Before Your Appointment
A little preparation goes a long way toward making your session comfortable and your tattoo beautiful. Here's what I want you to know before you walk through my door.
Come fed. Bring snacks.
Eat a real meal before your appointment. Your pain tolerance is genuinely higher on a full stomach and your body needs fuel for what it's about to do. If it's going to be a long session, bring something to snack on. I won't judge your snacks.
Hydrate.
Day of and night before. Healthy hydrated skin is the best canvas I can work on. Drink water. A lot of it. Before, during, and throughout healing. Hydrated skin heals faster and holds ink better.
Get some sleep.
A rested body handles pain better. Don't stay out late the night before.
Don't drink the night before.
A drink or two during your session is fine — but arriving hungover or with alcohol still in your system makes you bleed more, which makes my job harder and your tattoo worse. Keep it to 1-2 drinks max during the session and skip the big night out beforehand.
Skip the ibuprofen, aspirin, and Aleve.
These thin your blood. If you want something for nerves or pain, Tylenol is fine. If you're on a prescribed blood thinner or medication you can't skip, just let me know ahead of time — we'll figure it out.
Don't shave unless you always shave that area.
If you shave regularly and know your skin handles it well, go ahead. If you don't — leave it. Razor burn is not a canvas I want to work on, and I can handle any shaving that needs to happen.
No numbing cream.
I know it's tempting. I don't use it and I don't recommend it — it changes the texture of the skin and affects how ink sits. The chair is comfortable, I go at your pace, and you can handle it.
Wear something comfortable — and ideally dark.
Ink happens. Don't wear your favorite white shirt. Loose clothing over the tattoo area is ideal. If you're getting work done somewhere a bra strap or waistband would sit, think ahead about what you'll wear.
Bring whatever makes you cozy.
A cozy blanket and pillow is always welcome — just make sure it's clean and won't sit directly on the fresh tattoo. Bring your phone charger, iPad, headphones, a book, whatever gets you through. There's an outlet right next to the chair. I also have wipable pillows available for around your tattoo, feel free to ask for one!
Your playlist.
Bring it. I love hearing what people listen to. The one rule: no country. Everything else is fair game.
Smoking & vaping.
Smoke outside please. Vaping inside is fine. If you're bringing weed, please keep it outside — the smell tends to linger and I try to keep the space free of strong scents for future clients.
It's okay if you're a little late.
Life happens. Just text me if you're running behind — I appreciate the heads up. I don’t mind extra time for setting up at all. If you’re going to be more than 30 minutes late however, touch base with me as we may need to reschedule.
Stare if you want to.
I love being watched while I work. Don't feel weird about watching your design come to life. That's half the magic.
Come prepared to heal.
Pick up your aftercare supplies before your appointment so you're not scrambling after. You'll need Aquaphor for the first 3 days and a fragrance-free lotion like Lubriderm after that. See the full aftercare page for details.
Plan your timing.
Don't book your appointment right before a big trip, a beach vacation, or anything that puts you in water for extended periods. Plan for 3 weeks out of pools, lakes, hot tubs, and the ocean — showers are fine. Sun exposure on a fresh tattoo is also a no for 3 weeks, so keep that in mind seasonally.
A note for those with menstrual cycles. If you have the flexibility to schedule around it, consider avoiding your appointment during your period. Hormone fluctuations during menstruation can increase skin sensitivity and pain levels noticeably. It won't affect the quality of the tattoo — but it may affect how comfortable you are in the chair. Totally your call, just worth knowing.
Work in a dirty environment or around lots of pet dander?
Think ahead. A clean long sleeve over an arm or leg tattoo works well as a barrier during the healing process — you can even cut the sleeve off an old garment just for this purpose. Saniderm or a similar breathable bandage can also help, but keep in mind your skin needs air after the first 3 days so it can't stay covered all the time.
Stay out of the gym for a bit.
Sweat is not your fresh tattoo's friend. Avoid heavy workouts and anything that's going to have you dripping for at least the first week. Your body is healing — let it.
Questions? Text me at (360) 515-1915. I'd rather you ask than wonder.