How to Prepare.

Treatment restrictions before your appointment

Avoid sun exposure for 2-3 weeks before and 3-4 weeks after your procedure. Protect the area with clothing and use SPF 50+ sunscreen once healed.

Tips before your tattoo experience

These tips help you get the most out of your tattoo experience and protect the quality of the tattoo you will have for the rest of your life.

• A month before your tattoo session, start moisturising the skin area where you will get the tattoo. Tattoos turn out a lot worse on dry skin. Moisturise 1-2 times every day with a good quality body lotion, Oilatum, Bepanthen or similar emollients if your skin is very dry.
• Prepare your skin for the session. Avoid sunburnt skin and take adequate precautions on holiday, including avoiding direct sun on the tattoo area and using factor 50 sun protection.
• Do not use body scrub or shave the area right before the session.
• A week before the session, be more attentive to your body. Eat healthy, get good sleep and try to avoid catching a cold, getting sick or having inflammatory problems.
• Have a good night's sleep before the tattoo session. In the morning, eat a nutritious breakfast, avoid caffeinated drinks and energy drinks, and stay hydrated.
• Wear practical, comfortable dark clothing. For a leg tattoo, wear shorts. For an arm tattoo, wear a tank top. Please be ready for clothing to potentially get dirty during the process.
• Take lunch or snacks with you. Pain can feel stronger when you are hungry.
• During breaks, drink sugary drinks, not energy drinks, or have sweet snacks to help increase blood sugar levels and prevent feeling faint or dizzy.
• Please note that only cash is accepted on the day of the session.
• Do not plan anything for the evening after the session. Plan your route home in case we finish late and you need alternative transport, so the artist does not have to rush the work.
• Do not go on a pre-tattoo bender. Alcohol can increase bleeding for up to 24 hours. Blood can dilute pigments and affect both the appearance of your tattoo and the healing process.
• Please read the aftercare instructions available via our website before attending the session.
• Numbing creams are not allowed. They can affect the quality of the tattoo, may not last long, can become more painful once the effect is gone, may cause allergic reactions, and can make the skin red, swollen or difficult to tattoo.
• During and before your session, avoid energy drinks, coffee or anything else that could make your heart beat faster. A faster heartbeat can mean more bleeding, which can affect tattoo quality.
• Drink plenty of water. Hydrated skin takes ink better than dry skin and helps keep your energy up, so bring a bottle or two to sip during your session.
• Avoid excess dairy and salt, as they may cause bloating and change the look and feel of your skin.
• Eat protein-rich foods before and after your tattoo. Protein helps your body develop and repair muscle and skin tissue, supports energy levels and helps your skin recover.
• Please take our recommendations seriously and read this text again before your tattoo session. Doing so shows respect towards the artist and the work.

Best snacks to bring

• Sugar-free and low-fat fruit bars
• Protein bars, especially those with chocolate and nuts
• A bag of green chips, such as spinach or kale
• Roasted almonds and pecans
• Vitamin C fruit drops
• Lemon or lime water
• Natural fruit juice