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Questions & Answers

Questions and answers:

You will find on this page all the questions you could ask about:  Tattoo then Piercing, and finally Aftercare.

If you have a problem with your piercing or tattoo, read this: Issues.

(The text of this page are protected from copy by the law.. Please ask me before using it) 

General Questions

* Where do you work?

I work in a private studio at Saint-Denis, near Paris, not far away for the subway 13 station Basilique de Saint-Denis, from tramway 1 Théâtre Gérard Philipe, from tramway 5 Marché de Saint-Denis, and from RER D Gare de Saint-Denis. The future trawmay 8 or Tram'Y will be close to the studio too. 

* Why don't you work in a shop?

I don't like the shops atmosphere. I like taking my time for each person without being annoyed every 5 minutes for a price or info. I like being independant. 

*Is your job legal?
Yes, I am a french "auto entrepreneur", which means I am my own boss. My enterprise number is SIRET 51957824900020. The Regional Agency of Health is also aware of my job, as the law wants it to be.

I am a member of the National Syndicate of Tattoo Artists(SNAT). Thus, I respect its rules, you will find here.

*Why do you have cheap prices, less expensive than the shops prices? 

I am my own boss, this I can make lower prices, I also have lower enterprise costs than someone who will have to rent a shop. 

*Why can't I find your address and phone number?

Because I only welcome customers with an appointment, to dedicate my time for each of them without being bothered by other people. I would give the precise address and phone number when the customer wants an appointment for sure. Plus, if you want to know a price,  you only have to send me a picture of what you want in an email. I can't see anything on a phone, so no possibility to give a price...

*What kind of payment do you accept?

Cash only.

* Are your tools clean and safe?

Hygiene and cleanliness are a priority. For piercing, I only use sterile and disposable needles. The clamps are sterile, like the gloves that I put on to practice the act on the customer.
For tattoo, the spray, power supply, table, are completely covered. The needles are sterile, single use. I use gloves all the time, which I change upon contact with an unprotected object.
Although it is not entirely made ​​of green tiles as hospital 's(I hate it), the room in which I practice tattooing and piercing is disinfected between each client with products used in the surgical setting. Work surfaces are smooth and non-porous for optimal cleanliness.

*What are your opening hours?

I welcome my clients from Monday to Saturday from 10am to 5.30pm. I always close on Sundays and wednesdays.
These opening hours vary, I adapt to appointments and I can get exceptionally earlier clients according to their availability and mine.

* In most of the tattoo shops, a customer has to wait several weeks before getting an appointment. How do you do to give appointments faster than them?

I refuse taking appointments beyond eight weeks in advance to give everyone the chance to have his tattoo when he wishes, and my planning is more flexible than a shop. So I have more availability.

* I am not 18 yet and my parents do not want to sign the authorization. Can I have it signed by my brother who is an adult?

Unless your brother is your legal guardian, no. The authorization must be signed by your legal guardian. 

* I have a problem, I can not come to my appointment ...

We must tell me as soon as possible, at least 48 hours before the date of appointment. If you do not come to the appointment without letting me know, or if you tell me you won't come the day of the appointment, I will refuse to take any new appointment with you ...

* I will probably be late...

Beyond 10 minutes late, I will not accept you. I am always on time, so should be my customers.

*Can I come with someone?

Since the COVID 19 crisis appeared, I can't accept any other people except the ones I tattoo or pierce.  Every person who comes to the studio would wear a mask.

*Can I come with my kid? 

Absolutely not.

*Can my buddy take a video during my piercing? 

Absolutely not. Dirty phones should not be above sterile tools.

*Can I bring my daughter to pierce her earlobes?

If she is 8 or more, yes. Not under the age of 8. I pierce the kids only if:

_ the earlobes are under aesthesics (lidocain cream) applied 2 hours before piercing, without massage, and covered with a plastic film that I will remove myself
_the parents care for the healing and speak to the kid before to explain to him the piercing process, the pain,...
_the kid is the one who wants the piercing, not the parent. Getting a piercing is not an obligation, it's one's decision, even for a kid. I will never force a kid to get pierced even if the parents ask me to.

*I am muslim and I wear the veil. Will there be men in your studio? 

I am the only person who pierces and tattoos, so I'm alone in the tattoo/piercing room, no other person will be in this room except you and me, and the person you took with you if you did. However, my husband can sometimes come in the reception room, separated from the practice room. You can remove your veil in the practice room and put it on then once the act is performed. I pierce for years veiled women, I respect as much as possible people's beliefs.
I accept all the outfits except the clothes that cover the face, for safety reasons.

*I am a blood donor. Will I be able to give my blood after getting a tattoo or piercing? 

In France you will wait 4 months before blood donation. In other countries it depends of legislation.

*What are the cons-indications to the piercing and tattoo? 

