Before and After your Tattoo

How to prepare your skin

- Eat a healthy diet & take your vitamins. Not only will this help you to heal well, it will mean your skin is in the best condition to work on.

- Drink plenty of water. Hydrated skin is the best canvas for your tattoo.

- Moisturize your skin daily, this will keep it soft and supple. 

- Stay out of the sun. If you are burned I can't work on you.

No fake tan - I will end up wiping you that many times that you will end up with a white patch anyway.

- Hair removal - I always tend to shave you even if you have done it yourself, unless you have done an immaculate job. If you do have lots of hair in the area then trimming before the day would be helpful.

- Have a good wash before you arrive. 

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How to prepare yourself

- No drugs or alcohol before your appointment please

- Bring a drink and some food. We will have as many breaks as you need. I find it helpful to bring something I can graze on. 

- You are welcome to bring something you can watch/listen to. I am usually concentrating and welcome space to focus on my work, I will not be offended.

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Location

I am based at Molly Greens in Haverfordwest

I am a freelance artist.

I accept cash or bank transfer as methods of payment.

We have a shared toilet at the studio

I am one of 3 artists and 2 piercers, we are all generally buzzing around the place during your appointment

We don't currently have a private room for intimate tattoos, so you have to be comfortable with others being around unless special arrangements are made. 

We make tea and coffee for you throughout the day 

We listen to lots of music that you may find offensive :D

If you have additional needs then please reach out. I can do my best to adapt to help you enjoy your experience. This can include quiet time, booking out of hours etc if you suffer from anxiety, get overstimulated etc.

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Aftercare

 I will dress your tattoo with dermalize when it is finished. From our experience, wearing this for a few hours and then changing it gives a great heal. ​

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I will give you a fresh sheet of dermalize to take with you. I will give you instructions on how to change it, follow them. Reach out and ask questions if you are unsure. 

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Keep your second dressing on for up to 5 days. If it looks like it has detached enough to let water in, remove it. Otherwise keep it on for as long as possible.

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You may be sticky when you remove it. I have found that baby oil removes this stickiness well, but please be careful with your artwork- don't scrub it.

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Once removed, keep your tattoo clean. If you have pets, keep it away from them. Wash regularly with unperfumed soap. If you work in dust/ chemicals/ fumes, be wary of exposure, you may be better taking annual leave if keeping away is unavoidable 

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Keep your tattoo well moisturized with very thin layers of a tattoo balm or high quality moisturiser that is unperfumed and natural. 

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Your tattoo will go through many stages of healing. Dermalize will limit scabbing/flaking but if you so get any do not pick. It will appear dry for several weeks, keep moisturising. 

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Keep in mind that your epidermis is constantly regenerating itself. Your tattoo sits in the dermis layer, underneath the epidermis. When healed, your tattoo will appear as though it isn't as bright/ slightly misty. That's because your epidermis has completely shed and grown back over the tattoo, removing any traces of ink that may have initially sat in the epidermis layer when initially applied. This is how it is supposed to appear. 

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If you keep your skin in great condition, your tattoos will look great too! Eat healthily, drink plenty of water, use factor 50 - ALWAYS. You are risking a poor heal/ less longevity if you don't.

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Avoid:

Swimming pools, saunas, sea swimming for several weeks

Unprotected sun exposure

Sun beds

Fake tan for 3 weeks - then use barrier cream over the tattoo

Waxing/ IPL/ massage/ microdermabrasion - ask your therapist advice

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