Moisturise

Using body lotion a few weeks before your appointment will help to keep your skin hydrated and soft. This can help the ink to apply more easily and help the skin to heal well. Don't use any lotion or moisturisers on the actual day of your appointment as it can interfere with the stencil application.

Before Your Appointment

Drink water

While drinking plenty of water on the day of your tattoo appointment is recommended, it’s also beneficial to stay hydrated in advance, three to four weeks prior to your appointment is ideal. Drinking plenty of water improves the quality of your skin.

Get plenty of sleep

If you have a tattoo appointment scheduled, please don’t spend the night before partying and staying up until the early hours. Getting a good night’s rest will prepare your body and your mind for what’s in store and improve your pain tolerance.

Eat a meal

Always eat a hearty breakfast or lunch on the day of your tattoo appointment. Even if you’re nervous or don’t feel particularly hungry, try to get some food into your body. This will help keep your blood sugar up and help you avoid feeling dizzy or faint during your appointment.

Hygiene

Think of your tattoo as a medical procedure – it’s important everything is as clean as possible, so shower or bathe beforehand, use deodorant and avoid wearing excessive jewelry or perfumes that could get in the way or cause skin reactions.

Avoid damage to your skin

Try to avoid any damage to your skin, especially from the sun! damaged skin cannot be tattooed safely. Avoid shaving and exfoliating the tattooed area a day prior to the appointment.

Meet your artist

You are always welcome to come and meet your artist in person before your appointment. It can help lower any anxiety you may have about the tattooing experience as you can get an idea of what the studio/your artist is like, and ask your artist any questions.

Disclosure of additional needs

You will never be asked to disclose any medical information, but if you want to tell us about any allergies, health conditions or disabilities you have, you are very welcome to. The information will be treated discreetly and condifentially – and choosing to disclose these things can mean your artist can try to make adjustments for you to ensure you have a more comfortable experience.

During Your Appointment

Here’s a handy list of things to pack for your tattoo day:

Essentials:

ID
Payment
Sugary snacks and drinks (water, coffee, tea and hot chocolate are available for free at the studio, and energy drinks, soda and some snacks are availlable to buy)

Comfort:

Extra clothing
Fluffy socks or slippers
Phone/tablet holder
Small cushions and blankets
Fidget toys

Entertainment:

Books or magazines
Tablet or phone (don’t forget headphones if you plan to watch or listen to something!
Phone charger or power bank

Hygiene and health:

Travel-size deodorant or wipes
Any medications you need (e.g. insulin, inhaler)
Pain relief (if allowed, please check with your doctor and artist)

Hydration

Staying hydrated is vital before and during your appointment. You can bring a bottle or we can provide tap water to sip on. Dehydration can make you feel lightheaded and affect your skin’s responsiveness. Water, coffee, tea and hot chocolate are all available for free at the studio.

Snacks

Snacks are a lifesaver, especially for longer sessions. Bring easy-to-eat items like granola bars, nuts, fruit or candy to keep your blood sugar stable. Try to avoid messy foods that could crumble or require washing your hands frequently. For longer sessions, sugar is your friend! We sell energy drinks, soda and snacks at the studio too in case you get caught short!

Ask for breaks

Let your artist know if you need a quick break to refuel, a toilet break, or a longer lunch break. It’s important that you listen to your body and we go at your pace. Tell us if you feel faint or unwell so we can make sure you’re ok.

Comfortable clothing
Tattoo sessions often require sitting or lying in one position for a long time, so we recommend wearing old, comfy and loose fitting clothes to your appointment. The location of your tattoo is also something to consider. Here’s how to dress by tattoo placement:

Arm tattoos: Tank tops, vest tops or loose short-sleeved t-shirts work best. Avoid tight sleeves that might rub the fresh ink when being removed.
Back or rib tattoos: Zip-up hoodies or buttoned shirts are ideal. You can leave them open or slide them off your shoulders while still staying partially covered.
Leg tattoos: Loose-fitting shorts, skirts or joggers that can easily be rolled up. If you happen to be a millennial who never throws clothes out and you still have some pants with poppers down the sides, even better!
Chest or groin Tattoos: Bikini tops or elastic-waist swim bottoms provide access while maintaining modesty.

