We’re highly motivated to exceed the expectations of our collectors, giving them top-tier service every time. Why? Because it’s fun to do a good job and to satisfy.
CARE
HOW TO PREPARE FOR YOUR TATTOO
HOW TO PREPARE FOR YOUR TATTOO
The week before:
Moisturize the area to be tattooed daily and keep that part out of the sun. If you have a sunburn (or tan, depending) in the area to be tattooed on the day of, you will need to reschedule.
Don’t shave the area to be tattooed (a few days before, we don’t want open cuts). Your tattoo artist will do that for you, on the day of.
Stay safe, if you have open sores or cuts in the area to be tattooed, on the day of, you will have to reschedule.
If you have any type of skin anomaly in the area to be tattooed (including visible veins, large birthmarks, or discolorations) check with your doctor to ensure it is safe to tattoo over those.
Have several options of clean, loose clothing ready for the day of your tattoo appointment and for several days after. Clothing for the day of needs to allow your tattoo artist to get to the body part that will be tattooed (depending on the area getting tattooed you might want to wear shorts, a bikini top, tank tops, skirts, etc.). You will never be required to remove more clothing than is absolutely necessary. It is best to wear clothing you are ok getting tattoo ink on.
Make sure you have aftercare products ready to use after your tattoo appointment, including paper towels, unscented liquid soap and a gentle, unscented lotion.
Keep yourself healthy, please don’t come in sick. Drinking plenty of water is always good for the body and skin.
A day before:
Don’t use drugs or alcohol at least 8 hours before your tattoo, preferably more. Depending on the drug and especially alcohol can make the process more difficult, more painful and raise the risk of complications.
Have zero or minimal caffeine at least 6 hours before, preferably more.
Skip exercising the day of and the day before your tattoo appointment. You want all of your endorphins.
Don’t take blood-thinning medication prior to your appointment unless directed to by a doctor.
Put clean sheets on your bed.
Continue hydrating, drink water! And get good sleep.
The day of:
Skip exercising and any caffeine and don’t use drugs or alcohol.
Shower and wear clean clothes (infection prevention starts here).
Don’t take blood-thinning medication prior to your appointment unless directed to by a doctor.
Wear clean, loose clothing that allows your tattoo artist to get to the body part that will be tattooed and that will be loose on your tattoo after (depending on the area getting tattooed you might want to wear shorts, a bikini top, tank tops, skirts, etc.). You will never be required to remove more clothing than is absolutely necessary. It is best to wear clothing you are ok getting tattoo ink on.
Come in well rested, hydrated and having eaten. You don’t want to be starving or stuffed and bring snacks and a water bottle. We have fresh water and sugar boosting options on hand. Snacks can be eaten in lobby area or outside our studio.
Bring your ID, water bottle, and headphones (if you want to use your own device while getting tattooed) and cash.
AFTER YOUR TATTOO SESSION
AFTER YOUR TATTOO SESSION
Our trained and licensed tattoo artists take every precaution to prevent infection. You will receive a print-out of specific aftercare instructions after your tattoo session. Here is some important aftercare info, please go over it!
If you do not take proper care of your tattoo after leaving our tattoo shop, it can easily become irritated. Your tattoo is an open wound, keep it clean! An actual infection or allergic reaction is very rare. Scabbing, flaking, peeling, dryness and a hazy appearance are all natural parts of the healing process.
For the best outcome, keep your new tattoo out of the sun until it is healed, and then use sunscreen. Any form of tanning can damage and fade your tattoo. Don’t soak your tattoo in any water and keep it clean from dirt or sweat while it’s healing.
Your aftercare affects the healing process and quality of your tattoo. Make sure to plan appropriate down/healing time after your tattoo. After 3-4 weeks it should be ok to resume your normal activities and continue working on a multiple session tattoo or get a touch up, if needed.
What not to do:
Don’t use bar soaps when washing the tattoo, they hold on to bacteria.
Don’t use aloe, neosporin, bacitracin, aquifor or A&D ointment.
Don’t pick or scratch at your tattoo, it will itch, picking at it can ruin your tattoo.
Don’t submerge your new tattoo under water. Showers are fine, no pools, rivers, baths, etc. until healed.
Don’t let your tattoo bake in the sun! Keep it covered while it is healing.
No sauna or tanning for at least three weeks.
Avoid tight clothing, pet dander, scented soaps and lotion.
RECOMMENDED AFTERCARE
Not all products work for all skin types, just like not all substances used in human life are for everyone. Honestly, there isn’t just one path up the aftercare mountain, but there are some things that work best for most. In my experience, few products work as well for aftercare as Ounce Of Hope’s Fresh Ink Tattoo Salve.
You can purchase Ounce of Hope’s aftercare salve in their stores or on their website! If you invest in art but not its maintenance, what are you doing but wasting hard-earned cash. Don’t cheat yourself. Invest in the best.