PRECARE

A little preparation can make your tattoo appointment much more comfortable and help you have the best experience possible.

Make sure you get a good night's sleep and arrive well rested.
Eat a proper meal and drink plenty of water before your appointment. Avoid coming on an empty stomach.
Do not drink alcohol for at least 24 hours before your appointment.
Make sure the area that will be tattooed is hydrated. If your skin is dry, apply a regular body lotion or cream the day before your appointment.
Wear comfortable clothing that gives easy access to the area being tattooed.
Preferably wear dark clothing, as small ink stains or splashes can happen during the tattoo.
Please arrive with clean skin and avoid wearing heavy perfumes or strong fragrances.
If your appointment is expected to last 3 hours or longer, bring a snack with you.

Feel free to bring something to keep you entertained, such as headphones, a book or your phone.
You are welcome to bring one person with you to keep you company.
You are welcome to take photos or videos of your tattoo and your experience in the studio.

AFTERCARE

Taking good care of your new tattoo is important for proper healing and to keep it looking beautiful.

If you heave the regular plastic film, you can leave it on for up to 5 hours.
If you have the second skin on, you can leave it for up to 3 days.
After removing the film or the second skin, gently wash your tattoo with warm water and soap. Please don't use hot water and give preference to soaps with no perfume.
Gently dry the tattoo dry with a clean towel.
Let your tattoo air dry for the rest of the day.
Avoid tight or synthetic clothing over the tattoo. If you need to cover it, use loose cotton clothing.

Once the tattoo is dry, you can apply a thin layer of cream.

Everyone’s skin is different, and every artist may have their own preferences. I personally recommend Vaseline, coconut oil, Bepanthen, Hustle Butter or Cicaplast, depending on what works best for your skin.
Whenever possible, choose a natural, fragrance-free cream.
Apply the cream approximately twice a day for at least 2 weeks.
This is only a guideline. If your skin feels particularly dry, you can moisturise more often or continue for a little longer.
Be careful not to over-moisturise your tattoo. Everything in excess is bad.
If you notice irritation, excessive redness, dryness or a rash, stop using the product and switch to a different cream.

Avoid direct sun exposure on your tattoo during the first 2-3 weeks of healing.
After the tattoo has fully healed, always protect it with sunscreen when exposed to the sun.
This is especially important for colored tattoos, as UV exposure can cause the colors to fade over time.
Avoid sunbeds during the first 3 weeks of healing.

For the first 3 weeks, avoid:

Showers are completely fine — just avoid soaking or submerging your tattoo.

Some redness, tenderness, swelling and a little peeling can be normal during the healing process. Try not to scratch, pick or peel your tattoo.

If the irritation does not improve or persists for several days, contact your doctor or a healthcare professional.

If you have any concerns about how your tattoo is healing, feel free to contact me.