What to do before, during & after your tattoo appointment

Pre-Tattoo & Prep Advice

  • DRINK WATER! Hydrate well for the days leading up to your appointment. If you’ve had a boozy weekend your skin is likely to be dehydrated and make it harder to tattoo. This means your tattoo may take longer and be more painful which in turn may mean its more expensive!

  • Eat a proper meal and make sure you are well hydrated before your appointment

  • Eco-tip! If you have a razor at home and would like to shave the area(s) you are going to have tattooed at home you will save me using a throw away single use razor. Make sure you shave an area big enough and moisturise your skin after. If you are not confident or used to shaving then I can do this for you in the studio.

    Skin Prep

    Gently exfoliate the area a few times within the week leading to the tattoo appointment & use a rich moisturiser to soften the skin in preparation for your tattoo. If you’d like to shave the area the evening before or morning of the appointment that’s great too but I can do this for you in the studio. If you’re going to be in the sun before your appointment make sure you keep your skin covered AND wear spf 50. I can’t tattoo burnt skin!

    Other Prep

    Please make sure you hydrate well in the week leading to your appointment. Pleeeeease don’t turn up hungover, your skin will be dehydrated and won’t take the ink very well. This means a tattoo will take much longer and cost more because of this.

    Please make sure you’ve had a proper meal before your appointment. Getting a tattoo can be really nerve wracking so please let me know if you’re feeling worried and I’ll do everything in my power to put your mind at ease.

    What to bring

    Lunch/dinner/snacks and drinks. Sugary things are great to help with the discomfort of tattooing. I have different tea’s and coffee available with oat milk (let me know if you prefer cows milk before your appointment)

    Slippers! you’ll need to take your shoes off before laying on the bed so slippers or thick socks are a great idea to feel cosy. Blankets/layers are a good idea as even though the studio is toasty, you can feel cold if laying for a long while.

    I love a chat but understand some people would rather zone out so please feel free to bring a book/headphones etc.

    What to wear

    Comfortable loose clothing is key. Don’t wear anything near to the area being tattooed that is really precious to you as ink may get on it. Button up shirts are great for sternum tattoo placements as they can be worn open and taped to the chest area. Loose trousers or shorts/skirt are great for legs as they can be pulled up and taped in place. V-neck t-shirts can be worn backwards for back placement or a backwards button up shirt is brilliant too. Please wear sandals/slip on shoes if getting your feet or ankles tattooed, its not a good idea to put a tight trainer or boot on afterwards. Vests or loose t-shirts are great for arms as long as the sleeves can be taped up onto the shoulder area.

    What to expect

    Appointments always start with a cuppa a chat and a bit of form filling! We’ll then talk about your design, size and specific placement for your tattoo and stencil it in place. We can move the stencil as much as you like, I just want you to be 100% sure and happy so please let me know if you’re unsure. Throughout the tattooing process I’ll check in with you and we can have little tea & stretch breaks. Once the tattoo is complete we will photograph it, wrap it and I’ll give you an aftercare leaflet. I also shave tins of natural tattoo balm if you don’t already have something suitable. Payment is by bank transfer or cash. Any further questions just drop me a message!

Post-Tattoo & Healing

DAYS 1-3 :

  • After 2-4 hours remove the dressing with clean hands. If you have a Dermalize second skin on your tattoo you can leave this for up to 4 days. If the edges of the second skin start to peal up you can carefully trim them. The Dermalize second skins are breathable and protect your tattoo against bacteria, dirt and friction.

  • When removing a second skin make sure you do so whilst the area is under warm running water and peal the dressing off slowly.

  • Clean your tattoo with gentle soap and rub with your hand, make sure you get rid of any gunk that may have formed (plasma and excess ink).

  • When the tattoo is clean pat it dry with kitchen roll (not a towel or anything that will leave bits of tissue stuck to it) or allow to air dry. Do not let your new tattoo come into contact with animals, pet hair, clothing or furniture that could transfer germs onto the site.

  • Once dry, apply a thin layer of tattoo aftercare balm. (But not if you have been recommended to re-wrap the area in cling film or second skin.)

  • If your tattoo is in an area where it may rub against another part of your body or is a ‘heavier’ design, I might have recommended to re-apply a fresh wrap. I will show you how to do this before you leave the studio but you can also find instructions on how to use Dermalize protective film online.

DAYS 3-14+ :

  • I can supply a small pot of vegan, all natural, cruelty free balm if you need one. Please ask me for the ingredients if you have any allergies.

  • I also recommend Hustle Butter which can be purchased online.

  • After 3 or 4 weeks you can use a heavy moisturiser such as Palmers Solid Cocoa Butter, Weleda Skin Food or Hemp Body Butter (Bodyshop). These are also perfect continued aftercare for years to come to keep your tattoos hydrated and looking their best.

  • You should continue to clean the tattoo twice a day and apply cream once it has dried after each clean. If it is dry or itchy apply a thin layer of cream with clean hands as this will help and it may just need some additional hydration. I usually say to lightly moisturise the area around 4 times a day but everyones skin is different.

  • You should find in around 21-30 days that your tattoo will be settled and stop itching from the healing process.

    Other Important things to remember:

    • DO NOT soak it in a bath.

    • Wear loose fitting clothing over your tattoo for two weeks or until it is healed. This means no tights or leggings, bras that rub on the area, heavy work boots or wellies that may rub and cause irritation etc.

    • When you leave the studio your tattoo is cleaned, sterile and has not been exposed to any kind of bacteria or dirt, this means anything you do to the tattoo after you leave is your responsibility. Infections caused by poor aftercare or badly healed tattoos are not my responsibility and I cannot offer touch up’s for free in this circumstance. SO PLEASE LOOK AFTER YOUR NEW TATTOO!

    • I recommend factor 50+ on healed tattoos as sun exposure can break down the pigment of the ink and fade them significantly. If you are going to be out in the sun with a new tattoo you need to cover it with clothing. After 2 weeks you should also apply sun cream. Sun cream on a fresh tattoo will probably sting and I wouldn’t recommend applying it. A natural sun block such as a zinc stick would be more gentle. Or just keep it out of the sun!

    • DO NOT allow your animals to come into direct contact with a fresh tattoo. Animal hair and dander carries a huge amount of bacteria.

    • You must not swim or expose your tattoo to sunlight until it is fully healed (usually around 21 days)

    • No heavy sweating for at least 7 days