Pre-Appointment Prep
In the days leading up to your appointment, try to get plenty of rest and stay hydrated. If you have any favorite exfoliating creams or lotions, those are great to use the week of but avoid them the day of your appointment. Use plenty of lotion in the weeks leading up to your appointment- well hydrated skin receives the ink best. You will want to avoid taking any ibuprofen/aspirin or drinking any alcohol for 24 hours before. You’ll need unscented antibacterial soap and plain unscented lotion at home to use during your aftercare.
The day of your appointment, please eat a decent meal (not just a granola bar or coffee), and bring some snacks with you to eat during breaks. Wear loose clothing that will allow access to the area you will be tattooed. If you get chilly easily, I recommend bringing a sweatshirt or cardigan. You are welcome to bring headphones, tablets, a book, etc to help pass the time.
Aftercare
Depending on personal preference and the location of your tattoo, you may leave your appointment with a Saniderm flexible bandage on your tattoo. If not, I will cover your tattoo with a temporary wrap.
If we used Saniderm, try to keep it on for 48-72 hours. Extra ink and plasma will be trapped under the wrap so don’t be alarmed if it looks “gooey” after a couple of hours. You can wear clothes over and take showers with the Saniderm bandage on, however you should avoid submerging it or sweating heavily while it is on. For locations near joints (inner arm, elbow, hips, ribs) avoid excess movement.
**If you notice any persistent redness or irritation near the edges of the bandage, please remove early and discard. It’s always best to listen to your body- if it doesn’t feel right you can always take it off!**
Remove it in the shower by gently stretching the bandage outward, dispose of it, and wash your tattoo with antibacterial soap. Continue with the tattoo aftercare below.
If we used a temporary wrap, you can remove it after a few hours and wash with unscented antibacterial soap. Make sure to wash your new tattoo a couple of times a day for the next 10-14 days, and keep it moisturized with a plain, unscented lotion. Your tattoo will feel itchy as it heals- this is normal, do not scratch at it! While your tattoo is healing, avoid direct sun exposure as well as submerging it in water (pools, lakes, bath-tubs, etc). After your tattoo has healed, make sure to use sunscreen if it will be in direct sunlight. Enjoy your new tattoo!