Prep & After Care

Day of appointment

The studio is a small private one, please do not plan to bring any guest(s).

Checklist:

  • Government-issued ID

  • Do not take blood thinning medication ahead of time (Advil, Tylenol, etc.)

  • Do not drink alcohol at least 24 hours ahead of time

  • Make sure you're hydrated and have eaten.

  • If the area of your tattoo requires shaving, feel free to do ahead of time, otherwise, we will do so at the shop.

  • Bring anything that will make you feel comfortable; blanket, snack, headphones, book, etc.

  • I suggest wearing loose clothing depending on where the tattoo is located

  • Moisturize the area you’re looking to get tattooed for a week before your appointment .

*If you are pregnant, I advise waiting to be tattooed until after you've given birth, due to risk of infection.

*Avoid being in the sun as well as swimming for at least a week before the tattoo appointment

*I will NOT tattoo sunburnt skin. If you have been in the sun or are burnt we will need to reschedule.

Can I use numbing cream?

I prefer that you don’t use a numbing cream prior to our appointment. Numbing creams can change the texture of your skin, making it harder to tattoo, leading to a longer session. It also can give you an allergic reaction depending on what ingredients are in that specific product, leading to you not being able to get tattooed at all that day. The products on the market are not well regulated and have many ingredients in them that can potentially cause issues. The less products on your skin while tattooing the better.

We do have Bactine Spray that I can use on your tattoo once your skin is broken if you do not have any lidocaine allergies. It has 4% lidocaine in it and it will help with the pain & swelling and does not cause any change in texture to your skin.

After Care

Your tattoo is an open wound so treat it like one!

  • When you arrive home, take off the applied plastic wrap and gently wash your tattoo in lukewarm/cold water with antibacterial and unscented soap.

  • Pat dry with a clean towel and apply unscented lotion that is ok to use on broken skin. Wash your tattoo 2 times a day and apply a thin layer of lotion after washing or anytime you notice it getting dry.

  • Only handle your tattoo with clean hands to prevent infection as well as just keeping the tattoo clean during the healing process.

  • Bruising and peeling is normal. Depending on your body, either may or may not happen. If your tattoo does peel, do not pick at it or itch it! Doing so can cause patchy ink, scarring, and a non ideal healed tattoo.

  • When your tattoo is fully healed, make sure to wear SPF when you’re in the sun! This will keep your tattoo looking fresh and crisp for much longer since the sun is the fastest fader of tattoos! I recommend using SPF 30-50. However, do not apply SPF to healing tattoos, wear clothing that will cover them from the sun if need be.

  • Get into a nice moisturizing routine once a day after your tattoo has healed. Any lotion or moisturizer will do. While the outside skin heals within 2-4 weeks, the inside of the tattooed skin can take 6 months to a year to fully heal.

  • If you normally sleep with a pet or pets, I suggest having fresh clean sheets to sleep on until the tattoo is fully healed or sleeping with clothes that covers the tattooed area to avoid potential bacterial or viral infections from their fur, paws, & saliva.

What is the aftercare with Second Skin?

Second Skin Bandages acts as your “second skin” and is different than just having plastic wrapped on your tattoo. Only wear the the bandage for 8-24 hours (depending on how much bodily fluids build up). Once you’re ready to take it off (best to do under running water or in the shower to loosen the adhesive), take a corner and pull down and away from your body and it should start to peel off without taking any of the tattoo with the adhesive. (I have a full video explanation on my Instagram highlights labeled aftercare). Then take care of your tattoo as listed above.

If you are experiencing any discomfort or if you notice your skin reacting to the adhesive please take off the second skin immediately. If you know that your skin is sensitive or if you have any adhesive allergies, I advise against using second skin.

How do touch-ups work?

After the tattoo is fully healed (2-4 weeks), your first touch-up is free within the first two months if you are only coming in for a touch up appointment. If you come in for another tattoo appointment and a tattoo I’ve already done needs some touch ups, I’ll do it at our next appointment.

We can schedule the touch-up at your initial appointment, or you can reach out to me once your tattoo has healed if you feel the need for one.