tattoo preparation and aftercare
PREPARATION
Make sure you bring your ID
Must be 18 years or older. No minors.
Be on time (tattoo artist works hourly if you are late you will lose time on tattoo)
If you need to cancel your appointment, we need a 48 hour notice.
Any last minute cancellations will result in loss of deposit/price paid for tattoo.
Please have proper form of payment ready. Cash and card accepted (7% sales tax)
Any reference point is helpful (Sketches, photos, printouts, etc.)
Please email with any last minute changes, questions, or concerns. (besttattoonj@gmail.com)
Mentally prepare yourself for your tattoo experience. May include sitting for long periods of time and possible discomfort.
Be sure to dress comfortably.
Be sure to clean the tattoo site as well as possible.
Pillows, headphones, IPADs, phones, etc. are encouraged to pass the time. (free WIFI available)
Make sure you eat before appointment.
Do NOT drink any alcohol or take any illegal drugs.
Gratuity is not included.
AFTERCARE
Carefully remove bandage after 1-2 hours.
Wash gently with a fragrance free antibacterial soap.
Always wash hands before touching your fresh tattoo in any way.
Work up a lather with your hands first, then gently wash off any ointment, blood, or leftover ink using the soap from your hands. Rinse with lukewarm water. Do not use scrubs, exfolators, washcloths, loofahs, etc.
Gently pat dry with a clean paper towel only.
Do not use a hand towel to dry your tattoo, towels carry and breed bacteria that can irritate your tattoo and even cause infection.
Apply A+D healing ointment or Aquaphor (5-10 minutes after drying your tattoo) Use for 2 days, twice a day (morning and night)
Use a light coat of ointment, enough to make the tattoo appear shiny. Too much ointment can clog your pores causing prolonged healing, scabs, and bumps.
Do not re-cover your tattoo; a tattoo is considered a wound and needs air in order to properly heal
Do not use bacitracin or Neosporin-like products on your tattoo; these ointments contain ingredients that dull the tattoo and delays proper healing.
Wear loose clothing for the safety of your tattoo’s healing process.
On the 3rd day of healing, you should have switched from A+D/Aquaphor to a non-scented lotion (Lubriderm, Eucerin, Curel etc.) for the rest of the 2 weeks of healing.
During the first week of healing; it is normal for your tattoo to continue to bleed and leak color. This does not mean that all of the color will fall out or that there is something wrong with the tattoo; It is normal for your tattoo to peel and scab, keep in mind that your tattoo is a wound and your body will treat it as such.
Excessive bleeding or color loss could indicate an over usage of ointment. Wash off all ointment and reapply, making sure to pat off excess ointment with a clean paper towel.
Scabbing and itchiness is normal: Do not pick or scratch tattoo. (signs of abnormal scabbing include a greenish color, yellow discharge, and swollen red skin around the scab.) See your tattoo artist if any of these symptoms occur, they could be signs of an infection.
Keep your tattoo away from direct sunlight, no tanning.
Do not let the tattoo soak underwater. No pools.
The sun and water can damage and dull the tattoo. Even after your tattoo is fully healed, be sure to apply a waterproof sunblock to keep the vibrancy of your tattoo.
During the healing of your skin, it will go through several of stages. At first your skin will be swollen and sore. Once the skin begins to heal, you will notice pieces of skin that come off when applying ointment, and the occasional scab (especially with color and large tattoos) Once peeling has finished, the tattoo may appear white or shiny, this is your skin formin a protective new layer that will soon return to normal skin consistency.
If you have any questions or concerns please feel free to call us or come in. Remember these instructions have been written by a licensed professional and should be followed to ensure proper healing. Tattoo work can only be guaranteed if the instructions are followed exactly, straying from these direction may result in an unwanted result, and a touch up may be needed at the cost of the customer.
if you have any questions please feel free to contact us anytime.