Preparing for your tattoo
STAY HYDRATED throughout the week, especially the days leading up to your appointment. Avoid caffeinated drinks the day of tattoo. Caffeine can increase pain sensitivity and dehydrate you. Hydration is very important for the healing process!
Be sure to eat a meal before our appointment. Tattooing can be taxing on your body, your blood sugar can drop during your tattoo. A good meal will insure your comfort and keep you from fainting. If you have a long sitting ahead of you bring a snack or sweet treat.
Wear comfy clothes that will allow access to the area being tattooed. (Please wear something that you don’t mind getting ink on. The inks stain and does not wash out.)
Items to bring:
Valid form of Identification, passport I.D. Ect.
Bring a water bottle if you can.
Optional things that might make you more comfortable for your session: Sunglasses (for the bright lights and to look hella cool), Sweater or blanket, you may get chilly, emotional support Plushie, squishmallow ect. Emotional support person . You can bing a guest with you if you’d like bust space is limited.
If you are sick, please reschedule your appointment.
AFTERCARE GUIDE
After Care Instructions for Your Tattoo
After completion of your tattoo, I typically use a bandage called SecondSkin, a medical-grade, transparent, adhesive barrier that protects new tattoos while they are healing. It is latex-free waterproof, breathable, and hypoallergenic. I recommend keeping the bandage on for 24-48 hours the longer the better. Please note: plasma build up is completely normal under the bandage, remove bandage if plasma begins leaking .
Removal
Peel up an edge or corner of the bandage..
Slowly pull the film off. Do not pull it straight up away from the skin. Instead, pull the film back and across the skin while holding your skin taut.
You may experience some redness around the tattoo where the bandage was applied to the un-tattooed skin. This is also normal and may occur with any type of medical adhesive. If you do develop an adverse reaction on the tattoo, discontinue use immediately. *If you are allergic to adhesives, I will bandage your tattoo with a medical bandage. When you remove your bandage, do so slowly. If the bandage sticks to the tattoo, get in the shower and let the water soak the bandage. This will help the bandage separate from the tattoo for easy removal.
Keeping your fresh tattoo clean is the highest priority during the healing process. You can remove the bandage when you get home, but re-wrap or cover with clean clothes before bed to protect your tattoo and your bed sheets.
Cleaning your tattoo:
•Always, WASH YOUR HANDS before touching your tattoo!
Gently wash the tattoo with a mild, unscented soap and warm water. Dial Antibacterial soap is recommended. NEVER use bath towels or washcloths to wash or dry your tattoo. They harbor bacteria even if they are clean. Use a clean paper towels to pat dry your tattoo; never rub. Air-drying is best.
Moisturize your tattoo:
•After washing your tattoo, apply a thin layer of any unscented lotion. (Aveeno, Lubriderm, Cetaphil,Cera Ve, etc. store brands are perfectly fine just make sure there are no added scents.) Apply 2-3 times a day until skin returns its pre-tattoo condition. Wash your tattoo before applying new moisturizer. If you break out in little white pimples, you are putting on too much moisturizer. Wash clean and let the irritated area dry out for a day. Then begin moisturizing again with much less product.
•Stay out of direct sunlight and tanning booths for 7-10 days. Once your tattoo has healed (usually one full month) use sunscreen of at least SPF30 to help protect it from the damaging UV rays. Do not go swimming, soak in a tub or Jacuzzi until your tattoo is completely healed. Showers are fine. Do not use hydrogen peroxide, Neosporin or rubbing alcohol on your tattoo.
•After 2-3 days, your tattoo may flake up and start to peel.
LEAVE IT ALONE! DON’T PEEL OR SCRATCH YOUR TATTOO.
Continue to clean and moisturize daily. You should be full healed in 4-6 weeks.
If you have any questions please don't hesitate to contact me I will get back to you asap.
Contact a Physician if any signs or symptoms develop such as the following: fever, redness at the site, swelling, tenderness of the procedure site, elevated body temperature, red streaks going from the procedure site towards the heart and / or green /yellow discharge that has a foul odor.