Pre-Care Instructions
Tattoo Pre-care Instructions
Before your tattoo appointment, prioritize good skin preparation by staying hydrated, moisturizing, and avoiding alcohol and caffeine, as well as getting a good night's sleep and eating a nutritious meal.
Here's a more detailed breakdown of what to do before getting a tattoo:
Skin Preparation:
- Hydrate: Drink plenty of water in the days leading up to your appointment to keep your skin well-hydrated, which helps with ink absorption and healing.
- Moisturize: Start moisturizing the area you plan to get tattooed a few days before your appointment to ensure your skin is supple and healthy
- Shave: Shave the area to be tattooed thoroughly, but avoid any harsh shaving creams or lotions that could irritate the skin.
- Shower: Take a shower before your appointment to ensure your skin is clean and free of dirt or oil.
Lifestyle Choices:
- Avoid Alcohol: Refrain from consuming alcohol in the 24 hours leading up to your appointment, as it can thin the blood and potentially cause excessive bleeding during the tattoo process.
- Avoid Caffeine: Limit or avoid caffeine intake, as it can also thin the blood and potentially cause excessive bleeding during the tattoo process.
- Sleep Well: Get a good night's sleep the night before your appointment to ensure you are well-rested and can handle the tattoo session comfortably.
- Eat a Meal: Have a good, balanced meal before your appointment to maintain your energy levels during the session.
- Wear Comfortable Clothing: Dress in comfortable, loose-fitting clothes that allow easy access to the area being tattooed.
Communication and Planning:
- Communicate with your artist: Discuss your tattoo ideas and any concerns you have with your tattoo artist beforehand.
- Make an appointment: Book your tattoo appointment in advance to ensure you have enough time to prepare and to allow the artist to prepare for your session.
- Consider pain relief: If you are concerned about pain, discuss pain management options with your artist, such as numbing cream or over-the-counter pain relievers.
- Avoid sunburns: Sunburns can make the skin more sensitive and difficult to tattoo, so avoid excessive sun exposure before your appointment.
When in doubt, get in touch with your artist for any further advice.
Body Piercing Pre-Care Instructions
Before getting a body piercing, eat a meal to stabilize blood sugar, avoid makeup on the piercing area, and be honest about any medical conditions on the consent form. Also, ensure the piercer uses sterile equipment and jewellery and that the area is properly cleaned before and after the procedure
Here's a more detailed breakdown:
Before Your Appointment:
- Eat a meal: Having a full meal before your piercing appointment helps to keep your blood sugar steady, which can prevent dizziness or fainting, especially if you're prone to these reactions
- Avoid makeup: Remove any makeup, especially foundation, from the area to be pierced, as it can interfere with the cleaning process
- Be honest about medical conditions: Be upfront about any medical conditions, such as bleeding disorders or heart conditions, on the consent form. This is crucial for your safety and well-being
- Choose a reputable piercer: Select a piercer who is experienced, uses sterile equipment, and follows proper hygiene protocols.
- Dress comfortably: Wear loose-fitting clothing that won't hinder the piercing process or cause discomfort.
- Avoid alcohol and drugs: Refrain from consuming alcohol or drugs before your appointment, as they can thin your blood and increase the risk of bleeding
- Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of water leading up to your appointment to stay hydrated.
- Avoid caffeine and blood thinners: Limit caffeine intake and avoid blood-thinning medications like aspirin or ibuprofen, as they can increase bleeding
- Consider numbing cream: If you have a fear of needles or pain, discuss numbing cream options with your piercer.
During Your Appointment:
- Ensure proper hygiene: The piercer should wash their hands, wear disposable gloves, and use new, sterile jewellery
- Sterilization: Make sure the piercing tools and jewellery are properly sterilized before use
- Skin preparation: The area to be pierced should be thoroughly cleaned and prepared with an antiseptic skin preparation
After Your Appointment:
- Follow aftercare instructions: Adhere to the piercer's aftercare instructions to ensure proper healing and prevent infection.
