Pre and Post Care

BEFORE YOUR APPOINTMENT

  • Hydrate by drinking plenty of water before (and after) your tattoo appointment

  • Moisturize your skin days before your tattoo appointment. Moisturized and hydrated skin is the easiest to work with during a tattoo.

  • Protection from the sun is important. Wear clothing and sunscreen to prevent sunburn or rash. The tattoo can not be performed if there is sunburn or rash infecting the area.

  • Stay well rested!

THE DAY OF YOUR APPOINTMENT

  • Bring a valid state issued ID with you to your appointment. No ID, no tattoo. This ID cannot be expired.

  • Get a good nights rest the night before your appointment.

  • Moisturize your skin. *No self tanner, or tanning the day of

  • Eat a solid meal at least 3 hours before your appointment.

  • Wear comfortable clothing that allows access to where you want to be tattooed.

  • Do not drink alcohol the night before or the day of.

    • Alcohol is a blood thinner. It dilutes the ink, and will make the tattoo difficult to execute and heal.

AFTER CARE - WITH SECOND SKIN

Saniderm is a medical-grade, breathable, waterproof bandage. It is engineered to be permeable to gasses, such as oxygen. Wearing Saniderm protects the area from unwanted friction and allows the body to keep itself moisturized. This results in a safer, smoother and more efficient tattoo healing experience.

  • Your Saniderm bandage may remain on your skin for up to 6 days. Try to keep the bandage as clean and dry as possible until it is time to remove it.

  • It’s fine if there is some plasma/blood/lymph fluid buildup under the bandage during this period. This fluid will be absorbed back into the body and help the tattoo healing process.

  • To remove your Saniderm, lift a loose edge of the bandage and pull it back over itself in the direction of hair growth. It’s best to do this in the shower when the bandage is damp, while using fragrance free, antibacterial soap to massage the bandage off.

  • Discard the used bandage and wash the tattoo with clean hands, lukewarm water and fragrance free, antibacterial soap.

  • Allow the tattoo to air dry or pat dry with a clean towel.

  • With clean hands, apply a thin layer a fragrance free aftercare product to your tattoo. Recommended aftercare products include but are not limited to: Cetaphil body lotion, CeraVe body lotion, and Lubriderm body lotion (water based lotions are preferred). Never use any oils, anti-itch creams, Neosporin, ect. Saniderm removes the need for healing ointments.

    The use of Aquaphor will not be needed when/after using a Saniderm bandage

  • Once you have removed your Saniderm bandage, continue caring for the tattoo by washing and moisturizing twice a day, until the tattoo is fully healed. Your tattoo may appear fully healed on the surface once you have removed your bandage, but deeper layers of skin will continue to heal for 2-4 months. A good moisturizing regimen is recommended for optimal healing.

  • Your tattoo may still peel, flake, or itch after the bandage is removed. Be sure to NOT pick or scratch at the tattoo as this may damage the skin and disrupt the tattoo healing process.

  • Showering while wearing saniderm is fine. Although, it is best to keep the time spent underwater to a minimum. Bathing and swimming or fully submerging your bandaged tattoo in water is not recommended, as this may weaken the adhesive and allow unwanted contaminants to enter the bandage.

  • Light exercise while wearing the Saniderm bandage is fine, but try to avoid activity that causes excessive sweating.

  • If the Saniderm is causing your skin to itch, or redden with irritation around the bandage site, remove immediately and clean your tattoo as instructed above. If your skin continues to be irritated and is not showing signs of improvement, contact your doctor.

AFTER CARE

After leaving the shop, keep your bandage on for 1 hour, or until you can get home to safely and properly clean your tattoo/s.

CLEANING

  • WITH CLEAN HANDS, unwrap your bandage and dispose of it.

  • Use lukewarm water and fragrance free, antibacterial soap to remove all blood, plasma and excess ink from the surface of the tattoo. Massage lightly with your hands. DO NOT use any cloth, loofas or sponges.

  • Let tattoo air dry, or pat dry with a clean towel.

  • Apply a thin layer of a fragrance free aftercare product to your tattoo. Recommended aftercare products include but are not limited to: Cetaphil body lotion, CeraVe body lotion, Lubriderm body lotion, or Aquaphor ointment (water based lotions are preferred).

  • Continue this regimen 2-3 times a day until the tattoo has fully healed

IMPORTANT INFO

  • ALWAYS clean your hands before cleaning or touching a fresh tattoo.

  • Only unwrap a fresh tattoo if you intend on cleaning it immediately.

  • Tattoos must be cleaned twice a day with antibacterial soap.

  • NEVER soak a fresh tattoo in a bath. Best to clean in the shower.

  • NEVER use alcohol based products when cleaning your tattoo.

  • Only apply a thin layer of aftercare product with CLEAN HANDS.

  • Your tattoo needs to breathe through your aftercare product, this is why you must apply a thin layer of aftercare.

  • NEVER allow fresh tattoos to come into contact with pet hair, pet saliva, bathroom towels, tight clothing, excessive sweat, or anything that could harbor bacteria.

  • Be cautious of exercise for 1-2 weeks after your tattoo. Gyms can be cesspools for bacteria. Light exercise is fine, but try to avoid activity that causes excessive sweating.

  • NEVER swim or partake in hot-tubbing / saunas with a fresh or healing tattoo.

  • Tattoos usually heal within 10-21 days. Redness, swelling, and soreness is common for the first couple of days. Then, they will tighten and dry out, and a thin, flaky layer of skin will form.

  • Be sure to NOT pick or scratch at the tattoo as this may damage the skin and disrupt the tattoo healing process.

Tattoo aftercare does not stop after the tattoo looks healed. Tattoo aftercare should continue for the rest of your life.

  • ALWAYS Keep your skin moisturized with lotion that works best for your skin.

  • ALWAYS WEAR SUNSCREEN!

Dermatologists recommend using a sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30, which blocks 97 percent of the sun's UVB rays.

Please Note: If you notice any abnormalities with your tattoo during and even after the healing process, please consult your artist and your doctor.