Frequently Asked Questions
To make your next tattoo experience the best possible, here is a collection of useful information...
Before Your Tattoo Appointment
So you've booked in for your tattoo, but now what? Here's 10 things to consider for being the best prepared come the day of your tattoo...
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Good night's rest: it's important for your body and mind to be rested so you're ready to withstand the process of a tattoo. It puts a lot of stress on the body, so the better rested you are, the easier it will be to cope.
2. Hydrated skin is healthy skin, and hydration begins within 💧Bringing a water bottle with you is a great idea as well.
3. Wash and moisture your skin: maybe an obvious one to be clean, but just a reminder! As for moisturiser, it's actually best to NOT apply it on the day of the appointment; but it can be really helpful to moisture regularly for the 5-7 days prior.
4. Wear comfortable clothes, & avoid wearing anything that is white, or anything precious you would be upset getting permanent ink on. Keep in mind the area of your tattoo when choosing your outfit. You can always bring something to change into at the shop.
5. Eat a high protein breakfast: Protein is the life-force of your tattoo strength, and will give you the fuel to power through. (ham and cheese omelette, or protein powder vegan oatmeal)
6. Avoid the sun or self tanning: if your skin is sun damaged then its already going through trauma,and getting a tattoo is really gonna ruin its day...
7. Avoid excessive caffeine: your normal morning coffee/tea is fine because you don't want any withdrawal symptoms. Excess caffeine can make you more sensitive to pain, and increase your heart rate potentially making you more nervous/stressed.
8. Say no to drugs and alcohol: alcohol thins the blood, which can cause excess bleeding during your tattoo. It hurts you more, and it also increases the likelihood we will, need to touch up the tattoo in a second session. Also, after drinking you're unlikely to sleep as restfully, so it's just a bad buzz. Similarly with recreational drugs, it's best to avoid.
9. Cancel plans after the appointment: the tattoo appointment might run longer than expected, and you never never never want to rush the process.
10. Give yourself plenty of travel time, arrive on time: arriving on time allows you to get a relaxed tattoo experience, with enough time to devote to planning, prep, and process.
After Your Tattoo Appointment
After you leave the studio, the healing process is in your hands. These tips will help you have the least hassle:
1. Avoid sun exposure 🌞
Even on a cloudy day, the sun can cause damage to a baby tattoo. Keep it covered when outside because you can't put sunscreen on a new tattoo until it's healed.
2. No itching ✋️
It's so hard to resist,but scratching can damage the healing process. Instead if you get the itches, tap the skin and make sure you are maintaining the cleaning/moisturising process.
3.Wear loose and breathable clothing, no leather bodysuits... 🦺
Rubbing or chaffing on the tattoo can irritate and damage skin.
4. Keep it clean and moisturised 💧
The big one! Tattoos are a fresh open wound , so keeping it clean is vital to avoiding infection. Avoid swimming or bathing as bacteria will be swimming along with you. Also, avoid the gym or activities that cause sweat. Sweat can sweep bacteria where it don't want to go!
Once you've taken off the second skin (if you're using it) it's best to wash the tattoo 1-2 times per day with unscented soap and warm water. Always make sure your hands are clean. After cleaning, pat dry with fresh paper towels
5. Stay hydrated 🥤
Maintaining a healthy intake of water and a healthy diet will give your bod the fuel it needs to heal up
Proper aftercare=proper pretty tattoo forrrreeeverrrr
✨️✨️✨️✨️Always remember to listen to the guidance of your tattoo artist; there are multiple methods that work and your artist should work with you for the best guidelines! 👌
Numbing Cream?
Most tattoo artists will recommend that you don't use numbing cream because it is not a very regulated product and can affect the outcome of the tattoo. If you decide you cannot get a tattoo without using the cream, please discuss it with your artist before the appointment.
If you're nervous about the pain of the tattoo, here are some menthods besides numbing cream that can help:
🧘♂️ Firstly, practicing meditation and breathwork can help you master the tough emotions and experiences, not just during tattoos but for all of life's challenges! Knowing that despite the fact that the tattoo process can test us, we are receiving a meaningful symbol that will stay on our skin forever. Also, if you try and resist and fight the pain, it can exacerbate the experience; whereas if you accept it as part of the process, and allow it, then your sense of calm can improve your experience.
🚫 Avoid caffeine and alcohol. Both these things can cause more anxiety, and can lessen your pain threshhold. If you normally have a morning cup of coffee, then it isn't necessary to deprive yourself, but just keep it in moderation and make sure you are balancing it with water as well. A high protein breakfast (greek yogurt and peanut butter, or eggs and wholegrain toast) will fuel your body with enough energy to sustain you through a tattoo, but bring snacks and a lunch if your doing a longer session. 😉
👯 Bring a pal! One of the best ways to work through tattoo pain is to distract yourself. A friend who can tell you silly stories, make you laugh (but not too much that your shaking while the lines are getting tattooed!) is a fantastic way to pass the time. I do my best to keep the chats up during a tattoo, but since I am focused on creating the prettiest tattoo for you, sometimes I can go quiet. If you would prefer not to have a friend come with you, downloading a podcast, or listening to your favorite music can work as a great distraction as well!
What are your questions?
If there's something you're still curious about, don't be shy to ask!