It's good to have an extra layer handy for if you become cold, which is common when you're being tattooed. We'll be as careful as we can to not get ink of your clothes, but sometimes it can happen, so please wear something you don't mind getting dirty.

Entertainment

We love talking to our clients and it can take your mind off the pain, however, some people prefer to distract themselves in other ways and that's totally fine - please do whatever makes you feel most comfortable! Some people read a book or listen to music/watch videos/play games on their phone or tablet. All we ask is that you use headphones, this way we can concentrate fully on your tattoo. Don’t forget your phone and charger, especially for long appointments.

Comfort

Think about what helps you to be comfortable and relaxed at home - headphones and a good playlist, a blanket, fluffy socks, an eye mask, fidget toys – all of these work great for your tattoo appointment too! Remember, it’s okay to ask for adjustments in positioning or to voice concerns. Your artist wants you to be as comfortable as possible.

Pain Relief

It's fine to take painkillers such as paracetamol or ibuprofen before, during and after your tattoo. Please avoid any blood thinning painkillers, such as aspirin. Some people ask if they can use numbing creams - numbing creams can sometimes interfere with the tattooing process due to the changes they make to the skin – this doesn’t mean you can’t use them when having an appointment at our studio, but we do need to discuss the pros and cons with you so you can make a more informed decision and you are aware of possible side effects. Please make sure you let your artist know if you’re thinking of using one.

Staying still

Try to keep relaxed and still, keep your breathing steady and let your artist know if you need to move to sneeze, get a drink, reach for a snack etc. The last thing we want is easily avoidable wonky lines!

After Your Appointment

Once you’ve had a tattoo from us, we'll give you some written instructions and also explain how to care for your new ink to get the best results when it's healed. It can be a lot of information to remember, so let's go through the basics here...

Do

Try to leave the dressing on for at least 24 hours.
Keep it clean. Remember: A tattoo is an open wound and is at risk of infection until it is fully healed. Try to touch it as little as possible and, if you do have to touch it, make sure you always wash your hands first.
Wash the tattoo with warm, soapy water 3 - 4 times a day once the dressing is removed and until it’s fully healed.
Pat your tattoo dry, never rub it.

Use a tattoo aftercare balm/cream a few times a day (including after washing/drying) to stop your new ink from drying out.

On the first night, you may want to wrap your tattoo in plastic wrap to prevent sticking to your bedding.

Leave it a few days before vigorous exercise or going to the gym.

Don't

Don't take baths, saunas, or go swimming. Showers are fine.
Don't scratch or pick your new tattoo.
Don't apply too much aftercare cream (it can stop the skin from breathing properly).
Don't use Bepanthen ointment as it isn’t designed for open wounds. It has been linked to contact dermatitis in people with sensitive skin and because it’s quite thick and goopy you’re more likely to apply it too thick and have issues with healing.
Don't use any cloth bandages or pads, as the fibers of this material can adhere to your open tattoo and hinder the healing process.
Don't expose your tattoo to the sun for at least 3 weeks, after that, please use sunblock. Sun will make the colours fade and your tattoo won't look good for long.

Your artist will clean your tattooed area and apply either Tattoo Armour or Second Skin to the wound. Your new tattoo is an open wound and these are dressings which will keep it safe from bacteria, stop clothes rubbing onto it and prevent plasma, blood and any residual ink from leaking.

Dressings

Tattoo Armour

This is a soft, padded dressing, much like the ones used in hospital to dress wounds. They are ideal for large tattoos with lots of shading or colour packing as they soak up any fluids and cushion the wound. These can be left on for a maximum of 24 hours before being removed.

