Avoid alcohol and caffeine. Alcohol and caffeine cause blood thinning, which leads to poor pigment retention.

* For hand tattoos, please wash your hands and apply A&D every 1-2 hours after leaving your appointment for the 2-week healing time

For most tattoos, your artist will wrap your tattoo with a “second skin” bandage and provide you with A&D ointment before you leave your appointment. Leave your tattoo alone for the first 3 days following your appointment. Avoid any alcohol 48 hours after your appointment. After 3 days, remove the wrap (recommended to remove in a warm shower) and immediately wash your tattoo with unscented soap. After this, pat your tattoo dry with a clean paper towel and apply a small amount of A&D ointment. Wash your tattoo and apply A&D ointment twice a day for 14 days. Only a small amount of ointment is needed; use however much your skin will be able to absorb like lotion. The healing process takes about two weeks. During this time, avoid direct sunlight and any skincare products except the provided ointment, and avoid any moisture/liquids on your tattoo aside from clean running water (avoid baths, excessive sweating, swimming, saunas, etc). If you lose the ointment or need more, you may use either A&D or Aquaphor ointment from any drugstore. The tattoo will be itchy and scabs will flake off in pieces. Do not scratch your tattoo or pick at your scabs.