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

Your artist will wrap your tattoo and provide you with A&D ointment before you leave your appointment. Leave your tattoo alone for the first 3 days following 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, begin applying 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. 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.