TATTOO CARE

TATTOO CARE

Follow the instructions below to the best of your ability to give your tattoo the best chance of healing well :)

PRE-APPOINTMENT PREP

  • Do not have alcohol / caffeine / blood thinning painkillers at least 24 hours before your appointment

    • doing so will slow down the tattooing process due to bleeding and may result in patchy healing

  • Hydrate well for 7 days before appointment

  • Moisturize and exfoliate where the tattoo will be for 7 days before your appointment

    • if you know that your skin tends to be very dry, you can put moisturizer on your skin and wrap it with Saran Wrap overnight before your appointment

  • Avoid heavy exercising of the area of future tattoo 24 hours before appointment

  • Eat well before appointment and bring snacks

  • Wear comfortable clothing that allows the location of your future tattoo to be easily accessed

  • Bring layers in case you get cold during the session (the studio tends to be on the chilly side even with heaters on)

  • Do not apply numbing creams without consulting me first

  • If the skin in the area you will be getting tattooed tends to be dry, apply a thick layer of moisturizer/vaseline and wrap with saran wrap the night before your appointment. Come to the appointment with the skin still wrapped.

  • No need to shave the area before your appointment.

POST-APPOINTMENT CARE

DON’T DO’s DURING HEALING

  • No alcohol or caffeine for 24 hours before/after getting tattoo

  • No sweating or heavy use of muscles under tattoo for 4-7 days

  • No contact with dirty surfaces for 4-7 days

  • No sun exposure

  • No submersion in water

DERM SHEILD SPECIFIC

  • Keep on bandage for 1-3 days

  • Take off under warm water or a shower

  • Peel gently from a corner and let the water do the work

    • pull it off parallel to your skin…not straight away from your skin

  • Avoid leaving it under hot water for long periods of time in the shower

    • this can make it more difficult for the adhesive to come off and cause sweating under the bandage

REMOVE DERM SHIELD IF…

  • it peels and exposes part of your tattoo

  • liquids from underneath the bandage leaks out

    • some inky liquid under the bandage is normal

  • sweat bubbles form underneath the bandage

  • you notice red rash around the border of the bandage

POST DERM SHIELD / SARAN WRAP REMOVAL

  • Treat your tattoo like a wound! Your body needs to heal so take care of yourself and keep your tattoo clean!

  • Gently hand wash with unscented soap 1-2x/day

  • Pat dry with a paper towel after washing for first 10 days or until scab appears

  • Moisturize 2x/day with unscented lotion or aquaphor

    • use SMALL AMOUNTS at a time

    • rub moisturizer between fingers and pat a thin layer onto tattoo

    • too much moisturizer will lead to slow healing and potential infection

    • if your tattoo gets dry/flaky you can put more moisturizer on to prevent scabs from cracking

  • Have clean sheets or wear clean clothes that cover your fresh tattoo during sleep for first 7 days

  • Treat scabs with care!

    • prematurely removed scabs usually will take ink with them

  • Keep tattoo out of the sun while healing

    • Do not use sunscreen until after 3-4 weeks of healing

    • After healing is complete, use sunscreen every day!

  • After 3-4 weeks of healing, please send healed photo in natural light!

    • first touch up is free!