Preparing for your Tattoo Appointment

 How to Prepare for your appointment:


Here are a few ways you can prepare for your tattoo appointment;

What to Bring:

  • Please bring a valid photo ID. Drivers license, passport or myColorado app are all totally fine!

  • Please make sure you eat before your appointment. You are also welcome to bring snacks and water.

  • I want to make sure you're as comfortable as possible during your appointment. If you want to bring headphones, a book, a friend, a cozy stuffed animal please do!

  • Please do not bring children under 18 to your appointment, without communicating with me prior. I want to make sure we can both be fully present for your tattoo. I also want this to be a time where you can relax!

  • I accept cash, card or venmo for payments. Truly whatever is easiest for you I am happy to accept.

How to Prepare:

  • Wear something comfortable that allows easy access to where your tattoo will be. Avoid wearing light colors or nice clothing that you would not want to be stained by ink. If you’re unsure about what to wear for the particular placement of your tattoo feel free to email me for help!

  • Please shower and/or wear deodorant, especially if your tattoo will be on your inner arm, ribs, or upper legs!

  • DO NOT come to your appointment drunk or under the influence of drugs. This will negatively affect your pain tolerance and how tattoo-able your skin is. Even one drink before your tattoo session can affect your blood flow. If you show up to your appointment intoxicated, your appointment will be rescheduled and you will lose your deposit.

  • Do not show up more than 15 minutes early to your appointment. If you are running late, let me know your estimated time of arrival. If you are more than 15 minutes late, I may need to reschedule your tattoo.

AFTER CARE INSTRUCTIONS

For traditional healing/dry healing;

  • Always wash your hands thoroughly before touching your healing tattoo.

  • Remove the bandage in four hours and do NOT re-bandage.

  • Wash tattoo with unscented antibacterial soap and warm water immediately after removing the bandage, then once daily. Wash until your tattoo no longer feels slippery.

  • Rub with your hand, not a wash cloth or loofah.

  • You may moisturize 0-3 times daily with unscented moisturizer if the tattoo feels dry or tight (Moisturizing is not required for your tattoo to heal well if you are washing it correctly). You don’t need anything special–it is best to use a lightweight unscented moisturizer that you know your skin does not react to. If you can see it shining or clumped up you have used too much.

  • Do not apply any petroleum based or antibiotic products until the tattoo is completely healed (this means no Vaseline, Neosporin, A&D or similar ointments).

  • I do NOT recommend aquaphor, it will suffocate your tattoo.

  • Do not pick, scrape or scratch tattoo. Scabs falling off prematurely can damage your tattoo. Allow them to fall off naturally.

  • Avoid prolonged soaking or swimming for at least 2 weeks AND until all scabs have fallen off.

  • Avoid gyms and working out until one week after your appointment (activities like walking your dog is fine).

  • Tanning is TERRIBLE for tattoos even after healing is complete. If you must expose the tattoo to direct sunlight, use sunscreen. Tanning beds are NEVER good.

  • DO NOT rely on the advice of friends or family, even if they are heavily tattooed.

I always offer free touch ups on black and grey tattoos. I require you give your tattoo a full 2 months to truly settle before booking a touch up.


Bandage Healing (Secondskin, dermshield, etc);

I use both second skin and dermshield for bandage healing.

Second skin, saniderm, dermshield and similar products can be left on for up to six days. If your tattoo is particularly oozy you may replace the first piece within the first 24 hours of healing. Typically your tattoo will be healed past the point of infection risk after 4-5 days. Your tattoo will be fully healed after 2 weeks and fully settled after 2-3 months.

If you find your bandage lifts at the edges enough to expose the tattoo, or your bandage is leaking out the edges, you should remove the whole piece and clean immediately.

To remove:

Under warm running water, find an upper corner of the bandage and start slowly pulling it back over itself (Similar to how you remove a command strip). Clean the tattoo with warm water and a fragrance free antibacterial soap. Pat the tattoo dry with a clean paper towel.

Moisturizing:

It can be tempting to apply a thick layer of balm or lotion to your healing tattoo, especially if it feels tight or dry. Be careful not to over moisturize which can lead to delays in healing, unwanted bacterial growth, risk of inflammation and infection, clogged pores and suffocation of the skin and acne or rash breakouts around the new tattoo. To moisturize correctly, use a lightweight, unscented moisturizer that your skin is familiar with. (I like to recommend lubiderm, cerave, cetaphil or similar) Work a thin layer evenly throughout the tattoo's surface. Less is more. DO NOT USE AQUAPHOR.

If you received a tattoo from me, it has been done under sanitary conditions, and the chance of infection or damage to your tattoo is minimal if these aftercare instructions are followed correctly. Though I have been trained in sterile set up and break down, am always furthering my education, I do not claim to be a physician. Please contact your physician if you experience any unreasonable discomfort that causes you concern.