Tattoo Care Instructions 

Your tattoo will take care and maintenance after you get it done, as well as preparation beforehand. Please read through these helpful instructions so you can set yourself up for success!

Before Your Tattoo

  • Eat a good meal prior to getting tattooed. It can be a tough process on the body no matter how gentle your artist is. If your body is properly nourished, it can handle the tattoo process easier. 

  • Wear comfortable clothes! Your artist will need access to the area being tattooed, so dress accordingly. Additionally, ink and ointment are difficult to remove from clothing so wear something you might not mind getting stained. 

  • If you have any health conditions that could affect your tattoo or your body as a result of getting a tattoo, please contact your doctor first. Heart and blood conditions can have serious ramifications without proper procedure. 

  • Drinking alcohol before your tattoo can thin your blood and make the tattoo process more difficult - even if you’re drinking the day before! Avoid alcohol up to 24 hours prior to your tattoo.

  • Let your artist know if you have to take antibiotics prior to dental procedures. If you have any continuing health concerns, check with your doctor prior to getting a tattoo. 

  • If you are taking any medications, please let your artist know. Even such commonly prescribed medications such as antidepressants, painkillers and acne medications may alter the way your tattoo heals. 

  • Some locations on the body will need touch-ups. Talk to your artist if you have questions regarding your location choice.

Aftercare Instructions

  • Always wash your hands prior to touching your tattoo. Dirty hands can spread infection.

  • In 3-6 hours, remove the bandage and gently wash the tattoo with soap and water. This will remove ointment, excess color and white blood cells. 

  • Dry tattoo by blotting with a dry, clean, lint free towel. Do not rub your tattoo. 

  • Use ointment for the next 2 days, approximately 3 times a day. Gently apply enough to keep the tattoo from getting dry. Apply a thin film, do not however drown the tattoo in ointment or lotion. Soggy is not good. Listen to your body! 

  • After the first 2 days of the above care, switch to a fragrance/dye free lotion. 

  • Keep your tattoo out of direct sunlight or tanning booths for 7-10 days. Use sunscreen of at least SPF 30 after healed.

  • Your tattoo may scab, flake or peel, this is natural. Do not pick at the scab. This may remove ink and damage your tattoo. Sometimes the skin flakes that come off are the same color as your tattoo. This does not mean your tattoo is  “falling out” - if you have any questions please call your artist. 

  • If you think you are allergic to the tattoo, aftercare products or it is infected, please contact your doctor. Discontinue use of the aftercare product if you think you are having a reaction to it.

Things to Remember

  • DO NOT soak your tattoo until it is completely healed. No swimming, no spas, no long baths, no long showers. Get in, get clean and get out. You can permanently damage your tattoo if you do not take proper care of it during the healing process.

  • Do not let your tattoo dry out during the healing process. If you let it crack, it may then scar and your artist might not be able to fully repair the damage to the art. 

  • Keep your tattoo out of direct sunlight. If your tattoo is healed, still remember to keep sunscreen on your tattoo. Sunlight will fade colors. Remember what color your outdoor furniture was before last summer? 

  • Do not pick at your tattoo. Do not scratch your tattoo. 
    Some areas of the body do not keep color as well as others. Also some bodies do not like certain colors. This is completely natural. Contact your artist if your tattoo needs a touch-up. 

  • The skin over the tattoo can remain open for a couple of days and is capable of getting an infection if not properly  cared for during the healing process. Contact a physician if any signs or symptoms develop such as the following: fever, prolonged swelling and pain, redness at the site, and/or green/yellow discharge. 


If you have any questions during the healing process, please feel free to reach out!