PREPARING FOR YOUR TATTOO
Prepping your skin is just as important as taking care of your tattoo after getting it. I promise you, hearing your tattoo artist say, "You have really nice skin!" mid-tattoo, will permanently alter your brain chemistry in the best way.
Here are a few things to do that will have your tattoo artist singing your praises and make your skin easier to work with:
1. Moisturizing!
Preferably for at least two weeks prior to your appointment. My go to is Goldbond Healing, it'll keep you moisturized all day. This moisturizer has fragrance, so DO NOT use this for aftercare.
2. Exfoliating!
This will remove any dead skin cells and make your skin smoother.
3. Avoid shaving the area getting tattooed!
This will minimize the risk of ingrown hairs, razor burn, and infections.
4. Avoid being in the sun for extended periods of time!
Or just wear A LOT of sunscreen if you do. If you're sunburned, you're artist will not tattoo you.
5. Drinking lots of water!
This will hydrate you from the inside out.
Aftercare
Full Color Tattoos
Leave your second skin on for 48 hours, take it off in the shower & wash with non-scented soap. Pat dry with a paper towel and air dry for 15 minutes & put on a new layer of second skin. Leave this one on for 5 days.
Remove the second skin in the shower
- Pull away from the tattoo.
- DO NOT pull it off like a band-aid.
From here until the 2 week mark of getting the tattoo, wash 2-3 times a day with non-scented soap & pat dry with a paper towel.
Apply a thin layer of your preferred unscented moisturizer.
Moisturize with thin layers as needed throughout the day if dry & itchy.
Black & Grey/Fineline Tattoos
Leave your second skin on for 3-5 days.
Remove the second skin in the shower.
- Pull away from the tattoo.
- DO NOT pull it off like a band-aid.
From here until the 2 week mark of getting the tattoo, wash 2-3 times a day with non-scented soap & pat dry with a paper towel.
Apply a thin layer of your preferred unscented moisturizer.
Moisturize with thin layers as needed throughout the day if dry & itchy.