The goal is to reduce irritation, avoid infection, and give your skin the best chance to hold onto pigment cleanly and evenly.
Here’s a list of product recs!
Before
ITEM CHECKLIST
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MOISTURIZER
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(OPTIONAL) AHA
For 1–2 weeks leading up to the tattoo, add moisture and limit sun damage.
Drink lots of water: Skin that’s hydrated from the inside heals better and is less prone to flaking or scabbing.
Moisturize often: Pre-hydrated skin makes the tattoo process easier and less traumatic. Use a gentle lotion with ceramides to support the skin barrier.
Avoid sunburns: Damaged or inflamed skin can’t be tattooed and takes longer to heal.
In the 1-2 days before, avoid substances that’ll make it harder for your body to heal.
Avoid alcohol, caffeine, and blood thinners (like aspirin or ibuprofen): These increase bleeding during your session, which can push ink out of the skin and lead to lighter or patchier healing. They can also increase inflammation, which slows healing.
(optional) Exfoliate the skin so it’s fresh on the day of.
A gentle AHA (a chemical exfoliant) can help remove flaky or dead skin. This helps the stencil stick better and ink go in more smoothly.Day of Tattoo
ITEM CHECKLIST
- CARBY MEAL
- COMFY CLOTHES
- COMFORT THINGS (E.G. HEADPHONES, PHONE CHARGER + BATTERY PACK, BOOK, SNACKS)
Try to be well-rested and fed!
Eating a carby meal will help regulate your blood sugar and makes you less likely to feel faint or nauseous during your tattoo.
Good sleep will also help your body deal with pain and any shock reactions.
Dress and pack for maximum comfort.
Wear comfy, loose clothes that allow easy access to the tattoo area. There may be ink that gets onto this clothing during the tattoo session, so keep that in mind!
We’ll have nipple covers too.
You can also bring anything that’ll help you have a better time. This could be a friend, headphones, battery pack (for phone), blanket.
Keep your skin bare!
On the day of, we don’t want any lotion, makeup, or SPF. These can block the stencil or interfere with the needle.
Plan to do something chill afterwards
Make sure to eat and be in a relaxing environment!
It’s also a good time to grab any aftercare items you haven’t yet gotten.
After
ITEM CHECKLIST- FRAGRANCE-FREE SOAP
- OCCLUSIVE OINTMENT
- MOISTURIZER
- (OPTIONAL BUT HIGHLY RECOMMENDED) BACTINE SPRAY
- SUNSCREEN
Remove the second skin after 1-4 days, when its done its job preventing infection at the initial stage.
You should do this once it starts peeling on its own, or if fluid builds up inside and begins leaking out.
Most often, this is around 2-3 days but will vary based on the tattoo coverage, where it’s located, and your skin chemistry.
Help your skin heal through keeping it clean and adding moisture.
At least 2 times a day, cleanse with a fragrance-free soap, then add a thin layer of moisturizer and seal with a thin layer of aquaphor.
You can repeat this more often if your skin begins feeling dry and itchy. Definitely do not scratch or pick at the skin as this can cause scarring or ink loss!
Stay away from places that are high risk for infection!!
Avoid sweating and gym workouts for 5–7 days: Sweat can carry bacteria and slow healing.
If you work a high-exposure job (e.g. if you work in a kitchen, clean public spaces, events where you’re in contact with a lot of people, etc), keep the tattoo area covered as much as you can. Carry around a bottle of bactine and frequently spray areas that are most at risk while working.No baths, pools, or soaking until tattoo is fully healed.
Avoid sun when healing and (ideally) continue to use SPF afterwards!
If Something Feels Off
Please reach out if you notice:
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Bright red, hot, or expanding irritation after day 3
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Yellow or green pus, unusual swelling, or streaks
- Fever or chills
If you’re not sure, reach out and send me photos!! We can figure out what’s going on together.