✻ Before Your Tattoo:

One week prior: Keep the area hydrated and avoid skin damage.

On the day: Please eat a good meal before coming in, especially for longer sessions. Wear comfortable clothes that give easy access to the area we’re tattooing and that you don’t mind getting a little ink on.

Try not to have too much caffeine before your appointment and don’t plan anything important immediately afterwards. Sometimes sessions take a little longer than expected, and your body may need some rest afterwards.

You’re always welcome to bring snacks, water and anything that helps you feel comfortable during the day.

✻ DURING YOUR SESSION:

Your comfort matters. If you need a break, feel dizzy, uncomfortable or simply need a moment, please tell me. There’s never a problem with stopping for a little while. Try to stay relaxed, breathe normally and let your body rest as much as possible. Everyone experiences tattooing differently, so there’s no need to compare your pain tolerance with anyone else.

✻ AFTER YOUR TATTOO:

Your fresh tattoo is a healing wound, so the first few weeks are all about keeping it clean, protected and comfortable. Mild redness, sensitivity, light swelling, oozing, itching and peeling can all happen during normal healing.

✻ Care Guidelines:

• Wash 3 times a day;

• Remove the second skin carefully (see a video here);

• From the moment you remove the plastic, apply a very thin layer of moisturiser or ointment around 3 times a day. I personally like to recommend pure virgin coconut oil, but a simple fragrance-free moisturiser works well too;

• Don't pull the scab;

• Avoid pools, ocean, baths, spas, saunas and steam rooms for at least 2 weeks and until fully healed;

• Avoid heavy exercise and excessive sweating for the first 48 hours;

• Eat well, stay hydrated and avoid excessive alcohol while your body is healing;

• Keep your tattoo away from direct sun while healing;

• Use sunscreen after one month.

✻ MOISTURISING:

Once the tattoo is clean and dry, apply a very thin layer of moisturiser. I personally like pure virgin coconut oil, but a simple fragrance-free moisturiser is also a good option. You only need enough to keep the skin comfortable, if it feels very wet or sticky, you’ve probably used too much.

✻ WHILE IT’S HEALING:

Some peeling and itching is completely normal. Don’t scratch, pick or pull the peeling skin or scabs. Let everything come away naturally. Wear clean, comfortable clothing and try to avoid anything tight that constantly rubs against the tattoo. For the first few nights, keep your bedding clean and be careful with pets around the fresh tattoo, especially hair, paws and licking.

I’d also add this little reminder because it’s genuinely useful: Fresh sheets are your friend.

✻ WATER, SWEAT + SUN:

Showers are fine, but avoid soaking your tattoo while it’s healing.

Swimming, baths, ocean + spas: Avoid them for at least 2 weeks, and longer if the tattoo is still peeling, scabbing or not fully healed. Healthdirect recommends avoiding swimming and baths until the tattoo has completely healed.

Sauna, steam room + jacuzzi: Wait around 2 weeks, or until the skin is fully healed. Heat, moisture and heavy sweating can irritate the area while it’s still healing.

Gym + heavy exercise: For light activity, listen to your body, but I recommend avoiding heavy exercise and excessive sweating for the first 48 hours, especially if the tattoo is large or in an area that stretches or rubs a lot.

After that, you can gradually return to your routine, but avoid anything that creates strong friction, stretching or pressure over the tattoo while it’s still tender.

Direct sun: Keep a fresh tattoo out of direct sun until it is completely healed. After healing, use a broad-spectrum SPF 30+ whenever it’s exposed. UV light can fade tattoo pigment over time.

✻ Cautions:

If you notice unusual inflammation or signs of infection, contact me or a doctor.

The tattoo might lose some vibrancy during healing but will return to its original clarity afterward.