Scar Camouflage Tattoo FAQ

There are several reasons, first because being hungover and getting a tattoo will feel pretty terrible as soon as you start to hear that buzz of the tattoo machine, but more importantly because alcohol thins your blood, which will result in more bleeding, which then makes it a lot harder for the pigment/ ink to adhere to your skin and heal correctly. And you also want to avoid other things before your tattoo appointment such as, caffeine, aspirin, blood thinners, etc. anything that thins your blood.

Tattoo Virgins, even if this is your first tattoo or if you are new to getting another tattoo you’ve probably heard or know that getting tattoo can and usually hurts a bit, and how much it hurts will vary depending on the location on your body (the head, ribs, groin, hands, fingers, inner arm, elbow and inner forearm being the most notorious). And being hungover will not make it any easier to bear the pain of getting a tattoo, nor will it make the experience any more pleasurable for the artist, who has to be in close proximity to your body for hours.

This is especially important if you’re preparing for a long session. You might be surprised at how much getting tattooed can take out of you. No matter how big or small the piece is, you’ll have to sit very still while the artist is works on you, sometimes with your limbs bent in awkward positions... So being well-rested will make the tattooing process go a lot smoother.

Good, thats completely okay! Whether you’re getting your first and only tattoo done, or if you've been getting tattooed for years, it’s quite a special ritual to go through. So a few butterflies in your stomach will help with getting that first rush of adrenaline going as soon as the work starts, which will help tremendously with the pain. So think of this as a good thing, not a bad thing : ) 

You’ll be asking quite a lot from your body in the next few hours, and feeling hungry and weak will just make it that much harder to handle the pain. Whole grains are recommended, together with fruits, such as bananas or berries. Basically, foods high in carbohydrates and protein will give you a nice base from which to draw energy in the hours to come. Try to prepare a healthy lunch or dinner for after the tattooing as well, so all you have to do when you come home is to heat it up. Getting tattooed can take a lot out of you, and you may feel physically exhausted or extremely sleepy afterwards.

It’s important to wear clothing that will allow easy access to the area where your tattoo work will be being done. Also wear something that you’d be okay with getting stained: not only will there sometimes be some ink splatter, but also wound-fluid or even blood. So avoid wearing wool and go with something cotton instead. Because most of the time, your fresh tattoo will be covered with some type of barrier film or piece of plastic for at least the first few hours, but if not, you don’t want a scratchy sweater rubbing on your new, highly-sensitive tattoo.

As we mentioned before, there will most likely be some pain with getting a scar cover up tattoo. Usually we will use a numbing agent cream (5% Lidocaine) on your tattoo area, however if you are allergic to Lidocaine please let us know both before and during your appointment here at our Santa Clarita / Los Angeles office. The level of pain depends on the tattoo’s placement on the body, but also on the person getting inked — we all have different amounts of pain that we can handle. Here are a few tips I can give to help you get through it easier:

Not only will tensing up make it harder for the artist to do their work, it will only intensify the experience of pain. Instead, try to accept that this is happening to your body, and focus on inhaling deeply and exhaling slowly.

Certain meditation techniques have helped me through some of the most difficult spots (inner arm and elbow, for one, and worst of all, my fingers) and amazingly, I’ve even found myself drifting into a slight dose every now and then.

If you’re lying down or sitting in a position that allows you to read, go for it. Chatting with the artist can help too, but always check ahead if they’re ok with that, or if they prefer to work in silence to be able to concentrate.

Take breaks, but not too many. During a multiple-hour session, your artist will of course need breaks as well, after sitting hunched over you for long periods of time. However, after each break, you’ll notice that sometimes even hearing the tattoo machine starting to buzz might already make you feel phantom-pain. That first rush of adrenaline doesn’t last forever, and the faster the artist can work, by limiting the interruptions, the better your tattoo will end up looking, and the less pain you’ll have to sit through.

• Always wash your hands before touching your tattoo!
• When you get home: Remove bandage within 2- 10 hours after getting your tattoo. Do not re-bandage. Your tattoo needs to breathe, just like any open wound.
• Wash your tattoo with an anti-bacterial liquid soap. Be gentle, do not use a washcloth or anything that will exfoliate your tattoo. Only use your hands.
• Gently pat your tattoo dry with a paper towel. Do not rub, or use a fabric with a rough surface.
• The first 3-4 days: Rub a small amount of ointment on your tattoo. We suggest Aquaphor and or an unscented lotion (with no alcohol in the lotion) or H2Ocean Aquatat tattoo ointment – whatever you know you’re not allergic to. And always remember to use clean hands and do not place your fingers back into the ointment after touching your tattoo. Make sure to rub the ointment in so that it is not shiny, or greasy– you want the thinnest amount possible. Pat off any excess ointment with a clean paper towel. Do not use Vaseline, petroleum, Neosporin, or Bag Balm. Wash, dry and apply ointment 3-5 times daily, as needed.
• On the first night, you may want to wrap your tattoo in saran wrap to prevent sticking to your bedding. Do not use any cloth bandages or pads, as the fibers of this material can adhere to your open tattoo and hinder the healing process.
• Wear clean, soft clothing over your tattoo for the first 2 weeks– nothing abrasive or irritating. For a foot tattoo: go barefoot as much as possible. If you must wear shoes, first wrap your clean tattoo in saran wrap, then cover with a clean cotton sock before putting on your shoe. Avoid sandals or flip-flops for this period to prevent chafing and damage to the tattoo.
• After day 3 or 4: On the 3rd or 4th day your tattoo will begin to peel. This is normal! Do not pick at the skin. Begin using a mild, white, unscented lotion, free of dyes or Perfumes.
• Use lotion for minimum 2 weeks, 1-2 times daily.
• RESIST THE URGE TO SATISFY YOUR DESIRE TO SCRATCH, RUB, OR PICK at the tattoo.  
• Remember -- the first few days and weeks (for a new tattoo) are probably the most important for your new tattoo.  Make sure that you care for it properly.  Consult a physician if you experience symptoms such as excessive swelling, redness, yellow or green discharge, fever. 

• You can shower, but do not soak your tattoo for 2 weeks.
• No heavy workouts/ exercising, swimming, soaking, sweating, sauna or hot tub.
• Do not use hydrogen peroxide or rubbing alcohol on your tattoo
• Do not pick, scratch, peel, slap, rub or irritate your tattoo.
• Do not expose your tattoo to the sun for at least 3 weeks, after that you must use sun block.
• Do not wear any super tight or abrasive clothing/ materials, jewelry, or shoes that may rub against your healing tattoo.
• Do not let anyone touch your tattoo, unless they just washed their hands.
• Beware of gym equipment; sanitize/ wash it well before using it.

• Ice your tattoo to reduce swelling.
• Elevate your tattoo, to reduce swelling.
• Take short showers.