Pre-care:
➛ Please tend to your sleep; good rest is one of the strongest ways to handle pain / the discomfort of sitting for a long session.
➛ Another key component to manage pain is to make sure you are adequately hydrated and well fed. I highly recommend eating before you come in and bringing lunch + sugary treats that will help when your blood sugar drops during the tattoo.
➛ Moisturizing the area before your session is something that not only helps me tattoo easier but helps the lines stay sharper over time! Especially if we’re in winter, please be sure to keep your skin hydrated. Additionally, please do NOT scrub or shave your skin before you come into your appointment. If we are in the summer season, do NOT get sunburnt before your appointment. I will have to turn you away if you are freshly burnt or still flaking from sun exposure. This included tanning, just don’t stress your skin out please !
➛ Pre-appointment numbing cream has been very popular lately, and I feel fine if you need to use it. I understand that some areas feel extremely sensitive, and everyone knows their body best. With that being said, I would personally recommend that you do all that you can to fortify your body before the session and let your natural pain defenses do their thang. There has been stipulation about how some tattoos heal when you use numbing cream, and it also makes the skin harder to tattoo for me. If you decide to use it, I will still offer free touch ups to any parts that heal irregularly because of it.
➛ Last but definitely not least, please do not party or stress your dopamine levels before our session. There is quite literally, nothing worse than getting a tattoo hungover or with little sleep.
Thank you for tending to your body so I can create the best quality work on your being! I am so very excited for our time together.
Aftercare:
➛ You are in a two week healing period for your tattoo. Some styles may accelerate the healing process, some extend it, but always assume aftercare instructions for that amount of time. It is important to be patient during this process as the tattoo will move through different stages of healing and can be uncomfortable, look different, and feel sensitive until it is fully settled.
➛ Wash your tattoo 1-3 times a day (for about a week) depending on how much exposure it gets in your day to day. Use unscented antibacterial soap, Dr. Bronners, or if you want my personal recommendation, Ink Soap by Cosmeticink. It’s an all natural concentrated Castile soap that calms irritated skin, reduces redness, and fights infections. Super high quality, feels amazing, smells even better.
https://shopinkoil.com/products/ink-soap-tattoo-aftercare?variant=44330729799910&country=US¤cy=USD&utm_medium=product_sync&utm_source=google&utm_content=sag_organic&utm_campaign=sag_organic&gad_source=1
Wash your hands prior to washing the tattoo.
➛ Although your body heals the tattoo not the moisturizer, it is important to keep the tattoo from drying out. You’ll need to purchase a non-scented salve or ointment. I don’t recommend petroleum based products like aquaphor, as it tends to suffocate the tattoo and skin. It’s totally okay to use if it’s worked for you in the past, this is just my personal preference. I’d recommend buying plain, unscented shea butter, or an alternative natural salve. There is a brand called VitaliTree that makes a tattoo that I adore and highly recommend. The “OG” version is what I typically use during our tattoo session, it’s a beeswax base and all natural, this is what I recommend. https://vitalitree.com/product/tattoo-salve/
Whatever you use it is important that it is either new or can be “scrapped” from the top layer to avoid potential bacteria and germs that could have been previously introduced. Apply a thin layer to the tattoo (with washed hands, ideally after washing the tattoo) 1-2 times a day for the first week. After the first week, you can slow down on moisturizing and apply to your own discretion (when it is itchy, DO NOT scratch or pick, pat or rub with moisturizer).
➛ Please tend to your immune system and do not over extend yourself with work-outs, partying (drinking and drugs), significant travel, stress, etc. Stay well hydrated and take electrolytes if accessible. This is the most important factor that heals tattoos, your body’s systems.
➛ Things to avoid while your tattoo is healing - submerging of any kind, swimming, bathing, hot tubs, sauna, etc. These will make your tattoo fade fast, heal poorly, and significantly increase the risk of infection. Showering is great and encouraged. The sun is the other big no-no; a sunburn will definitely make your tattoo heal poorly. Do not put sunscreen on a healing tattoo, and keep the tattoo covered if in the sun or exposure of any kind. Avoid any scented / chemically charged products while healing. Avoid tight / restricting clothing during healing as this will irritate scabs and cause blowouts.
➛ I occasionally use saniderm / second skin bandages if there is no known allergy to adhesive. You may leave the bandage on for up to 5 days, although I recommend only 3. It’s great to keep the tattoo protected during the most vulnerable and sensitive part of the healing journey. It’s known to make tattoos heal better and it's really convenient if you are traveling the days following. If you notice any reaction, immediately take it off and go about your routine aftercare. Take it off in the shower, from the top to bottom letting the water help glide it off. It sometimes leaves a sticky residue on the skin, do not worry, apply coconut oil and it should come off over time.
➛ While infections are rare, they do happen. I do everything I can to set you up for an easy heal which means, keeping a sterile environment, and using all single-use supplies. Please note, it is your responsibility to perform your aftercare and keep the tattoo clean. If you find that you have areas of a healing tattoo that appear disproportionately red, swollen, significantly tender, producing pus, etc. that lasts longer than a few days you may have an infection or are having an allergic reaction. You can absolutely reach out to me at anytime during the healing process to ask questions, but I am NOT a medical professional and encourage you to contact a medical professional if the irritation persists. They can prescribe you antibiotics, and/or antibacterial ointment to quickly resolve the irritation. Please note that slight infections do happen on isolated areas, and can sometimes be remedied with by continuing your aftercare instructions, taking ibuprofen, and spraying bactine on the area. Do NOT use hydrogen peroxide or alcohol as this will not help.
➛ I offer free 1 hour touch-ups on my pieces within a year (and after three weeks of healing) of our original session. Although this isn’t typical, there are many factors at play with executing and healing a tattoo. Sometimes ink falls out, scabbing can create inconsistencies, shading can vary and sometimes need darkening. Please do not hesitate to reach out for this service, it is not an inconvenience at all. ❤