Appointment Prep & Aftercare

  • 1 week before your appointment:

    • Stay hydrated and moisturized

    • Avoid sunburns/cuts and scrapes

    • Don't apply self tanner

    24 hours before/day of appointment:​​

    • Eat a good meal within 2 hours of your appointment

    • Wear comfy clothes that make the area you want tattooed easily accessible

    • Don't drink alcohol, being hungover makes everything worse

    • Avoid high-caffeine drinks

    • No need to shave the tattoo area in advance

  • Derm Shield Bandage

    • Leave bandage on for up to 4 days (2-4 is optimal)

    • Your tattoo will excrete plasma as it begins the healing process. This is totally normal and beneficial for the tattoo

    • Avoid working out, sweating, and direct sunlight while the bandage is on

    • The bandage is water resistant, but shorter showers are recommended while the bandage is on

    • Remove if punctured or leaking and immediately begin washing routine below

    • To remove, peel off in the direction of hair growth under running water or in the shower

    Washing & Moisturizing

    • Once bandage is removed, wash gently with fragrance-free soap. I recommend unscented Dial, Dr. Bronner's, or Cetaphil/Cera Ve

    • Pat dry with a clean paper towel or let air dry

    • Rub on a thin layer of fragrance-free lotion or ointment. I recommend Hustle Butter, Dr. Bronner's unscented salve, or Lubriderm. Other tattoo salves, coconut oil, jojoba oil, or cocoa butter may be used to moisturize in the long term

    • Aquaphor or other petroleum-based ointments are fine to use as long as you only apply a very thin layer

    • Wash and moisturize the tattoo morning and evening, following the above routine, until the tattoo is healed (about 3-4 weeks)

    • Continue to moisturize for 6 months-1 year for optimum healing

    Do's and Don'ts

    • Don't soak or submerge your tattoo for 3 weeks minimum (swimming, hot tubs, baths, saunas)

    • Don't pick at scabs as they start to fall off

    • Don't expose tattoo to prolonged direct sunlight for at least 3 weeks and always apply sunscreen to the tattoo once healed

    • Don't used scented lotions or perfumes on your tattoo until fully healed

    • Do continue to moisturize your tattoo after fully healed to keep it looking nice and fresh

    • Do listen to your body and what it needs during the healing process