Cons-indications to skin piercing or tattooing

AIDS	Hépatitis
Epilepsy	Hemophilia
Cardiac weakness	Anti coagulation treatment
Immunosuppressive therapy (cortisone, ...)	Anti acne treatment (retinoids, Accutane ®, unless you stopped for more than 6 months)
Anti rejection therapy (unless you stopped for more than 6 months)	Strong nickel allergy
Psoriasis	Autoimmune disease
History of hypertrophic scar or keloid (raised scar)	Burn scar on the area to tattoo or pierce
Vitiligo	Alopecia
Mole on the future tattoo/piercing area	Pregnancy
Thyroid disorders

• Moles should not be tattooed, like burn scars. Ink will cover the mole that won't be able to be dermatologically examined in the future. Burn scars don't hold the ink well, like stretched marks.
• Psoriasis or eczema can extend in case of piercing or tattoo, even if it's away from the usual eruption zone (Koebner phenomenon). Medical advice of a dermatologist is asked before any tattoo or body piercing if the customer suffers from such pathologies.I would keep this medical advice in the customer's file.
• The HIV and hepatitis are cons-indications to tattoo and piercing as these pathologies involve a decrease in immune resistance to disease and infections. It would be dangerous for the customer, because micro lesions caused by tattooing and piercing all become potential outbreaks. 
• People with thyroid problems may have difficulties for healing and / or repetitive piercing rejections. It is not automatic, but common. The disease causes sudden changes in hormone and vitamin, which affects healing. The thyroid dysfunction often causing significant weight changes, this can cause problems for piercings like the navel one. People with hyperthyroidism should avoid as much to stimulate their body, as far as it is already unstable because of the disease. Unfortunately for them, the healing of a piercing requires some involvement of the body for several months .... If you suffer from this condition but you still want to try the experience of piercing (with your doctor's written agreement), I will not use iodine products (povidone iodine, more known as Betadine).

  
  To stop 10 days before the piercing or tattoo 

• All anti-inflammatory drugs, including Actifed ®, Voltaren ®, Ketoprofen,Nureflex ®, ... and all the anti cold in general. 
• Aspirin

  
  To tell the tattoo/piercing artist before the act:

Eczema

Allergies (latex, nickel, antiseptics,…)

Daily medication

Breast augmentation

Abdoplasty

* Can I hire you for an event ( pop up store , store opening , jewelry new collection party,...)

Yes you can, but only in Paris or closed to Paris.
_ make the prior declaration to the Regional Health Agency in your region (I can also do it for you);
_use a place  that complies with the law, which also involves hiring a Dasri waste disposal company (needles, etc.); I am not allowed to travel back to my place with DASRI wastes.
_if it is your own brand of jewelry that you want me to work with, make sure you provide them sterilized , that they have the suitable dimensions (swelling and healing ) for a first jewelry and that they are made of solid gold or titanium ). You will let me know in advance the gauges of the jewels.
_make the piercing aftercare your own business. I just provide a precise aftercare sheet.
_provide a suitable place to work, including a professional table (massage type is ok) , as I pierce people when they lie down.

My fee is to be determined together in advance.
It includes travel costs in VTC or taxi round trip (I do not travel by public transport with my sterile equipment)
+ a percentage on each sale , amount depending on the price established
+ a fixed hour rate if the piercing appointments are not booked in advance (otherwise I could come for nothing, which is not the goal, as I would earn more working in my own shop)

I provide needles, sterile and non sterile gloves, piercing tools, aftercare sheets. I can provide jewelry if you need.
You provide the place, the table protections, the jewels and Dasri case.

If interested, send me your offer, I will have a look and accept or decline.
My knowledge, my equipment and my time have a price.

Tattoo:

* Do you draw patterns on demand?

Yes, an amount of 20 to 40 € is required to each customer wanting a unique design. This fixed price represents the time spent on achieving maximum two drawings, but  the customer will not change his project between the two drawings (obligation to stay in the same theme as explained at the beginning when ordering). The design is protected by intellectual property law since its creation and belongs to me, which I undertake not to make the same on another client. In all cases, the design is protected by intellectual property rights and belong to me. Any reproduction or performance by another tattoo artist will be liable to prosecution. All tattooists charge work on a drawing, except that many do not say it, and include it in the final price of realization. 

I need precise explainations about what you want (size, pics of the style ,...) , the max amount you saved for the tattoo, when you would like to get it, and what payment (check or bank transfert) you choose for paying the drawing.

The waiting time for obtaining a unique design can take lots of time, depending on my order list. 

The Laurink logo and tattoo designs made ​​on demand (accompanied by the Copyright symbol) are protected by the National Institute of Intellectual Property and / or Copyright France.
Any reproduction is prohibited and liable to prosecution. 

*Do you do all the tattoos you are asked to?

No, sometimes I also refuse tattoos. For personal ethical question, or simply because the design turns me off completely, although I respect everyone's taste. Doing things against the heart is not part of my way of working. 

*Does it hurt?

Yes, the tattoo is never a pleasant act. However, it is widely bearable ... Some areas are more sensitive than others, but until today, I do not know anyone who has died because of the tattoo pain. Generally, the most sensitive areas are the ribs, abdomen and sternum. The less painful are the arms, legs, back. But it is a generality, depending on each person.

* How much is it?

Price varies depending on the pattern, time of tattooing, colours or not,... It's not possible to give a fixed and general price. Each pattern and size has its price. My minimum rate is 40 euros. 

* How much time will aftercare last? 

Aftercare including cream and daily care last 2 weeks. But you will not be able to show it to the sun before a month. And then you will have to apply a good UV protection cream eveytime there is sun exposure..