- Keep the piercing clean: Clean the piercing regularly, as instructed by your piercer.
- Avoid touching the piercing: Avoid touching the piercing with unwashed hands.
- Don't remove the jewellery: Avoid removing the jewellery prematurely, as this can lead to the piercing closing up.
- Be patient: Healing times vary depending on the type of piercing, but be patient and allow the piercing to heal properly.
When in doubt, get in touch with your artist for any further advice.
Scalp Micro Pigmentation (SMP)
Before undergoing Scalp Micropigmentation (SMP), avoid sun exposure, alcohol, caffeine, and blood-thinning medications like aspirin or fish oil for at least 24-48 hours prior to the procedure
Here's a more detailed breakdown of what to do before SMP:
Before Your Appointment:
- Sun Exposure: Avoid tanning or exposing your scalp to the sun for at least a week before your SMP treatment
- Alcohol and Caffeine: Avoid alcohol and caffeine for at least 24 hours before your scalp micropigmentation treatment.
- Blood Thinners: Do not take fish oil or aspirin 1 week before, unless prescribed by a doctor.
- Razor Use: Do not use a razor on your scalp within 24 hours of the scheduled procedure.
- Moisturize: It's very important to moisturize your scalp using unscented lotion at least 7 days before your hair tattoo sessions
- Avoid drugs: Do not consume drugs 48 hours before your procedure.
- Consult with your SMP technician: Discuss any concerns or questions you have with your technician before the procedure.
When in doubt, get in touch with your technician for any further advice.
Laser Tattoo Removal Pre-Care Instructions
Before your laser tattoo removal session, avoid sun exposure, stop smoking, and refrain from taking certain medications like aspirin or ibuprofen. Also, prepare the treatment area by shaving if necessary and consider using a numbing cream.
Here's a more detailed breakdown:
Before Your Appointment:
- Sun Protection: Avoid sun exposure and tanning for at least 4-6 weeks before your first session . Sun exposure can cause blistering and increase the time it takes to heal, and can also cause changes in your skin pigment.
- Apply sunscreen: to the tattoo area before and after the treatment to minimize changes in skin pigment.
Medications:
- Stop taking aspirin, ibuprofen, or certain supplements: that can thin the blood
- Consider taking Calpol: before your appointment to help manage any discomfort.
Lifestyle:
- Stop smoking at least two weeks before your appointment: Smoking slows down the healing process and impacts the immune system. This increases the number of removal sessions you have to undergo.
- Stay hydrated: by drinking plenty of water or electrolytes.
- Eat a full meal: before your appointment.
Treatment Area:
- Shave the area: if there is hair present, as the laser can pick up the black pigment of hair, causing a "burnt hair" smell.
- Keep the area clean and clear.
Comfort:
- Wear comfortable clothing: that won't rub against the area.
- Consider using a numbing cream: to help manage discomfort during the laser treatment.
Expectations:
- Have realistic expectations: about the removal process.
- Be aware that laser tattoo removal usually works well, but some circumstances can change that outcome
When in doubt, get in touch with your technician for any further advice.
Aftercare Instructions
Tattoo Aftercare Instructions
- Remove the dressing after 7 to 9 days. Tattoos will ooze,
this is a normal part of the healing process. The bandage is there to keep airborne bacteria
and any other contaminants in the environment from invading your wound.
When a tattoo is completed in hygienic circumstances on clean and healthy skin it usually heals without complications. The objective of good aftercare is to rapidly restore the protective skin barrier, to avoid infection, and for the tattoo to look good and the skin appear healthy.
There is a large variety of aftercare instructions on the internet and each tattooist has preferences usually depending on experience. Gold standard does not exist, but basic principles of good hygiene are essential.
- Wash the tattoo using a mild antibacterial soap (such as Dove, Protex or Life Buoy) and warm water. Take care to remove all traces of blood and plasma as this will cause scabbing. Do not scrub the tattoo with a washcloth during the two week healing period. Pat it dry with clean paper towel and leave it alone for about 20 minutes, basically until it starts 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".
