Pre and aftercare

Tattoo Prep

How you prepare your body, mind and skin before your tattoo will have an influence on the smoothness of the session. Most of the sessions I do are full day so that means we need to work for few hours and it’s not an easy duty deppending on the place you are getting tattoed! So it’s really important to be ready and mentalized. Here they go some tips that may help:

  • Don’t drink alcohol or take any bloodthining drugs or medication (if not necessary) the day before or before the appointment. By doing this the blood thinners and it does make a difference while tattoing - it bleeds a lot and it heals lighter as the blood pushes ink out.

  • Have a good rest and sleep before the session. This will help you feel mentally stronger and less sensitive, and so deal better with the pain.

  • Eat a propper meal before comming. And bring some food for the day, like snaks or some lunch.

  • During the week before the tattoo would be ideal to mosturize the area everyday, so the skin gets smoother and will take better the ink during the tattoo session.

  • Bring some entertainment. Seating still during the whole day can be boring and frustrating, even more dealing with pain. Getting distracted with whatever you like to do in your free time helps a lot to get through the day.

  • Eating nutritious food and drinking a lot of water before and after the tattoo will help your body heal better from inside.

  • You are gonna be out of the gym / any sports for 1-2 weeks, so count on this if you are following any routine

Tattoo aftercare

After seating for few hours with a needle scratching your skin, the healing process is one of the most important steps, and will determine in part on how your tattoo will look once is completely healed. Don’t hesitate on getting in touch with me if you have any question, problem or you are not sure of what to do.

What you need to get before arrive home is:

  • Soap: baby or intimate soap, or plain soap like Dove or Sanex, with no parfum.

  • Kitchen paper: it’s really important you use that to dry your tattoo after washing it, as shower towels carry a lot of bacteria and toilet paper is too thin and can leave paper bits on your tattoo)

  • Cling film (if you already have at home, rip the first layer off before using it on your skin)

  • Cream: I recommend Palmer’s Cocoa Butter. You can get it at any pharmacy or Boots. (If you have other tattoos and been using another cream that works for you, carry on with that one) Please notice these super important directions to avoid infections or damage:

  • Always wash your hands with soap and water before washing your tattoo

  • Don’t scratch, rub or touch your tattoo with anything

  • Avoid wearing synthetic fabric or tight clothes until your tattoo is fully healed

  • Don’t take direct sun on the tattoo area

  • Don’t soak the tattoo in water for long time (NO swimming, bath, long hot showers, sauna) until is fully healed. You can shower, but quicker ones.

  • Don’t pull the skin out during the peeling process

  • If you do workout, you can train after 4-5 days, but something that has no contact with the tattoo. You will have to wash the tattoo and apply cream before working out, and wash it straight away when you finish, letting it dry for at least half an hour before applying the cream again. Now here are the steps day by day:

Day 0

  • Keep the cling film on for at least 2-3 hours, or if you are not going home straight away you can keep it until you arrive home (up to 6-8 hours).

  • Take the cling film off, wash the tattoo with soap and water, dry it with kitchen paper (rub it gently to get rid of the excess ink and plasma) and let it air-dry for half an hour

  • Cover it with a new piece of cling film only during the bedtime.

Day 1

  • Take the cling film off in the morning, wash it, dry it and leave it uncovered. If you are staying home or working in an office, leave it uncovered and wash it 2 more times during the day. Cover it again (only) for sleeping

  • If you work in a dusty place, or you have to wear tight clothes for work, cover it with a new cling film during the work shift. During your break wash it, let it breath a bit and put a new cling film. Cover it again for sleeping.

Day 2

  • Take off the cling film in the morning, wash your tattoo, dry it with the kitchen paper and leave it uncovered. Same as day 3

  • Wash the tattoo 2-3 times

  • Don’t cover your tattoo with cling film anymore

—> When the skin will feel completely dry and pulling a bit, it’s time to start applying just a little bit of cocoa butter 2-3times a day.

Day 5-6

  • After some days (it can variate) your tattoo will start peeling and scabbing.. When this will happen, you can start applying more cream (more amount and/or more often). The tattoo doesn’t have to be wet all the time, just moisturized.

  • It’s important that you don’t scratch it even it feels so itchy. Slapping it gently will release it a bit, or also applying cream. Don’t pull the skins out.

When it will be peeled off you can start doing “normal” life, but it’s important that you keep some maintenance of it to make it last as much as possible in good conditions:

  • Always use sun protection, as higher as possible, even it’s a year or more since you got your tattoo

  • Apply moisturizing cream once a day or whenever you remember

If during the healing process you have any doubts or problems don’t hesitate in contact me! You have my e-mail at the bottom pf the page.

Thank you very much for your trust, I really appreciate your support and hope to have make you happy with your new tattoo!

Tattoo prep