*Can I use numbing cream?
No. I noticed that the numbing cream tends to make the tattoo a little "mushy", unclean. In addition, its numbing effect disappears fast, so you will eventually feel something.

*Are your inks vegan friendly? 
Yes I use Intenze inks that are vegan friendly. They are not tested on animals and they contain vegetable origin (rosin) glycerin like in the ink pigments. Ointments that I use to soften the skin do not contain animal components. The soap that I propose to care is also vegan friendly, made with organic olive oil and vegetal soda.

*How much time do I have to hide it from the sun?
For a month, it is forbidden to show it to the sun, even in winter. After a month, using optimal sun protection (minimum 50) reapplied every hour is essential, although I recommend not to expose it to direct sunlight before three months . Hide it from the sun so that it keeps all the intensity of its color. UV sessions are forbidden for six months.

*I am pregnant. Can I get a tattoo now?
In France, we commonly don't tattoo pregnant women. The pain could create micro contractions that could lead to a miscarriage. But it's not an international rule. At the opposite, in some other countries, tattooing a pregnant woman is a traditional rite. The otehr problem would be that you cannot take antobiotics in case of infection...

*Is there a bad healing risk?
 If you care for it as ask you to do, there will normally be no problem. People who face problems with healing do not care properly or suffer from unpredictable disease.
The other two risks are:
_ Allergy to the care cream or plastic pad. Few people are allergic to creams but I admit that zero risk does not exist. In this case, the skin does not heal after a week and started to blush. The application of the cream is painful, causing burning fat. If you experience these symptoms, immediately change cream. You can also get a plastic allergy because of a warm weather that will cause irritation under the plastic band. If it happens, remove the pad as soon as possible. You must, anyway, remove the plastic pad as soon as there is no infection risks. Let it breathe.
_ Hypertrophic scar. This kind of concern appears mainly on mixed or black skins. Tattoo gets a little bloated despite the care executed to the letter and a well done tattoo. The black skin sometimes secrete collagen during wound healing and skin blisters. The solution is to see in the month following the tattoo a doctor who will prescribe a corticosteroid cream adapted (or Diprosone+ Betneval) combined with the application of silicone pads (Dermastix or otherwise) that compress the area. It needs to be applied quickly to prevent hypertrophic scars.

*Is there an ink allergy risk?
Most developed allergies are caused by an allergy to care cream. It is unpredictable. Allergic reactions to pigments are less common but do exist, especially red colors, pink and yellow, sometimes white.  

*My new white tattoo is reddish around the lines. Is it normal?
Yes. Just look at the picture below , you will see how red it is in the beginning and then clear a few days after.


*My white tatto is not really bright white after healing. Why?
The white ink, once the skin is healed, looks rather like "light flesh" not like bright eraser white paste. The skin is like a coloured veil on the flesh that changes the colour a little, like the black ink looks mmore dark grey than black when the epiderm is healed.

* I have a tattoo there three days, and I feel that the tattoo is fading with lots of crusts ... It's covered with colorful filaments and there are also soft white crusts.

The tattoo can not go away. Not if I did it , or in any other tattoo artist who knows his job. This is just a basic skin healing. The skin forms a crust colored by ink approximately two days after the tattoo, which then falls by forming small particles similar to colored flakes. Falling, the crust discovers a brand new skin, which is brilliant, fine and slightly wrinkled, slightly raised for some people. She will return to flat, solid and matte like the rest of the body after one to two months with a daily hydration.

Healing process on feet. 

*I want to get hair removal with laser or pulse light but I am tattooed on the area. Is it possible to do it anyway?
No, because the unit may target the dark pigment of the tattoo as it would for the pigment of the hair (the principle of laser hair removal is to send a high heat in the colored pigment of the hair). 

*I want be tattooed but I am a sportsman / sportswoman. Will I still be able to do sport during the healing period?
The swimming and the aquatic sports in general are banned during 12 to 15 days, until the skin is totally reconstructed. Sports with animals (horse riding...) require a cellophane plastic bandage the first week.
For other sports, the first 4 days, put on a bandage (Cellophane) on the tattoo because the contact with groundsheets or machines soiled by the perspiration of the other people is not hygienic. The bandage also avoids the friction on the tattoo which could remove crusts in an aggressive way.

*I belong to a (Christian or Muslim Jewish) monotheistic religious community. I really want to get a tattoo but my entourage told me that it is against my religion. Is that true?
I must not tell you if it's good or not. I am documented on this issue, and the tattoo is generally prohibited in the main monotheistic religions, since all recommend not to change the body that was created by God, and because the indelible ink would prevent some rituals such as ablutions. The Bible forbids to modify God's creation, the Sunnah prohibits tattooing and those who are tattoo artists, the Torah makes any tattooed person and / or tattooist liable tobeating ... Each person does and feel it the way she wants and I will never judge a practitioner who comes to my studio to make a tattoo.

*I am interested in getting a white tattoo. Is the result really visible? Is it really deep white? 
The white tattoos, once healed, is never really white. It is light flesh coloured, sometimes a little bit yellowish. You have to nourrish it a lot with cream while healing and you must not be worried by the mutlipple crusts . The result may vary : some people will reject the pigment completely, others will get a visible result only when they nourrished the skin with a cream before, and others have a great and visible result all the time.

