Now that your appointment is booked, and you are all set to come in for your tattoo, let's go over some tips to help you prepare for your tattoo appointment, and review some key aftercare instructions!
Before Your Tattoo
For 24 hours before your appointment, refrain from drinking alcohol - alcohol thins your blood, and will cause excessive bleeding and may result in poor healing of your tattoo.
Be sure to get a good night’s sleep prior to your tattoo appointment. Do not take any painkillers (ie. Advil, Tylenol, Aspirin, or prescriptions, etc.) or illegal substances before your appointment.
Do not use any topical anesthetics or numbing creams (ie. lidocaine) on the area prior to your appointment. If you have questions about using a numbing agent, speak directly with your artist.
Be sure to stay hydrated before and during your tattoo, and eat a good meal beforehand. Let your artist know if you require taking a break at any point during your session, and we encourage you to bring drinks and/or snacks with you.
If you are currently breastfeeding or are pregnant, we will not tattoo you. If you have booked an appointment and you are in fact pregnant or breastfeeding, please notify us immediately.
Please ensure that your clothes and body are clean prior to your appointment.
Make sure you wear comfortable clothing that will allow access to the area being tattooed. If you have questions about what to wear, please ask your artist and they will be happy to give suggestions based on the body part being tattooed.
Please keep reading below for important aftercare instructions!
After Your Tattoo
If your artist used a clear adhesive bandage ('Hypafix', 'Tegaderm', etc.): Leave the bandage on for 7 days. While the bandage is on, you may shower but do not submerge in water for longer periods. Avoid excessive sweating as well, as this may cause the bandage to come off prematurely. Follow care instructions from #3.
If you are open-healing the tattoo: Leave the bandage on for 12-24 hours. Follow care instructions below.
When you are ready to remove the bandage after the suggested time period: With clean hands, remove bandage slowly in the shower and wash off ALL traces of blood, ink, and ointment using a gentle, non-scented soap and lukewarm water. An improper first wash may create heavy scabbing and poor healing. The tattoo should not be sticky or slimy after the wash.
Apply water-based, unscented moisturiser 3-4 times a day until fully healed (for about 3 weeks). If you are open-healing, start using moisturizer only once your tattoo begins to feel tight/dry, usually around 2-3 days after your appointment. H2Ocean, Lubriderm, Kerry, and Aveeno work well.
While healing, the tattoo may become itchy, do not scratch it as this can cause raised lines, increase itchiness, and poor healing.
Do not submerge in water for long periods (i.e. avoid pools, hot tubs, baths) for at least 2 weeks to avoid infection and poor healing.
Avoid excessive sun exposure for 4 weeks after your appointment. After this period, wearing sunscreen (SPF30 or higher) is always recommended to ensure the tattoo will not prematurely fade.
If you have any questions or concerns about the healing of your tattoo, contact your artist as soon as possible.
If you have any questions, or are unsure of any instructions, please feel free to reach out to your artist to discuss things further. We look forward to having you at Third Eye Tattoos!