Tattoo preparation and aftercare
A concise guide for the session and healing period: preparation, tattoo aftercare and contraindications.
Tattoo preparation
Before the session, your general condition should be stable. This helps the body handle pain during the session and supports proper skin healing afterwards.
- Sleep well. Full sleep helps your body go through the session more steadily.
- It is important to eat a solid meal before the session. This helps your body go through the session more steadily and reduces the risk of weakness.
- Avoid alcohol the day before the session. Alcohol can affect your overall condition and the tattooing process.
- Do not use creams, scrubs or peels right before the session. The skin should be calm, clean and not irritated.
- Do not take painkillers without consulting me first. Some medication can affect blood and your general condition.
- Wear comfortable loose clothing. Choose something you do not mind getting stained with ink, and make sure the tattoo area is easy to access.
Tattoo aftercare
All aftercare steps must be followed fully, exactly and consistently, without improvising. 50% of tattoo quality depends on healing: it is not enough to make the tattoo well, it also has to heal properly so it stays bright, clean and accurate.
If you have questions, doubts or unusual sensations, message me immediately. It is always better to clarify before doing anything on your own.
- Wash the tattoo only with warm water and soap. Do not steam the skin, take long showers, baths or use a sauna. On the first day after getting the tattoo, you may take a warm shower carefully: it can help lymph drain faster and reduce swelling.
- Wash the tattoo until it is completely clean. Remove all lymph from the tattoo: you can check this by touch and by the shine under light. Your main goal is to prevent a scab, otherwise the tattoo may heal less bright and more dull. Do not use a washcloth, only your hands.
- For the first two days, clean the tattoo at least 4-5 times a day. After each cleaning, apply ointment and wrap the tattoo with an absorbent pad. This protects the fresh open wound from dirt and infection and helps it heal faster.
- On the third morning, check the pad and the tattoo. If there are no blood marks on the pad and the skin surface has closed, do not wear the pad over the next days. Keep the tattoo clean, wash carefully, do not steam it and keep moisturizing with ointment until it is fully healed.
- No tanning or solarium. Avoid sun exposure and solarium until full healing.
- Avoid physical activity and stretching. Especially around the tattooed area for at least the first week.
- Try not to sweat. Keep the tattoo clean, moisturized with ointment and do not let it dry out.
- Avoid alcohol for at least the first 5 days of healing. This helps the body recover more calmly.
- Skin peeling is the last stage of healing. Moisturize the skin with cream until it is fully healed. Do not overdo it: keep a balanced amount of moisture.
- Full healing takes from one week to one month. Timing depends on your physiology and on how correctly you follow the care routine.
Contraindications
Before getting a tattoo, it is important to understand whether your body is ready. Not every contraindication fully forbids tattooing: each case is individual. However, any condition listed below should be discussed with me in advance. In unclear cases, consult a doctor as well.
Serious contraindications
- Blood disorders and clotting problems.
- Diabetes.
- Cardiovascular diseases.
- Skin diseases: psoriasis, eczema, dermatitis.
- Oncological diseases.
- Infectious diseases: HIV, hepatitis.
- Use of anticoagulants or immunosuppressants.
- Epilepsy.
- Autoimmune diseases.
- Pregnancy or lactation.
Relative contraindications
Not critical, but still discussed with me. If any of this applies to you, do not hide it during the session. I need to know such things in advance.
- Menstruation.
- Vasodilating or blood-thinning medication, as well as caffeine.
- Skin damage in the tattoo placement area.
Contacts
If you have any questions about preparation or healing, you can and should message me at any time.
Message me if anything looks unusual or if you have questions about the pad, ointment, dryness, peeling or healing timing. It is better to clarify early and follow a clear plan.