• Keep scented/fragranced ( Lotions, shampoos, body washes, perfumes/colognes/sprays, etc.) away from a fresh tattoo until it is completely peeled and the skin has settled. This means no shininess to the skin and no active healing parts. Check the ingredient list of your products. Products with added fragrance usually contain alcohol, which can dry out the skin.

• No swimming/soaking or tanning for 3-4 weeks or until the tattoo has completely healed. A tattoo starts as an open wound, and you want to avoid any excess moisture to the area that isn’t from clean running water, like your shower. Bodies of water contain an unknown amount of bacteria that can severely damage the tattoo or cause infection. This includes pools, oceans, lakes, rivers, hot tubs, bathtubs, saunas, and steam rooms.

• You want to avoid forcibly picking or peeling the shedding skin of the tattoo as it heals. Let the skin come off naturally and on its own. You want to be very careful with clothing or accessories that could cause catches or snags to the healing skin. I know the skin can be itchy in this phase, so instead of scratching and possibly damaging the skin, try gentle pats or scratching around the tattoo and not directly on it.

As someone who is not a medical professional, I cannot diagnose, prescribe medication, or give medical advice.

However, as a professional tattoo artist who has worked with tattoos and skin for 8 years, I can confidently troubleshoot issues if healing isn’t going to plan. There are a number of things that can negatively impact the healing process of a tattoo. Healing is not always a linear path. Some common things like improper aftercare, trauma to the area, swimming or sun exposure too soon into healing, are just some examples. Other less-known factors that can slow the healing process are other health issues, such as autoimmune disorders, diabetes, blood-clotting disorders, etc.

It is very important to disclose any medications or diagnoses that affect skin, blood clotting, or how the immune system functions.

This by no means is a reason to decline service, but to better help me as your artist to understand what limitations or alternatives may need to be applied in order to safely accommodate you in your healing journey.

This is a great question that can depend on a multitude of factors.

Either before or after your appointment, we will have gone over what aftercare and healing expectations could look like. The timelines of healing I provide are estimates and are to be used as a general guide.

Depending on sizing, detail, or placement, this can greatly affect how long it will take for the full healing of the tattoo.

Something small and simplistic could take 2-4 weeks to fully heal.

While something very large, detailed, or ink-saturated could take 6-8 weeks to heal.

Medical conditions can also extend the healing process. If we have worked together before and have an established baseline of how your body reacts to the stress of the tattoo, then we will go off of that timeline.

If we have not worked together before and we have some concerns about healing, we can always do a test patch to see how the body reacts to specific stressors, inks, colors, or placements.

As much as I love an impulsive tattoo, some pretty important things would be worth waiting to schedule far enough in advance to or waiting till after.

It is best to avoid direct sun on a fresh or healing tattoo for 4-6 weeks. Once a tattoo is fully healed or no longer an open wound to apply sunscreen regularly if you plan on being outside for long periods of time.

Avoiding submerging, soaking or swimming with a fresh or healing tattoo for the first 4-6 weeks is crucial. Soggy wounds do not heal. An open wound constantly exposed to moisture can cause a number of issues. Not to mention the bacteria or chemical exposure that comes from shared outside bodies of water. Clean running water from your shower or sink is safe, but again, we do not want to soak our tattoos as they heal. So, no baths until fully healed.

I would also advise waiting until after the vacations are over to schedule as well. The stress of traveling is one thing that can slow the healing process. As well as different weather environments, if you aren’t using your regular products, bedding that isn’t your own, and your focus is elsewhere. I want you to enjoy your vacation and not have to worry about taking care of something! It is definitely easier to wait.

Please reach out! As soon as you notice something out of the norm or you can’t recall is a part of what typical healing should look like, please contact me immediately.

The sooner you reach out, the better. Best case scenario, it is a normal part of the process, and following proper aftercare is the solution. Worst-case scenario, if it is something unusual, then we can start troubleshooting to get to the root of the issue. If the issue is past my scope of expertise, then I can confidently recommend you seek out a medical professional. In both scenarios, we can figure out together what the best course of action is early! Waiting days, weeks, or months to bring up an issue can make it incredibly hard to solve any issue you may be experiencing or fix/touch up any rough heal spots.

The best way to reach me is by email at Lortattoos20@gmail.com.

Typically, as long as your body is responding well to healing of your previous tattoo or is completely healed, then whenever you want!

The more stress the body takes on to heal, it can sometimes cause the healing process for multiple things to slow down.

Some things to consider:

If you are or have been recently sick, healing other tattoo projects, healing piercings, or recovering from any medical procedures, these are reasons to hold off until you have fully recovered.