Preparation Tips

TO DO:

  1. Eat a light meal + Eloctrolytes: Come well rested, hydrated and a full meal is eaten prior to getting your tattoo. Feel free to bring water and snacks. We also have select drinks, candy or snacks available. Breaks are always allowed, and you may eat your food at the front of the studio.

  2. Clothing: Please wear comfortable, loose, dark clothing you don’t mind getting dirty. Keep in mind the area you are getting tattooed and plan accordingly. If your tattoo is in the torso or back area, we will need you to remove your bra. We provide nipple covers & other coverings if needed.

  3. Privacy: Our studio is usually very quiet and intimate with only two artists , however it is an open concept space with no private rooms. We have a few privacy screens, and can book you in a day that is less busy but it is not guaranteed. We cannot tattoo in another space that is not designated for a health procedure.

  4. Meditation & Breathing: Most of the process of getting a tattoo is in regulating your nervous system. By practicing slow and mindful breathing, and mentally preparing will help you along the way. Everyones pain threshold is different, so it is good to know when it is unbearable and when you can mentally push through. Click here for a visual explanation of breathing techniques!

  5. Comfort: Please bring anything you may think will help calm your nerves. We have pillows, blankets, fidget toys, stress balls for your comfort. Feel free to bring your own headphones, ear plugs or glasses if you are sensitive to sounds or light (you may also let us know & we will accommodate for a silent session no judgment!).

  6. Skin prep: You may moisturize your skin a few days before your appointment, avoid the day of. No need to shave unless there is a lot.

TO AVOID:

  1. No heavy, oily foods

  2. No alcohol, drugs, caffeine or blood thinners before or during your appointment!

  3. No numbing: Tattoo numbing is unregulated and have many negative side affects than there are good. Possible dizziness, and extreme complications when applying on large areas. Many people find they have a reaction to the cream and causes raised and red skin. This affects the tattoo process and healing.

  4. Skin barrier: No tanning beds, sun burns, irritated skin, open wounds, medical procedures on the tattoo site

  5. No groups/ kids/ pets: Please avoid bringing large groups, children and pets. ONE guest is allowed.

Aftercare

After your tattoo comes the most important part, taking care of it! The first rule is to always wash your hands before touching a healing tattoo. On average, the healing process will take approximately 3 to 4 weeks or longer until your tattoo is fully healed.

There is a variety of aftercare instructions for healing a tattoo. We would advise to 1. follow your artists specific instructions or 2. if you have several healed tattoos, and have a preferred method, trust your own judgment. At the end of the day, (if you have multiple tattoos) you probably know your skin best. Below you will find our method of aftercare, and a full breakdown on what to expect each day.

HYPAFIX BANDAGE

  • Leave bandage on for a minimum of 4 to 7 days max. Gently remove at the end of your shower and wash any blood or fluids with your fingertips. No soap is needed, pat dry with a clean paper towel. Do not use towels as they harbour bacteria.

  • You can leave the dressing on when showering. If fluid or blood seeps through, wash it off in the shower and leave the dressing in place. If water gets under the bandage, take off gently.

  • No baths, pools, saunas or hot tubs

  • You may notice a “bubble” under your bandage, this is fluids of plasma and ink, do not pop or poke at it.

ABOUT HYPAFIX

  • Hypafix is a flexible, breathable fixation product that can be used to secure devices and wound dressings. It's ideal for joints and contoured areas, and won't constrict or disturb blood circulation.

  • Hypafix is radio transparent, so you can leave it in place during x-rays or radiotherapy.

Steps

DAY 1-6 – OPEN WOUND

Your body has gone under a procedure, and you are more vulnerable with an open wound. Take this time to rest, and drink lots of water. Avoid heavy workouts, the pool, baths, tight clothing and sun exposure. There may be some build up of plasma under the bandage. This is normal!

DAY 7 – REMOVING YOUR BANDAGE

Remove your second bandage under water, clean the entire tattoo area using lukewarm water and an unscented soap. Clean the area and remove any blood or plasma, remember your hands are your best tools! Once you have cleaned the area, gently pat dry with a clean towel or paper towel (avoid abrasive rubbing).

DAYS 7-9 – DRYING OUT

Your tattoo should be starting to dry up now. Be sure to only handle your tattoo with clean hands. Only when your tattoo is extremely dry or irritated, you may apply a thin layer of unscented lotion. Keep in mind that you don’t want to over lotion, less is more!

DAYS 9-15 – PEELING

Around this time you are going to notice some peeling going on. You will also start to itch, just like a sun burn when it starts to heal. The most important thing at this stage is DO NOT PICK IT, DO NOT SCRATCH IT.

If you are really struggling with the itching, you can soothe the itch by applying a Hypochlorous Acid spray provided at our shop & then a thin layer of unscented lotion to moisture it.

DAYS 9-15 – LAYERS & SCABBING

Your tattoo healing process should have 2 layers of scabbing. The first will be thick and flakey scabs with full ink colour on them. The second will be super dry, scale like flakey translucent scabs.

Both of these layers are crucial to your healing process. Do NOT pick at them. These flakes and scabs will fall off on their own! You can very easily cause damage and potentially cause scarring on your tattoo if you forcibly remove or damage these layers. The best thing you can do is let your body do its job and heal.

Your tattoo is almost healed. Do not ruin the hard work you put into getting this far by scratching, picking and peeling your tattoo.

Continue to keep it clean.

DAYS 16-31 – FINAL STAGES

In the final stages of healing, the scabs and dry skin will mostly be gone and it will start to look amazing. However, repeat the steps by keeping it clean, the healing process is still happening inside. Don’t scratch, pick at or damage your tattoo and you will end up with a beautifully healed tattoo! Congrats!

What not to do

YOUR TATTOO WILL TAKE ABOUT TWO TO EIGHT WEEKS TO HEAL! WHILE ITS HEALING...

  • AVOID ALCOHOL FIRST 24 HRS

  • AVOID HEAVY WORK OUTS FOR AT LEAST TWO WEEKS

  • AVOID SUBMERGING IN WATER UNTIL HEALED

  • DO NOT EXPOSE TATTOO TO DIRECT SUNLIGHT OR TANNING BEDS

  • DON’T PICK OR SCRATCH

  • NO VASELINE, ALOE VERA, NEOSPORIN

  • DO NOT OVER MOISTURIZE YOUR TATTOO

  • DO NOT USE ANY SCENTED LOTIONS OR SOAPS

  • DO NOT WEAR TIGHT CLOTHING OVER THE AREA OF YOUR FRESH TATTOO

  • DO NOT LET YOUR FRESH TATTOO COME INTO CONTACT WITH ANY ANIMALS OR PET HAIR

  • DO NOT LET ANYONE TOUCH YOUR TATTOO

  • DO NOT TOUCH WITH DIRTY HANDS

IMPORTANT:

PLEASE CONTACT US FOR ANY QUESTIONS OR CONCERNS. IF INFECTION OCCURS, CONTACT A DOCTOR IMMEDIATELY.