Tattoo Tips

Tips for before the tattoo:

1. Be certain: Go over your design and make sure you are positive that the tattoo you described to your artist Is what you want. Once you get to the studio there will be some wiggle room with the detail and the size. But once it’s tattooed on you it’s there for life.
   

2. Get plenty of sleep the night before: This might be hard if you are nervous or excited about your new ink but being well-rested can make the tattoo go smoother. Also, no one wants to be making sleepy decisions about a tattoo.
   

3. Big meal and hydrate: Eating a big meal and drinking plenty of water will settle your stomach. Even just a banana is better than nothing, you don’t want to be passing out due to lack of food. Getting a tattoo isn’t the best thing for your body so it needs fuel.
   

4. Avoid alcohol and drugs: It’s best if you always keep away from drugs but I'm not here to judge. It’s not fun being rough for the day of a tattoo, you're about to be poked with a needle. Also, drinking can cause more bleeding when getting a tattoo.
   

5. No tanning: Don’t whip out the Bondi stands tan before getting a tan your tattoo artist will just scrub it off. Having orange skin can affect how your tattoo results and make it look muddy and if you have old tan on scrub, it off before.
   

6. Comfortable clothing: It’s never fun wearing your tightest jeans or a top you feel suffocated in, so don't wear them to the tattoo studio. Wear something you feel comfortable in you might be sitting for a long time.

Tips for after the tattoo:

Aftercare advice varies depending on the studio sometimes even artists within a studio have different opinions. But this is what has worked best for me.

1. Second skin: The second skin can usually be taken off within the first 1-5 hours after getting the tattoo. If you are struggling, warm water and unscented soap should get the job done, I usually use doves plain bar soap. After washing your tattoo with only unscented soap, tap it dry do not rub the area.
   

2. Moisturising: To moisturise apply a thin layer of an unscented cream, cream with scent could irritate the tattoo. I have always used the Bepanthen nappy rash cream, it’s a tattoo artist’s favourite, however, any unscented cream should work. Keep moisturising it after cleaning it for 14 days up to 2-4 times a day.
   

3. Keep the tattoo dry: You don’t have to skip showers after a tattoo but, do not submerge it in water in a bath or a pool for at least a month.
   

4. Avoid itching: Inching a healing tattoo no matter how tempting, can ruin your tattoo, as it might take ink away from that area. It will be worth it.  Also, wear clothes that are not going to rub against it too much as it could scrape off the scab.
   

5. Sun: The sun can fade a tattoo, even in Edinburgh the sun could still damage your tattoo. If you are going on a sunny holiday keep it away from direct sunlight and wear high SPF sunscreen. Sunbeds are also a no-go for a fresh tattoo.