I’ll change your life
FaceTat Mike
Preparation
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Preparation ⬇️
BEFORE TATTOO
Get plenty of rest. Tattoo sessions are very exhausting.
Shower before appointment. Showing up dirty to your appointment just increases your chance of infection.
Eat before session. Getting tattooed on an empty stomach may cause your blood sugar levels to drop to an unhealthy level.
Hydrate before and during session. Drinking water and/or an electrolyte drink before your session will help your skin be moisturized. Which will allow for easier tattooing and healing.
Meditate. This step isn’t required but I do recommend getting yourself into a clear head space with a positive attitude in order to be mentally prepared for your session.
DURING TATTOO
Dress comfortably and appropriately. Be conscious of where your tattoo is and what kind of clothing will make that body part easily accessible. The shop could be cold or warm depending on weather conditions. Prepare accordingly with jackets or blankets.
Bring slides or flip flops if your tattoo is near your foot or ankle. This will prevent having to walk around the shop barefoot during breaks.
Bring your own pillow for laying on sitting on during sessions. Tattoo chairs can become uncomfortable after multiple hours.
Bring your own form of entertainment. The shop does have tvs and music on at all times. But if you want your own vibe. Feel free to bring it.
Do not touch your tattoo or let anyone else touch your tattoo while it is getting done or in the healing process.
Do not touch the tattoo equipment or work space.
Talking is fine during the tattoo. Please do not talk with your hands, nod your heads, or any excessive movement through the process. This can cause the area that is being tattooed to move as well.
DO NOTS
No tanning, spray tanning, chemical peels, sunburns, scrapes, or cuts in the area to be tattooed within a month prior to your session. I cannot tattoo over damaged skin. It will have a negative affect on your healing process.
No extreme weight lifting in or around the area to be tattooed for at least 2 days prior to your session. This will help with any unnecessary swelling and soreness.
Do not bring a large group of people to your tattoo session. It gets pretty boring for anyone watching anyway. One person is okay as they are not interfering with the tattoo/design process.
Do not bring children. Minors are not allowed in the tattoo area for safety reasons. Any children in the waiting area must be accompanied by an adult.
Do not make plans for immediately after your appointment. Sometimes appointments can run longer than expected.
Do not use any numbing products on the area to be tattooed prior to your session. It can affect your skin and your tattoo.
Do not come in under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
AFTERCARE
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AFTERCARE 🫧
I do aftercare a little bit different. It’s what works for me after many years and different methods.
DERM SHIELD
I will place a Derm Shield bandage over your tattoo. The first bandage I apply will stay on for 12-24 hours. In that time your tattoo will leak blood, plasma, and excess ink that did not stay in the skin. The bandage will hold all of this fluid in it for the first 12-24 hours. This fluid is good for your tattoo and promotes the healing process in the first 24 hours. After 24 hours the fluid will start to die and become useless. After the first 12-24 hours I will have you return to the studio for a bandage change. The second bandage I apply will stay on your healing tattoo for 7 days. After 7 days you may remove the bandage in the shower. At this point the first stage of your healing process is done. You may start to use your regular body lotion at this time.
*Note: You may shower with bandage on. It is water proof.
**DO NOT: Do not participate in exercise or any event that will cause you to sweat if you can avoid it. Your sweat can become trapped in your wrap and can affect your tattoo healing process negatively.
TRADITIONAL HEALING
Remove wrap after 1-2 hours after tattoo session. Wash tattoo with warm to hot water and antibacterial soap. Once tattoo is washed and completely dried you may apply aquaphor or similar ointment for moisturizing. Apply the ointment over the entire tattoo. Then wipe all of the ointment off. The ointment will soak into the tattoo. You do not want the ointment to sit on top of your tattoo. Repeat this process for the next week. After a week your skin will start to crack and peel like a sunburn. At this point you can switch over to using non scented body lotion.