Preparation

There are a few things you can do before your session to make everything go more smoothly:

eat something
drink water
bring entertainment (book, headphones, a hand to hold...)
wear the proper attire for the area (ask if unsure)
bring your ID

How I Take Care of my Tattoos

There are many different ways people go about the healing process. There are definite don'ts, but the do's can get confusing. The truth is, not everyone's body and skin will react the same when using the same products. Doing what works for you and what you feel comfortable with is always the best option.

Don'ts

Soak

When you get a fresh tattoo, you now have an open wound that will start to get scabby. If you've ever gone swimming with a scab, you've probably noticed it turns white and gets all gooey. The same thing can happen with tattoos when submerged for too long in water. A great way to minimize this is to take quick showers (5 minutes or less) for about the first week.

Scratch

Tattoos often get itchy within the first couple of days. It's important to resist the urge to scratch, as it could result in a loss of ink in that area. If it is super itchy, patting it or lightly rubbing around the area is a safer way to ease it.

Sweat

It's okay to skip a few days of strenuous exercise, especially with a larger tattoo. Here's why: Limited motion can help the tattoo heal better, sweat contains salt, which can burn, and it could be exposed to bacteria, possibly leading to an infection.

Do's

Wash

Clean your tattoo at least twice a day with unscented/antibacterial soap. Dial foaming is often recommended. If your tattoo comes into contact with something dirty, please wash it carefully.

I like to use paper towels with soap and water and gently wipe them. Rinsing is important.

Moisturize

This one is the slightly controversial one. I am not against Aquaphor, as I know that it has worked for many of my clients; I will, however, not recommend it. Thinner, unscented lotions like Cerave and Lubriderm are my go tos, especially for sensitive skin. I have found that they are less likely to clog pores and are easier to get a nice, even, thin layer. Please wait a day or two before applying any moisturizer, especially with saturated pieces. Apply at your own discretion; You don't want it too dry nor too wet.

Protect

There are a few ways to limit exposures. Wash your sheets before and after each tattoo. Second skin is a great way to protect your tattoo from most dangers (as long as you don't have reactions to adhesives). Keep this film on for the first 1-3 days and remove slowly with warm water. Limit your time in the sun, and/or wear coverings when outside. After it heals, sunscreen limits fading.

Ice

Swelling can be normal for the first few days of a larger piece in a sensitive area. Keeping the area elevated and icing it may help.

Ask

If you are not sure about something, feel free to ask. There is always a slight risk of infection with tattoos, so, if in the off chance you have a rash, please see a doctor.

I hope you enjoyed your visit with me :)

If so, please leave the studio a review on Google and mention my name. This year, the artist with the most mentions gets a vacation of their choosing!! Thanks! Hope to see you again :)