esco & san diego body artists
esco & san diego body artists

Aftercare Guidance

Tattoo Aftercare

We designed your tattoo and our name is on it so we want you to take care of your tattoo.

THE HEALING STAGE IS THE MOST IMPORTANT PART OF YOUR TATTOO!

Aftercare process:

  1. Remove bandage after 1-2 hours.

  2. With clean hands, wash area with mild soap (such as dial, dove, ivory, etc.) and warm water.

  3. Pat dry with clean paper towel (not a cloth towel in order to avoid contact with bacteria).

  4. Apply a thin layer of Aquaphor or A&D ointment cream.

  5. Repeat these steps 3 times a day for the first 4-5 days, and then switch to a fragrance free lotion.

General guidelines:

  • Never pick, scratch, scrub, shave or abuse your tattoo in any way. Leave it be as much as possible, other than gently cleaning with mild soap every 1-2 days.

  • We advise against applying new bandages. Your artist will usually apply a medical-grade bandage before you leave the shop and tell you how long to keep it on. After that, let things breath.

  • Avoid direct sunlight, spas, pools, tanning beds, etc., until your tattoo is completely healed.

  • After your tattoo is completely healed, use a sunscreen with SPF 25 or above to ensure the life of your tattoo.

Piercing Aftercare

Body piercings need to be cleaned three to four times daily, everyday, for the first two months and at least once or twice for the entire healing time. Most people clean more often as this can irritate your piercing, and possibly delay your healing. For once-a-day cleanings, do it at the end of your day. Optimal frequency will depend on your skin sensitivity, activity level and environmental factors.

Before cleanings, wash your hands thoroughly with liquid anti-bacterial soap and hot water. If you wish, you may wear disposable latex or vinyl gloves and/or also use a hand sanitizing gel. Never, ever touch healing piercings with dirty hands. This is vital for avoiding infections. 

Prepare the area for the cleansing by rinsing or soaking with warm water and be sure to remove any stubborn crust using a cotton swab and warm water. Never pick with fingernails! This step is important for your comfort. 

Apply a small handful of H2Ocean to the area with your clean hands. Cleanse the area and the jewelry, and gently rotate the jewelry back and forth a few times to work the solution to the inside (you do not need to rotate your jewelry during the first four to six days). 

Allow the H2Ocean to cleanse there for a minute. You may bathe normally, just don’t purposely work anything other than the cleanser onto the inside of the piercing. Rinse the area thoroughly under running water, while rotating the jewelry back and forth to completely remove the cleanser from the inside and outside of the piercing. Gently pat dry with disposable paper products such as gauze or tissues, as cloth towels can harbor bacteria. Stay away form any large bodies of water, beaches, pools, jacuzzis, baths, for the first six months. Just try to avoid submerging the piercing under the water. 

Please be patient. Each body is unique, and healing times can vary considerably. If your piercing is tender or secreting, you should continue the care regimen, even if it is past the stated average healing time range.

Did You Have a Good Experience with Us?

It would mean a lot to us if you’d be willing to share it!

