Skin and tattooing: before, during and after
A tattoo is a controlled wound and how it turns out depends in part on how the skin is prepared, protected and cared for. This guide gathers in an orderly way the most common points on what to consider before the session, what to expect during it and how the skin is cared for afterwards. It is written for those who tattoo, who can use it as an outline for their own instructions, and for those who get tattooed, who can print it and take it along. It does not replace the studio's instructions or a doctor's opinion: practices vary from studio to studio and from country to country.
A note before starting
This guide is for information only. It is not medical advice and does not replace the instructions of the tattooist, who knows the work done and the products used, nor those of a doctor, who knows the person's health. When the studio's instructions differ from those given here, the studio's prevail. Hygiene and safety rules depend on the country in which one works.
Before the session
Choosing a suitable environment
A tattoo is done in an environment that respects the hygiene rules of one's country. Things that someone getting tattooed can observe, without being an expert:
- needles and cartridges are sterile, packaged and opened in front of the client;
- the tattooist wears gloves and work surfaces are covered and clean;
- the studio gladly answers questions about materials and procedures;
- there is a consultation before the session, in which design, area, timing and care are discussed.
If something does not convince, it is fine to postpone.
Health and skin
Some conditions deserve to be mentioned to the tattooist and, if there is any doubt, first discussed with a doctor: allergies (to inks, latex, products), skin problems in the area, chronic illnesses, clotting disorders, medication, pregnancy or breastfeeding. It is not a complete list and does not indicate which conditions rule out a tattoo: it indicates which information is useful to share.
As a rule, tattooing on irritated, sunburned, wounded or inflamed skin is avoided. Skin in stable condition is a good starting point.
The day before and the day itself
Common indications, to be confirmed with the studio:
- rest and eat before the session;
- moisturise the skin in the preceding days, without applying new products in the hours immediately before;
- avoid sunburn and intense tanning in the area;
- wear comfortable clothes that leave the area accessible;
- ask the studio whether there are indications about alcohol and medication in the preceding hours.
During the session
The session is a two-person job: the person being tattooed can ask for breaks, report discomfort or feeling unwell and ask questions. The tattooist can explain what is being done, how long each phase will take and how it is going. Sensations vary greatly from person to person and from area to area, and are not an indicator of the quality of the work.
At the end, the area is cleaned and protected according to the studio's procedures, which may use a film or a dressing. This is the moment to receive care instructions, preferably in writing too.
Afterwards: skin care
General principles
Instructions change from studio to studio, for type of protection, products and timing, but the principles are similar.
- Follow the studio's instructions on how long to keep the protection and when to remove it.
- Clean gently, with lukewarm water and a mild cleanser indicated by the studio, and dry by patting with clean paper.
- Moisturise sparingly, with a thin layer of the recommended product. Too much may not help.
- Do not scratch and do not pick scabs. Itching is common; scratching can damage the design and the skin.
- Avoid direct sun, pools, sea and baths for the period indicated by the studio.
- Avoid clothing that rubs on the area.
- Wash your hands before touching the tattoo.
What to expect
In the first days the area may be red, warm and sensitive. Then a slight peeling and some itching generally appear. The surface heals in a few weeks, but the skin underneath can take longer to complete the process, and the tattoo's appearance can change during healing (the design may look dull for a while). Timing and course are individual.
When to contact the studio or a doctor
It is appropriate to contact the studio and, if needed, a doctor if the following appear: redness that spreads instead of lessening, heat or pain that increase, marked swelling, discharge, bad smell, fever, blisters, or a reaction that does not go away. This is not a diagnosis: they are signs for which a professional assessment is the most prudent choice.
For those who tattoo: giving instructions
Post-session instructions work better if they are written, short and consistent with the products the studio uses. A good practice is to hand over a sheet with: what to do in the first hours, how to clean and moisturise, what to avoid, for how long, when to contact the studio. This guide can be printed and used as a basis, adapting it to one's own procedures and products.
A reminder to take along
Related terms: Skin Prep · Green Soap · Barrier Film · Materials
Related guides: From reference to project: studying references and assessing the body area · Where tattooing comes from
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