The full story regarding risks of inking and the steps to take to minimize those and get an amazing tattoo every time. Feel free to download the PDF from the viewer below.
TAT TIPS CHECKLIST:
o Choose a professional tattooist with a good reputation and a clean and modern studio. Don’t be afraid to inquire about safety practices, especially if you are immunosuppressed.
o Choose inks that list ingredients and are subject to independent testing for toxins and bacteria, such as Intenze or World Famous.
o Unless you have pale skin and can’t tan, use on your target skin a mineral-based sunscreen (zinc or titanium, plus iron oxide; Elta or SkinCeuticals) starting one month before inking.
o Two weeks before, start daily 1:4 Hibiclens rinses from the neck down in the shower. If you’re going to ink your head or neck, use benzoyl peroxide 5-10% wash instead.
o Two weeks before, start Zyrtec (cetirizine) and either Allegra (fexofenadine) or Claritin (loratadine) twice daily each. (Yes, this is safe.)
o If you are at higher than average risk for infection, or have had significant skin infections, one week before inking start Doxycycline (or another suitable antibiotic) 100mg twice daily and exercise very careful sun protection. Also start mupirocin (Rx) twice daily to nose and skin folds.
o If you have any inflammatory skin disease (psoriasis, lichen planus, eczema, lupus, sarcoidosis among others), consider an injection of a cortisone suspension like Kenalog 40-80mg a day or two before inking. Such injections should be done no more than 4x/yr, and done in conjunction with oral antibiotics.
o On the morning of your session, use an electric razor to shave the area to be inked. Do not use a blade, and discourage your artist from using one, too.
o One hour before your session, start taking acetaminophen and ibuprofen according to dosing instructions on the bottles.
o Bring to the session a quality, mild antimicrobial wash for tattoos as well as an occlusive dressing of choice. If your artist isn’t familiar with the dressing, cut a small piece and practice applying it beforehand. Second Skin and Saniderm are excellent dressings.
o After your inking is complete (or at the end of a multi-day session), ask your artist to wash your skin with the antimicrobial soap, let it dry, and carefully apply the occlusive dressing. Use separate pieces over mobile areas like joints.
o After 24 hours, slowly and carefully remove the dressing in a hot shower. Let dry in air and then re-apply another dressing.
o After five full days, carefully remove the dressing in the shower, wash with your mild antimicrobial soap, and start twice-daily application of an emollient of choice. Apply extra to any areas that feel rough to the touch or are tender. Continue antimicrobial washing daily.
o Once there are no rough or tender areas in the tattoo, you can stop the emollient and resume normal skincare. At this point you should use a sunscreen of at least SPF 40 made from zinc or titanium, plus iron oxide, if your ink is in a sun-exposed area. Congrats! Your ink is fully healed. Moisturize the area daily with Cetaphil, Cerave or Vanicream.
There are many tattoo inks out there, and hundreds of ingredients. Not all of them are good for you.
Tips for Tats 1 12 24 (pdf)
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