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Preparing For A Tattoo
Tattoo After care
Statement
Preparing for a Tattoo
Here are something one needs to do to before getting their tattoo, whether it is your first or 100th, these are some guidelines that everyone might not know.
1. Clothing: Be sure to wear the right clothes that will allow the artist to get to the area they need to tattoo easy without too much uncomfortableness for you. If you’re not sure what to wear, feel free to ask your artist and they will happily help you.
2. Food: This is a big one. Getting tattooed on an empty stomach can be dangerous but not eating the right food beforehand can also cause issues. Its best to eat something packed with protein and some sugar. If you are having a large tattoo done, it is recommended that you bring a beverage and snack along to keep your sugar levels up.
3. Support: Everyone gets scared and needing support is completely understandable, but try to understand that tattooing takes a lot of concentration and the artist needs you to sit still. Having a friend for support is fine but at Cast Iron Tattoo no more than one person is allowed back with the person getting tattooed at a time.
4. Music: Many people like to bring their headphones and just zone out to music while being tattooed, so if you want, bring them.
5. Tattoo Design: Ferreting out a tattoo design can be lighting fast or turtle slow, it all comes down to on our willingness to work with each other, communicate, and patience.
Last but not least, please feel free to ask us any and all questions that you may have about the tattoo process and we hope we will be hearing from you soon.
Tattoo After care Instructions
• Always wash your hands before touching your tattoo!
• When you get home: Leave bandage on overnight and remove in the morning. Do not re-bandage. Your tattoo needs to breathe, just like any open wound.
• Wash your tattoo with an anti-bacterial liquid soap. While rinsing, allowing the water to hit above the tattooed area and flow over the tattoo washing away the soap. Be gentle, do not use a washcloth or anything that will exfoliate your tattoo. Only use your hands.
• Gently pat your tattoo dry with a paper towel. Do not rub, or use a fabric with a rough surface.
• The first 3-4 days: Rub a small amount of ointment on your tattoo. You may use Aquaphor, Bacitracin, A&D, Flavour Butter, Tattoo Goo, or an unscented lotion (with no alcohol in the lotion) – whatever you know you’re not allergic to. Always use clean hands and do not place your fingers back into the ointment after touching your tattoo. Make sure to rub the ointment in so that it is not shiny, or greasy– you want the thinnest amount possible. Pat off any excess ointment with a clean paper towel. Do not use Vaseline, petroleum, Neosporin, or Bag Balm. Wash, dry and apply ointment 3-5 times daily, as needed.
• On the first night, if you took off your bandage early, you may want to rewrap your tattoo in saran wrap to prevent sticking to your bedding. Do not use any cloth bandages or pads, as the fibers of this material can adhere to your open tattoo and hinder the healing process.
• Wear clean, soft clothing over your tattoo for the first 2 weeks– nothing abrasive or irritating. For a foot tattoo: go barefoot as much as possible. If you must wear shoes, first wrap your clean tattoo in saran wrap, then cover with a clean cotton sock before putting on your shoe. Avoid slippers, sandals or flip-flops for this period to prevent chafing and damage to the tattoo.
• After day 3 or 4: On the 3rd or 4th day your tattoo will begin to peel. This is normal! Do not pick at the skin. Begin using a mild, white, unscented lotion, free of dyes or perfumes.
• Use lotion for minimum 2 weeks, 1-2 times daily.
Things to Avoid
• Do not pick, scratch, peel, slap, rub or irritate your tattoo.
• You can shower, but you may not soak your tattoo for 2 weeks. No swimming, soaking or hot tubs.
• You may not expose your tattoo to the sun for at least 3 weeks, after that you must use sunblock. 50spf is recommended to keep ink at its best longer.
• Do not wear abrasive materials, jewelry, or shoes that rub against your tattoo. Over time these will wear away the ink.
• Do not let anyone touch your tattoo, unless they wash their hands.
• Beware of gym equipment that rubs against a fresh tattoo; wash it well before using it.
You Can Also
• Ice your tattoo to reduce swelling.
• Elevate your tattoo, to reduce swelling.
• Take short showers.
Cast Iron Tattoo is a dream of mine that I have had since I was 12 years old. I have been an artist my entire life and many people in my family say that it’s a gift passed down from generation to generation. It’s my greatest value in life and through tattooing I can share it with others. Tattoos are something that I have been fascinated by since I was little. I remember my uncle dating a woman that had her whole back covered with a beautiful Japanese dragon in full color, and while I had seen other tattoos, my uncle had a tiny little unicorn on his arm, this one was magical to me. This began my fascination that grew into an obsession.
What I wanted with my own shop was a place that is inviting and feels like home. There’s lots of art on the walls to look at with comfortable seating where you can enjoy a sweet that is available daily because no one should get a tattoo on an empty stomach. The tattooing areas are clean and the environment feels safe, while the employees are friendly and welcoming.
Some flash art is available to pick off the wall but I want to give people a truly unique custom design that is as unique as they are. I’ve been tattooing for 6 years and enjoy doing all designs but specialize in color. Call or email to make your appointment today.
