It is important to care for your body both before and after receiving a tattoo. Here's a few tips to help ensure that the tattoo process goes smoothly:
- Show up to your appointment well hydrated, and having eaten. The tattoo process is traumatizing to the body and it is important that the client's body is as well prepared as possible to undergo the tattooing process. We want to ensure that blood sugar levels are regulated and that the client has plenty of strength to sit through the procedure.
- Avoid alcohol consumption/excessive consumption of caffeine prior to the tattoo appointment. Both may thin the blood, causing excessive bleeding, thus creating a longer, more painful tattoo experience. One should also be aware that getting tattooed while taking antibiotics is HIGHLY discouraged. Please reach out to your artist with any further questions.
- In the weeks leading up to the tattoo appointment, take excellent care of your skin. Keep the skin clean and apply moisterizer daily. Soft, hydrated skin is much less prone to tattoo trauma.
Aftercare:
- Keep the adhesive bandage provided by your artist over the tattoo for 72 hours (unless otherwise advised by the artist). We advise removing the bandage in the shower, as to maintain a clean environment. Once the bandage has been removed, begin aftercare instructions as follows.
- Wash uncovered tattoos about three times daily with clean hands. One should use warm water and antibacterial to wash the tattoo, and cool water to rinse. Using a clean paper towel, pat the tattoo dry before allowing it to air dry for roughly ten minutes.
- Once the tattoo has thoroughly dried, gently apply a thin layer of fragrance free lotion over the tattoo. We recommend using Aveeno, Aquaphor, or Happy Guru aftercare solution. Lotion should be applied about three times daily, or when the tattoo appears dry/flaky. Be careful to avoid over-moisturizing the tattoo.
*Do NOT fully submerge fresh tattoos under water!!! Avoid swimming, tanning/direct sun exposure, hot tubs, etc. until the tattoo has healed completely.
What to expect:
Day 1
Ink and plasma (clear fluid and tattoo ink) from the tattoo may rise to the surface of the skin. Leave the adhesive bandage on the skin for the recommended 72 hours. Please keep in mind that a tattoo is an open wound and should be treated as such.
Day 3
At this time you will remove the bandage and begin washing the tattoo thoroughly. As you care for the tattoo, a new layer of skin will begin to form over the top of the tattoo, likely causing itchiness, irritation, or peeling. DO NOT SCRATCH OR PICK AT THE SKIN. If a scab happens to form over any part of the tattoo, avoid picking or irritating the area as it will prolong the healing process.
Day 9-14
By now the peeling will likely have stopped, but the skin may be itchy and/or sensitive. Continue to treat the tattoo gently and apply lotion regularly.
Tips for healed tattoos:
- Avoid sun exposure for several weeks. The skin has just regenerated and will be sensitive to light. Once the tattoo has healed, always apply sunscreen to tattoos before going outside. This will help prevent any fading over time.
- Continue to apply lotion to tattooed areas. This will help keep the tattoos looking fresh over time.