Preparation + Aftercare
Here’s how to get your skin ready for your cosmetic tattoo appointment!
Things you need to know ↓
Things you need to know ↓
Preparation
✦ Avoid chemical peels, laser treatments, and microdermabrasion for at least 4 weeks prior to your appointment.
✦ Avoid direct sun exposure and tanning beds for at least 2 weeks prior to your appointment.
✦ Discontinue the use of retinols 2 weeks before your appointment.
✦ Stop using active ingredient skincare for 2 weeks prior to your appointment. (ex. AHA/BHA, Vitamin C, glycolic, salicylic acid etc.)
✦ No Botox around the area at least 2 weeks prior.
✦ Do not take Advil, Niacin, Vitamin E, Fish oil, Aspirin, or other medications or supplements that thin blood for about a week before the procedure.
✦ Avoid alcohol for 48 hours prior to your appointment.
✦ Do not work out the day of your appointment.
✦ Do not drink caffeine the day of your appointment before the service. (You can indulge in caffeine after!)
IMPORTANT:
You cannot receive ANY type of cosmetic tattooing if you are pregnant, nursing, or are under 18. You also cannot be tattooed if you are curently taking Accutane, have a bleeding disorder, are currently on antibiotics or recently had a peel or sunburn.
More Prep Tips:
Extra Brow Prep Tip:
Wax, thread or tweeze brows at least 72 hours before your appointment, or leave brows as they are! Any stray hairs can be cleaned up with a brow razor or tweezers at your appointment.
Lip Blush Prep Tips:
If you suffer from cold sores, lip blush may trigger an outbreak. Please see your doctor to get an antiviral. Start taking it at least 3 days prior to your appointment and continue to take it 3 days after your procedure.
No filler in lip area 2 weeks prior to your appointment.
Your lips cannot be dry for your appointment. Please use a sugar scrub for 3-4 nights prior to your treatment. You can easily make your own! Scrub lips for 2-3 minutes wipe off the excess and then apply a lip mask, salve or shea butter.
Lash EnhancementTips:
No lash serums for 4 weeks prior to your appointment.
No eyelash extensions. If you have them, they must be removed at least 3 days prior to your appointment.
DO NOT wear any eye makeup to your appointment, especially mascara.
DO NOT wear contacts to your appointment.
Aftercare
Cleansing Instructions
✦ The day of your procedure: Pat and gently wipe the tattooed area with a wet cotton round to remove fluid/lymph build up which can create a scab. I recommend doing this every hour or two for the remainder of the day of your service.
✦ Day 2-10: Using lukewarm water and a gentle cleanser, lightly massage the area in small circles, pat dry with a clean paper towel or cotton round, and apply a rice grain amount of balm to the area every time you wash the cosmetic tattoo. Cleanse, pat dry and apply balm twice a day. If the area feels tight, dry, or like it may crack, you can apply another very light layer of healing balm.
✦ Recommended cleansers and balms!: Cetaphil, Cerave, Dr. Bronners Baby Unscented Pure-Castile Liquid Soap and Hustle Butter Hustle Bubbles Deluxe are great options to wash your tattoo with. You will need a cleanser that is gentle and fragrance free. Whipped shea butter, Hustle Butter, Badger Tattoo Balm, Eucerin Skin Balance Day Cream or any gentle, unscented moisturizer will work. Please avoid products that are petroleum based. The thick consistency of petroleum jelly prevents the wound from breathing, which slows down the healing process, and the physical barrier causes sweating underneath and may trap dirt and bacteria. That said, small amounts of petrolatum in a formula shouldn’t be a problem.
Cosmetic Tattoo Care for 7-10 days
✦ Avoid sweating! The salt in sweat WILL break down pigment and negatively affect your healed results.
✦ Avoid excessive moisture and humidity. (No hot/steamy showers, swimming, hot tubs, saunas, steam rooms, etc.) Do not place face directly under shower head. If you wet the area beyond the daily cleansing instructions, you must blot dry immediately with a paper towel or cotton round.
✦ DO NOT pick and scratch at your tattoo as it heals. Let your skin naturally exfoliate and flake off. Picking will cause pigment loss.
✦ No makeup products or other skincare products should be applied to the tattooed area until it is completely done flaking.
✦ Avoid laser, chemical treatments or peels, and/or any creams containing AHA/BHA, Retinol, Retin-A, Salicylic Acid, Glycolic Acid etc. for 4 weeks. Using chemical exfoliants on the tattooed area after it is fully healed may still contribute to premature fading of pigment.
✦ Avoid direct sun exposure or tanning for 4 weeks after the procedure. Wear a hat or large sunglasses when outdoors.
✦ Sleep on a clean pillowcase, I highly recommend satin or silk. Try to avoid sleeping on your face for about 10 days.
✦ Avoid performing tasks related to heavy household cleaning where there is a lot of airborne debris.
✦ Avoid driving/riding in open air vehicles such as convertibles, boats, bicycles or motorcycles.
Healing Process
Day 1:
Your cosmetic tattoo will appear dark, bold and beautiful. It is normal to feel a sunburned sensation immediately after and the area may be tender or slightly inflamed depending on the sensitivity of your skin.
Day 2-4:
The tattoo may feel too dark and possibly warmer in tone than the desired outcome. (They will not stay like this, I promise!)
Day 5-7:
Panic ensues as your cosmetic tattoo begins to flake or peel. It may look like the pigment is “falling off”. Not everyone experiences this phase but, unfortunately, it is quite common. At this point the area may start looking patchy and uneven.
Day 8-10:
After the flaking/scabbing/peeling phase is over, you will notice that the color of your pigment seems foggy, milky and almost non-existent (Try not to panic or hate me. Pigment will reemerge as they continue to heal.)
Day 14-6 weeks:
As your skin naturally exfoliates and regenerates, you will notice color change and pigment re-emerging. Your cosmetic tattoo is coming back and is softer in color. Expect to have lighter areas or for the tattoo to feel patchy after the initial appointment. This is all absolutely normal and why two appointments are necessary. Any areas that do not hold as well will be addressed at your perfecting session.
Maintenance Once Healed
✦ Always apply sunscreen to the tattooed area. Exposure to the sun over time can cause fading and discoloration of the pigment.
✦ Continued use of glycolic acid, retin-a, AHA, salicylic acid, vitamin C serums, face peels and exfoliants can cause your cosmetic tattoo to fade faster. Products containing anti-aging and anti-acne ingredients should be kept away from the tattooed area.
✦ Certain skin treatments such as chemical peels, laser treatments and microdermabrasion could cause lightening or discoloration of pigment. Inform your esthetician or technician so they can avoid your cosmetic tattoo.
✦ Continue to moisturize your cosmetic tattoo. Keeping the skin hydrated will help the color appear brighter. Extra tip: Use a moist cotton swab to remove makeup from your cosmetic tattoo. Makeup laying on top of your tattoo can cause it to look dull.
✦ When you’ve invested in cosmetic tattoos, you’ll want to keep them looking their best for as long as possible. Most treatments last from one year up to three before you require a touch up appointment. You should allow the pigment to fade AT LEAST 50% before scheduling a refresher appointment.