You probably don’t need to be told that getting tattooed hurts... But what if i told you there are lessons we’ve learned over the years to make the experience way more manageable for you.
Whether its your first time or maybe its been a while since your last one, caring for your tattoo before and after your appointment can be a bit overwhelming these days.
We want you to have the easiest healing experience possible, so we ask that you please take the time to read the instructions below.
How to Prepare Before
EAT WELL
Never get tattooed on an empty stomach. Have a substantial meal about 2 hours before getting in the chair to avoid low blood sugar. Bring snacks such as nut bars, fruits, or a soda to enjoy during your breaks.
AVOID ALCOHOL
Avoid consuming alcohol prior to your appointment. Being hungover for a tattoo stresses your body out & makes for an extremely unpleasant experience.
HYDRATE
Make sure you arrive hydrated and bring some extra water with you. Your body needs water to be able to regenerate properly. Staying hydrated will also help fend off nausea and dizziness.
KEEP COMFORTABLE
It is important that you feel comfortable. Wear relaxed and loose fitting clothing, especially when getting tattooed on hard to reach areas such as the stomach, leg, chest, or back.
If Applying Numbing Cream
ensure that the area is shaved, clean, and dry.
— STEP 1.
liberally apply a thick layer of numbing cream onto the area.
— STEP 2.
cover the area with cling wrap and tape it down air tight.
— STEP 3.
leave it on for 1.5 - 2 hours before your appointment time. let your artist remove the cling wrap to ensure maximum effect.
— STEP 4.
After Care
IF WRAPPED WITH SANIDERM
Blood + ink will ooze out of your tattoo and stay trapped beneath the bandage, making a “soy sauce’ looking packet. It may look gross but it is perfectly normal. Remove the Saniderm bandage after 4 days, using warm water in the shower for easier removal.
REMOVE SOONER IF:
It leaks from the bandage.
Red bumps/ irritation occurs around it.
Bandage rolls over, exposing the fresh tattoo.
Continue regular aftercare after removal.
Within 1 to 4 hours- Remove bandage. With clean hands wash tattoo with fragrance-free antibacterial soap & warm water. Pat dry with a paper towel. Do not re-bandage tattoo unless otherwise instructed to.
Repeat 2-3 times per day for 7 days.
IF WRAPPED IN TEMPORARY BANDAGE
Starting on day 3- Apply a very thin layer of fragrance-free moisturizing lotion/ointment to your tattoo a few minutes after washing & drying. Pat off excess if you applied too much. You should have no build up of ointment/lotion left on your skin.
SOAPS: SOFT SOAP, DIAL
LOTION: AVENO, LUBRIDERM, CETAPHIL.
OINTMENT: AQUAPHORE.
DO’S
do treat your tattoo like an open wound.
do let your tattoo breath.
do allow the scabs to fall off naturally.
do allow the scabs to fall off naturally.
do bathe per your regular schedule.
do wrap with cling wrap the first night to prevent oozing on bed sheets.*
*only recommended for large tattoos.
DONT’S
do not over-moisturize.
do not expose fresh tattoo to direct sunlight.
do not heavily exercise for the first 48 hrs.
do not swim or soak in a bathtub until healed.
do not use vaseline or neosporin.
do not pick, rub, or scratch at your tattoo.
do not use a washcloth/loofah to wash your tattoo.
The skin surface should heal within 2 weeks.
But underneath, full recovery may take a couple more weeks to months.
Touch base regarding touch-ups after fully healed (~4 weeks for most)
