Person wearing black gloves creating colorful paint designs with watercolor paints on a table covered with a white sheet.

Precare

Before your tattoo appointment: 

Get a good night sleep before your tattoo session, drink lots of water and moisturize/exfoliate  the week prior to your appointment.

Come well fed. Bring water, and lunch if an all day session is planned. We have a fridge and microwave available.

Come in attire that allows access to the part of the body being tattooed, for ex. Wear shorts if getting legs tattooed, where tanks if getting upper arm tattooed. If in doubt, message and ask what is appropriate for your request.

Come clean and showered, wear deodorant unless you are getting your armpit area tattooed. We will be in close proximity and I will give you the same respect.

There is no need to be earlier than 5 minutes before your appointment time as I usually have consultations before you and will need that time to set up. 

Do not have other plans after your tattoo appointment. Sometimes appointments run long and we do not want to rush your permanent art. Plan your tattoo appointments for days where you have nothing else going on. You will also feel exhausted after being tattooed and want to rest following your appointment anyway. Tiny tattoos are the exception to this, in that case plan accordingly with me. 

Person getting a tattoo with a tattoo gun while another person, likely the tattoo artist, is working on an arm that has a green tattoo design. The background is dark with a floral pattern.

AFtercare

If your artist has bandaged your tattoo with DermShield:

  • Leave bandage on 2-4 days.

  • Remove bandage if there is any sign of an allergic reaction or rash

  • Remove bandage if part of it comes loose 


For the first 2 weeks: 

  • Only touch your tattoo with your own clean hands

  • Wash your tattoo 1-2 times a day with a liquid mild antibacterial soap and warm water

  • Pat dry with clean towel

  • Apply a small amount of fragrance-free lotion (Eucerin, Cetaphil, etc.) to your tattoo and rub it in well. Your tattoo should not be slimy or greasy – dab off excessive moisture with a paper towel

  • Avoid exposing your tattoo to direct sunlight

  • Showering is fine, but avoid long soaks (baths, swimming, etc.)

  • Avoid tight clothing on your tattoo during healing

  • Do not pick or scratch at your tattoo


Forever:

  • Use sun block or protective clothing whenever you plan on spending time in the sun

  • Moisturizing keeps your tattoo looking newer