PREPARE

What you can & should you do in preparation for a tattoo session:

1.  Get hydrated. Drink at least one (1) to two (2) liters of water a day. When you're hydrated, your skin is hydrated and will be able to maintain a better heal and withstand more intense sessions.

2.  Lotion the area to be tattooed every day, or twice daily. Again, the healthier your skin, the better the results.

3.  Shave & Exfoliate the area 1-3 times weekly. If you're super hairy, this will really, really make a big difference. It’s hard for lotion to get in there well if you’re Chewbacca. If you experience razor burn, stop shaving a week prior to your appointment. Exfoliation should be gentle with a loofah or basic body scrub.

4.  Get a good night sleep the night before. Please don’t party too hard. Getting tattooed hung-over is not fun for you or me.

5.  Please EAT BEFORE your session. I can’t tell you how many people I’ve seen pass out just because they were too nervous to eat before. This is a massive workout for your body and IT NEEDS FUEL for a big session. When you are hungry, pain management is much more difficult.

6.  Bring drinks, snacks and lunch. You probably won’t have enough time during our short breaks to leave, get food, come back and eat it, so bring it with you! I have a microwave and a fridge at the studio for your convenience. It's also a good idea to bring small snacks that you can eat one handed without making a mess in case you need a distraction during your session. And as a side note, I try to take breaks every 2-3 hours depending on the length of the session.

7.  If you happen to break a bone or sustain any other major injuries prior to your appointment, please contact me ASAP.

What you SHOULD NOT DO before a tattoo session:

1.  No tanning, fake tanning, chemical peels, sunburns, major cuts or scrapes, in the area to be tattooed within a month prior to your session. I can’t work on freshly damaged skin...it won’t heal properly.

2.  No weight lifting in or near the area to be tattooed at least 2 days prior to your session to prevent unnecessary swelling & soreness.

On The Day

1.  Please do not bring the entire family or crew unless they are also getting tattooed. Trust me, they get bored or they get in my or other artists’ ways. One person is okay but please be aware that they must wait in the designated waiting areas and must be invited to view ongoing tattoos by myself or other artists.

2.  For safety reasons, please do not bring small children or babies during your session. Remember, your session is all about you and your tattoo!

3.  Dress comfortably and appropriately. Be prepared for it to be cold & warm. Also bring socks or flip flops to prevent walking around the studio barefoot during breaks if you will be taking your shoes off during your session. (Which you are more than welcome too, get comfy!)

4.  You are also invited to bring your own pillow for laying or sitting on during your session.

5.  Feel free to bring your own headphones or ear buds if you’d like to listen to or watch something on your phone or laptop. I do have a TV with Netflix, Amazon Prime, and Pandora.

6.  Please do not schedule something immediately after your tattoo...in case we are running long.

7.  Please do not use any numbing products on the area to be tattooed unless previously discussed & agreed upon and please do not come in under the influence of any drugs or alcohol. For pain, Advil and Tylenol are acceptable during your session.  Benadryl may also be taken 30 minutes prior to the beginning of sessions to minimize swelling.

8.  Please do not wear any perfume or colon  on the day.  I am unfortunately allergic to most of these.  If I am tattooing an area near your underarm, please do not wear deodorant.  I promise I'd rather smell BO all day than not be able to tattoo you because of the migraines and glandular swelling that it results in.  If you have long hair, please do not wash it on the day as I may also be allergic to the perfume in the shampoo, etc.  Thank you in advance for any inconvenience.

While You Are Getting Tattooed

1.  Please be aware of cross contamination. Do not touch your fresh tattoo during your session. Do not let anyone else touch your tattoo either!

2.  Do not touch any of the tattoo equipment or work space.

3.  Talking is fine during you session, but please do not talk with your hands, nod your head, or excessively move other body parts as this can cause the area being tattooed to move as well.

4.  Be mindful and do not touch any other possibly contaminated areas.