Pre-Appointment Instructions

Preparing for your tattoo session ensures a smoother experience, better healing, and the best final results. Please review the following carefully before your appointment.

✦ Before Your Appointment

  • Review Fine Line Info: If you're getting a fine line tattoo, please check out the Fine Line Tattoo Information to ensure you're informed on what to expect and how to care for it.

  • Check the FAQ: A full list of products used during your appointment is available in the FAQ. Please review it ahead of time.

  • Allergies: Let me know any and all allergies you have before your appointment so I can properly prepare and adjust products or procedures if needed.

  • Punctuality Matters: Please arrive on time. If you are more than 20 minutes late, your appointment will be rescheduled, and a new deposit (same as the original) will be required. Thank you for respecting my time and schedule.

  • Skin Condition: Make sure the area you want tattooed is free from damage. I cannot tattoo over sunburns, cuts, bruises, acne, or broken skin.

✦ Skin Prep

  • Please do NOT shave the area before your appointment. I will take care of that if necessary.

  • In the weeks leading up to your appointment, please:

    • Stay hydrated

    • Moisturize daily

    • Gently exfoliate the area

  • For clients with bumpy skin (KP or rough texture) in the tattoo area, I recommend using KP Bump Eraser Exfoliator at least 3 weeks prior—especially for fine line tattoos.

✦ Day of Your Appointment

  • Eat a large, balanced meal before arriving.

  • Stay hydrated.

  • Avoid alcohol and caffeine for 24 hours before your appointment.

  • Let me know if you're bringing a guest. I allow one guest max, and everyone must be 18+. My studio is small, so space is limited.

  • Please review my Aftercare Instructions ahead of time and make sure you have everything you'll need post-appointment.

  • For larger tattoos, I highly recommend having clean sheets and clothes ready at home to minimize the risk of infection during healing.

✦ What to Bring

  • Valid photo ID (required for your consent form).

  • Entertainment: Bring something to keep yourself occupied—book, iPad, phone, headphones.
    Please use headphones—no sound from devices, as it can be distracting.

  • Comfortable, neutral clothing that allows easy access to the tattoo area.
    If your tattoo requires chest exposure, I will provide pasties.
    The studio can be chilly—bring a jacket.

  • I’ll take photos of your tattoo—neutral, plain clothing is preferred for this.

  • I provide snacks and water, but you're welcome to bring your own too.

✦ Payment Information

  • Cash is preferred.

  • Venmo: +1.9% + $0.10 transaction fee

  • Card: +4% transaction fee

Please plan accordingly. These fees help cover processing costs.

✦ Numbing Creams & Pain Medication

  • You are welcome to use Tylenol and/or numbing cream before your session.

    ⚠️ Important:

    • Do not take any other pain medications (like Advil, aspirin, ibuprofen) before your appointment, as they thin your blood and can negatively affect healing.

  • If you plan to use numbing cream:

    • Only use Zensa Numbing Cream – this is the only one I trust for safe, effective results.

    • Test it ahead of time to make sure you don’t have any allergic reactions.

    • Apply the cream at least 30 minutes before your appointment.

    • Bring the cream with you to your session.

    • Follow the instructions strictly for safe use.

    Please do not apply numbing cream for the first time during your appointment—it won’t have enough time to work and could risk irritation or reaction.

If you have any questions or need product recommendations, feel free to reach out before your appointment. I want to make sure you’re fully prepared and comfortable before we begin.