Preparing your skin and body to be tattooed is just as important as healing it. Fine line tattoos require the proper canvas in order to heal well and hold longevity.

Prior to your appointment:

Be sure to sleep well, eat a big meal, wash and moisturize, avoid blood-thinning medication, and pack whatever you need to help you have a great session!

Exfoliating and shaving is appreciated but optional.

At my shop, I have some snacks and drinks but you can also feel free to bring whatever you like.

After your appointment:

Once we’re done taking pictures of your new piece of art, I will either wrap your tattoo with plastic film or apply a “second skin” bandage. These methods have different care instructions so read carefully. At the bottom, I will list thing to avoid.

WITH Second Skin:

It is advised to leave the bandage on for 3 to 4 days. The first stages of healing will happen at this time. You will notice over the next few days, the bandage will fill up with blood, ink and plasma. This is completely normal. If the fluids start spilling out the sides or the bandage comes off prematurely, you can just take it off. Do not reapply another bandage. You can shower with it on, it is waterproof but do not let hot water touch it in the shower. It will sting.

Once you’re ready to take it off, pick a corner and pull AWAY from it, the bandage should start lifting. Do this under lukewarm running water if you want it to hurt slightly less. After it’s completely off, use UNSCENTED antibacterial soap. Scented soap will irritate your tattoo and can cause inflammation and itchiness. Lather the soap in light, circular motions to remove all the dry ink and rinse it with warm to cold water. Pat dry. Use unscented moisturizer afterwards. You don’t need “tattoo balm” that’s a marketing scheme. For soap, I like Dial gold or literal baby soap that says “fragrance free, antibacterial, moisturizing”. For lotion, I like Lubriderm.

Wash it twice per day, in the morning and in the evening (and of course if you absolutely need to for whatever reason). Do NOT over moisturize unless you want really tiny and itchy bumps ruining your tattoo. Moisturize only after washing, don’t rub germ-y lotion into your healing wound.

Keep at that and your tattoo should be healed within 3 to 4 weeks.

The nature of fine line tattooing could be unpredicable for certain skin types, placements, or healing care. If you notice while healing that some lines have faded or healed unevenly, please contact me within 30-60 days for a free touch-up.

WITHOUT Second skin

If you didn’t get second skin, you will remove your wrapping 2 to 4 hours after your appointment and immediately wash it with antibacterial, unscented soap. Your tattoo is a lot more likely to scab and itch without second skin so you’re going to want to try to keep it moisturized a bit more throughout the day. Wash and moisturize 3x per day for 4 days and then 2x per day until it’s the tattoo feels flat on your arm.

AVOID:

-Submerging in water with or without second skin

-Swimming, hot tubs and jacuzzis

-Direct sunlight

-Shaving during healing

-Sweating with bandage on

-Hot water / hot showers

-Itching or picking at the scabs

-Friction on the area

If you have any questions, reach out to me.