Tattoo Preparation: Getting Ready for Your Tattoo Session

As the title suggests, this blog will guide you through the process of preparing for a tattoo. First and foremost, do your research. I’ve mentioned this in many of my other blogs, so if you haven’t read those yet, take a look—it can save you from regrets later on. I won’t delve into research any further here, but it’s important to get that right first.

Preparation varies depending on the tattoo you’re planning to get. Larger, multi-session pieces demand more commitment than a quick, 10-minute mini-tattoo. If you’ve never been tattooed before, it’s still a good idea to follow these guidelines even for a small tattoo. Obviously, the larger the tattoo, the more important the following points will become. I’ll leave it to you to decide what’s relevant, but feel free to message me if you have any questions.

General Preparation Tips

1. Avoid Sunburn and Tanning

• Don’t come in sunburned or with peeling skin a week after getting sunburned. At best, it can affect the healing process; at worst, we won’t be able to tattoo you.

• Avoid fake tans. Beyond the fact that it’ll get wiped off during the session, you don’t want chemicals being pushed into your bloodstream.

2. Skip Alcohol

• Most studios won’t tattoo you if you’re under the influence of alcohol. Aside from clouding your judgment, alcohol thins the blood, which can cause excessive bleeding and lead to a poorly healed tattoo.

• Even if you drink the night before, excessive alcohol can affect your session. It may cause more bleeding than usual, pushing out ink and resulting in a patchy tattoo.

3. Maintain Good Hygiene

• Take a shower before your appointment. We’ll clean the area being tattooed, but general cleanliness helps the healing process. Plus, good hygiene ensures a more pleasant experience for both you and your artist.

4. Eat Beforehand

• Your body will burn energy during the tattoo process. Eating before your session helps manage discomfort, and while fainting is rare, it’s even less likely if you’ve had a good meal.

5. Rest Up

• Get a good night’s sleep. Being well-rested makes it easier to cope with the discomfort.

6. Exercise Lightly

• If you plan on working out before your session, keep it light. Don’t come in swollen or sore, and avoid working out on the day of your tattoo session.

7. Stay Hydrated

• Drink plenty of water. Staying hydrated is important for your overall well-being, and it’s no different when you’re getting a tattoo.

8. Skip Scrubs and Exfoliation

• Don’t exfoliate your skin in the days leading up to your session. We want your skin in good condition for both the tattoo and the healing process.

9. Don’t Moisturize the Day Of

• Avoid moisturizing on the day of your session. We don’t want chemicals on your skin. However, moisturizing in the days leading up to your appointment can be beneficial, especially if you have dry skin.

10. Inform Us of Medical Conditions

• If you have any medical conditions or are taking medications, let your tattooist know. While most conditions won’t affect the process, certain medications or health issues may require us to adjust our approach—or, in some cases, prevent us from tattooing you safely.

11. Clothing

• Wear comfortable clothing that allows the artist to work without either of you feeling awkward or uncomfortable. Keep in mind that a tattoo studio may have people coming and going, and even if you’re not uncomfortable, others may be. Some countries are more conservative than others, so consider this when choosing what to wear to your tattoo appointment, especially in Southeast Asia.

Longer Sessions: Preparing for the Marathon

When it comes to longer tattoo sessions, preparation is even more crucial. In my personal experience, getting tattooed can be painful. I’d say my pain tolerance is on the lower end of the scale, and I don’t enjoy the pain—just like most people. But I want the tattoo more than I want to avoid the discomfort.

Even with my low pain tolerance, I’ve sat through long sessions—12 to 14 hours, back-to-back, with two artists working on me at the same time for most of it. Towards the end, they struggled to find areas they could both work on simultaneously. The only reason I got through it was because I prepared properly. I rested well in the days leading up to the session, ate right, and approached the process like I was gearing up for a marathon. I have no doubt that if I hadn’t taken it seriously—both physically and mentally—I wouldn’t have made it through.

In Summary

Getting tattooed is a serious process. If you treat it as such, your entire experience will be much less stressful and more enjoyable.

Healing Tattoos: A Comprehensive Guide

Tattoo healing is a critical aspect of the tattooing process. While every individual’s experience is unique, and the ideal method may vary from person to person, it’s essential to have a solid understanding of the basic principles of aftercare. This blog aims to supplement our detailed aftercare guide, providing additional insights to ensure your tattoo heals beautifully.

The Best Way to Heal a Tattoo

There isn’t a one-size-fits-all method for tattoo healing. Factors such as skin type, the size and complexity of the tattoo, and even the location on the body all play a role in determining the best aftercare approach. For instance, a small, fine-line tattoo will require much less care than a large piece that was completed over several back-to-back sessions.