Piercing:

* After a piercing, can I have big problems?

No. 90% of post piercing risks (infection, abscesses, keloid, ...) can be cured in a few days with proper treatment, without removing the piercing. The big problems are the result of big negligence from the client.

*Why do you put only titanium or bioplast piercing jewelry?

Because these are the only materials allowed by the french law. They are the only ones that are nickel free. With them, no possibility of allergy. Plus, you can keep the jewelry in place when you get x rays, because they are not magnetic.

*I am not sure my navel can be pierced....

Five kinds of navels actually exist. Four of them can be pierced, one can't.
The hollow navels with a natural scar fold are more inclined to heal well, because this small fold minimizes the risks of rejection by stabilizing the jewel. According to every person, this fold is double, or, more often, located in the upper or lower side of the navel. It's better to be pierced on the side where is located this scar fold.
Some people have a hollow navel without any fold. The possibilities of rejection are higher for this case, because no scar fold, harder than the rest of the skin, offers a firm support for the jewel.
The last kind of navel is not hollow: the inner part is like a big bump. This bump risks to push constantly the jewelry out of the navel, which increases the rejection risks. Sometimes, the bump is small and located on the lower or upper side of the navel, which makes the piercing possible if the jewelry has a smaller ball diameter.

Navels suitable for piercing:

From left to right: navel with a double scar fold, navel with a lower scar fold, navel with an upper scar fold, navel with no scar fold.


Navel unsuitable for piercing:


*Will I have to remove my navel piercing when I am pregnant?

Yes you should remove the jewel as soon as possible. The pregnancy stretches the skin of the stomach, including the small part above the bar of the jewel. Once the childbirth is done, if the woman kept her jewel (pregnancy jewel or other), this small skin risks to be too much stretched, with a very widened hole. I suggest to the women to remove their jewel from the beginning of the pregnancy, to favor the small skin to stick to the rest by daily massages with some healing cream, and to re-pierce after childbirth.

* Why don't you pierce the cheeks?

The piercing of the cheeks is dangerous. Several veins, nerves, especially the parotid glands that controls the arrival of saliva in the mouth, are in this area. Worldwide, many people have reported leakage of saliva through the holes, which sometimes occur up to 2 years after the piercing even if everything was fine before. Don't do this kind of piercing, or choose Dahlia ... or nothing at all. In addition, the scar left by the cheeks piercing removal is very ugly. 

On the left, saliva leak in the cheek. The piercing damaged the parotid tunnel. On the right, Elayne Angel, body piercing for more than 20 years, shows the scar left by a cheek piercing cauterization. She suffered from saliva leaks and nothing except cauterization could stop it. Since then, she is strongly against cheeks piercings. 

*Why does the tongue and venoms piercings include two bars? 

The jewel that is placed first in the tongue is very long because the tongue will swell. After two weeks the tongue will be deflated and bar will be too long. It is therefore necessary to change the bar to a shorter one.

* Can I use the numbing cream?

It is useless. The anesthetic numbing cream is not into the deeper layers of the skin, where the needle passes. But hey, if this makes you feel better ... In any case I do not provide the numbing products, you will have to ask your doctor.

* I got pierced yesterday, and my tongue is swollen and painful. Should I worry?

This is a normal process. Tongue reacts to trauma pierçage inflating. The pain may be accompanied for three to ten days by bad breath, pain in the throat, a color change and the appearance of a yellow-white layer on its surface. Do not worry and be patient. The analgesics with ibuprofen or paracetamol every six hours will do a great job.The Extranase ® is based on bromelain (found in pineapple. Therefore not suitable for people allergic to fruit) which decreases inflammation and bruising. ). Take three tablets three times a day during 3 days.
Sucking on ice, drinking cold water can also soothe. Feel free to raise your head when you sleep to reduce the swelling. We must let the tongue rest for two weeks not to damage the piercing chanel. Only eat cold food, no consistent, small bites throughout the period of inflammation, and avoid the alcohol and drugs that cause bleeding. Smoking is also a problem because it causes vasoconstriction, which slows the healing process.

*I am pregnant, can I get a piercing now?
No, the pain could create micro contractions that could lead to miscarriage. You should better wait!

* The cigarette is it a problem for piercings?
Yes, smoking is bad because it causes vasoconstriction, which slows the healing process. Oral piercings will take much longer time to heal if you smoke a lot before and after the piercing process.

* Is the sport a problem for piercings?
Most of the time not, except for water sports. In case of contact with water pool or sea, it must be protected with a polyurethane pad (Tegaderm) If this is not possible due to its location, do not practice water sports for two months.
Some sports can cause troubles for individuals piercings (navel for gymnastics, female genital for horse riding) and therefore this requires increased vigilance.
In case of indoor sport, protect the piercing from contact with sweat of others, and direct contact with machines & accessories ,often poorly disinfected.

*Can you directly put a nose ring on my nostril instead of a stud? 
No I can't, you just have to be aware that when you sleep on a nose ring, it becomes really painful, uncomfortable, and it tends to enlarge the piercing hole. You have to put a first ring diameter wide enough to prevent the inflammation and to prevent the hole damage if you sleep on it. So, for a bunch of people, they can get a really big first piercing jewelry... 


