Tattoos 101

Preparation

Rest up! Get a full night’s sleep the night before your appointment and drink a lot of water. Do not drink alcohol the day before. Rest and hydration will help your body to prepare for getting a tattoo.

Stay hydrated and eat well. Eating a larger meal 1-2 hours before your appointment will help prevent any dizziness, lightheadedness, or passing out.

Bring a water bottle and snacks, juice, or candy in case you start to feel dizzy or light headed when getting tattooed. We have a fridge and a water dispenser.

Bring a sweatshirt. Getting tattooed can make you feel cold and the shop stays cool, even in summer.

We will not tatto anyone under the influence. Do not consume alcohol, cannabis, or pain pills the day of your appointment.

Aftercare

Keep the Tegaderm bandage on.
Min 24 hours, max 72 hours. Most come off ~48 hours. The tattoo will weep fluid underneath the bandage the color of your ink. This is normal. The fluid is full of white blood cells and your body's natural healing mechanisms which aids in repairing tissue that was affected by the tattoo process, resulting in better pigment retention. You can shower with the bandage on, it is waterproof and breathable.
The fluid will stay sealed under the bandage, but if leaks out at any time, remove the bandage. If stuff can get out, then bacteria, can get in.

Remove the bandage in the shower.
Slow and steady is best. With warm water running over the area, pull the top corner of the bandage and stretch it away from itself (like a 3M wall strip). As it stretches, the adhesive will release from the skin.
Continue gently stretching the bandage all the way around the tattoo. You can also gently peel the bandage back over itself in the direction of hair growth. Don’t pull upward and don’t rip it off like a band-aid. It is common to have a pink edge on your skin from the adhesive and it should fade within 24 hours.

Wash after bandage removal and 1–2 times a day.
Often easiest to wash your tattoo in the shower each day. Also wash it whenever you get more dirty or sweaty than usual. We recommend Dr. Bronner’s castile soap or any mild liquid soap. Be gentle and only use your hands. Do not exfoliate.
Pat dry with a paper towel—bath towels can get fuzzies stuck to the fresh tattoo. Do not rub.

Moisturize regularly, not excessively.
We use Palmer's cocoa butter lotion, but any unscented lotion that is free of dyes and perfumes works, like Lubriderm, Curel or Eucerin. Do not use Aquaphor, A&D Ointment, Vaseline, or Bag Balm.
After washing and drying, apply lotion with clean hands, up to 2—3 times a day for at least 2 weeks. Do not over-moisturize; this will cause breakouts around your tattoo.

Wear clean, breathable clothing over your tattoo.
Clothes should be soft and fit well (not too loose or tight). Make sure cuffs, sleeves, bra-straps, or flip-flop straps aren't resting on the fresh tattoo. They could cause chafing and damage to the tattoo. We recommend changing your sheets on the day you remove the bandage to avoid contact hair and contamination.

Your tattoo will peel around day 5—7.
This is normal. You can moisturize less frequently, but continue using the cocoa butter lotion. Cocoa butter helps settle any raised areas of the tattoo. Continue to wash it once per day.

Things to Know

  • Tattoos take between 3—5 weeks on average to heal fully.

  • Do not pick, scratch, peel or irritate your tattoo. Itching means it's healing.

  • Do not submerge your tattoo in water for 2 weeks. No baths, spas, pools, etc.

  • Do not expose your tattoo to sun for 3 weeks. Tattoo ink will fade from UV exposure. Once healed, use a minimum of SPF 30 sunscreen.

  • Do not wear abrasive materials, jewelry or shoes that rub against your tattoo.

  • Do not let anyone touch your tattoo while it’s healing.

  • You may work out while your tattoo heals, but be extra aware of how dirty gym equipment is, what your hands have touched and how your gym clothes rub against your tattoo.

  • You can elevate and ice your tattoo to reduce swelling: apply frozen peas or gel ice pack wrapped in clean plastic wrap and paper towel for no more than 15 min.

  • Avoid long or excessively hot showers in the first 2 weeks.

  • If you have any questions about your tattoo or the healing process, contact your artist or email the shop.

Remember! Your tattoo is an open wound until it is completely healed. If you do not take care, your tattoo can become infected or damaged.

Infections are rare as long as you follow the above instructions. Signs of infection include: oozing puss, bleeding abnormally. It could very red around the outside of the tattoo and may have thin red lines extending from it. If you think your tattoo is infected, contact your artist and/or seek medical attention immediately.

FAQs

  • Nope! You can make an appointment or schedule a consultation with one of our artists. If you’re not sure who should tattoo you, contact us with your idea and we’ll connect you with the artist we recommend for your piece.

  • Be comfy! Wear whatever you want to hang out in for a few hours. Sweatpants, blankies, and slippers are welcome. The more comfortable you are, the easier the pain of a tattoo will be.

    Make sure the area getting tattooed is accessible. Open-legged ‘harem’ pants for leg tats and a zip-up sweatshirt backwards for back tats work great!

  • You can bring one friend or family member with you. Please do not bring more people as it is distracting for other clients and artists.

    No way in hell are kids allowed at the studio.

  • No, it is illegal in the state of California to tattoo minors.

  • Aw, thanks! We nerd out about tattoos (and most things) so we love sharing what we know.

    Random pro-tip: plan ahead for a long session. You’ll probably be exhausted when you get home, so anything you can do ahead helps. Have an easy meal ready or get takeout, do chores in advance, and take the night off, to rest, if possible.