At our Da Nang tattoo studio, we recommend an aftercare regimen designed to be effective for most skin types and tattoo styles. Even for clients with multiple tattoos who may have found what works best for them, we encourage attention to the latest aftercare practices. Tattoo care has evolved significantly, especially with the introduction of new products that enhance the healing process.

Second Skin: The Game-Changer in Tattoo Healing

One of the most notable advancements in tattoo aftercare is the use of “Second Skin” products. This ultra-thin adhesive layer covers the tattoo and the immediate surrounding area, helping to speed up the healing process while keeping the tattoo clean and free from dirt and bacteria during its most delicate stage.

Although adverse reactions to the adhesive are rare, they can occur. However, with proper preparation, the risk is minimal. Despite this, “Second Skin” is far superior to the older method of wrapping the tattoo in plastic wrap and tape. It’s worth the extra cost to include this in our aftercare routine at our studio.

Choosing the Right Ointments and Creams

Over the years, many ointments and creams have come and gone. Some that were highly recommended at one time may later be discouraged due to changes in their formulation or the availability of better options. For example, while papaw ointment was once a go-to in our Australian studio, we found that it could cause adverse reactions or slow down the healing process if applied too heavily.

At our Da Nang Tattoo Studio, we provide Vitamin A+D Ointment at the end of the session. This reliable moisturizing and healing ointment comes in convenient-sized sachets, allowing us to offer it without additional cost. After applying the ointment, we cover the tattoo with “Second Skin” and provide another piece for the following day if an ink sack (excess ink and plasma) forms in the early stages of healing.

We advise clients to apply a thin layer of Vitamin A+D Ointment twice daily after removing the “Second Skin,” just enough to keep the tattoo from drying out. It’s crucial to remember that “less is more”—over-applying ointment can block skin pores and cause ingrown hairs and pimples. If the tattoo feels too dry, increase the frequency to three times a day rather than applying more ointment at once.

Monitoring the Healing Process

It’s essential to monitor the tattoo and surrounding skin closely during the healing process. While complications are rare, they are easier to address when caught early. Redness around the tattoo is normal and should subside as healing progresses. However, if the redness deepens or spreads, it may indicate an infection, and you should consult a doctor, as antibiotics might be necessary.

Infections are uncommon but can occur, especially if proper care isn’t taken. A common cause of infection is contact with pets. While we love our furry friends, keeping them away from fresh tattoos is crucial. For example, avoid letting a cat sit on an armrest if you have a healing tattoo on your inner forearm, or prevent a dog from licking a tattoo on your leg.

Another frequent cause of healing issues is carelessness. It’s easy to become complacent, especially after getting several tattoos. However, it’s vital to maintain good hygiene practices, such as washing your hands before applying ointments or touching the tattoo and using a clean towel or paper towel to dry it after washing.

Avoiding Common Mistakes

Tattoos typically heal in 2-3 weeks, although some may take longer. Even if a tattoo appears healed after a few weeks, the skin may continue healing for 2-3 months. During this time, the tattoo might become itchy—sometimes intensely so. Resist the urge to scratch! Instead, a light moisturizing application can help alleviate the itch.

It’s also important to avoid irritating the healing tattoo with clothing. Loose-fitting, light clothing can help prevent irritation. Additionally, do not pick at scabs or flakes of skin, as they protect the new skin underneath. Picking them can slow down the healing process and lead to complications.

Avoid long showers during the flaky stage of healing, and under no circumstances should you wash away the flaky skin when it’s wet. It’s tempting, but this can cause more harm than good, leading to a longer healing process. Once the tattoo has finished flaking, using a body lotion or skin moisturizer can help restore the skin to its natural state.

We provide full aftercare to help our clients get the best possible result from their new tattoo.

Protecting Your Tattoo from the Elements

Chlorine, salt water, and sun exposure can prematurely fade your tattoo during the early stages of healing. Therefore, avoid swimming and sunbathing for at least three weeks after getting tattooed. Even after the tattoo has fully healed, sun exposure can still affect the ink over time, so always apply sunscreen before heading out into the sun.

Touch-Ups: When They Are Necessary

Sometimes, despite the best efforts of both the tattoo artist and the client, a tattoo may require a touch-up session to fix any ink that didn’t hold or was scratched out during healing. Most tattoo artists offer free touch-ups within a few months of the original session. At our studio in Da Nang, we provide free touch-ups for up to one year after the tattoo session.