Trauma caused by a nose ring on a new piercing

* Is dermal implant easily removable? 
Yes. In less than a minute, an implant is removed. It's ofter less painful than the implantation itself.

*Can I get medical x rays with a dermal implant?

You will not find yourself stuck in the machine, it is a myth! Piercing jewelries, when they are good, are not magnetic.
For the scanner: jewelry piercing can blur the images. Speak to your practitioner before the act, especially if you have implants that can not be removed.
Conventional x-rays: no problem, the jewelry will be visible on the image but no blurring. However, if the jewelry is on the area to be examined, you should of course remove it or replace it with an inert plastic jewelry (bioplast, teflon ...)
MRI: no problem, same instructions as for X-rays.

To avoid problems with the medical staff, it is better changing your jewelry for plastic one. This way, no problem at all!

* For surgical operations, should I remove my piercings / implants?

Talk with your surgeon. Some are accommodating. Most of the time, you will need to remove conventional piercings, and remove the screw tip of the implant. But some surgeons do not require removing the piercings if they are located far from the area to be operated. Obviously, do not expect to keep a tongue piercing for wisdom teeth removal. It is a matter of precaution and prevention: is removed everything that is likely to microbes and slow the insertion of tools in the mouth in case of emergency (intubation, etc ...). But in the case of a simple removal of tooth , you can find an arrangement with your doctor to put a retainer (transparent bar that is put in the piercing to make it invisible) . If you forget, ask him to give you a catheter tube plastic 1.6mm (14g), it will do its job.

*Is there a risk that I make the iron detectors ring at the security gates of airports because of my piercings?

As explained above for the medical examinations, quality piercing jewelry is not magnetic. They will not make anything sound at the security checkpoints, airports or others. However, manual detectors are more sensitive than the gates. This type of detector can sound during an inspection. If security staff wishes to make a visual inspection, only a person of the same sex as you have the right to do so, in a separate room.

* Could a piercing or implant  leave scars once removed?

Classic piercings like  the navel or the lip generally leave a small dark point if you wore light jewelry, and if you did not play with them. Sometimes, no mark remains. The scar is more visible when a person refuses to remove her piercing in a rejection or migration process.
The U shaped surface piercings leave marks a little bigger, because people hesitate a lot before removing them when they reject.
The implant can leave small scars. If the person continues to moisturize and protect the skin after removing the jewelry so that the scar tissue is beautiful, the hole will be almost invisible. Some creams can also help.
We can not guarantee anything. But in most cases, there is only a very small point.

* How can I do to reduce a scar left by a piercing?

By applying twice a day an anti stretching scars cream. The cream should be applied twice a day by massaging firmly, not hesitating to pinch the old piercing site with greased hands cream to "break" the scar tissue.

* Can you breastfeed with a nipple piercing?

There are two solutions:
_ Remove the jewelry each time you breastfeed
_ Remove the piercing during the entire period of breastfeeding to avoid having to remove and then replace the jewelry several times a day. When the jewelry is removed / replaced, the screw can damage the channel. In this case, buy bars with internal screw.
Being pierced does not alter the quality of milk, and is not dangerous for the health of the baby or the mother. I strongly advise a woman NOT to breastfeed leaving the jewelry in place. The child could unscrew and swallow the balls. If the ball is likely to be discharged then without major concern, it can also cause considerable damage in case of "wrong way". Better to be cautious and remove jewelry.

* For male and female genital piercings, should observe a period of sexual abstinence?

The Ampallang the apadravya the dydoe, prince albert, fork, labia minora and clitoral hood involve two weeks of abstinence. The sexual act should be done with a condom during two months, so that sexual fluids do not come into contact with the piercing, and even if the partner is an healthy and clean person. Softness during relationships is an obligation until total healing.

* Why don't you put a big long bar as the first jewelry for industrial piercing?

 I know that the long bar almost always causes tension bumps and cheloids because of tensions created by the bar (sleeping pression, etc. ..). Rings avoid tensions between the two holes. After two to three months you can change to a bar . I pierce both holes at once, with the same needle, so that it does not bring issues for you once you will change the jewelry. Some professionals say that the holes made ​​separately can change orientation with healing. Anyways, after all these years of practice, I've never seen none of my clients have this kind of problem. I would recommend to my customers with an industrial piercing to get a flexible bar like teflon or bioplast, which is now availables in several different colours. Your cartilages will thank you, they won't be torn all the time because of a rigid bar.

* I am planning a trip in a hot country. Should I take any special precautions for my piercings?

_If You have a dermal implant, I always suggest to remove the dome during the day when swimming in the pool / sea, sunbathing moments, etc. The sweating combined with heat can cause irritation between the dome and the base.
_ Choose simple jewelry without pendants, a sufficient length of bar not to be compressed in the event of tissue inflammation due to heat.
_ Take a small first aid kit with you: ibuprofen, an alcohol gel for hand disinfection, jewelry piercing parts,  spray of chlorhexidine antiseptic, ph neutral soap, small and clean gauze, and saltwater spray.
_In Case of irritation / redness, wash with soft soap and apply a compress soaked in sea water on the piercing for a few minutes, sliding the jewelry, then dry. Repeat until it gets better.
_Even if your piercing is healed for a long time, avoid touching the piercing with unwashed hands when you are abroad. The heat is conducive to bacterial growth, a problem can occur faster.
_Clean daily inside the belly, behind the ears ... in all the hidden places where bacteria occur naturally fast, even more under heavy heat and humidity.

