Tattoo Care 101
Getting a tattoo is an exciting experience, but it's important to take care of it properly to ensure optimal healing. Follow our expert aftercare instructions to keep your tattoo looking vibrant and beautiful for years to come.
Healing Process
As your tattoo heals, it's important to give it the proper care and attention it deserves. Our healing process guidelines will help you navigate the process and keep your tattoo looking its best.
Special Attention
Certain areas of the body require special attention when getting a tattoo. We'll provide you with all the information you need to properly care for your tattoo, no matter where it's located.
Aftercare
Congratulations on your beautiful tattoo!
To ensure your tattoo heals properly and maintains its vibrancy, follow these care instructions:
1. Keep the Bandage On: Your tattoo artist will have covered your fresh tattoo with a protective bandage or wrap. Leave this on for around 2-6 hours. This helps protect the tattoo from bacteria and debris.
2. Cleanse Gently: After removing the initial bandage, gently cleanse the tattooed area with lukewarm water and a mild, fragrance-free anti bacterial soap. Use your clean hands to lather and pat it dry with a clean, soft towel. Do not rub or scrub the tattoo.
3. Apply an Antiseptic Ointment: Once the tattoo is clean and dry, apply a thin layer of a recommended antiseptic ointment or tattoo-specific aftercare product. This helps prevent infection and promotes healing. 2-3 times a day for the first week, then switch to a lotion.
4. Moisturize Regularly: Keep your tattoo moisturized to prevent excessive dryness and cracking. Use a fragrance-free, alcohol-free, and hypoallergenic lotion. Apply a thin layer as needed, but avoid over-moisturizing, as it can suffocate the skin.
5. Avoid Sun Exposure: Direct sunlight can fade the colors of your tattoo and slow down the healing process. Keep your tattoo covered with clothing or use a high-SPF sunscreen if you need to be outdoors. Once the tattoo is fully healed, continue to protect it from the sun to maintain its vibrancy.
6. Don't Scratch or Pick: It's normal for your tattoo to itch during the healing process, but resist the urge to scratch it. Scratching can damage the skin and lead to infection. If it's itchy, gently tap or pat the area to alleviate the sensation.
7. Avoid Swimming: Stay out of pools, hot tubs, saunas, and any other bodies of water until your tattoo is fully healed. These environments can introduce bacteria that may lead to infection.
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8. Loose Clothing: Wear loose, breathable clothing over your tattoo to prevent friction and irritation during the healing process.
9. No Gym or Heavy Exercise: Avoid rigorous workouts and activities that cause excessive sweating during the initial healing phase. Sweat can introduce bacteria to the tattooed area.
10. Patience is Key: Your tattoo will go through different stages of healing, including scabbing and peeling. Do not pick at the scabs or peel the skin prematurely. Let the healing process happen naturally to ensure the best results.
11. Signs and symptoms of infections: including but not limited to, redness, swelling, tenderness of the procedure site, red streaks going form the procedure site towards the heart, elevated body temperature, or purulent draining from the procedure site. **Consult a health care professional at the first sign of infection**
Remember, everyone's healing process is different, and it might take a few weeks for your tattoo to fully heal.
With proper care, your Wild Rose tattoo will be a stunning and lasting piece of art.
Frequently Asked Questions
-All tattoo services will be done by appointment only.
-All tattoo appointment requests must be completed online via the contact page of our website. This includes all inquiries checking for availability for a particular day. This helps us keep organized and allows more availability.
Q. I am ready to get a tattoo in your studio and want to schedule an appointment. What's next?
A. The first thing you should do is fill out the book form to get an estimate and work on dates for your appointment.
Q. Do you accept walk ins?
A. Sorry, no walk-ins at this time. Watch our instagram page as we may in the near future!
Q. How painful can getting a tattoo be?
A. Each individual has a different level of pain tolerance. It will vary depending on where you want the tattoo on your body. Some areas are more sensitive than others. We strive to provide a comfortable environment at our studio. We are also understanding and patient in order to get you through the process. We do allow numbing cream and can send you a link to the brand we prefer.
Q. What can I expect to see during a consultation?
A. Consultation may or may not be neccessary. You can start with a booking form but if you want a consultation it is a meeting with our tattoo artist that usually takes around 30 minutes. We like to do a virtual consult ideally. Our artist will listen to your ideas and customize a design to make it truly unique and one of a kind. The entire process starts with the initial consultation, which is free of charge. During the consultation, you may bring in your own drawings, prints, or photos for us to use as a reference or inspiration for your art piece. However, if you do not have any items to use as a reference point for your tattoo design, you can describe your ideas, and we will put them together for you visually until the idea matches your vision. If at the end of your consultation you and the artist both decide to go forward with the design, you will leave a deposit ($100) to secure the date that your artist schedules for you. The deposit will be put towards your overall tattoo payment and is non-refundable. We will leave enough time on the day of the tattoo to allow you and the artist to go over the design and make any modifications that you would like.
