TATTOO PRODUCTS + AFTERCARE
- BEFORE YOUR APPOINTMENT -
Yes, getting a tattoo hurts, but the pain varies based on placement, length of session, and personal tolerance. If you’re anxious about this, you are more than welcome to purchase a numbing cream at your own risk. Due to the amount of time required for application and the potential for an allergic reaction, I do not offer this service at your session and you hold full liability. Please initiate a patch test the day before your session to ensure you are not allergic. An allergy would look like inflamed red skin and/or a rash 1-1.5 hours after the cream has soaked into your skin.
- AFTERCARE -
At the end of your session, I apply a clear film over your new ink, known as second skin. This allows for optimal ink absorption and protects your newly open skin cells from bacteria. Note that some clients are allergic to second skin. You will know if you are allergic within a few hours after application, as the corners of the second skin will look red and irritated. If this is the case, please remove the second skin immediately and follow Step 1 below. Otherwise, you will leave this on for 3 days. If you plan to exercise within the 3 days, it is imperative that you remove the second skin before you do so. Sweat can cause bacteria to be trapped underneath, which can result in an infection. After removal, follow the routine below 2-3 times daily for the 14 days. Note that second skin traps plasma and blood underneath, so it may start to look a little funky, but do not worry. Once you remove it and give your tattoo a gentle wash, it will look just as it did before we applied the second skin. If the second skill falls off prior to the 3 days (this tends to happen on wrist and hand tattoos), don’t stress, but you will need to start the routine below immediately.
Wash your skin with a gentle unscented soap. I recommend Cetaphil’s Gentle Cleanser.
Once you hit day 5 and the broken skin has closed up. You can use a thin layer of Cetaphil’s Unscented Lotion after cleansing. Please only apply an extremely thin layer, as drowning your tattoo in lotion can slow healing and cause scabbing.
You will notice that the tattoo might scab over and start to peel as it is healing. You may even see black flakes, while showering. This is totally normal! Once it peels, your skin may appear shiny and plastic-like. That is also normal, as your new skin cells form. Fine line tattoos may need a touch up session, given how thin the line work can be. Please read the TOUCH UPS section below for more information.
- GETTING THE TATTOO WET -
With fine line work, it is preferred you do not soak your tattoo in water until the open “wound” is completely healed. This takes between 2-3 weeks. However, if you’re planning on swimming or soaking your new tattoo before the 2-3 week time frame has timeframe has passed, there is a solution. You can purchase Tegaderm. Instructions for Tegaderm are below:
Before submerging your tattoo in water, give it a good wash with soap and pat it completely dry.
Apply Tegaderm over the tattoo.
After your water related activity, remove the Tegaderm and wash your tattoo with soap once again and pat it completely dry.
- TOUCH UPS -
If you are requesting an ultra fine line design (no shading and solely line work) or fine line on your hands and/or feet, you are almost guaranteed to need a touch up. Instead of tattooing something bold and deep, these tattoos are executed gently to maintain the dainty aesthetic you are requesting. Aesthetically, they look beautiful, but be aware of this secondary maintenance appointment. Touch ups for fingers, palms, toes, and soles often require beyond just one touch up session, due to the skin cells regenerating on these areas much more rapidly.
Ultra fine line designs (no shading or microrealism) and all hand/feet touch ups are priced as follows:
First Touch Up: $30 / Second Touch Up: $50 /Third Touch Up: $100
For all other types of designs (micro-realism or bolder line work), the first touch up session is free if you need one.
All touch up requests must be sent my way via iMessage/SMS within a 30 day timeframe of your first tattoo session in order to be granted a $30 first session for ultra fine line or hand/feet touch ups or s free session for micro-realism or bolder line work. Any requests made outside of the 28 day window are automatically a $50 fee per session.
POLICIES
Bookings are not official or in the system until a non-refundable booking deposit is received by the shop. The amount of your deposit is dependent on the cost of your tattoo.
All bookings are made on a first come, first serve basis. If someone else wants to book the same date and time as you, the client that sends a booking deposit first will be granted the appointment.
If you submit a booking request through the website form, you will receive a response within 48 hours. If you ghost or stop responding, your correspondence is deleted after 3 days. I understand things come up on the client’s end, but I do this to ensure my inbox isn’t flooded with unnecessary messages. If you decide to book and haven’t made contact with me within the 3 day timeframe, you will have to re-submit a form via the booking page once again.
If you are knowingly sick with a cold, flu, COVID, or any sort of contagious infection, I ask that you respectfully notify me ASAP, so we can reschedule. Having an infection can make your tattoo heal unevenly. Touch ups in this scenario will be a minimum of $75. Tattooing in small quarters and close proximity between the artist and client puts the artist at risk of infection. When we are sick, we are not able to work. I kindly ask that all clients honor this, so the rest of my clients can still enjoy getting their tattoos without any issues.
If you’ve fallen ill and need to re-book, you are provided one grace re-schedule. Your re-booked tattoo session date must be within 3 weeks of the original date to avoid any additional fees. If your new booking date is outside of the 3 week window, an additional $50 rescheduling fee applies. A completely cancelled booking results in losing your non-refundable security deposit entirely.