Luceli Espinoza
10 hours ago
It was amazing! Birdie (piercer) was very comforting and quick with getting my naval piercing done.
Kelly
3 days ago
Olivia did an absolutely stellar job with my tattoo. I'd been looking around off and in for the past 2 years to find an artist to do this paw print memorial tattoo in a water-color style and I'm so incredibly happy with having waited and looked around and with Olivia having taken it on. From start to finish she was amazing and my picture attached is from the same night she did it (crappy home lighting sorry!) Its just. I have absolutely no words. I appreciated that she wanted my input in the colors for this, but in truth she did all of it. Her execution of this piece...I'm still stunned and at a loss for words. Thank you Olivia!! Also the shop is great! Everyone was friendly and welcoming 🙂 and very clean!
Mariana Cruz
3 days ago
Super amazing piercer. He was very quick and thorough. He also explained everything very well and was very welcoming!
Nimmy Machaiah
5 days ago
Very friendly, clean, professional environment. Josh was polite, friendly and an experienced piercing artist. He explained everything clearly and made the experience quick and pain free . Will definitely recommend to friends !
Karen Wynott
5 days ago
Definitely would go back to Golden Child. Everything about the store was great. All the artist are very friendly and professional!. Store very clean.
Ranma CMH
1 week ago
Birdie, their piercer, was so nice, informative, and communicative when I scheduled my ten year olds first ear piercing. She did a great job talking her through the hard part, and I would absolutely bring my other daughters to her to get their ears pierced. Thank you for taking good care of us!
Deathinthecounty
1 week ago
They will try to make you as comfortable as possible during a tattoo. They understand different reactions to the initial pain and such and will help ya through it.
Hanna Kurschner
1 week ago
got my first tattoo with Nick, was such a great experience. excited to come back soon
N O
2 weeks ago
Every visit has been excellent. Recently came in for a piercing. I was greeted immediately, picked out my jewelry, and within 10 minutes I was out the door. Really happy with the outcome and how quickly it was handled, but still with precision and care.. Josh was my piercer, excellent service all around def suggest him, very informative and helpful.
Joannie Fabian
2 weeks ago
The service here was amazing and I’m glad I got my nose pierced here, I so recommend!
Jenny Ramales
2 weeks ago
highly recommend this shop to anyone looking for high-quality work and a positive experience. I'll definitely be coming back for my next tattoo! Thanks Jason 🙌🏽
Angie Robert
2 weeks ago
Josh pierced my son’s lobes. He was friendly, informative and good at what he did. He gave us thorough after care info and offered help if needed.
Lotus Boyd
3 weeks ago
great communication, loved my design, and was in n out in like 40 mins i was stoked:)
Marina Kfouri
3 weeks ago
They are amazing! My daughter had Josh do her piercings, and he was super kind. If I ever got another piercing I would definitely go there to get it.
Mrs. S. B.
3 weeks ago
We went in to get my daughter's ears pierced... The shop was easy to find, it was clean and the young man who helped us today, Josh, was extremely kind. He explained the process to my daughter and made her feel comfortable... It was a great experience and she has already asked when she can go back for a 2nd set! Thank you Josh! 😊
Marie Laule
3 weeks ago
Birdie was great! Painless piercing and she was very friendly. 10/10 experience
Trever Rittenhouse
3 weeks ago
Josh has always treated my wife and I with kindness and respect. He feels more like a friend to us rather than the guy who does our piercings. His interactions with his clients is outstanding. He takes his time to explain the piercing procedure and makes you feel at ease about the whole process. He is an awesome guy. And I would highly recommend him for all of your piercing needs.
Isabella Ahern
3 weeks ago
Mathias did an awesome job on my walk-in knee piece!! He was fun to talk to and very talented. I would absolutely recommend GCTP and will be returning in the future.
Sylvia Suarez
3 weeks ago
I had been wanting to get my nose pierced for the second time because the first time was not very pleasant. It was extremely painful, it never healed, and I wasn’t told how to take care of it. On 06/19/26, my family and I happened to be visiting Escondido for the weekend for a softball tournament. In the across the parking lots from where we were staying I noticed a tattoo and piercing shop. My family and I went in there just to look. I got brave and decided to get my nose pierced because I was told that that the employee that would be helping me with my piercing had 10years of experience. Well, he certainly knows what he’s doing because I did not feel any discomfort. He was very patient, friendly, and professional. It’s been 4days since my piercing and I honestly do not feel any discomfort. I was in and out within 20mins. I give this place and Josh 10 stars.
Ambrosia Solis
3 weeks ago
I've gotten 2 piercings from Birdie and both experiences were fantastic. Looking forward to potentially getting a tattoo from someone here in the near future, next!
Joel Hernandez
4 weeks ago
Birdie was fantastic with my 2 daughters. They got their nose piercings with her and she was able to keep them calm and did a fantastic job.
Sky Morey
4 weeks ago
Josh was awesome and did a great with my 8 & 4 year olds first lobe piercings and my tragus. All are healing great and we're super happy with our experience.
R Ramirez
4 weeks ago
Birdie has done both of my tragus piercings. She’s genuine and the process is quick. Won’t go to anyone else again!
Edder De La Mora
4 weeks ago
My 7 year old daughter had her ears pierced with Birdie almost a week ago. Birdie was amazing! Super patient with our daughter, she helped her calm her nerves with some excercises and even went out of her way to play Lilo & Stitch music while she pierced her ears! My wife also got a helix piercing and was very nervous but said the piercing was painless and everything has been healing nicely with no issues. Highly recommend this shop for piercings!
fariba rostami
4 weeks ago
I did my nose piercing there and it was a great experience. I really recommend that 👌

We Are Currently:

Open

Our Hours:

Mon

12 pm - 7 pm

Tue

12 pm - 7 pm

Wed

12 pm - 7 pm

Thu

12 pm - 7 pm

Fri

12 pm - 7 pm

Sat

12 pm - 8 pm

Sun

12 pm - 6 pm

Stop In!

We’re at 505 W. Washington Ave in Escondido, CA, 30 minutes from downtown San Diego:

Contact Our Piercing Team

Connect Directly With A Piercing Artist

Know who you want to work with? Or have questions for one of the piercing artists before you decide?

While you can call or submit the form here and we’ll get you squared away promptly, you can also connect directly with a piercer.

Below are their details. Note: please text them before calling.