Before your tattoo
Make sure to eat a filling and nutritious meal beforehand.
Avoid alcohol before your tattoo.
Stay hydrated.
Wear the proper clothing. Light colored clothes may get stained. Please no tight fitting clothes near the area to be tattooed.
Plan to arrive 10-15 minutes early. This allows time for unforeseen travel delays but also the design to be finalized and the stencil to be applied.
Feel free to bring a phone, handheld game, or something to keep you entertained. As long as you can be still while doing it, bring it with you!
Bring your ID with you
After your tattoo
For TegaDerm, Saniderm, etc
These are sterile, breathable, and waterproof. Leave on for 3-4 days. Do not lift, peel, poke the film. Unless the film is leaking, leave it alone.
This will protect your tattoo, clothes, and sheets from leakage. Ink and fluid buildup is normal.
Avoid messing with the tattoo in a way that will peel the film. Excess sweating can loosen the adhesive. You can shower as normal with it on. Avoid soaking the film. This means no swimming, bathing, or beaches until it is healed.
After 3-4 days, remove the film. Peel like a command strip after a hot shower to loosen the adhesive. Don’t rip it off.
Once its removed, clean with antibacterial soap. Use your hands; No loofahs or rags.
Let air dry completely. Use a light layer of unscented lotion (Cetaphil, Hustle Butter, Aquaphor, etc). Do not over moisturize. Continue cleaning and moisturizing until healed.
Avoid sunlight exposure until healed. Use SPF to protect your tattoo afterwards.
For Cling wrap
Unwrap your tattoo once you’re back home.
Clean gently with unscented, antibacterial soap. Showering is fine; Avoid bathing, swimming, and sunlight exposure until healed.
Let air dry or pat with paper towel.
Apply a light layer of tattoo aftercare lotion such as Hustle Butter, Mad Rabbit, Sanibalm, etc.
Continue cleaning and moisturizing 3x a day for two weeks.
Be conscious of your tattoo; Avoid tight clothing, rubbing your tattoo, or allowing it to get dirty. It is an open wound and bacteria may lead to infection.
Use SPF after it is healed.
Taking care of your new tattoo is important. Improper aftercare may lead to infection and a poor outcome for your tattoo.