Tattoo Before and After
Tattoo appointment preparation
Prior to your appointment, make sure you’ve gotten plenty of sleep and are well rested, you are staying hydrated with lots of water, and make sure you have had something to eat before. Do not drink any alcohol or take any blood thinning medications (such as ibuprofen) 24 hours before your tattoo.
What to bring
Wear clothing that is comfortable and gives the artist easy access to the area being tattooed. Tip-wear black or something you don’t mind getting ink on.
Bring a water bottle!
For longer appointments, feel free to bring small snacks with minimal cleanup, like granola bars, crackers, fruit, etc
Bring a jacket, sweatshirt, something to keep you warm if you get cold
Bring headphones or a book! I’m happy to talk to all clients, but don’t mind if you like to listen to music or watch a show with headphones on and try to zone out. However, if someone is on social media, playing loud random videos and moving around, it can really affect my concentration as an artist!
If you are a particularly hairy person, no worries! Body hair is normal! Although it is not necessary, it definitely helps if you shave the area beforehand!
Tattoo aftercare
*Disclaimer: there are many different ways to care for a tattoo, and many artists have different preferences and methods, these are just my recommendations
Wash tattoo 1–3 times daily with antibacterial soap, gently going over it with your hand or soft washcloth. Make sure to wash it before and after activities where you may be sweating, such as going to the gym or work.
After 24 hours, moisturize as needed. This helps with any scabbing and its purpose is to make the healing process more comfortable. I recommend using a thin layer of Aquaphor, simple lotions like Cerave, Lubriderm, 100% cocoa butter, or any other unscented lotions. Tattoo specific balms or lotions are fine. Avoid things like Vaseline, Neosporin, and definitely no Bath and Bodyworks! Tattoos will scab naturally, scabbing is normal! Do not pick or scratch at the scabs, let the tattoo heal on its own. The average tattoo takes about two weeks to heal, on some people it may be longer.
Make sure to avoid pet hair or dandruff, and keep your tattoo covered or wrapped if around pets.
Wrap your tattoo at night while you sleep for the first few days, if not using saniderm, and make sure you have freshly washed sheets.
Stay out of water such as pools, lakes, oceans, etc. Avoid baths or anything where the tattoo will be soaking, so keep showers less than 10-15 minutes during the first week or two. For tattoos on the hands as well, be extra aware of this. Things where your hands get wet for an extended period, like doing the dishes, may increase the risk of fallout in hand tattoos.
Stay out of excessive sunlight and make sure not to get sunburnt! Do not go tanning or get a spray tan for at least two weeks after the tattoo
Saniderm
If not using saniderm, skip this section
If using saniderm, keep saniderm bandage on tattoo for 24 hours. You can replace this bandage after 24 hours with a second bandage if desired: take first bandage off, and apply second immediately after washing and drying the tattoo completely. A small amount of blood, ink, or plasma in the bandage is normal, but remove the bands if it becomes filled with water. Saniderm is waterproof and can be kept on in the shower, but if the seal is not watertight then water can leak in, leading to bacteria and infection. When ready to remove, gently peel off bandage in the shower or under under running water and wash gently with antibacterial soap. Pat dry with towel and care for tattoo like normal
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If you have any questions or concerns about how your tattoo is healing, feel free to email, call the shop, or stop by the shop and we can discuss any concerns. If your tattoo needs a touchup, also feel free to reach out and let me know. All touchups are free after the tattoo has healed.