Second Skin

This is a thin, transparent membrane which covers the fresh tattoo. It's breathable, waterproof and provides a barrier to stop bacteria getting to the wound. In most cases, this can be kept over the fresh tattoo for 3 - 4 days and does not need to be interferred with.

Aftercare Products

We always recommend you use an aftercare product which is specifically designed for tattoos. Many other basic healing creams and moisurisers have ingredients included which can affect the healing process, irritate the tattoo, or stop the skin from breathing. We sell the following products at the studio:

Tattoo Defender After Ink

A soothing cream for freshly tattooed skin. It contains shea butter, panthenol and hyaluronic acid of the highest quality, vitamin B5 and other natural extracts to ensure quick healing. Its renewed formula is designed without Petrolatum, to be more natural and eco-friendly. Gently massage into the skin immediately after tattooing to create a protective and emollient barrier, which will effectively protect your skin from external aggression and promote faster healing. Its formula penetrates deep into the skin to facilitate lipid synthesis and the proliferation of skin fibroblasts, accelerating the healing process in order to prevent excessive colour leaking.

Tattoo Defender Sunny Side

A creamy emulsion specifically designed to protect tattooed skin from sunlight (HIGH PROTECTION - SPF 30-50), formulated with active plant ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, vitamin E and F, panthenol, Monoi de Tahiti, aloe vera juice, horse chestnut extract, horsetail extract and sunscreens. Suitable for all skin types (including delicate and sensitive skin), it has a protective, emollient and moisturising action. Perfect for use during exposure to sunlight or sunlamps.

Protects against damage caused by UVA and UVB rays
Adds shine and brightness to tattoos
Keeps skin hydrated to counteract the effects of sun exposure, including delicate and sensitive skins.

Tattoo Goo

A a rich balm with over 60% olive oil, lavender oil and other all-natural ingredients, this balm is the original go-to for ink at any stage. It comes in a handy little tin and has natural ingredients that aid in healing and protection. Made with premium olive oil, this balm is formulated to mimic the natural oils that occur in your skin, so it goes on smooth and absorbs well — because moisturised skin means more vibrant ink.

For healing and healed tattoos
Petroleum and lanolin-free

If you have a tattoo appointment scheduled, please don’t spend the night before partying and staying up until the early hours. Getting a good night’s rest will prepare your body and your mind for what’s in store and improve your pain tolerance.

Think of your tattoo as a medical procedure – it’s important everything is as clean as possible, so shower or bathe beforehand, use deodorant and avoid wearing excessive jewelry or perfumes that could get in the way or cause skin reactions.

Comfortable clothing Tattoo sessions often require sitting or lying in one position for a long time, so we recommend wearing old, comfy and loose fitting clothes to your appointment. The location of your tattoo is also something to consider. Here’s how to dress by tattoo placement:

Arm tattoos: Tank tops, vest tops or loose short-sleeved t-shirts work best. Avoid tight sleeves that might rub the fresh ink when being removed.

Back or rib tattoos: Zip-up hoodies or buttoned shirts are ideal. You can leave them open or slide them off your shoulders while still staying partially covered.

Leg tattoos: Loose-fitting shorts, skirts or joggers that can easily be rolled up. If you happen to be a millennial who never throws clothes out and you still have some pants with poppers down the sides, even better!

Chest or groin Tattoos: Bikini tops or elastic-waist swim bottoms provide access while maintaining modesty.

​

It's good to have an extra layer handy for if you become cold, which is common when you're being tattooed. We'll be as careful as we can to not get ink of your clothes, but sometimes it can happen, so please wear something you don't mind getting dirty.

Do

Don't

Comfortable clothing
Tattoo sessions often require sitting or lying in one position for a long time, so we recommend wearing old, comfy and loose fitting clothes to your appointment. The location of your tattoo is also something to consider. Here’s how to dress by tattoo placement: