Signature service
Preparation & Aftercare
Preparation and aftercare support to help clients feel confident before and after their appointment. Sandra shares simple guidance for how to prepare, what to avoid, and how to care for brows or tattoos while they heal.
Start here before your appointment
Preparations
Use these notes before your tattoo appointment so your skin is ready, your session is smoother, and you feel more comfortable when you arrive.
Preparing for a tattoo
Before Your Appointment
Stay hydratedHydrated skin takes ink a lot better than dehydrated skin. Drink plenty of water a few days leading up to your appointment.
Shave, if neededIf the area being tattooed has hair, you may shave before your appointment, but avoid irritating or wounding the skin. You may also ask your tattoo artist to shave the area for you.
Shower before your sessionClean skin matters because tattooing creates open skin. Avoid strong perfume as well so everyone can stay comfortable during the appointment.
Moisturize your skinDo not moisturize on the day of your tattoo, but keep your skin moisturized in the days leading up to your appointment. Hydrated, moisturized skin takes ink better and is easier to work with.
Dress for your sessionDress comfortably and dress for the tattoo placement. Avoid restrictive clothing over areas where you plan to get tattooed.
The do not list
What to Avoid
- Do not consume alcohol, coffee, aspirin, or blood-thinning medications 24 hours before your session. These can thin your blood and may cause complications.
- Do not touch your tattoo during your appointment. This may introduce bacteria into open skin.
Other things
What to Bring & Know
Bring your I.D.Documentation is required for the appointment.
Bring comfort itemsYou may bring a small blanket or sweater, and headphones if you need a distraction from the pain.
Support personYou may bring one other person for moral support. Kids are not preferred in the salon because tattoo spaces are delicate environments. If children must come, they need a guardian present.
Eat before your sessionEat a meal before your appointment to help avoid dizziness and a growling stomach.
Reschedule if sickIf you are not feeling well, please reschedule.
Ask questionsQuestions are welcome — Sandra loves connecting with clients.
Optional
Day of Appointment
BrowsYou may fill in your brows the way you usually would. Sandra may use this as a reference for the shape and color.
ComfortBring a small blanket or sweater for comfort. You may be laying down for most of your appointment.
PhotosSandra may ask to take before/after photos. You may apply makeup and hairstyling if that is your preference.
These are optional and you are welcome to skip any of these steps.
Read this after your appointment
Aftercare
Follow these tattoo aftercare instructions to help your tattoo heal cleanly. It takes about 3 to 4 weeks until your tattoo is fully healed, so continue to keep it clean.
Tattoo aftercare
First 24 Hours
Keep the bandage onOnce your tattoo session is done, Sandra will apply a bandage. Keep it on for up to 12 hours only.
Remove and wash gentlyAfter 12 hours, remove your bandage. Seeing plasma and blood is normal. With clean hands, gently wash your tattoo with gentle antibacterial soap — do not rub. Pat dry.
Apply a small amount of A&DGently apply a small amount of A&D ointment. Do not over-saturate.
Only re-bandage if neededApply a new Saniderm bandage only as needed. Follow the bandage-changing instructions below.
Tattoo aftercare
Days 2–7
Wash 1–2 times dailyWash the area with antiseptic soap 1–2 times a day.
Use a thin layer of ointmentApply a thin layer of A&D ointment. Avoid over-applying because your skin needs to breathe.
Avoid certain productsDo not use Vaseline, aloe, or Neosporin.
Do not pick or scratchYour tattoo may begin to itch, peel, or scab. This is normal. Do not pick or scratch. If needed, apply a thin layer of A&D.
Saniderm
Changing Your Own Bandage
Step 1Remove the old bandage by slowly peeling it off from a corner.
Step 2Using clean hands, gently wash the tattoo with antiseptic soap. Wash with room-temperature water and pat dry. Apply A&D only as needed.
Step 3Use a new Saniderm bandage and peel off the white paper side.
Step 4Smooth the bandage on and gently push out any air bubbles.
Step 5Remove the clear backing by pulling from the blue or white strip.
Other things to know
Healing Reminders
- If there is swelling, apply cold compression. Tylenol is okay.
- Keep your tattoo away from animals.
- Avoid heat and steam.
- Avoid sun exposure and tanning for 4 weeks.
- Do not submerge your tattoo in water for 2–3 weeks.
- Seek medical care immediately if you develop severe pain, intense swelling, severe redness or warmth at the tattoo site, systemic symptoms like fevers and chills, nausea and vomiting, or foul-smelling drainage from the tattoo. Also notify your tattoo artist should this occur.
Stay in touch if you have questions during healing: [email protected] · Instagram · TikTok · Facebook