Appointment Preparation
Tattoos big and small can be very taxing on your body if you are not well prepared! Here are some helpful advice to ensure your session goes as smooth and comfortable as possible!
For The Weeks Leading Up To Your Tattoo
Hydrate & Moisturize
Hydrating with plenty of water and moisturizing your skin with lotion are vital steps to prepping for a new tattoo! This will help not only your skin be ready for the tattoo, but keeping yourself well hydrated will also keep you feeling your best during the session. Hydrated skin will also ensure an easier application process during our session! When skin is dry, it’s tougher to penetrate with the tattoo needle, and the ink can look dull even when first applied. Continue to hydrate and moisturize your skin up until your appointment date!
Exfoliate
In addition to hydrating your skin, gently exfoliating the area you’ll be getting tattooed in regularly can help ensure your skin is smooth and well prepped for your session! This should be started a few weeks before your tattoo to confirm no irritation will come from exfoliating. Using a washcloth or loofah while in the shower, gently scrub the area you’ll be placing your tattoo at to help remove any dead skin cells. You can stop this process a few days before your tattoo appointment to be cautious of any irritation to the area.
Day Before Morning Of Your Tattoo
No Alcohol
PLEASE avoid drinking any alcohol at least a day before your appointment. Alcohol can dehydrate you, make you bleed heavier during your tattoo, give you a bad night's sleep, put you in more pain, etc. A hangover is the least ideal situation for you to get tattooed during. It’s best to completely avoid this leading up to your appointment.
Sleep
Please ensure you get a full night's sleep the night before your tattoo! Being overly tired during your session can make the pain of a tattoo worse and make it harder to sit still through your piece.
Eat
Eating a large breakfast before your appointment will keep your energy and blood sugar up during our session! For day sessions we will also have a break halfway through the day for some lunch, please feel free to bring a lunch to your appointment or you’re welcome to order food, or step out to go get food. I HIGHLY encourage clients to eat a lunch if you’re sitting for a full day! Your body is feeling pain all day and your adrenaline is running high, this burns your energy fast and getting tattooed on an empty stomach can lead to you feeling sick, faint, or even passing out. Fueling your body will help manage pain throughout the day and keep you feeling good till the end of the session.
Snacks
The shop is stocked with various snacks and drinks available for you during your session! I also highly encourage anyone who wants to, to bring their own favorites to munch on during your session. Sugary drinks or snacks specifically can help your body keep your energy up during the day and help you feel good throughout the session. You’re always free and encouraged to snack throughout the day!
Dress Comfortably For Your Tattoo
Wearing clothing that is breathable, comfortable and easy to relax in is highly encouraged! I do wanna see your cute fits but more importantly I want you to be at ease during your appointment. Please make sure when choosing your outfit for the day that you’re keeping in mind the location of your tattoo and how easily accessible your clothing will be to that area. I also encourage you bring a jacket of some type as you might get cold during your session!
Bring Distractions
I’m always open to help be your distraction for the day, but if you’re less of a talker please don’t hesitate to bring some headphones, a tablet to watch, or even a game to play. Everyone handles pain differently and for some, zoning out can help you get through the day! I also encourage you to bring anything that might help you be comfortable such as a blanket or small pillow. I have a plethora of adorable stress balls for you to mangle during your appointment if you need something to squeeze. The shop has TVs, music playing, and plenty of pillows to make you comfy. But anything you want to bring for yourself outside of that, you’re welcome to do so!
Caffeine
I recommend taking it easy on the caffeine day of your appointment, or better yet, avoiding it completely if possible. Caffeine can make you jittery, shaky, twitchy, or anxious, and I’ve found it can contribute to how well you’re able to sit still during your piece. Especially since so much of my work has fineline included, sitting still is so vital to making sure I can give you the best possible outcome! So if you can skip the energy drink or the coffee for the day, I would so appreciate your sacrifice.
No Planned Events
Most of my tattoos are longer sessions or full day sessions. I ask that unless we have previously discussed before booking, please do not have any scheduled plans or events for the day of our appointment! Tattoos can be somewhat unpredictable with how long they take, this is why I don’t charge hourly since I can’t often give you a solid estimate of exactly how long a piece will take. Sometimes stenciling can eat up time, more breaks are needed, or a piece may just take longer than you think it would! I absolutely cannot rush a tattoo and I don’t want either of us to be watching the clock while making a permanent change to your body. I will always respect your time so please respect mine as well!
Late Policy
If you are running behind the day of your appointment, please communicate with me as soon as possible! If you are going to be more than 30 minutes late to your appointment, you may need to fully reschedule with a new deposit. I do understand things happen and will try to work with you depending on the circumstances! Please note however if you are more than 30 minutes late without any communication, this will be counted as a no call no show and your appointment will be canceled without a refund or transfer of deposit.