- Once dry, apply a very thin coat of ointment to the tattoo. We recommend using Vitamin A&D or camphor 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. Work it in well. Dab off all the excess with a paper towel. There should be just enough to keep the tattoo moist and to keep it from scabbing. Do not re-bandage the tattoo.
- Repeat the cycle of washing, drying, and applying moisturizer to the tattoo about 2-3 times per day for at least 3 days (while the tattoo feels tender).
- Moisturize 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 moisturizer 2 to 3 times a day for the remainder of your healing time. Do not use lotions that contain color or fragrance at all until the healing is complete. (Usually anywhere from ten days to two weeks; Possibly longer for slower healers.)
- You must keep your tattoo moisturized! When the tattoo is kept moist it doesn't have a chance to form a scab but does form a thin membrane to protect the tattoo while it heals. This layer peels off very similar to a sunburn (do not peel your tattoo, you will pull the ink out!) and it is perfectly normal to see small flakes of coloured 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 turning it into 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 the 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!
- 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 a high quality sunblock. Never put sunblock on a tattoo that is still healing. Wait until it is fully healed before going into the sun.
- Following all of these simple steps will ensure that you end up with the best result with minimal complications and your tattoo will stay looking bright and beautiful for many years to come.
When in doubt, get in touch with your artist for any further advice.
Body Piercing Aftercare Instructions
- Hand washing is the single most important
method of reducing infection. Hands must
be washed prior to touching the affected
area, therefore reducing the risk of infection.
Wash your hands in warm water and liquid soap, always dry your hands thoroughly with a clean towel or paper towel. This should remove most germs and prevent them being transferred to the affected area.
A new piercing can be tender, itchy and slightly red and can remain so for a few weeks. A pale, odourless fluid may sometimes discharge from the piercing and form a crust. This should not be confused with pus, which would indicate infection.
- Ear piercing aftercare Including Lobes/ Tragus/ Anti Tragus/ Conch/ Helix/ Snug/ Diath/ Industrial/ Rook/ Translobal/ Transverse Lobe.
- Facial piercing aftercare Including Eyebrow, Bridge, Jestum, Vertical Labret, Septum/ Nostril.
- Soak the piercing for a few minutes by submerging the area of skin containing the piercing in a clean jug or bowl containing a warm water solution (1/4 level teaspoon of preferably sea salt to an egg cup/shot glass of warm water). Alternatively wet a clean cloth or gauze in the solution and apply as a warm compress. This will soften any discharge and allow you to clean the entry and exit points of the piercing with a cotton bud or gauze. Once the discharge is removed or softened then jewellery can be gently moved so as to work a little warm water through the piercing. When cleaning always tighten the ball on any bars by screwing the ball to the right.
- Do this twice each day, preferably after washing or bathing.
- You can also use mild antibacterial solutions and soaps to wash the wound site of an ear piercing. Ask your local pharmacist to advise you and always follow the manufacturers’ instructions. If irritation, redness or drying occurs discontinue use. Antibacterial wash is NOT suitable for nostrils, septum or vertical lips due to the tissue’s delicate nature.
- Dry the piercing using ONLY fresh disposable paper towel/kitchen roll. A communal hand/bath towel should never be used.
- Note: Cartilage piercings occasionally form lumps commonly known as granulomas. This is just trapped fluid and can easily be resolved using the heat and pressure from a warm water compress once a day, replacing one of your daily cleanings.
- Expect some swelling and soreness from your new piercing. Any knock or bang can cause swelling or soreness to flare up again throughout the healing phase.
- Do not use cotton wool to clean the piercing as the fibres in the cotton wool may get caught in the piercing.
- Do not pick at any discharge and do not move, twist or turn the piercing whilst dry. If any secreted discharge has hardened then turning jewellery may cause the discharge to tear the piercing, allowing bacteria to enter the wound and prolonging the healing time.
- Do not use sunbeds for the first two weeks, or if you decide to then cover the wound area with a breathable plaster during tanning.
