Preparation | The Day Of | After Care

Preparation

• Make sure to eat a big meal and drink lots of water beforehand; feel free to bring snacks and drinks the day of
• Please bring a Valid state ID that shows you are over 18+
• If you do not have an ID, a passport or birth certificate works
• Keep your skin moisturized and stay hydrated (if your skin is super dry, we will have to reschedule)
• Please do not do any heavy drinking the night before or the day of your appointment
• Avoid getting any sunburns
• Let me know if you are on any medication/antibiotics that might affect your tattoo appointment
• Payment -- Cash is preferred the day of the appointment

The Day of (TDO)

• When you arrive at your scheduled time you will start filling out a consent form while I finish setting up
• Please arrive at your appointment time -- coming in early does not mean you will be tattooed earlier -- I usually come in 15-20 minutes before the appointment time to set up and if you arrive an hour early the studio will not be open
• If you're going to be late, keep me updated. Take your time and be safe (see FAQ for more info)

After Care

• I use a dermshield/second skin as aftercare
• Leave the bandage on for 2-3 days or as instructed, it's going to fill up with plasma/blood and ink -- this is normal, it helps the tattoo heal faster
• As tempting as it is, don't play with the ink bubble that will form
• If the fluid starts to leak out of the bandage or if the bandage starts to peel off or makes you uncomfortable/is irritating, then take the bandage off
• The bandage comes off easier with warm water and unscented soap (dial recommended). Slowly peel off a corner and then stretch it out like a command strip then wash out the fluid with water and anti-bacterial soap (recommended to do this in the shower)
• Once the bandage comes off make sure your hands are clean and apply A&D or aquaphor for the next 3 days and then apply unscented lotion (lubriderm recommended) afterwards until it's fully healed (3-4 weeks)
• Once your bandage comes off do not rewrap it, let your tattoo breathe
• Stay away from beaches, pools, hot tubs, gyms, saunas etc.
• Stay out of direct sun
• Don't let the shower stream hit your tattoo directly, let the water just run on the tattoo
• Pat your tattoo dry, don't scrub
• Wear loose clothing that doesn’t irritate your skin/tattoo
• Your tattoo will peel, itch, and scab. Do not pick, scratch, or peel the tattoo
• Don’t let your pets rub on your tattoo
• Do not use vaseline or any petroleum based jellys -- A&D or Aquaphor recommended
• It's normal for your tattoo to be red & swollen the first few days
• Treat your tattoo like an open wound, the outer layer of your tattoo will generally heal in 3-4 weeks but it can take up to 6 months for the skin underneath to fully heal. Be patient and take care of your tattoo; the better you take care of it the better the results will be and the longer it will last.
• Once your tattoo is fully healed -- sunscreen will be your best friend. Sunscreen will help with the longevity of your tattoo