Tattoo Prep & Aftercare | Ink Era Tattoo (2024)

FAQs

Do and don'ts before a tattoo? ›

So make sure to: Take a shower, shave (if necessary), and generally just be as clean as possible before your appointment. Don't sunbathe or use a tanning bed before getting a tattoo. A fresh tan looks great, but it can make it harder for the artist to see what they're doing.

Your first night sleeping, your artist might recommend you re-wrap the tattoo with plastic wrap (like Saran Wrap) to sleep without the tattoo sticking to your sheets. This is generally for larger or solid-color tattoos. If your artist did not recommend re-wrapping, just let the tattoo stay exposed to air overnight.

While it may be true that caffeine is your go-to energy booster in daily life. It is better to reduce your intake before your tattoo session. Excessive caffeine can make you feel more anxious or restless. This in turn can potentially affect your ability to sit still and relax during the tattooing process.

Poor aftercare

Not taking proper aftercare precautions could also contribute to patchiness; picking scabs off your new tattoo, swimming or submerging it in the bath, exposing it to UV rays while it's still in the early stages of healing could all lead to ink loss and patchiness.

Does Aquaphor Cause Fading in Tattoos? There are rumors that Aquaphor makes tattoos fade, but from our experiences and many others, this just isn't true. If a tattoo is done correctly and the ink is where it needs to be, ointment should only help your tattoo heal correctly.

Wash your hands thoroughly before you remove the covering. Then, gently wash the tattoo with warm water and fragrance-free soap. Pat your skin dry with a soft cloth. Apply a small amount of fragrance-free and alcohol-free moisturizer to the tattoo.

You can shower 3-4 hours after getting a tattoo, if you have a Saniderm bandage on, however, if you have a plastic wrap wait 24 hours to unwrap your tattoo and shower. In either case, shower in cold or lukewarm water and avoid prolonged soaking or submerging your tattoo in water for 3-4 weeks.

Keep the tattoo covered

Protection from bacteria: The first few days after getting a tattoo, the skin is more susceptible to infection. Keeping the tattoo covered helps prevent bacteria and other contaminants from coming into contact with the wound, reducing the risk of infection.

What shouldn't I do before a tattoo? ›

If your tattoo shop doesn't have it, you can get 4% or 5% Lidocaine over the counter yourself. And if you think you might be super sensitive, you can get up to 20% Lidocaine prescribed by a doctor to numb things out even more. 4. Some body parts are more sensitive than others.

Caffeine, Energy Drinks, and Alcohol

We recommend you skip the morning coffee or energy drinks on the day of your tattoo session or avoid drinking alcohol the night before your appointment. These drinks act as a stimulant that can make you nervous and uncomfortable.

Keep your soon-to-be-tattooed area clean before your appointment. Dead skin cells, sweat, and dirt build up on your skin throughout the day. If you haven't showered, you could increase the chance of these particles getting into the tattooed area, causing an infection.

Acetaminophen may potentially be fine to take, but should be discussed with the artist beforehand. It's best to avoid these as well the prior day and the day of the appointment.