Issues

* I think I have a problem with my piercing. Should I remove the jewelry?

Never remove a piercing jewelry in case of problems (infection, abscesses, ...), except in cases of contact dermatitis due to a poor quality jewelry(see below in section dermatitis). The pierced channel can drain the pus. If you remove the jewelry, the skin will close on the abscess or infection, and it will not heal without incising thereafter. Many doctors do not know the piercings, and will order directly after a few seconds of examination (even a brief look for the most reluctant to piercing ...) to remove the jewelry. Although I greatly respect the words of the doctors, this is the only point on which I command my clients to disobey them, never remove your jewelry in case of infection or abscess. In fact, 90% of problems with piercings (infection, abscess, granuloma, ...) can be treated without having to remove the jewel. Go see your piercer in the early doubts. If he is a good professional, he will give you good advice, and if necessary, refer you to a doctor for a prescription treatment.

* ABSCESS, INFECTIONS:
Infection combines the following signs: redness wide around the pierced area, heat, more or less secretion of pus (white or dull green liquid), pain, tension. An abscess has all these signs with the addition of a ball more or less deeply under the skin.

In case of infection: Take Ibuprofen in accordance with the dosages indicated by the notice, to reduce swelling and pain. In the first 48 hours, wash with Betadine Scrub sliding the jewelry in order to make the antiseptic soap penetrate inside the wound. If you are allergic to betadine, use another antiseptic soap ith chlorhexidine. Rinse by pressing the edges of the piercing to pull the secretions out. Dry with a clean gauze. Apply a minimum of two times a day gauzes soaked with salt water (one teaspoon of cooking salt in a glass of warm water) while sliding piercing jewelry. Leave the gauze on the piercing 3 minutes minimum. Then dry. If there is no improvement after 48 hours, see your doctor who will prescribe an antibiotic gel to apply locally (Fucidin, Betneval ...).

In case of abscess: Sometimes it is better to change the jewelry for a ring to avoid the balls pression on one side or the other. Placing a bar of a smaller size can also help to drain the pus.
In the first 48 hours, wash in morning and evening with a very soft soap without perfume, neutral PH. Rinse by pressing the edges of the piercing to the pull secretions out. Dry with a clean gauze. Apply a gauze soaked in salt water (one teaspoon of cooking salt in a glass of warm water) while sliding piercing jewelry: the aim being to drain the pus in the pocket that forms an abscess in the piercing. When the bag is pierced, you can see the pus out in abundance. Continue pressing until the pocket of pus has almost disappeared under your fingers. Leave the gauze on the piercing at least 5 minutes. Then dry. If the abcess is opened, you may have blood: apply a topical antiseptic then dry. If the abscess has not been pierced after 48 hours or if it continues to grow over and over, see your doctor who will pierce the abscess manually and will prescribe an antibiotic gel to apply locally (Fucidin, Betneval ...).

Photo 1: A navel abcess. (the internal abcess is on the top of the piercing)

Photo 2: Banana removal, replaced with a ring. The abcess was pierced after several pressions with a saline soaked gauze. 

Photo 2: Next day. Healing process, after the abcess was pierced and empty the day before. It is washed twice a day with neutral soap, then sprayed with Biseptine. 


_TONGUE OR MOUTH INFECTION (intenal part of labrets, smiley,...)

Pour three drops of oxygenated water in an empty mesuring-cap of mouthwash .
Add half a coffeespoon of bicarbonate of sodium.
Add a little lukewarm water, mix, and wash your whole mouth with it, under the tongue too, before spitting it outAtt. Make it two to three times a day until the infection is cured. If the infection does not disappear, go to see the doctor to obtain a prescription of antibiotics.

ATTENTION:An mouth issue is not always an infection. You can get irritation problems because of something that irritated your mouth. Dry fruits like almonds, peanut, ... increase the irritation risks and cause a lot of small round white and red circled injuries in the mouth, sometimes even on the tongue itself, called "mouth ulcers". They are a bit hollow, as far as most of the time the mucosa skin went away. In this case, nothing serious but you have to kick them out because they are often painful: dry the ulcer with a gauze and apply on it Pyralvex or Pansoral, gel formula. It can burn a little but be patient and breathe a few seconds before going back to your daily routine. Do not rinse. Do this twice a day minimum. 

* I have yellow scabs around my jewelry. It's sticky, it's hard to remove, and clear liquid comes out of the hole. What is it? In addition, it is a little bit red around the hole ...

During the healing process, the body secretes lymph. It is not pus! When the lymph is still liquid, it is transparent / yellowish. It can accumulate around the exit holes of the piercing and form scabs more or less hard and sticky. Sometimes there can be a lot. This is normal, nothing to worry about. This is a sign that  piercing heals. As for the little redness is also normal, the hole is brand new, we must allow time for the skin to solidify.

