Now booking flash & custom · Kansas City, Missouri
Before & after
Taking care of
your tattoo
Fine-line work is more delicate than most, and how you look after it decides how it ages. Everything I’d tell you in the chair is here.
Before your appointment
Pre care
Do
- Stay hydrated the day before and day of your appointment
- Moisturize your skin regularly leading up to your session
- Avoid alcohol & blood thinners for 24–48 hours before
- Eat a full meal beforehand
- Wear something comfortable and easy to move away from the area
- Sleep well the night before
Don’t
- No sun exposure — no tanning in the sun or on a bed for 48 hours before your session
- No self tanner or spray tans for 48 hours before your appointment
- No alcohol or blood thinners for 24–48 hours before
- Don’t shave the area — I’ll shave it if it needs it
While it heals
After care
Fine-line tattoos are more delicate and can fade faster if they aren’t cared for properly. Through healing the tattoo can look lighter, or have a “faded look” — that’s normal. Touch-ups are sometimes needed once it’s fully healed at six weeks. Always use SPF after healing to preserve the detail.
First 24 hours — with second skin
If second skin is applied, leave it on for 24 hours, then peel it off gently under warm water and start washing straight away. Wash with lukewarm water and an antibacterial, fragrance-free soap — Dial is my preference. Pat dry with a clean paper towel, then apply a very thin layer of unscented, fragrance-free lotion — Lubriderm Advanced Therapy is my preference.
First 24 hours — without second skin
If second skin isn’t applied, wash the tattoo before you go to bed the same day. Lukewarm water and antibacterial, fragrance-free soap, pat dry with a clean paper towel, then that same very thin layer of unscented lotion.
After day one
Wash 2–3 times daily and keep it lightly moisturised — less is more, don’t over-saturate it. Expect light peeling or flaking, and don’t pick or scratch. Avoid tight clothing over the area.
Until it’s healed
No swimming, baths, hot tubs, sun exposure, self tanning or saunas until it’s fully healed — at least 3 weeks. At six weeks it’s fully healed.
If anything looks off while it’s healing, message me rather than worrying about it.