| Aftercare & You: Requirements and Beyond |
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| Instructions Required |
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Tattoo and permanent color practitioners are required to provide aftercare instructions under Oregon Administrative Rules (OAR) 331-575-0020 (12a-c), but the specific type of aftercare is limited to the following requirements:
(12) Aftercare shall consist of both verbal and written instructions concerning proper care of the tattooed skin. Instructions shall specify:
(a) Care following service;
(b) Possible side affects; and
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(c) Restrictions.
While we provide general aftercare guidance below, be sure to follow the specific aftercare instructions provided to you by your practitioner.
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| Aftercare Tips: In General |
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The following aftercare tips are recommendations based on guidelines from the Association of Professional Piercers and external review by Oregon practitioners. These tips are also highlighted in the Piercing Thoughts: Aftercare brochure.
- Always thoroughly wash your hands with soap before touching affected area.
- Wash affected area at least twice a day with soap (preferably liquid soap).
- Rinse affected area with a saline (salt and water) solution once or twice a day.
- Do not use rubbing alcohol or peroxide on the affected area.
- Until affected area heals, avoid hot tubs, swimming or taking hot baths
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| For Tattoos |
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- Keep the new tattoo covered with a bandage for 1-3 hours, or as recommended by your tattoo artist.
- Wet the bandage before carefully removing it from the affected area.
- Don’t put a new bandage on the tattoo after taking off the old one.
- Wash and rinse (don’t soak or submerge), then pat dry with a clean paper towel.
- Apply a light coat of ointment (not antibacterial) to keep tattoo from drying.
- Within 7-10 days, your tattoo should stop feeling tender.
- Avoid exposure to direct sunlight for at least four weeks.
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| For Piercings |
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- Don’t use antibacterial ointments, which may trap bacteria after the ointment wears off.
- For ear piercings, clean and disinfect anything that may touch your ear, such as a cell phone or eye/sun glasses.
- For tongue, lip and cheek piercings, rinse frequently for 60 seconds with an alcohol-free mouthwash and between meals with a saline solution for 10-15 seconds.
- Piercings may seem healed before healing is complete because they heal from the outside in. Be patient!
Average Healing Times for Piercings
Ear lobe - 6 to 8 weeks
Ear cartilage - 4 months to 1 year
Eyebrow - 6 to 8 weeks
Nostril - 2 to 4 months
Nasal septum - 6 to 8 weeks
Nasal bridge - 8 to 10 weeks
Tongue - 4 weeks
Lip - 2 to 3 months
Nipple - 3 to 6 months
Navel - 4 months to 1 year
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| For Permanent Coloring |
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- Keep the area clean using a neutral cleanser and patting dry.
- Apply a thin coat of protective ointment to the area for 3 days following the procedure or as directed by your technician.
- After this switch to a neutral lotion for eyebrows or lip color. Do not apply any products to the eyeliner area.
- No rubbing or picking at the healing area. Avoid swimming, saunas or hot tubs for one week to reduce risk of infection or color loss.
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| Refer Back to Practitioner |
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Again, we can provide only general recommendations for aftercare procedures, while your practitioner must provide you with instructions specifically tailored for your piercing, tattoo or permanent coloring.
If you have questions regarding aftercare, contact your practitioner. For more information on aftercare, see the links below.
If you still have questions or concerns, contact the Oregon Health Licensing Agency (OHLA) at 503-378-8667 or ohla.info@state.or.us.
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| What's Working for You? |
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We want to hear from practitioners and the public about the latest aftercare procedures and products that are working the most effectively.
Please call 503-373-1939 or e-mail kraig.bohot@state.or.us to let us know what's working for you, and what isn't working, so we can provide this information as a public service.
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