Tattoo Preparation Guidelines

Refrain from alcohol: Alcohol can thin your blood, leading to increased bleeding during the tattoo process. This can make the tattooing more difficult and affect the clarity and quality of the tattoo. Please avoid alcohol for at least 24 hours before your appointment.

Avoid blood thinners: Similarly, avoid taking aspirin, ibuprofen, or other blood-thinning medications unless prescribed by a doctor. If you are on any necessary medication, please let me know before you get tattooed. This information will be kept confidential, but can be very important for me to know how to proceed.

Take a shower: On the day of your appointment, take a thorough shower to clean your skin, paying extra attention to the area to be tattooed. Good hygiene is essential to minimize the risk of infection. Use a mild, fragrance-free soap to avoid skin irritation.
Wear clean clothes: Put on freshly laundered, comfortable clothing. Choose something loose and easy to adjust to give me easy access to the desired tattoo area.

Leave shaving to the professional: Although it might seem helpful to shave the area yourself, it’s best to leave this to me. I will shave the area if needed, using sterilized tools to avoid cuts or irritation that could lead to infection.

Moisturize regularly: In the week leading up to your appointment, keep your skin well-moisturized. Use a gentle, fragrance-free lotion; I highly recommend Lubriderm, Hustle Butter or something similar. Healthy, hydrated skin takes ink better and heals faster.
Drink water: Stay well-hydrated by drinking plenty of water in the days before your tattoo. This keeps your skin plump and healthy, making it easier to work with.

Have a nutritious meal: Eat a substantial, balanced meal before your appointment. Opt for foods high in protein and complex carbohydrates to keep your energy levels stable. This can help prevent dizziness or fainting during the tattoo process.

Rest well: Aim for 7-9 hours of quality sleep the night before your appointment. Being well-rested will help you manage the discomfort better and stay relaxed throughout the process.

Choose appropriate clothing: Wear loose, comfortable clothing that allows easy access to the area being tattooed. For example, if you’re getting a tattoo on your arm, wear a sleeveless shirt or one with sleeves that can be easily rolled up. Avoid tight clothing that might rub against your fresh tattoo.
Privacy and discretion: Keep in mind that if you need to disrobe to any extent for the area to be tattooed, we do have privacy screens that can be utilized during your appointment to make you feel more comfortable. I also provide pasties to those who may want or need them, feel free to bring your own if you would like.

Protect Your Skin: In the week before your appointment, avoid excessive sun exposure, tanning beds, and anything that might sunburn the area to be tattooed. Sunburned skin is damaged and can be more painful to tattoo, or we may not be able to do your tattoo depending on the condition of the skin at the time of your appointment. I highly recommend using SPF 50+ on your tattoos at all times that you will be in the sun. Never apply sunscreen to a fresh or healing tattoo, during this time period it is best to keep your skin covered and out of the sun as much as possible.

Stay nourished: For longer sessions, bring a water bottle and some snacks. Staying hydrated and having a light snack can help maintain your energy levels and keep you comfortable during the tattoo process. There are plenty of local places to order food delivery from during your session as well.

Relax and prepare mentally: It’s normal to feel a bit nervous. Bring items to help you stay calm and occupied, such as a book, headphones, a stress ball, or a small blanket. We do provide pillows as needed and most tattoos are performed on a comfortable massage table. Please refrain from bringing a guest or moral support with you to your appointment, as it does not currently adhere to health department guidelines.

Pain management: Understand that some pain is part of the process. Practicing deep breathing or mindfulness techniques can help you manage any discomfort. Please remember that you are able to ask for a break whenever you may need it during the process. Do not push yourself past your limit, always speak up and let me know if you are beginning to feel unwell or need a few minutes to recoup.

Discuss your ideas: Have a clear idea of your design and placement. Discuss this thoroughly with me, bringing any reference images or sketches to your consultation or via email/text. Ensure there is mutual understanding and agreement on the design.
Ask Questions: Don’t hesitate to ask any questions you may have about the process, pain levels, aftercare, or the tattoo’s longevity. Clear communication with me will help set realistic expectations for the overall experience.

Prepare aftercare supplies: Before your appointment, stock up on some aftercare products. This includes:

Antibacterial soap: For cleaning the tattoo gently and regularly. I recommend any liquid antibacterial soap with no fragrances. I personally like to use fragrance free Dial or Lubriderm soap for my tattoos.
Tattoo ointment: I highly recommend Hustle Butter for the healing process and beyond, as it is light, natural and what I use during the tattoo process. Feel free to use any brand of tattoo aftercare ointment that you choose, just make sure it is fragrance free.
Fragrance-free lotion: For moisturizing during the healing process and beyond, I highly recommend fragrance-free Lubriderm lotion.
Sunscreen (SPF 50+): While you cannot use sunscreen on your fresh or healing tattoo, it is highly recommended to apply a high quality, high SPF sunscreen to your tattooed skin at any time that you will be exposed to the sun. I use and recommend Sun Bum SPF 50 or 70 for your tattoos once they are healed.

Follow aftercare instructions: Aftercare is crucial following your tattoo appointment. Please follow the specific aftercare instructions provided by me to ensure that your tattoo heals properly and looks good for a long time!