Embedded Files
The way we take care of our tattoos has a huge impact on its final look! This not only applies to the 2-4 weeks for the initial healing, but taking care of it as it ages as well.
You can find pre-care and aftercare instructions in the Google Drive links below if you would like to print them or just read them below.
Pre-Care
Up to 2 weeks prior…
1) Stay out of the sun
You will lose your deposit if you show up sunburnt. The tattoo will not heal well, and it will hurt terribly to have it applied. The sun also dries out your skin, which leads us to the next topic...
2) It puts the lotion on the skin!
Well hydrated skin accepts ink better and heals faster, resulting in a better tattoo. If your skin feels leathery, get down with some cocoa butter!
3) Drink lots of water
Again, it helps for your skin to be properly hydrated. Don't drink lots of water right before the session, though - we don't want to be needing bathroom breaks after 20 minutes, and that won't compensate for not drinking water throughout the week.
4) Consider taking vitamins to support healthy skin
This includes Vitamin A, C, D, E, biotin, and lysine.
5) Let us know if...
Please inform us ahead of time if you are any blood thinning medication (you might have to discuss the possibility of being off of it for a short time with your doctor), if you are considering the possibility of numbing cream (not all creams are appropriate for body art), if you have any chronic illnesses or pain conditions that could affect the tattoo process, if you have any skin conditions, if you have diabetes or any other condition that could make you prone to fainting, seizure risks, etc. We want to work with you, and we don't want these things to come up unexpectedly during a tattoo!
The day before…
6) No alcohol
Get plenty of rest the day before, and don't come in hungover. Alcohol makes you swell up more, and it is also a blood thinner, which can affect the application of the tattoo. This is also a still professional environment, despite the informalities and all the fun we have.
7) Have a good night's sleep
Make sure your schedule isn't going to keep you up too late!
The day of…
8) Eat up!
Have a big breakfast, a big lunch if you're coming in later in the day so that you don't get low blood sugar. Being in pain and hungry isn't fun! We have snacks and drinks available, but be sure to bring a sandwich or order food for break time in case you get hungry during a session.
9) Dressing up
Feel free to bring a small blanket or scarf to keep you warm and comfy. Wear appropriate clothing for your tattoo - loose-fitting, comfortable clothing that can expose the area that the tattoo will be applied to. If you do not wear appropriate clothing, you might find yourself needing to undress more than you had initially thought, and we always want to make sure you are as comfortable as possible.
If you have pets, please make sure that your clothing is not carrying pet hair as much as possible - use a lint roller if needed.
You can send an email if you want suggestions on appropriate outfits for your particular tattoo to contact@theodraws.art.
10) Shaving down
It is always helpful, but be careful not to knick the skin with your razor or create razor burn. If you're not comfortable shaving with a razor, you can buzz it with trimmers and we will do the rest here at the shop!
11) Decide if you want a companion
One to three people is fine. Please do not bring children under the age of 18, and do not bring pets. Thank you for your understanding!
For healed photo sessions...
12) Wear black
This helps us get the clearest possible shot of your tattoo!
13) If traveling, find good lighting
We want to show off the amazing work you're sporting around! Please make sure that the photo isn't blurry, that it's well lit. Ambient lighting is better than direct lighting/lighting that creates sharp shadows.
Aftercare
If using Saniderm, please go to Section A, then go over to the C section. If using cling wrap, please follow steps B1-B3, then go to the C section.
Section A
A1. Keep the Saniderm on for a minimum of 24 hours, and a maximum of 7 days.
If you develop a rash, skin irritation beyond the first few hours and/or outside of the tattooed area, or any other signs of an allergic reaction, you can remove the Saniderm immediately and continue healing the old-fashioned way (steps B2 onward). If you’d like a reference, a Saniderm allergy can often look like these pictures: (example 1) (example 2)
Please let myself and any future artists know about your allergy to the adhesive so that you can avoid it in the future! Because allergic reactions are very tied to the presence of an allergen, your skin should recover very quickly without damage to the tattoo once it’s been removed.
Section B (Skip this section if Saniderm was used.)
