Studio Notes
The House Rules
Good work is half done in the chair and half done at home. Read both sides of the ledger below before your appointment, and if anything here is unclear — or you have questions about healing, medication, or your skin — ask your artist first.
Part One · Before You Sit Down
Read before your session
Have a solid meal within a few hours of your appointment and drink water the day before. Tattooing on an empty stomach can leave you light-headed.
No alcohol for 24 hours before your session. Alcohol thins your blood, which means more bleeding and poor ink retention.
Get a full night's sleep. A rested body tolerates longer sessions far better than a tired one.
Dress so the area being tattooed is easy to reach and easy to cover afterward. Wear clothes you don't mind staining.
No sunburn, peeling, or fresh shaving on the area. Skip tanning for a few days before. Don't apply lotions or oils on the day of the appointment.
A government-issued photo ID is required for every session, no exceptions. We take cash, Venmo, and Cash App — there is an ATM in the shop if you need it.
Show up at your scheduled time with a clear head. One guest at the station is usually fine — check first if you plan to bring someone.
Tell your artist before the session about blood thinners, antibiotics, or anything you are on. If you are sick, reschedule.
Part Two · The First Weeks
Follow until fully healed
Keep the bandage on for as long as your artist tells you — usually a few hours. Wrap times vary, so follow the studio's instruction, not a rule of thumb.
After unwrapping, wash with lukewarm water and fragrance-free soap, using clean hands only. Pat dry with a clean paper towel — never rub.
Apply a thin layer of unscented lotion two to three times a day after washing. Too much keeps the skin from breathing.
No baths, pools, hot tubs, lakes, or saunas until fully healed. Quick showers are fine. Submerging a fresh tattoo is the fastest way to lose ink.
Don't scratch, pick, or peel flaking skin. Let it come off on its own — picking pulls the ink out with it.
Keep the tattoo covered while healing. Once healed, always use sunscreen on it — sun is the single biggest cause of fading.
Nothing tight or abrasive over the fresh work. Friction rubs ink out and slows healing.
Expect itching, flaking, and light scabbing — that's normal. If you see spreading redness, oozing, fever, or anything that worries you, contact the studio right away.
Questions?
For appointment changes, healing concerns, or touch-ups, message the shop on Facebook Messenger — a photo of the healing work is always welcome.