Photo: A few lymph scabs around a navel piercing.

* HYPERTROPHIC SCAR (if large, called keloid)
Let's speak first of hypertrophic scar. It is a simple surplus of collagen secreted by the skin during healing. This happens especially on the ears and nostrils. This is random, and may appear throughout the healing. It seems that the friction and regular clashes with jewelry (helmets, pillow ...) promotes their appearance, but hypertrophic scars often appear for no particular reason ... It's not an infection or a serious problem, You should just treat them early so they do not settle. People with mixed or black skin, especially Asian people are more likely to develop this kind of trouble.
How to remove?
Here are the methods from the most natural to the most expeditious. Never combine several methods at once. Move from one to another gradually after 10 days of attempt if the first method does not work:
1) Apply morning and evening a gauze soaked in salt water (one teaspoon of cooking salt in a glass of warm water) for at least 5 minutes. Dry.
2) Apply a drop of yellow Betadine in the morning and evening just on the scar.
3) Apply twice a day a tea tree oil drop just on the scar. If it is too strong (burning), dilute with 50% tea tree, 50% neutral oil (sweet almond oil for example)
4) Apply twice a day hydrogen peroxide right on the size.
5) Go to the doctor for a prescription of Fucidin, possibly combined with the Betneval. Application twice a day on the scar for about 10 days.

Whatever method you want to use, compress the piercing between each application. To do this, cut a strip of tape or use a sterilized strip and stick it on the size so that it presses the scar against the skin.

* INFLAMMATION BUMPS (mainly for ear and nostril piercings)
These bumps (often mistakenly named "keloid") are remarkably similar to hypertrophic scars but appear mainly in the cartilage of the ear and on the nostril. They appear and disappear during the whole time of healing. They are red at first, do not hurt, but can be painful only because they take up space and prevent the jewelry from sliding. Thereafter, they lighten to become the same color as the rest of the ear. To get rid of them, they should be treated early, in the same way as hypertrophic scars (see just above the 5 possible methods listed) EXCEPT that you must not compress the bump in parallel. Hydrogen peroxide applied every morning and evening is the most effective method in my opinion, but this can vary depending on the body of each.
It is sometimes necessary to change the jewel for a longer stud or ring, depending on the location and size.
Avoid any compression on the jewel.
No pull silicone disks are sometimes efficient for some people. Also, try to change your jewelry: try the bioplast ones. Their flexibility prevent a lot of problems.

Photos 1 et 2: Double inflammation bump on a helix piercing


Photos 1 et 2: 10 days after treating them wit Fucidin and Betneval. The bumps are smaller. The stud was changed for a longer one.

Picture on the left: typical inflammation bump on a tragus piercing.

_INFLAMMATION BUMP AND IRRITATION SPECIFIC TO NOSTRIL PIERCINGS WITH A RING 
A prolonged compression of a nostril ring (when you sleep on it for example) creates a wound: the ring "cuts" the bottom of the piercing hole. This creates an inflammation bump and a strong irritation (redness, lymph secretion,...)

How to treat? 
_Remove your ring and replace it with a classic nose stud. The top of the stud must not be too small, otherwise it will also cut the wound and create irritation. Follow the "irritation bump" section above, leave your stud during a few weeks, and only when it looks really stable, replace the stud with a titanium nose ring. Choose the good ring diameter, not too wide and not to small. 

* THE GRANULOMA (or hypergranulation)
Hypergranulation, or more commonly called granuloma is a non-carcinogenic outgrowth that forms after many frictions on the place of piercing, shocks or infections. The most common granuloma develops on the lower or upper hole of a navel piercing. It is a ball of cells that develops around a hole piercing. It is red, bleeds easily, and may secrete a large amount of lymph (transparent / yellow liquid). People who take treatments like Accutane will get easily this kind of problem. It often appears when the person is sleeping on the piercing compressing / twisting it. Sometimes it is better to change the bar for a ring to reduce the pression of balls on the holes. Prompt attention should be given to hypergranulation, as long as when the bump is present, the healing process of the piercing is stopped. Some people fail to get rid of them and must give up the piercing. Once the piercing is removed, the bump can decrease very fast and disappear completely.

How to treat?
Here are the methods from the most natural to most expeditious. Never combine several methods at once. Move from one to another gradually after 10 days of attempt if the first method does not work:
1) Apply morning and evening a gauze soaked in salt water (one teaspoon of cooking salt in a glass of warm water) for at least 5 minutes. Dry.
2) Apply a drop of yellow Betadine in the morning and evening just on the bump.
3) Apply morning and evening a tea tree oil just on the bump. If it is too strong (burning), dilute the 50% tea tree, with 50% neutral oil (sweet almond oil for example)
4) Apply morning and evening hydrogen peroxide right on the bump.
5) Go to the doctor for a prescription of suitable cream.

Photos 1 et 2: Granulomas on a nostril and on a navel

 * THE PERICHONDRITIS (for cartilage piercings)
The perichondritis is an infection of the ear cartilage. It often occurs when sleeping on the piercing, when you hang the jewel in the hair, or after a shock. The main symptom is swelling of the ear around the piercing, like the cauliflower-like" rugby players and boxers ears. Redness and pain when touching are usually accompanied by a big inflammation. You must treat perichondritis at the beginning of swelling, or it could remain permanently.
How to treat?
Go immediately to the doctor or emergency hospital. The doctor will prescribe antibiotics and / or corticosteroids, and if necessary will drain the infection.

