Preparation & Aftercare
Before your appointment
The week leading up to your appointment:
Drink lots of water!
Moisturize the area to be tattooed at least once per day.
Purchase aftercare products, such as unscented antibacterial hand soap and unscented lotion.
24 hours before your appointment:
Avoid taking any blood thinning pain killers, such as Ibuprofen (Advil) and Salicylates (Aspirin).
Avoid drinking any alcohol.
Do not shave the area before your appointment! This avoids nicks, ingrown hairs, and/or abrasions. We will shave the area at your appointment.
Wash your sheets so you have a clean place to sleep with your new tattoo.
Get a full nights rest!
The day of your appointment:
Bring your government issued ID with you to your appointment.
Eat a substantial meal within 2 hours of your appointment time.
Bring any drinks/snacks that you may want! We provide refreshments, but if you have specific foods you would like, bring them with you.
If you are using numbing cream, apply at least 30 minutes before your appointment, and wrap the area tightly with plastic wrap.
You may bring guests, limited to 2 people. Always confirm with your artist if guests will be permitted at your appointment!
During your appointment:
Let your artist know ahead of time if you would like a silent appointment. We don’t mind, and are happy to accommodate you!
If you have any television or music requests, please let your artist know.
Let your artist know if you are experiencing any discomfort, nausea, or light-headedness. We will stop and provide you a cold compress, something to drink, and a snack before deciding whether to continue the session.
Feel free to take as many breaks as you need to get a drink, use the bathroom, or stretch. Chances are your artist will be ready for a stretch break as well!
If anything is making you uncomfortable in any way, please let one of our staff know. This experience is about you, and we want to do everything we can to make you feel safe, secure, and relaxed!
After your appointment:
If you are using a second skin bandage:
Leave the bandage on for 3-5 days. If your bandage starts to leak, or peels off and exposes any amount of the tattoo, remove the bandage early.
Remove the bandage in the shower, using a small amount of non-scented antibacterial liquid hand soap to loosen the adhesive. Once you have an edge of the bandage up, slowly pull the bandage up and away from the skin, using the soap to help loosen the adhesive as you go. Continue this until the bandage is fully removed.
If using plastic wrap bandage:
Leave the plastic wrap on for 2 hours, or until you are home and in a clean environment.
Remove the plastic wrap with clean hands and gently rinse any blood and plasma off the area with lukewarm water.
After the bandages are removed:
Wash the tattoo with non-scented antibacterial hand soap and pat dry with a paper towel.
Moisturize the tattoo after each wash with a non-scented lotion.
Repeat this process 3-5 times per day for the first 4 weeks.
No swimming for the first 4 weeks! This includes baths, hot tubs, pools, and any bodies of water such as lakes or oceans.
Keep the tattoo out of direct sunlight for the first 3 weeks, then apply a light layer of sunscreen any time the tattoo will be in sunlight for extended periods of time.
If you intend on going to a public gym or fitness center in the first 2 weeks, make sure you wipe down any equipment you use with a sanitizer before and after use.
If you notice any signs of infection, such as excessive swelling, burning, and or pus/fluid coming from the area, let your doctor know immediately. A short course of antibiotics should heal any infections without affecting your tattoo. If you do notice any signs of infection, please inform your artist so they can give you more specific instructions.
Your first touch up is free, and after 4 weeks once the tattoo is healed, you can request a touch up from your artist if you feel one is needed.