Preparing for your tattoo session is essential to ensure a smooth and comfortable experience. Here's a guide to help you get ready: Stay Hydrated: Drink plenty of water in the days leading up to your appointment. Hydrated skin is more supple and easier to tattoo. Eat Well: Have a nutritious meal before your session to keep your energy levels up and prevent lightheadedness or dizziness during the tattooing process. Get Plenty of Rest: Make sure you're well-rested before your appointment. Tattoo sessions can be lengthy, so being well-rested will help you stay comfortable throughout. Avoid Alcohol and Drugs: Refrain from consuming alcohol or drugs before your tattoo session, as they can thin your blood and make you more prone to bleeding. Dress Comfortably: Wear loose-fitting clothing that allows easy access to the area getting tattooed. Avoid tight clothing that may rub against the fresh tattoo and cause irritation. Shower and Clean Skin: Take a shower before your appointment and ensure that the area to be tattooed is clean. Avoid applying any lotions, oils, or perfumes to the tattoo area. Communicate Any Concerns: If you have any medical conditions, allergies, or concerns about the tattoo process, be sure to communicate them with your tattoo artist beforehand. They can address any concerns and make accommodations if necessary. Stay Calm and Relaxed: Tattoo sessions can be nerve-wracking for some people, but try to stay calm and relaxed during the process. Take deep breaths, listen to music, or engage in conversation with your tattoo artist to help distract yourself. Follow Aftercare Instructions: Before leaving your appointment, make sure you understand and have all the necessary aftercare instructions from your tattoo artist. Proper aftercare is crucial for the healing process and the longevity of your tattoo.

It's generally recommended to avoid swimming, soaking in hot tubs, or exposing your new tattoo to excessive moisture for at least two to four weeks after getting tattooed. Swimming in pools, lakes, oceans, or other bodies of water can increase the risk of infection and interfere with the healing process of your tattoo. Exposing your tattoo to water, especially in public areas like pools or bodies of water with potentially high bacteria levels, can introduce harmful bacteria into the open wound, leading to infection. Additionally, soaking in water can cause the tattoo to become waterlogged, which may affect the ink's integrity and result in fading or blurring of the design. It's essential to follow your tattoo artist's aftercare instructions carefully, which typically include keeping the tattoo clean and dry, applying a recommended ointment or moisturizer, and avoiding activities that could compromise the healing process. Once your tattoo has fully healed, you can safely resume swimming and other water-related activities, but always remember to protect your tattoo from prolonged exposure to the sun and harsh chemicals found in some pools and hot tubs.

Always wash your hands before touching your tattoo! Clean and dry your new tattoo and surrounding skin (do not use any lotions or ointments). Peel off the paper backing of Saniderm/Second Skin to reveal the adhesive side. Gently apply over the tattoo, leaving about 1 to 2 inch(es) of the bandage in contact with undamaged skin around the tattoo. More than an inch may be needed in highly mobile areas such as knees, hands, etc. Remove the top surface backing, leaving only the Saniderm bandage on the tattoo. The first piece of Saniderm/Second Skin should stay on for 24 hours, depending on how much the tattoo bleeds. It’s normal for blood and fluids to collect under the bandage. Remove the bandage, clean and dry the area and wait 1 -2 hours and then apply the second piece (do not use any lotions or ointments before applying the second piece of Saniderm/Second Skin) If you just got linework or a very small tattoo the artist might suggest to keep the first piece on for 4 to 5 days. The second piece can be worn for up to 4 days. Your body will typically tell you when it’s ready to come off. It will be itchy or just uncomfortable when it is ready to come off.

Always wash your hands before touching your tattoo! When you get home: Remove bandage within 2 - 3b hours after getting your tattoo. Do not re-bandage. Your tattoo needs to breathe, just like an open wound. Wash your tattoo with an anti-bacterial liquid soap. Be gentle, do not use a washcloth or anything that will exfoliate your tattoo. Only use your hands. Gently pat your tattoo dry with a paper towel. Do not rub, or use a fabric with a rough surface. The first 3-4 days: Rub a small amount of lotion/ointment on your tattoo. You may use an unscented lotion (with no alcohol in the lotion) or a tattoo ointment – whatever you know you’re not allergic to. Always use clean hands and do not place your fingers back into the ointment after touching your tattoo. Make sure to rub the ointment in so that it is not shiny, or greasy– you want the thinnest amount possible. Pat off any excess ointment with a clean paper towel. Do not use Vaseline, petroleum, Neosporin, or Bag Balm. Wash, dry, and apply lotion/ointment 1-3 times daily, as needed. On the first night, you may want to wrap your tattoo in saran wrap to prevent sticking to your bedding. Do not use any cloth bandages or pads, as the fibers of this material can adhere to your open tattoo and hinder the healing process. Wear clean, soft clothing over your tattoo for the first 2 weeks– nothing abrasive or irritating. For a foot tattoo: go barefoot as much as possible. If you must wear shoes, first wrap your clean tattoo in saran wrap, then cover with a clean cotton sock before putting on your shoe. Avoid sandals or flip-flops for this period to prevent chafing and damage to the tattoo. After day 3 or 4: On the 3rd or 4th day your tattoo will begin to peel. This is normal! Do not pick at the skin. Begin using a mild, white, unscented lotion, free of dyes or Perfumes. Use lotion for minimum 2 weeks, 1-2 times daily.