Gauche: Début de périchondrite. Droite: Périchondrite à un stade très avancé.

* DERMATITIS or CONTACT ALLERGY:
Dermatitis is an allergy to a care product or a metal in the piercing jewelry. The whole area on and around the piercing is red, it itches, the channel of the piercing seems to enlarge, expand, as if the skin was trying to avoid contact with the bar of the jewel. Sometimes pimples appear.
How to treat?
1) Take antihistamines to calm the allergy.
2) If this allergy has occurred due to a change jewel, remove the new jewel for a new titanium implant or bioplast.
3) Stop ongoing care and wash your piercing with a very soft soap with a neutral pH, as natural as possible.

It is essential to get your piercing jewelry at specialty retailers. Some fashion accessories stores sell jewelry, but the quality they sell is often more than doubtful. A piercing studio or a specialized internet seller are the most qualified. Never put silver jewelery, especially if you have sensitive skin or are allergic to nickel. The gold-plated is also not recommended. Titanium is the best way to avoid problems, like bioplastic (teflon).

For tattoo, the contact allergy is often caused by the care cream. Applying a cream tattoo aftercare should provide a pleasant feeling. If applying your cream gives the opposite effect (burning, sensation of bruising, poor wound healing, abundance of crusts) it's that it does not suit you. Then change your cream quickly.
Make your tattoo breathe without platic film on it  several times a day, and avoid applying a big quantity of cream. If the skin can not breathe, the sebum will accumulate in the pores and create spots like the acne pathology (especially with the use of Bepanthen). It's b etter to apply several times a day a thin layer of cream than a thick layer twice a day.


Cream allergy (red skin, itchy). Everything went ok after changing cream.

* I have a tattoo for three days, and I feel that the tattoo disappears ... It's full of colorful filaments and white crusts.
The tattoo can not leave. Not it was done by me anyway, or in any other tattoo artist who knows his job. This is just a basic healing process for skin. The skin forms a crust approximately two days after the tattoo on the entire pattern, which then falls by forming small particles similar to colored flakes. Falling, the crust discovers a brand new skin, which is brilliant, fine and slightly wrinkled, slightly raised for some people. She will be flat, solid and matte like the rest of the body after one to two months with a daily hydration.

Healing process on feet  (D+3 and D+7)

* My tattoo is unclear around the  the lines, full of a yellowish crusts and the skin around the pattern is coarse and brittle. It is reddish around the pattern and the pattern itself looks discolored. What do I have to do?
You caught an infection. The causes are:
_Unprotection of the tattoo the first 4 days with a plastic film. In this case the wound can be contaminated by any thing (sputters, fabrics, animals...)
_Contact with some contaminated cream applied by dirty fingers or contaminated with bacterias (if the tube was stored in a dirty place)
_Contact with a dirty plastic film (the one you use as a bandage. Maybe stored in the wrong place)
_If you did not wash the tattoo twice a day with a PH neutral soap and dried it with a disposable towel.

In this case it is essential to go as quickly as possible to the doctor, for a combined prescription of oral antibiotics and Diprosone cream to apply twice a day during 5 days after washing with neutral soap, and a parallel hydration with the Cicalfate ( Avène brand) cream the rest of the day. You should not cover the tattoo during the treatment, unless you have polyurethan bandages (without gauze) like Tegaderm or Opsite, that you would change every time you apply cream.
Everything should be back to normal again in a few days, only if you begin the treatment  immediately when you notice the first signs of infection.

*Where I stick my medical tape for band aid, my skin is reddish, itchy, I also have small spots. Why? 
You are allergic to the tape glue, like most people. It's called dermatitis. It is a reddish zone, sometimes like a bump, very itchy and sometimes with spots too. Some people, who are the most allergic ones, see their skin being removed because of the itch. That's why I always say that you must use medical tape as less as possible, and you must not always stick it at the same place. If you get a dermatitis, stop using medical tape, and put a cream adapted to sensitive skin (eczema) twice a day on the itchy parts ( Bepanthen Sensicalm® , XeraCalm A.D. or Cicalfate by Avène, Atoderm Intensive by Bioderma...).

* The two weeks of tattoo aftercare are finished now and the skin is still a little "bumped" and wrinkled. Is it normal?
Yes it is. You should continue hydrating it with a massage twice a day to help the skin healing and becoming flat faster. This skin is new, fragile, like all the new skins after a healed wound. 

Tattoo after 14 days of aftercare. The skin is still a bit bumped and wrinkled. 

Aftercare:

* If I have any questions about the tattoo or piercing you did on me, how can I contact you?

My clients leave with a detailed care sheet, with my mobile number and my email address so they can contact me.

* I got pierced / tattooed by another piercer / tattoo artist and I have problems. Can you help me?

I can't. Each piercer / tattoo artist has his own methods. In addition, when you pay a professional to pierce or tattoo, you pay also an aftercare from him. It is therefore normal that it's the professional you paid that answers your questions.