Q. How much does a tattoo cost?
A. There are several factors involved with the pricing of a tattoo, including how much detail is involved, the area of the body, size, etc. For small and medium sized tattoos we can give you a set price. For more detailed work that requires multiple sessions the tattoo work ranges from $150-200 an hour, or a price per session may be set by the artist. It usually depends on the style of the tattoo and the artist. If you have a limited budget, we will set a flat price by the piece or session so you know ahead of time how much you will be spending. Our tattoo design and consultation services are included in the cost of your tattoo. We do not charge extra for these services. We want to ensure that each design is exactly as you envision it, and often times our artists will spend more time drawing a designs than doing the actual tattoos.
Q. If I am from out of town, can I make an appointment without a consultation?
A. Yes. In that case we will require $100 deposit to secure your spot. This deposit is then deducted from the price of your tattoo on your appointment date. If you do not show up for your scheduled appointment, or if you don't give us 24 hours notice of cancellation, then you may lose your deposit. The deposit must be paid through venmo or sent into our shop via check.
Q. Do you have a shop minimum?
A. We have a $100 shop minimum. The minimum is the starting price for set up and materials.
Q. Should I tip my tattoo artist?
A. Tips are always appreciated, but are never mandatory. If you do decide to tip your artist, give them an amount that you can comfortably afford. For all tips, please give those directly to the artist. If it is included in payment they get 100% of any tips given.
Q. I am underage. If I bring my parent will I be able to get a tattoo?
A. No. Under Minnesota law, we are not permitted to tattoo anybody under the age of 18
Q. How long does a tattoo take?
A. Your tattoo time depends on a few factors such as size, detail, color vs. black/gray, skin condition, etc. Once we have finalized the design with you, we can usually estimate a general time frame.
Q. How should I prepare for my tattoo session?
A. Do not drink alcohol or take any medication that will thin out your blood 24 hours before your tattoo. Keep skin moisturized prior to tattoo session. This will help the skin to heal better and easily receive ink. Eat and drink water before receiving a tattoo, preferably something with protein! This will help with pain as well as prevent dizziness and nausea during your session. We recommend that you wear loose, comfortable clothing. You don’t need to shave the tattoo area prior to getting a tattoo. Let the artist shave it at the shop to avoid accidental cuts/razor burn. If there is excessive hair you can trim it but leave the shaving to the artist. Make sure you have plenty of recovery time, and do not have to rush off to do something immediately after your session. The artist will take whatever time is needed to bring your tattoo to life on your body.
Q. Is your studio sterile?
A. We are inspected and certified by the State of Minnesota Health Department. Every artist has blood borne pathogen training and is licensed by the state of Minnesota as a Body Artist.
Q. Are tattoos safe?
A. We at Wild Rose Tattooing can’t speak for every tattoo artist, but we take your health and safety seriously. Wild Rose is a fully disposable shop. This means that all items that come into contact with bodily fluids are disposed of and replaced with brand new materials for each and every tattoo client. This includes new single-use needles, disposable grips, disposable ink holders, disposable razors, and disposable barriers covering everything that is used during the tattoo procedure. We simply prefer disposable materials as it is the most effective and efficient way to keep everything safe and sanitary.
Q. Are there any health conditions that may prevent me from being tattooed?
A. There are several conditions that may prevent you from getting a tattoo, or would at least require the permission of a licensed medical doctor.
If you are pregnant or nursing.
If you are under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
If you are diabetic, have hemophilia, skin diseases, lesions, staph, H1N1, ebola or any other communicable diseases
If you have skin sensitivities to soaps, disinfectants etc.
If you have a history of allergies or reactions to pigments or dyes.
If you have a history of epilepsy, seizures, fainting, or narcolepsy.
If you are currently using medications which thin the blood or interfere with blood clotting.
If you have hepatitis or HIV infection.
Q. Do you offer touch-ups?
A. We offer all of our customers a free touch-up of their tattoo for the initial 6 month period after the work has been completed. It should be noted that touch-ups are rarely necessary as long as you follow our tattoo aftercare procedures. Additionally, we look over all of our previous tattoos, on returning customers visiting for a new tattoo, and perform any necessary touch-ups free of charge.
Q. How do I know my tattoo is fully healed and ready for my next session?
A. If you poke the tattoo area and you no longer feel any pain, that is a good indication that the tattoo is mostly healed. You will usually see surface healing within 5-14 days and normally the tattoo will be fully healed inside and out within 30 days. Note that we usually space sessions 2-3 weeks apart.
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Q. Can you cover up an old tattoo with new design?
A. Yes, old tattoos can be covered up with a new tattoo. Often times there may be some limitations as to what you can cover it with, depending on the size, style, or darkness of the old tattoo. In the consultation process your artist will go over what is and is not possible.