Before your appointment

• The day before lay off/ limit alcohol consumption. Alcohol can thin the blood and can make it difficult to tattoo.

• The day of your appointment have a shower to feel fresh and ready but do not shave or moisturize the area of your tattoo the day of your appointment.

• Come fed and hydrated! Make sure you have a good hearty meal and pack snacks and water. If you have a full day appointment, pack a lunch or plan to step out for food.

• Dress comfortably and with your tattoo in mind. Ex. Don’t wear tight pants if you’re getting your leg tattooed. Don't wear your fancy clothes there is a small risk of being stained.

• Pack anything you’d like to keep yourself comfortable and distracted, headphones, an ipad, a small pillow etc.

• Pre-applied numbing creams can help tough spots, you must ask your artist if you are considering using one.

During your appointment

• Our artists are committed to making sure you feel safe, informed, and comfortable. If you feel unsure about anything or just curious, ask your artist!

• Feel free to take breaks and stretch during your appointment, drink water, and have snacks.

• Listen to music (through headphones), read a book or watch a show on your ipad or phone to keep occupied and distracted.

Aftercare & Healing

Second Skin

• Your artist will apply the first wrap for you. 

• This wrap stays on for 10-20 hours. Change it as needed if there is accumulation of fluid under the wrap. Change again as needed within the first 24 hours to avoid too much fluid build up.

• When you remove the wrap, do so in the shower as the water will help soak off the adhesive, and you will need to wash it right away anyways. Wash gently with a basic unscented soap.

• When you get out of the shower, pat dry with paper towel and also let the area air dry for about 5 minutes before applying the new wrap. 

• Keep the wrap on for 5-7 days total starting from the day you got the tattoo done. 

• Some people develop slight irritation from ingrown hairs trapped under the wrap or slight irritation around the borders of the wrap. If you feel you are having any other adverse reaction to the wrap, remove it immediately and switch over to standard healing (see step 5 in standard aftercare section).

• When you remove the wrap begin to moisturize with an unscented moisturizer like Lubriderm or Aveeno until the tattoo feels like normal skin again.

Standard Healing

• Leave the wrapping on for 1-2 hours 

• Take wrapping off and gently wash the tattoo with room temperature water and a basic, unscented soap.

• Air dry or pat-dry with a clean paper towel, before wearing any clothing on top. 

• Keep the area clean and shower regularly with unscented soap. Avoid scrubbing, scratching, or rubbing the tattoo.

• About 2-3 days after getting the tattoo, the area will start to feel tight and dry, at this point begin to apply an unscented moisturizer like lubriderm or Aveeno 2-3 times a day. Make sure your hands are clean when applying the lotion. 

• Your skin will naturally start to shed a few layers of skin as it heals the area. You will see the whole surface area peel and flake off. More saturated areas may scab a little. Let this process happen on its own. It will sometimes feel itchy. 

• Continue to keep the tattoo clean and moisturize 2-3 times a day until the area feels like normal skin again (about 2-3 weeks for the average person).