Tattoo Aftercare
Looking after your tattoo properly is an important part of the healing process and helps your tattoo heal cleanly, settle well, and stay looking its best long-term. Healing can vary slightly from person to person, but these guidelines will help give your tattoo the best chance at healing smoothly.
First 24 Hours
Leave the wrap on for at least 3 hours
Keep your tattoo covered for the amount of time recommended during your appointment. This helps protect the fresh tattoo from bacteria and irritation while the skin is still very open and sensitive.
Some redness, warmth, swelling, plasma, or excess ink is completely normal during this stage. Your tattoo has essentially been through a controlled injury and your body is beginning the healing process.
Washing Your Tattoo
Once you remove the wrap:
Wash your hands thoroughly first
Gently clean the tattoo using lukewarm water and antibacterial liquid soap (preferably fragrance free)
Use only clean hands, not washcloths or sponges
Gently remove any plasma, excess ink, or residue
Pat dry carefully with a clean paper towel or allow it to air dry
Do not scrub the tattoo or soak it in water.
Moisturising
Once the tattoo is fully dry, apply a very thin layer of the recommended aftercare product.
Less is more. Your tattoo should feel lightly moisturised, not greasy or suffocated. Over-moisturising can irritate the skin and slow healing.
Apply aftercare 2 to 3 times daily, or whenever the tattoo feels dry or tight.
What to Expect During Healing
Healing tattoos can go through several stages including:
Redness and tenderness
Light scabbing or flaking
Itchiness
Dry or cloudy appearance
Slight peeling similar to sunburn
This is all a normal part of healing.
Do not:
Pick scabs
Scratch the tattoo
Peel flaky skin
Over-moisturise
Let the skin heal naturally. Picking at the tattoo can remove ink and affect the healed result.
Avoid During Healing
For roughly 2 to 4 weeks, avoid:
Swimming pools
Ocean water
Baths
Saunas
Excessive sweating
Direct sun exposure
Tight or abrasive clothing over the tattoo
Fresh tattoos are very vulnerable to bacteria, irritation, and sun damage while healing.
Sleeping With a Fresh Tattoo
The first night with your fresh tattoo I recommend rewrapping your tattoo just before you go to bed (especially if you have a larger tattoo or you have pets that sleep in the bed with you). Wear clean, loose clothing to bed and try not to sleep directly on the tattoo if possible. Fresh tattoos can sometimes leak small amounts of plasma or ink overnight during the first couple of days.
Using clean bedding is highly recommended.
Long-Term Care
Once healed, keeping your tattoo moisturised and protected from the sun will help preserve detail and reduce fading over time.
Sunscreen is one of the best things you can use to protect healed tattoos, especially fine line and black & grey work.
When to Reach Out
Mild redness, peeling, and irritation are normal during healing. However, if you experience excessive swelling, spreading redness, unusual discharge, or signs of infection, please seek medical advice.
If you have any concerns during healing, feel free to reach out. I’m always happy to help guide clients through the healing process. 🌿

This depends on the size, placement, and level of detail. Some tattoos take under an hour, while larger custom pieces may require multiple sessions.

Yes. I offer free touch-ups for my own work if needed after healing.
If you have work done by another artist and are unable to return to them for any reason, I also offer touch-ups free of charge when booked alongside another tattoo appointment with me. Otherwise, touch-ups on another artist’s work are charged at my minimum rate. 🌿

I mainly work in illustrative, fine line, botanical, black & grey, ornamental, neo traditional, and subtle gothic styles.

Depending on studio space and the appointment, usually yes, though keeping extra people to a minimum helps maintain a calm working environment. 🌿 And just let me know in advance so I can see if we will have the space for extra people in the studio (as the studio can get full quickly if every artist is working)

(Just a few things to help keep everything running smoothly!)

Deposits

– A deposit is required to secure your booking. Until it’s paid, the appointment isn’t officially yours and may be offered to someone else.

– Deposits are non-refundable, but they do come off the total cost of your tattoo.

– They also cover the time spent preparing your design, and help reduce last-minute cancellations.

Rescheduling

– Life happens! If you need to reschedule, please give at least 48 hours’ notice, so that I can either try to fill your booking or avoid wasting my time or fuel.

– Short-notice changes may mean a new deposit is needed.

– You’re welcome to reschedule once — more than that might require a new booking and deposit, depending on circumstances.

Deposits can only be transferred to one reschedule, any more than that and you will be asked to pay a new deposit.

Cancellations

– If you cancel your appointment for any reason, your deposit will be forfeited.

– This includes cancellations due to change of mind, budget, or personal circumstances.

– If you’re unsure about going ahead with a tattoo, for any of these reasons we can discuss some potential options,, but suggest waiting to book until you feel confident.

– I completely understand that things come up, but please keep in mind that late cancellations can be hard to fill and often mean a full day of lost work.

– Thank you for being respectful of the time and energy that goes into each booking.

Designs

– I begin working on custom designs after the deposit is received- Deposits are considered part of the drawing fee.

– I’m always happy to tweak things — just let me know if anything feels off. But if you are after any major design changes including change of mind; you may be required to pay an additional drawing fee.

– I do tend to show rough sketches prior to your appointment so that you can see and get a bit of an idea for the design prior to your appointment. But Most final designs are shown closer to your appointment date, so they stay fresh and relevant.
fee.

–All artwork and tattoo designs created by me are custom drawn specifically for each client and appointment. These designs remain my intellectual property and are not to be copied, reproduced, shared with, or tattooed by another artist. Booking an appointment does not grant ownership or rights to the artwork unless a separate design-only purchase has been discussed and agreed upon beforehand. If a client chooses not to go ahead with their tattoo appointment, I reserve the right to rework, reuse, or offer the design as available flash in the future. Any misuse, tracing, or taking of my designs to another artist may result in cancellation of future bookings.


Appointment Day

– Please arrive at the agreed upon time, or at the very least let me know if you will be early or late.

– Make sure you are well-fed, and hydrated beforehand- We do offer free drinks and snacks during your tattoo.

– Let me know if you’re feeling unwell or unsure — I’ll always do my best to accommodate when possible.

– To keep the space calm and focused, please avoid bringing guests unless we’ve chatted about it first.

Thank you so much for your understanding, patience, and support — I know policies aren’t the most exciting part of getting a tattoo, but they help set clear expectations so we can both feel relaxed and focused when it comes time for your appointment.

Your trust in my work means the world, and I’m truly grateful to be part of creating something meaningful for you. These little boundaries help make sure the experience stays respectful, smooth, and enjoyable for everyone involved 🖤