Preparation
Before your appointment:
No alcohol in your system 2 days before your appointment. Alcohol thins out your blood and prevents it from properly clotting, which is beneficial for healing.
Sleep at a reasonable time before your appointment.
Prepare unscented soap and unscented lotion that you know you aren’t allergic to.
Have a clean dark towel at home if needed to protect your bedsheets during the healing process.
Take a shower night before or day of.
Shave the area that is to be tattooed. Do not wax the area 1 week prior to the appointment.
Day of your appointment:
Pack a lot of snacks that will keep your energy up.
Bring water and any non-alcoholic beverages for your thirst.
Bring your phone/ipad/entertainment device with charger in case you want to zone out on your own.
Have a podcast in mind in case you wish to listen to it while we tat. I will have a speaker set up for it.
Arrival Time:
No earlier than 10 minutes before your appointment.
If you’re running late, DM me on Instagram @leetropolis or email: missleetats@gmail.com
Hypafix bandage
(VACUUM SEAL STICKER)
Step 1
Keep it on for 8-24 hrs, depending on how much your skin is weeping. If you think/feel it is best to remove before this timeframe, then feel free to do so, then go to Step 2.
*Remove immediately if you notice redness around the edges of the bandage; you may have a sensitivity to the adhesive.
Step 2
In the shower or over a sink, carefully remove the bandage by SLOWLY peeling from the top edge of the bandage downward; DO NOT WAX IT OFF; this will cause further trauma to the skin.
*You may use coconut oil or olive oil underneath the bandage if you find it is extremely difficult to remove.
Once bandage is removed, gently wash in cool to lukewarm water with unscented soap.
Pat dry with paper towel.
Once your tattoo begins to feel dry and tight, apply a thin layer of coconut oil or unscented lotion.
Wear loose fitted clothing; the more air your tattoo can get, the better.
Step 3
Begin the morning and night washing routine as described on Day 2.
You may begin to feel a dry tightness and scabbing on your tattoo, this is your body’s natural way of healing. Apply a very thin layer of lotion into your tattoo; always with clean hands.
Repeat Step 1 and 2 as often as needed; suggesting a morning/night routine of cleaning.
*You may apply lotion as often as needed; always with clean hands. Do not excessively lotion as this may cause an outbreak of pimples on the tattoo. Wait for your skin to feel dry before applying.
* Scabbing and peeling are a normal process, please do not pick, rub or slap your tattoo. It may cause an infection.
Gauze Bandage
(FOAM/CUSHION SHEET)
Step 1
In the shower or over a sink, carefully remove the bandage by SLOWLY peeling from the top edge of the bandage downward; DO NOT WAX IT OFF; this will cause further trauma to the skin.
Once bandage is removed, gently wash in cool to lukewarm water with unscented soap.
Pat dry with paper towel.
Once your tattoo begins to feel dry and tight, apply a thin layer of unscented lotion.
Wear loose fitted clothing; the more air your tattoo can get, the better.
* I suggest laying down a dark clean towel for the first few nights in case of excess ink.
Step 2
Begin the morning and night washing routine as described on Day 1.
You may begin to feel a dry tightness and scabbing on your tattoo, this is your body’s natural way of healing. Apply a very thin layer of lotion into your tattoo; always with clean hands.
*You may apply lotion as often as needed; always with clean hands. Do not excessively lotion as this may cause an outbreak of pimples on the tattoo. Wait for your skin to feel dry before applying.
Step 3
Continue with the washing and lotion routine from here on out.
* Scabbing and peeling are a normal process, please do not pick, rub or slap your tattoo. It may cause an infection.
HEALING PROCESS
Drink lots of water, get good sleep and take a bit of vitamin-c.
You may begin to feel extreme itchiness. Totally normal.
Scabbing, flaking and peeling are a normal process. Do not scratch, slap or rub the tattooed area. Doing so can cause an infection.
NO-NOs
Do not excessively touch your tattoo beyond the cleaning routine. This can cause an infection.
Do not let others touch your new tattoo; friends, family, lovers, partners, strangers, animals, aliens. This can cause an infection.
Do not partake in the following: swimming, gyms, saunas, tanning, long baths, etc. This can cause an infection.
Do not use polysporin or spf on a fresh tattoo.
YES-DO IT
ONCE FULLY HEALED, please practice sun safety. Wear long sleeve shirts if going out into the sun for long periods of time and/or wear SPF 60+.
Reapply SPF as instructed by the lotion brand of your choosing.
INFECTIONS
Please keep in mind that once you leave my studio space, I cannot guarantee an infection free environment. Infections do happen and typically are not a big deal.
You will experience some redness/inflammation and will be sore to the touch for many days. Do not panic.
Wash the area with unscented soap and pat dry. Do not apply lotion.
Send me a DM on Instagram @leetropolis and email: missleetats@gmail.com with a clear photo of the area. I will be here to monitor the area with you.
Remain calm.
Surface infections typically will go away on their own with routine cleaning, however, if at any point you think/feel the need to be seen by a doctor, please do so immediately and keep me updated.