- Do note swim for the first 24 hours following a piercing.
- Swelling and redness that increases around the wound.
- A severe burning and throbbing sensation round the site.
- Increased tenderness and increasingly painful to touch.
- An unusual discharge (yellow or green) with an offensive smell.
Signs of infection
If appropriate aftercare is not followed infection may occur. The signs of infection are:
Speak to your practitioner or seek medical attention immediately if you suffer from any of the above or have any concerns regarding infection in your piercing or if there are any signs of an allergic reaction to any of the products used.
When in doubt, get in touch with your piercer for any further advice.
SMP Aftercare Instructions
After scalp micropigmentation (SMP), prioritize keeping the scalp dry and clean for the first few days, avoiding activities that cause sweating, and protecting the treated area from sun exposure and harsh products.
Here's a more detailed breakdown of SMP aftercare:
Initial Days (First 3-4 Days):
- Keep Scalp Dry: Avoid washing or getting the scalp wet.
- Avoid Touching or Scratching: Do not touch, scratch, or rub the treated area to prevent infection and irritation.
- Limit Sweat: Avoid strenuous exercise, saunas, or activities that cause excessive sweating.
- Avoid Sun Exposure: Protect the scalp from direct sunlight.
- No Harsh Products: Refrain from using harsh shampoos, conditioners, or other hair products
- No Shaving: Avoid shaving the treated area
When in doubt, get in touch with your artist for any further advice.
Laser Tattoo Removal Aftercare Instructions
After a laser tattoo removal treatment, keep the area clean and dry, avoid heat and strenuous activity for a few days, and protect it from the sun
Here's a more detailed guide:
Immediate Aftercare (First Few Days):
- Clean and Dry: Gently clean the treated area with lukewarm water and mild soap, then pat it dry with a clean, soft towel.
- Avoid Heat: Steer clear of hot showers, baths, saunas, and strenuous exercise for at least 48 hours, as heat can exacerbate discomfort and swelling.
- Hydrate: Stay well-hydrated to support the healing process.
- Sun Protection: Protect the treated area from direct sunlight by covering it with clothing or using sunscreen with a high SPF.
- Avoid Irritants: Refrain from using harsh chemicals, perfumes, or lotions on the treated area.
- Bandaging: If advised by your technician, apply an antibiotic ointment and cover with a non-stick dressing.
- Cold Compresses: Use a cold compress to soothe any discomfort or swelling.
General Aftercare (First Few Weeks):
- Avoid Picking or Scratching: Resist the urge to pick at any scabs or blisters that may form, as this can lead to infection and scarring
- Moisturize: Keep the skin hydrated by applying a gentle, unscented moisturizer as needed.
- Healthy Diet: Maintain a balanced diet to support overall healing.
- Limit Alcohol and Smoking: Avoid excessive alcohol consumption and smoking, as these can interfere with the healing process.
- Follow Up: Attend any scheduled follow-up appointments with your technician.
- Patience: Allow the skin ample time to heal completely, which can take several weeks.
When in doubt, get in touch with your technician for any further advice.
What We Do
I am a professionally trained artist that uses specialized needles and equipment to create openings for body jewellery
Laser tattoo removal uses concentrated light pulses to shatter tattoo ink into particles, which the body then clears over time
As a tattoo artist, I create body art by inserting ink, dyes, and/or pigments into the dermis layer of the skin to form designs
Scalp Micropigmentation (SMP) is a cosmetic procedure that uses tiny dots of pigment to create the illusion of hair follicles
Eyebrow permanent makeup involves depositing pigment into the skin to create the appearance of fuller, more defined eyebrows
I offer comprehensive tattoo and piercing training courses, covering both theoretical knowledge and practical skills (Coming Soon)
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UNDER CONSTRUCTION
Tattoo Pre-Care & Aftercare
Piercing Pre-Care & Aftercare
SMP Pre-Care & Aftercare
Laser Pre-Care & Aftercare
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