Eat Something!
This is probably the most important preparation you can do. Eating helps you relax and get comfortable for the tattoo. If you are sitting for a longer appointment, you may want to bring a small snack with you. Eating also helps to keep your blood sugar normal. Low blood pressure can contribute to a risk of passing out, so eat up! Just don’t drink up. You may think that getting drunk will give you “liquid courage” to get tattooed, but we cannot legally tattoo you if you are under the influence. Permanent choices are better made when sober.
Get Some Rest
Being well rested will also help keep you comfortable for your tattoo. You may be more irritable or find it harder to sit still if you are tired. Plan ahead so you are rested (and on time) for your appointment!
Wear Appropriate Clothing
Wear something that allows easy access to the part of the body you want to get tattooed. For example, if you are getting your leg tattooed, you may want to bring a
pair of shorts to change into when you get to the shop.
No Sunburns
You will want to stay out of the sun before and after you get tattooed. Tattooing over a sunburn may not heal well because your skin is irritated to begin with. Try to stay out of the sun and it will help the outcome of your tattoo.
Sit Still and Relax
If this is your first tattoo, your tattooist will most likely do a small zap first so you can assess how the tattoo will feel. He/she will probably check in with you during the entire process to see how you are feeling. Be honest, and let him/her know if you need a break. It is also very important that you sit still, speaking with your mouth and not your entire body. Just relax and let the tattoo happen. If you fight what is happening, or hold your breath, you will only make the pain worse. Relax and breathe, and you will help your tattoo be the best it can be!
Taking Care of Your Tattoo
Your tattooist will give you all the information you need to take proper care of your new tattoo. The most important thing to remember is to keep your tattoo clean and don’t pick at it. Your new tattoo will inevitably be itchy, but resist the urge to scratch. Pulling off the skin prematurely could cause the ink to fall out of
your tattoo or may even cause scarring. No swimming or soaking your tattoo until it is fully healed. Healing time is different for everyone. It will usually takes 2-3 weeks to heal completely. If you have any questions during the healing process, please feel free to call the shop.
Your new tattoo has been applied using sterile equipment and modern practices. The following suggestions will guide you in healing and protecting your tattoo.
**Make sure you WASH your hands thoroughly before you care for your new tattoo, this will help in keeping infection away.
** With clean hands, wash your tattoo using non-scented anti-bacterial soap. Rinse completely.
**Coat lightly with Aquafor or Eucerin Lotion(non-scented).We do not recommend using Bacitracin Ointment or A&D, these has history of
causing rashes and unneeded discomfort.
** The following day: repeat steps 3-5 above.
** The tattoo will look and feel like and/or look like a sunburn, at first and as the body heals, the area may also become itchy. DO NOT at anytime itch or pick at the scab layer, this may cause unrepairable scaring to the tattoo.
** Protect your healing tattoo from abrasions, water, and sunlight. AVOID swimming, soaking in baths, hot tubs, and sunbathing and/or tanning in a tanning booth until the scab layer is shed.
** Always use a good SUNSCREEN (spf45 or above)to protect the appearance of your tattoo when exposing it to sunlight or in a tanning booth.
** During this process of healing you may experience some flaking of skin (compared to that of a slight sunburn.) This is a normal condition for “soft scab healing”.
** POSSIBLE side effects:
Signs and Symptoms of Infection.
These include excessive redness, swelling, serious itching, or pus at the tattoo site. In the area in which your new tattoo is located, you may also experience some grown in hairs of sort. This is caused by the hair trying to grow back from when it was shaven clean before tattooing. Fever is also a sign of infection. You should contact your health provider and also callImpact Ink Tattoo Studio as soon as possible if you have any signs or symptoms of a
possible infection
If you followed all of the steps we have mentioned, you are probably pretty happy with your new tattoo. Now it’s time to spread the word! Take some business cards, pins and stickers (or buy a shirt!). We hope to see you for your next tattoo!
