Tattoo Care

Preparing for your tattoo
appointment:

Avoid blood-thinning medications, such as ibuprofen and aspirin, at least 48 hours before your appointment. If you have prescribed blood thinners, please inform your artist in advance so they can plan accordingly or reschedule your appointment if required. Your health comes first, so continue taking your prescribed medications as usual.

Eat a meal within 3 hours before your appointment and ensure you're well-hydrated and rested.

Check that the area to be tattooed is not sunburnt.

Inform your artist if you're on antibiotics as they may suggest rescheduling. Antibiotics can impact healing, affecting the tattoo outcome.

If you're taking Roaccutane® (Isotretinoin), or have in the past 6 months, please let your artist know. Tattooing on Roaccutane® is not advised, and rescheduling will be necessary.

Refrain from consuming alcohol 48 hours prior to your appointment to avoid excessive bleeding and discomfort during the tattoo process.

  • Please be aware that policies on numbing cream may vary among artists, so it's important to check with them before your appointment if you intend to use it.

    You will need to purchase and apply your numbing cream yourself before your appointment — your artist cannot do this for you.

    For instructions on how to apply it, please consult the pharmacist from whom you purchase the cream. Tattoo artists are not medical professionals and cannot provide medical advice.

    It is vital that you perform a patch test before using each new tube of numbing cream - even if you have used this brand before. Even with the same ingredients, performance varies according to the quality of the ingredients and skill of the compounding pharmacist.

Following your tattoo
appointment:

Keep It Clean:
Gently wash your tattoo with lukewarm water and fragrance-free soap. Pat dry with a clean, soft towel—avoid any harsh scrubbing.

No Soaking:
Avoid baths, pools, hot tubs, lakes, and the ocean for at least 2 weeks. Prolonged exposure to moisture can lead to infection and slow healing. Your regular showers are fine; just be sure to pat the tattoo dry afterward.

Sun Protection:
Keep your tattoo out of direct sunlight for the first 2–3 weeks. UV rays can fade the ink before it fully settles. If you must be outdoors, wear loose, protective clothing over the area.

Apply Aftercare Products:
After 48 hours, use a thin layer of a recommended aftercare balm. This keeps your tattoo hydrated, supports healing, and reduces irritation. Our favourite aftercare products are available for purchase in the studio. You are welcome to learn more about them here.

Avoid Over-Moisturising:
Apply aftercare only as needed (less is more). Too much can trap bacteria and slow down healing.

Monitor Healing:
Watch for signs of redness, swelling, or unusual discharge. If you’re concerned, reach out to your artist or consult a healthcare professional.

Every tattoo—and every body—is different. Listen to any specific instructions provided by your artist. If you have any questions, please reach out to your artist.