Tattoo Placement and Planning

We’ve all heard the phrase “The customer’s always right!” Many of us have even said it, and as customers, it’s easy to feel like it should be true. However, in the tattoo industry, I’ve often heard this followed up with, “Not in tattoo studios, they aren’t” usually accompanied by a laugh, or occasionally, a challenging stare. Thankfully those types of attitudes and treatment of customers has mostly left the industry and you most certainly won’t experience something like that at Lantern And Moth!

The tattoo industry has evolved significantly over the years, with artists placing a greater emphasis on customer service than they did just 10 years ago. While customers may not always be right, they are still the customer and deserve to get the tattoo they want. It’s our job to provide them with the relevant information to make an informed decision.

One common debate is the placement of words on the wrist—should they be right-side up or upside down? Some clients prefer to have the text facing them, as it’s “for me.” I don’t mind either way, but I do explain that while it will be right-side up for the few times you glance at it the week after getting it done, it will be upside down for everyone else forever. But ultimately, you do you.

I’ve seen some artists get very upset over this issue, which seems like wasted energy to me. We can either do the tattoo the way the customer asks or choose not to do it at all—it’s that simple. A professional tattoo artist will always have opinions on size, placement, and angle, but a truly great artist will offer advice and then respect the customer’s decision, provided it won’t reflect poorly on themselves or the studio.

Here are my thoughts on tattoo placement and planning:

1. Maximize the Space: Try to fill or nearly fill the area where the tattoo will be placed. It generally looks better this way. You wouldn’t see a 100cm x 100cm canvas with a 6cm x 6cm painting sitting in one corner, and the same principle applies to tattoos.

2. Have a Plan: If you plan on adding to the tattoo later, let the artist know. They can approach the piece differently, leaving you with more options. Generally, it’s better to do it all at once. Tattoos that have been added onto often look like exactly that—an addition rather than a cohesive piece.

3. Consider Future Tattoos: If you’re getting a small tattoo and plan on having a large piece in the future, be mindful of where you place it. For example, if you have a small tattoo on your right forearm and want another on your wrist, consider placing it on the right wrist to keep the left arm free for a full sleeve in the future. This saves the future artist from having to work around or cover existing tattoos.

4. Go with the Flow: Depending on the style and subject matter, it’s advisable to give the tattoo some flow so it follows the natural lines of your body. Tribal, biomechanical, and Japanese tattoos, in particular, look more harmonious when they flow with the body. These styles can appear stiff if not designed with the body’s natural curves in mind.

5. Style and Subject Matter: Of course, subject matter and style play a significant role in how much flow can be incorporated into the design and placement. With some designs, it’s not feasible to create flow, and some styles, such as Western Traditional, don’t require it to maintain the aesthetics and tradition of the style.

To wrap things up, all of the above are guidelines toward having a better tattoo. Tattooing is an art form, and like all forms of art, there are no absolutes. Things are rarely black and white. We always strive to advise our customers on what we think will work best, while also understanding that everyone has different tastes. Ultimately, it’s YOUR tattoo, and our primary goal is to ensure YOU are happy with the final result.

Getting a Tattoo

Some background:

It’s a big step! You’re making a permanent change to your appearance and potentially investing a significant amount of money to do so.

How do you make a good choice, the right choice for you?

Hopefully this blog will help you to do precisely that.

I was a tattoo collector for many years before I became a tattooed, the experience wasn’t always positive. The industry was different back then and I was young, tattooers weren’t the same as they are today, they were in fact quite intimidating. For my first tattoo I walked into a studio with outlaw motorcycle club affiliations and was told to pick one as the tattooed pointed at the wall, I sheepishly pointed at a rose from the flash and he asked where, 45 minutes later I was the proud owner of a rose and stem on my chest, I was stoked but after a half a year or so I realised that the tattoo didn’t fit my chest well, I had a long thin tattoo best placed on a forearm in a position that would’ve been more suited to a piece with a more overall round shape to it.

A few years later I had some tribal added to it in an attempt to fill the space and make the tattoo look better, this temporarily satisfied me but overall the tribal I chose (off the wall again) still wasn’t ideal for the position. I can hardly blame the tattooers, they both did exactly what I’d asked of them and both performed the technical side of the tattoo well. Tattoo experience number three was a Celtic bean around my wrist, this was a difficult tattoo for the artist to get the stencil on and meeting correctly and creating and endless knot as a Celtic design should, a few months later I had the same artist add some flames up the forearm. I was super happy, it was the early 2000’s and I’d joined what was a pretty small percentage of the population with exposed tattoos, back then the vast majority of people didn’t tattoo below the short sleeve line on their arms. Add another couple of years to my tattoo journey and I met a tattooed that was genuinely passionate about his craft, he worked upwards from the flames and turned the existing tattoos into a full sleeve. While he was working we talked about tattoos, styles, subject matter, placement, flow, all the stuff that no other artist had ever mentioned.

