Before your appointment

Eat a good meal before you come in. Getting a tattoo pumps up your adrenaline and produces a lot of endorphins. This adrenaline pump can come as a shock to some people’s systems, and their blood sugar level may drop as a result. It’s important to have that blood sugar level up and ready. Bring a backup granola bar or juice box with you in case this happens. Bring water.

Apply moisturizer to your skin for at least a week before your tattoo. Keep your skin hydrated and healthy. If you are a very hairy person, please shave the spot I’ll be tattooing the morning of.

Stay out of the sun. I cannot tattoo over a sunburn, or deep bruises.

Do not drink alcohol the night before your tattoo. Do not take blood thinners (If you need to for health reasons, discuss it with me at the time of booking and also discuss getting a tattoo with your doctor). Get a good night’s sleep!

Do not apply numbing cream before your tattoo. This will hurt more than help you.

Please practice good hygiene. Do not work out an hour before your tattoo and come in without showering. If you work in a barn, change your clothes before coming in. If you only shower once a week, make one of those times right before your tattoo appointment. Being clean is important to heal your tattoo properly as well as courteous to me as I will be very close to your body. If your hygiene is unacceptable I will have to turn you away.

Wear clothing that allows me to easily access the area you are getting tattooed. If I’m tattooing your lower leg and your pants are tight and difficult to roll up, you will have to remove them. Same for your arm. If you are getting your ribs or sternum tattooed, refrain from wearing a bra beforehand so I don’t have to work around bra marks. Wear pasties if you have them, or we can tape up your nipples. Be cognizant of the fact that when I’m done your tattoo you’ll have to put clothes back on, so this is why it’s beneficial for you to wear loose clothing. Putting on a tight pair of jeans after getting your thigh tattoo is not fun. Putting on a large pair of boots over an ankle tattoo, also not fun.  

Please do not show up early. I am very organized and book people in for exactly how long I need them for. I will rarely run late, and for everyone’s comfort and privacy, I don’t want crowding in the shop. Please show up exactly on time. If you are 15 minutes late you run the risk of cancelling your appointment and forfeiting your deposit. If you are late and I feel that I still have time (and still want to) tattoo you, you will be charged for every minute you were late.