B1. Remove the cling wrap after one to two hours.
All wounds need to breathe if they are to heal properly.
B2. Wash the tattoo using a mild antibacterial soap (such as Dial or Provon) and cool to warm water. Take care to remove all traces of blood and plasma, as this will case scabbing. Do not scrub the tattoo with a washcloth during the three week healing period. Pat it dry with a clean, soft cloth or paper towel and leave it alone for about 20 minutes. It should start to feel like the skin is a little tight and dry. This allows for excess moisture from the swelling under the skin as well as moisture introduced by washing the tattoo to evaporate out. It's very important to let your tattoo "breathe" like this any time you get it wet before it gets into the peeling stage.
B3. Once dry, apply a very thin coat of ointment to the tattoo. We recommend using Vitamin A&D or Aquaphor as ointment, or other such tattoo aftercare products. Only use enough to make it shine - a little goes a long way! Too much ointment traps germs into your new tattoo, which can potentially lead to infection. Just a dab will do, and work it in well. Dab off all of the excess with a paper towel. There should be just enough to keep the tattoo moist and to keep it form scabbing. Do not re-bandage the tattoo.
Repeat the cycle of washing, drying and applying ointment to the tattoo about 1-2 times per day.
Ointment can be applied whenever the tattoo is feeling stiff or dry, but beware of over moisturizing. Your body will absorb what it needs where it needs it. Apply ointment for 2-3 days, then switch to a regular unscented moisturizer. Examples include Eucerin, Lubriderm, Curel or Jergens.
Section C
Apply moisturizer 1-2 times a day for the remainder of 3 weeks. Do not use lotions that contain color or fragrance at all until the healing is complete - fragrances will irritate the tattoo and make it very itchy. This can take anywhere from ten days to 3 weeks, possibly longer for slow healers.
You must keep your tattoo moisturized! When the tattoo is kept moist, it doesn't have a change to form a scab. It forms a thin membrane to protect the tattoo when it heals. This layer peels off similarly to a sunburn on its own. Do not pull on the peel, as you can pull ink out! It is perfectly normal to see small flakes of colored skin falling off during this stage of healing.
You must keep your tattoo clean! However, long showers or baths must be avoided for 2 weeks. Prolonged soaking can and will loosen scabs if any have formed, or will soak through the soft tissue. This will cause a soggy mess and cause your ink to flow down the drain. This includes swimming in the ocean or a pool, hot tubs, and saunas. Short showers are best, under ten minutes if possible.
Please refrain from scratching or picking at a tattoo. Scrubbing with a washcloth can be very harsh on a tattoo and will cause your colors to fade. Disrupting the tattoo while it's healing can also cause scar tissue. It is normal for the tattoo to become very itchy during the healing time. Just remember not to pick or scratch no matter what! You can lightly smack the tattoo or just apply more lotion to relieve itchiness, but stick to your fragrance-free lotion. Do not use anti-itch creams during the first 3 weeks of healing.
Remember, the sun is BAD for your tattoo! Whether the tattoo is new or old, if you want it to look nice and heal properly, keep it out of the sun. A sunburn on a new tattoo can cause a lot of problems. It will dry out your tattoo and could cause it to form a horrendous scab, resulting in fading before it is even healed. It will also take much longer to heal completely and promotes scarring in a new tattoo. Wait until it is fully healed to go back in the sun or a tanning bed, and make sure you put on high quality sunblock. Never put sunblock on a tattoo that is still healing. Wait until lit is fully healed before going into the sun, 3 weeks minimum.
Following all of these simple steps will ensure that you end up with the best result, with minimal complications. It will help your tattoo stay bright and beautiful for many years to come!
Shopping list:
mild antibacterial soap (e.g.: Dial or Provon)
ointment (not needed if healing with Saniderm) (e.g.: Vitamin A&D or Aquaphor)
unscented moisturizer (e.g.: Eucerin, Lubriderm, Curel)
hypoallergenic sunscreen (e.g.: SunBum SPF 70)
Have questions that these instructions didn't answer? Send an email to contact@theodraws.art!
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