Tattoo before, during and aftercare!
Hi guys, in celebration of my upcoming tattoos, I want to give a detailed list of tips, do’s and dont’s that will help your tattoo experience go smoothly.
BEFORE;
- Choose an artist that you are happy to be tattooed by. Do your research - check out their website/Facebook page, go into their shop to check the lay of the land, give them a call to chat about their procedures, policies, expectations and times. Make an appointment once you find the right artist, and make sure you find out a ballpark figure for how much your tattoo should cost - that way you can budget your money to make sure you have enough. Try to budget in a tip for your artist if you can.
- Make sure that your design is clarified and you have communicated exactly what you want to your artist. You need to ensure that they are clear about what you want, it’s going to be there a long time!
- Do NOT drink alcohol, take recreational drugs, or consume medication with aspirin in it for 24 hours prior to your session if you can help it - alcohol and aspirin are blood thinners, which means that your artist will have trouble creating your masterpiece if they’re in your system because you are going to bleed more. In addition to this, drunk or high people are difficult to deal with and it’s disrespectful to the artist, so it makes sense that if you’re under the influence that you might be rejected.
- Stay hydrated. You need to drink a good amount of water for the week before your session, to ensure that your skin is well moisturised and make sure your body is properly hydrated. Try and drink between two and three litres a day if you can.
- Moisturise. Use a light and unscented, gentle moisturiser to keep the skin your piece will be on hydrated, soft and healthy. This will make sure your skin is not flaky or dry, which can compromise the colours, design and longevity of your tattoo.
- On the day, you’re going to be nervous. Set an alarm for a few hours before your appointment to make sure you’re up and showered and there on time.
- Before getting your tattoo, you need to make sure you have eaten a wholesome, filling meal. No chips and gravy - go for something that contains vegetables and protein, so that you have sufficient iron levels, protein levels, and your stomach has something to work on. Your body will be under immense stress while receiving a tattoo, so it is important that it has the nutrients and such to keep going. Also, going into a stressful situation on an empty stomach can make you more susceptible to feeling ill or dizzy. - Have a shower the day of the session. Shave the area your piece will be on, wash your hair, brush your teeth; basically, make yourself presentable. You’re going to have someone very close to you for a while, so respect them enough to keep good hygiene. Lay off the perfume/cologne, don’t want the fumes to hurt their eyes! A little is enough.
- Take a sugary snack with you, as well as some water or other hydration supplement (like Gatorade or Powerade). For large pieces you might be in the chair for up to eight hours, with short breaks every few hours, which means that jelly beans or some chocolate will help you keep your sugar levels up and some water or Powerade will help keep you hydrated.
- Take your iPod or some such device and headphones along with you. This offers a distraction from the process of the tattoo and gives you something to pass the time.
- If you’re really nervous or need a more involved distraction, take a friend with you for moral support. This is common and artists will let you have a companion to settle your nerves; but don’t bring the whole family. People take up space and get in the way. One is enough.
DURING; (This is not an outline of the process your artist will go through. If you’d like me to write out that procedure, let me know and I’ll do a step by step post)
- The tattoo will hurt. Everyone had different pain thresholds and handles pain differently, but it’s likely to hurt you at least a little bit. However, it is generally agreed that once you get past the outline, the shading and colouring is a breeze in comparison. So there’s some consolation. Regardless of how much you’re frightened of the pain, don’t use any numbing agents. They can affect the end result. - If you are uncomfortable and need to move or go to the bathroom or some such thing, then tell the artist you’d like a break. Communication between you and the artist is important.
- Try and stay calm while in the chair; it will make your experience much more pleasant and the artist’s job a lot easier. Follow their instructions closely and listen to what they say. After all, they know best.
AFTER;
- The artist will have put a bandage on your tattoo to keep it from getting infected. After about three hours, take it off and wash the area gently with warm to cool water and a light anti-bacterial soap. Apply a good tattoo aftercare lotion, such as Tattoo Goo or Bepanthen cream.
- Keep applying Bepanthen every few hours. Whenever you clean the area, don’t be too harsh - use an anti-bacterial soap, and don’t submerge the piece in water for about 3 weeks after you get your tattoo. When drying, do not rub your tattoo - let it dry by itself or pat it dry with a clean, soft towel. Apply Bepathen following your shower. - Don’t expose your tattoo to any tanning beds, fake tan solutions, or direct sunlight while it’s healing. - After a few days the tattoo will become tight and start to flake, like peeling sunburn. DO. NOT. PICK. IT. Picking at the skin can make the tattoo heal unevenly and it may result in scars. - Try to steer clear of tight clothing around the tattoo while it’s healing, this can irritate the area and affect the healing. - Basically, don’t go swimming or take baths, keep your showers short, try to irritate the tattoo as little as possible, apply Bepanthen cream when needed, do NOT pick at the flaking skin, and your tattoo should heal perfectly. - Even after healing, keep applying moisturiser to help retain colour and keep the skin healthy. Also, whenever your piece will be exposed to the sun, apply an SPF 60 or higher sunscreen every two hours. Hopefully this helps any budding tattoo enthusiasts get on the path to a beautiful, lifelong masterpiece! If you have any further questions, ask away :)
