Pre-care Instructions
Properly preparing for a tattoo appointment is just as important as tattoo aftercare. Your body is a canvas for our tattoo artists, and the better the canvas, the better the end result.
#1 Be Well Rested
This might be easier said than done because you are all excited about getting a new tattoo and can’t wait for the appointment. But being well rested is one of the best ways to make sure you’re ready for your appointment. Make sure you are getting a good sleep for a few nights before your appointment to ensure your body is well rested.
#2 Eat Healthy and Drink Water
The nervousness/excitement might make eating a bit of a task, But it is important to make sure to eat a full meal and drink plenty of water before coming to your appointment. Getting tattooed usually takes a toll on the body, so your body needs fuel to get through the day. You can also bring snacks with you to the tattoo appointment.
#3 Avoid Heavy Training/Working out
We advise not beating your personal records at the gym the day before or the day your tattoo appointment. Your body needs to be fully rested and ready for the new tattoo. It will also be a lot easier for you to sit in the chair if your muscles aren't sore from a workout.
#4 Avoid Partying/Alcohol/Drugs
This goes without saying. Being hungover sucks. Having a splitting headache and feeling nauseous is one thing. You would probably want to lie in your bed the entire day and not move a muscle, just wait for the bed to stop turning. Now picture this scene but add someone poking you with needles for hours. Welcome to a whole new circle of hell. Not to mention that all of these things take a toll on your body in different ways but give higher chances of you being dehydrated.
5. No Tanning
It is crucial to keep the amount of melanin (natural pigment) in your skin as low/regular as possible, especially when we’re talking about color tattoos. Tattoo ink is injected into a deeper layer of the skin than melanin is situated, so the melanin will almost put a brown-tinted glass over your tattoo and, in result, make the colors muddy. Regarding that, we strongly advise avoiding direct sunlight and trying not to get a sunburn. You can achieve that by either protecting the area to be tattooed with clothing and/or by wearing a high SPF sunblock; we recommend using at least SPF 50. It is also advised against using self-tanning creams/lotions, etc.
Please note that if you have a sunburn on the day of your appointment we will be unable to tattoo you that day!
#6 No scrubbing or shaving
When showering, please don’t exfoliate your skin. Exfoliating makes skin renew itself, and the new skin is fragile, making it harder to tattoo. This, of course, does not mean you shouldn’t shower or wash yourself; just don’t scrub your skin too much. You also do not need to shave the area yourself. Leave the shaving to the artist.
#7 Moisturizing is key.
The skin is a tricky canvas, and tattooing a dry, non-elastic canvas isn’t any easier. Taking care of the elasticity of your skin will help the tattoo artist a ton. We recommend applying moisturizing lotion/cream/coconut oil on the to-be- tattooed area for one week before the appointment. Don’t moisturize the day of the appointment.
#8 Shower before your tattoo appointment.
This one might be obvious, but we wanted to mention it just in case. You should be showering, but please remember to do so before your appointment. You want to keep your skin as clean as possible since tattooing creates small cuts and opens the skin up. Please do not show up after a hard gym session, after a game of basketball, or a long day of heavy construction. Not only will your skin not be clean, but your poor artist will have to sit through the smell of sweat and dirt as they get up close to your skin.
#9 Dress for your session
You want to be as comfortable as possible during your tattoo, and that means wearing a comfortable outfit. You don’t want to be wearing restrictive jeans or a dress shirt while you’re getting tattooed. Loose clothing will help make sure that you aren’t randomly getting itchy and overheated, and it will allow you to easily re-adjust your positioning in case you become uncomfortable. Lastly, it will allow your artist easy access to the area you are getting tattooed.
Aftercare Instructions
Aftercare may depend on the size and placement of your tattoo, which your artist will go over the best healing methods with you. Please follow the aftercare steps carefully to preserve your tattoo’s beauty and colour.
Second skin duration
The artist will put a bandage on your new tattoo after completion; this is called second skin. The second skin is a protective barrier that will prevent any contamination to your tattoo; it also protects it from any friction and is a waterproof bandage. We recommend keeping this bandage on for up to 4-5 days; bigger pieces may require a longer time frame, which the artist will let you know if a longer duration is needed.
If you notice any irritation or reaction to the second skin, you may need to remove the second skin to prevent any further irritation. Please contact the shop as soon as possible.
Removal of the second skin
When removing the second skin from your tattoo, a hot shower may be helpful to weaken the adhesive.
Make sure your hands are clean before removing the second skin. When you are removing second skin, it is best to hold your skin down tight and pull back (it’s best to do small areas at a time).
Once you have removed the second skin, it is time to wash your tattoo. The first step is to rinse off any fluid build-up with lukewarm water. Once you have rinsed your tattoo, please wash gently with a dye and fragrance-free soap. It’s recommended to wash your tattoo 2-4 times.
Once you have washed your tattoo, allow it to air dry completely, or you may pat it dry with a clean paper towel.
DO NOT USE A TOWEL OR CLOTH.
Once your tattoo is dry, gently apply a dye/fragrance-free lotion; do not overapply lotion, as this may cause irritation! We do offer aftercare cream at the studio, or at the bottom we have a list of recommended lotions and soaps.
After second skin
At this point you may notice a thin, scab-like layer; this is completely normal. Please refrain from peeling, picking, or itching your tattoo. You will still need to wash your tattoo to ensure it stays clean and heals as well as possible. You will also need to apply light amounts of lotion as it becomes itchy to keep the tattoo moisturized. Make sure you have clean hands every time you wash your tattoo or apply lotion.
Remember, your tattoo may look completely healed but is still vulnerable to damage for the first 6 weeks. Sunlight, chlorine, saltwater, and bacteria can negatively affect your tattoo permanently for the first 6-9 weeks. This is because your skin has to go through a full regeneration cycle in order to protect your tattoo effectively.
If sun exposure is necessary, it is best to keep your new tattoo covered. You are able to start applying sunscreen to your tattoo once your tattoo has stopped peeling.
Additional information
Fluid build-up underneath the second skin is completely normal and is to be expected. Please do not pop any ink sacks that may happen, If you pop the second skin bacteria may enter through the hole.
If you notice any air bubbles under the second skin, please do not pop them or remove them.
If your tattoo itches, pat gently with clean hands.
The highest infection rate is within the first 4 days; this is the phase where the tattoo is still an open wound. Please keep your tattoo clean.
Please avoid the following:
Soaking your tattoo is not recommended. This means avoiding the following during the healing phase: pools, hot tubs, bathtubs, mineral springs, and hot springs.
Sun exposure
Tanning beds
Tanning Sprays/Lotions
Scratching, picking, and slapping your tattoo.