: Pick a Good Location For Your Tattoo   Different spots have different levels of pain. Choose the spot carefully: hands, face and neck are seen by everyone.

Choosing a TattooStep 3: Choose A Good Tattoo Studio Make sure that the equipment is clean and new.  Sterile needles should be taken from an a clave bag in front of you. Check artist’s certifications. Fresh ink should be poured into a small cup just for you.  Take the time to shop around. Check out many different artists.  

Know the Health Risks  Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, HIV/AIDS Do not drink alcohol before getting a tattoo because it can cause excess bleeding. Autoclaves are the only acceptable sterilizers. If you are concerned about a recent tattoo, contact your medical provider or call Health Services at 862-3823.

Where Does It Hurt?Most Sensitive Areas Least Sensitive Areas Genitals Upper ArmSternum ForearmRibs CalvesHands Shoulder BladeFeet Outer ThighAnkles ButtHeadNeck 

Taking Care of Your Tattoo

  Remove bandage after 2 hours (do not re-bandage) Wash tattoo with your hand using warm soapy water. Pat dry, do not rub. For 3-5 days, or until healed, apply vitamin A & D ointment or Bacitracin or zinc oxide ointment 3-4 times daily after washing tattoo. Keep tattoo moist. If allergic to these ointments, use water based lotion (Curel).  Tattoo will flake. DO NOT pick at the flakes or you may pull the color out. Try not to let clothing rub on your tattoo while it is healing. Stay out of the sun or use sunscreen.  

Piercings

Choosing a PiercingStep 1: Decide on the Piercing Choose jewelry that is made of the proper metal, size (thickness), and design for a safe, enjoyable piercing. 

Step 2: Choose the Proper Piercing Studio   

Is the studio an established business?  Is it clean? Are the instruments properly sterilized? Does the artist wear new latex gloves for each client?Does the artist use sterile, disposable needles?    

Piercing After CareDo not use: rubbing alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, triple antibiotic ointment, or solutions for ear piercing. Also, limit use of antibacterial soaps, which may irritate piercing.  Choose mild, pH-balanced cleansers, like Castile, glycerin or tea tree based, or oatmeal based soaps. Also use saline solution to rinse piercing to soothe and heal. Clean hands thoroughly before cleaning or touching piercing. Clean twice daily, using a Q-tip: clean piercing on both ends of hole, working soap in by sliding ring barbell through.   Rinse well with WARM water.  When crusty, rinse with saline solution.  Saline soaks: soaking your piercing for several minutes daily will speed healing greatly and also makes you much more comfortable.

Piercing Healing Ear Lobe 4-6 weeksEar Cartilage 4 months to a yearEyebrow 6-8 weeksNostril 2-4 monthsNasal Septum 4-6 weeksNasal Bridge 8-10 weeksTongue 4-6 weeksLip 2-3 monthsNavel4 months to a yearNipple Male 3-6 months  Female up to year 

Piercing Healing Genitalia Male:

Prince Albert 4-6 weeksFrenum/Scrotum 6-8 weeks

Female:Hood 4-6 weeksLabia Minora 2-3 monthsLabia Majora 4-6 monthsChristina/Clitoris 4-6 months

 

* Healing times are approximate, human bodies vary greatly.  Source: HP_Server/SEXUALHEALTH/SexualHealthPE’s/PEWorkshopsandevaluations/CurrentPEworkshops/Tattooingandpiercing/Piercing Healing Times.doc

MORE INFORM

ATION

University of New Hampshire

Office of Health Education and Promotion, Health Services(603) 862-3823

http://www.unh.edu/health-servicesFacebook/Twitter: UNHHealth