Now I had some inside, my next tattoo was drawn as a full sleeve, I was educated on the possibilities, the styles available and was able to make the artists job easier when asking him to draw the piece and in the end received an amazing tattoo that both he and I were very happy with.

The take home from this:

I always wanted a lot of tattoos, I worked with three artists that were great at their craft but they didn’t understand their broader responsibilities as a tattoo artist.

In my opinion part of the job is to inform people of the possibilities, educate them when possible on the pros and cons of what they are contemplating. Of course while doing this, as tattooers we are walking a thin line, it’s still your body, your tattoo and as humans we are all different so I cannot count the amount of times I’ve said “I’m simply giving you the best advice I can from my experience as a tattooer, at the end of the day it’s your tattoo and we are here to provide a service so as long as what you want doesn’t reflect negatively on the studio or myself we’ll do our best to make you happy”

These artists that worked on me early in my life could’ve all had more from me, more job satisfaction, I was open to ideas and wanted to get tattooed, and more money, a lot more money because once I found someone that could work with me I got a lot of work done.

The breakdown:

Do some research, take a look at all the different styles available and see what resonates with you.

The subject matter can generally be made to work in the style you prefer, for us as tattooers when a customers says I want a lions head we really don’t know how to move forward with the idea but if you tell us I want a western Traditional (Trad) Lions head we have a pretty good direction to work in.

Generally our next question will be placement, where you want the tattoo will define how we draw it, if it’s to be on the sternum we might suggest a symmetrical Lion, somewhere on the sides of the arms and legs and we’d possibly prefer to do it more side on.

Size, bigger is generally better, try and fill the body part if possible for a better overall look. Bigger tattoos will age better and leave much less chance of the tattoo becoming an unreadable blob.

Upside down or right way up? Most artists will agree that the tattoo should be the right way up for other people when they look at it, occasionally customers will say “but it’s for me”

I always explain that it will be the right way up for you the 5 - 10 times you look at it after it’s done but it’ll be upside down for the rest of the word forever, always followed by “I’m simply giving you the best advice I can from my experience as a tattooer, at the end of the day it’s your tattoo and we are here to provide a service so as long as what you want doesn’t reflect negatively on the studio or myself we’ll do our best to make you happy”

I mean it, I want the customer to be happy, a lot of tattooers get annoyed at clients wanting this, myself included when I was a younger tattooer. These days I simply want to give the customer the best advice I can and for them to leave happy.

I once had a colleague that was a very respected and well know tattooer in his style tell me there was three types of client for him.

The first type would say they loved his work and gave him total freedom in the design process, he said they always got a nice tattoo but inevitably it was his tattoo and they just got to wear it.

The second type were the rigid ones that had a very fixed idea in their head and would ask him to make multiple changes to the design and didn’t allow him to create a piece he was 100% happy with, he is the absolute definition of a professional and would always do his best but he said those piece were always what he regarded as his worst work, those clients were also the ones least likely to return to him, or any of the other tattooers they’d been tattooed by.

The third type, they would come on for their consultation with 6-10 references of his, or other tattooers in the same styles work, they would say something along the lines of

“I love all of this but it’s just ideas, but their photo and this photonics really love and want to see something very similar in the design’ they;d still often request some changes after the design process but they’d be generally minor. He said these were the best clients, they got a great tattoo and were involved enough to feel like it was their tattoo.

Reference:

It’s great for tattoo artists if you bring in a photo of a tattoo you like, it’s even better if you arrive to the studio with 4-10 that you like. Unless they’re all completely different and leave us confused as to how to help you. It’s great to see the style you like and to have the freedom to create you a unique tattoo for yourself. Very few genuinely good tattooers will be comfortable doing a blatant copy of another persons tattoo and we are often left wondering why you don’t want your own piece drawn especially for you.

Summary:

So in summary research is key, spend the time and it will be reflected in your final result. Research the styles so you understand the possibilities. Research who you want to do your tattoo, do they tattoo the style you want, look at their work and be certain they can do it well.

Find a professional artist in a professional tattoo studio, if someone’s working from their living room you need to ask yourself why, and maybe weigh up the long term consequences of saving what will amount to just a few dollars a year for the time you have the tattoo.

I hope this first blog helps you in making good choices and in getting a tattoo that you love.