Having a tattoo can be an exciting but daunting experience, but it doesn't have to be. We have some advice to help you prepare for your appointment so you know what to expect and can be well-prepared for your tattoo so you can enjoy it to the fullest. 

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Booking your appointment. 

If you have filled in our enquiry form with all the required details, your artist will contact you to book your appointment. Ensure you have given us as many details about the design you want, the position of your tattoo on your body, and, importantly, if you have any medical conditions or concerns that might affect your appointment. You will be asked to fill out a consent form upon arrival at the studio, asking about medications and conditions. Some of these may affect the appointment's ability to go ahead, so if we know them beforehand, we can help advise and avoid any disappointment on the day. 

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We are not able to tattoo you if you...

• have sunburn

• are pregnant or breastfeeding

• are taking blood thinners

• are drunk or have taken illegal drugs

we also may not be able to tattoo you if you...

• Are taking antibiotics

• Have shown allergic reactions to henna or other tattoo pigment in the past

• Are taking aspirin regularly

• Suffer from hemophilia 

• Have a history of epilepsy, seizures, or fainting. 

• If you have fresh scarring, cuts, or injury to the area to be tattoed or near the location.

If you are worried about any of these situations, feel free to get in touch to chat with our artists about the options and how we can help you. ​

In the case of scarring, we can tattoo over scar tissue that has been healed for at least six months, but please inform your artist beforehand if you have scarring, as we may need to allow extra time during your appointment.

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ON THE DAY OF YOUR APPOINTMENT

On the day of your appointment, we advise that you come prepared. These are a few things we suggest to make your appointment run smoothly. 

• To get your skin in optimal condition for tattooing, gently exfoliate and moisturise the area for a few days before.

• Avoid using fake tan.

• Avoid spending time in the sun. We can not tattoo over sunburn.

• Avoid alcohol and ibuprofen

• Make sure you drink plenty of water

• Make sure you have had something substantial to eat so your body is well-fuelled

• If the area needs to be shaved, our artists will do that for you.

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DURING YOUR APPOINTMENT

We want you to feel comfortable during your appointment, so we have a few things that will help. 

• Make sure you wear appropriate clothes or bring a change of clothes with you. Comfy, loose clothes are best. They may get ink or blood on them, and we need to access the area we are tattooing easily, so think about shorts for leg tattoos, vests, bra tops for rib tattoos, hoodies with a zip for back tattoos etc. 

• We will apply a stencil to check the location of your tattoo, and you are free to ask for this to be moved until you are happy with the final position. We are happy to move the stencil as many times as necessary; please never be afraid to ask for it to be moved until it's perfect for you. 

• We are happy to chat with you during your appointment, but if you would rather focus on reading a book, watching something on your phone, or just having some quiet time and keeping to yourself, that is fine, too. 

• If you feel uncomfortable for any reason, please speak up. We would happily reposition you or take a break. 

• Tell us if you need a break, or need to cough, or need to stretch your body.

• Tell us if you are feeling dizzy, hot, or cold. Sometimes, your body will react differently to the tattoo process, and if you feel unwell during it, we can help. 

• If you think we have missed an element of the design, a line, or an area of shading, let us know. We are focusing on completing your tattoo and want it to look as awesome as possible, but we are human, and sometimes, little details can be missed. 

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PAYING FOR YOUR APPOINTMENT

Our artists are all independent, and we don't have a card machine facility at the shop, so we ask that you please bring enough cash to pay for the balance of your tattoo. Your artist will ensure they have given you an accurate quote in advance, but be prepared and have a little extra, just in case.

We sell Butterluxe aftercare, which is available to purchase, so if you would like some, please have enough to buy that as well. If you have made alternative arrangements with your artist or paid a deposit, check with them on the morning of the appointment to see how the balance should be paid. 

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AftAFTER YOUR APPOINTMENT

We will discuss aftercare with you at the end of your appointment, but often, you will forget the details. So here are a few things you need to remember to get the best possible healing results for your new tattoo.

• We will apply a dressing to your tattoo, and you need to remove that dressing after 2-3 hours. Rinse your tattoo with warm, soapy water, pat it dry with a paper towel, and apply your tattoo aftercare balm of our recommendation. 

• We recommend Butterluxe balm, which is available to buy in our studio. Bepanthum tattoo cream or Vaseline intensive care lotion. 

• While your tattoo is healing, you need to apply your aftercare 3-4 times a day, at least for the following two weeks.

• If you have any questions about the healing process or are worried about anything during healing, please contact your artist to let us put your mind at rest or advise you on any details. 

• Don't scratch or pick at your tattoo, this can damage your skin and ultimately your tattoo. 

• Don't expose your skin to the sun. The sun can damage your tattoo, fading it or burning your skin. 

• Don't go swimming or submerge your tattoo in water for two weeks, including in the bath or hot tubs. 

• If your tattoo has any areas that need touching up after two weeks, if any lines have faded more than others, or if any scabs have pulled out of the design during healing, please contact your artist for a touch-up appointment. 

 

We hope that has answered some of your questions about your appointment and aftercare process. If you have any other queries, please feel free to call  the studio and speak to our artists on 01494 527292

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