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.
- Eat a solid meal before the session. Do not arrive hungry: this increases the risk of weakness and feeling unwell.
- 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 the artist. 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, contact the artist immediately. It is always better to clarify with the artist 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 the tattoo, a warm shower is acceptable and may help lymph flow and swelling.
- Wash until all lymph is gone. Check by touch and by shine under light. The main goal is to prevent a thick scab, otherwise the tattoo can heal dull. Do not use a washcloth, only your hands.
- For the first two days, clean it at least 4-5 times a day. After each cleaning, apply ointment and cover the tattoo with an absorbent pad. This helps protect the fresh tattoo from dirt and infection.
- On the third day, check the pad and the skin. If there is no blood on the pad in the morning and the skin surface has closed, stop wearing the pad. Keep the tattoo clean, wash carefully, do not steam it and keep using ointment until fully healed.
- No tanning or solarium. Avoid both until the tattoo is fully healed.
- Avoid physical load and stretching. Especially in 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. This helps the body go through healing more smoothly.
- Peeling is the last stage of healing. Moisturize the skin until fully healed, but do not overdo it. Avoid both dryness and excessive ointment or cream.
- Full healing takes from one week to one month. Timing depends on your body and how carefully 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 the artist 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 the artist. If any of this applies to you, do not hide it during the session. The artist needs to know such things in advance.
- Menstruation.
- Vasodilating or blood-thinning medication, as well as caffeine.
- Skin damage in the tattoo placement area.
Artist contacts
If you have any questions about preparation or healing, you can and should message the artist at any time.
Message the artist if anything looks unusual or if you have questions about the pad, ointment, dryness, peeling or healing timing. Asking early is much smarter than letting a tiny problem develop a dramatic personality.