Pre Tattoo Appointment FAQ’s and Requests
Please take the time to read the following to help us both prepare for your tattoo appointment:
1. **Rest and Hydrate:**
- Ensure you get a good night's sleep before your appointment.
- Drink plenty of water a few days leading up to the appointmenty and in the morning to keep your skin hydrated.
2. **Eat Well:**
- Have a substantial meal before your session to help maintain your blood sugar levels. This can help you feel more comfortable during the tattooing process.
3. **Skin Care:**
- PLEASE keep the area to be tattooed clean and moisturized at least 2-3 times a day one week leading up to your appointment. This will help me have the best canvas and well-hydrated skin to work with!
- Do not apply any lotions, perfumes, or other products to the area on the day of your appointment.
- Please clipper excess hair the night before or morning of your appointment. This will save valuable time with the artist!
- Shaving should also be done the day before to avoid any shaving rash, if you can't that's ok, your artist will do this for you!
4. **Clothing:**
- Wear comfortable clothing that provides easy access to the area where you will be getting the tattoo.
- Consider that ink may accidentally get on your clothes, so choose something you don’t mind getting stained.
5. **Avoid Alcohol and Aspirin:**
- Refrain from consuming alcohol or taking aspirin for at least 24 hours before your session, as they can increase bleeding.
6. **Plan Your Day:**
- Please ensure you don’t have any prior engagements immediately after your appointment. Allow yourself time to rest and start the healing process. If you need to leave by a certain time, please discuss this with me beforehand. Starting a full day of tattooing only to be told halfway through that you need to leave for a school pickup can add a lot of pressure to the day, and no one wants a rushed tattoo.
- Please note, if you book a full day and then inform me on the day that you need to leave early, you may be charged the full day rate.
7. **Personal Items:**
- Bring a valid ID for age and consent form verification. (NO ID, NO TATTOO)
- Consider bringing headphones or a book if you find that helps to relax you. Being relaxed can make the session better.
- Fidgeting and moving constantly can make the session a lot longer and harder than usual, so please be mindful of your movements.
- I recommend you bring a drink and even lollies to help you through; snacks and lunch on longer sessions are great ideas too. We have a fridge and microwave you are welcome to use while in the studio.
8. **Aftercare:**
- Be prepared to care for your new tattoo like you would any open wound!
- I have my own preference for care instructions and aftercare brands that I will discuss with you in person.
- Please ensure you have fresh linen free of any animal hair or contaminants.
- If traveling for your tattoo, consider picking up some essential items like cling wrap, paper towel, and over-the-counter anti-inflammatories to help after large tattoo sessions.
9. **Questions or Concerns:**
- If you have any last-minute questions or concerns, don’t hesitate to reach out or discuss them if you didn’t during your consultation.
10. **Please Arrive On Time:**
- Arrive not too early and not late; a few minutes early is perfect to get settled and gives enough time to complete your legal paperwork before getting tattooed.
11. **Tag-Alongs / Rules / & Boring Stuff:**
- We do not cater to extras in our tattoo area, unfortunately, so please consider coming to your session alone, unless you need a carer, of course, but please discuss this leading up to your appointment.
- We do have a waiting area for clients to use, but this space is small, so please ensure it isn’t filled with a posse of family and friends, as this can be very distracting to the artists trying to do their best work.
- We ask that you please treat the studio respectfully when it comes to this. Many times we have had the client's friend yelling and chatting from the waiting area, and it’s always a difficult time! While we love having fun and one of the coolest jobs in the world, please consider the others in the room.
- *NUMBING CREAM* : DO NOT USE NUMBING CREAM WITHOUT PRIOR CONSULTING US PLEASE, there are many factors why, we do not want to use some brands , and numbing cream poses risks we would like to discuss first! We do not take any responsibility at all for the healing or damage numbing cream can cause and we revoke our free touch up policy on any tattoos that have used numbing creams.
The use of numbing creams without prior disclosure may result in your artist turning you away and forfeiting your whole booking fee / deposit!
- Lastly, please lower your phone volume or silence it. Repetitive text chime alerts are one of the most distracting things.
Thanks so much for reading and helping us prepare for your tattoo!