tatty prep:

before your tatty:

• no alcohol of *illicit substances* before the tatty sesh

  • it thins out the blood and stops it from coagulating at the tattoo site, which can cause you to bleed profusely (like non-stop gushing i’m not even joking) and it’s not fun to go into shock from blood loss!

• have a good night’s rest

• moisturise the planned tatty placement

• shower the morning of your session ya stinky boi

• wear comfortable, loose fitting clothes you don’t mind getting dirty

• can i be hairy or should I shave?

  • generally i will shave you with your consent but if you are uncomfortable with the idea of someone else shaving you, definitely DIY it and let me know at our sesh

• eat a proper meal one hour before your session

  • a banana & a monster energy drink? no.

  • a subway 6-inch? yes.

  • your body will need energy to burn as getting a tattoo activates the fight or flight response. it’ll start to burn the food in your stomach first which creates energy to help you numb out once your adrenaline settles in around 10mins into the tatty. not eating or having an empty stomach forces the body to start burning the energy deposits stored in your muscles which can cause shakes, intense pain and lightheadness/fainting!

• bring water and snacks!

  • i’m someone who needs to set up a lil nest when I get tattied, and having access to food and water keeps energy levels up and makes you last a bit longer! definitely encourage to create your own lil nest when you come in

• bringing anything that’s a comfort tool is encouraged! i have stim toys available for my clients who need anything to fidget or play with during their sessions, if you want to bring in plush toys that’s also allowed. whatever makes you comfortable :))

managing pain:

• if this is your first time receiving a machine tattoo, the best way i would describe it is a cat scratch that burns at the same time! with the proper prep involved, usually around the 10 minute mark into a tattoo is when your adrenaline system kicks in and numbs parts out. areas that are generally more dense with muscle such as the forearms are considered low pain areas, areas that are more dense with bone or fat tend to have be generally higher in pain. there are different areas depending on whether you’re amab or afab but ultimately every person is different whether it’s due to hormones, genetics or personal tolerance! some people have a higher tolerance overall, some people have lower

• my method of tattooing is pain and trauma informed so it’s important for me and for you that you are able to consent and are comfortable with every step of the process, from beginning to end. getting tattoos is a very intimate process so it’s important for my clients and for myself be a safe, calm, relaxing and fun experience for us both :))

• usually snacks and foods high in carbs or contains sugar can help make pain symptoms more manageable which is why a proper meal and snacks are encouraged!

• with regards to pain management on the chemical side, i use a numbing spray known as bactine which contains lidocaine. it is applied over an open wound (in this case once the first outline is done) and may take 10-20 mins for it to set and numb and around 30 mins application. most clients generally don’t need this, i usually encourage separate sessions to account for pain or reaching your limit but during the tattoo if you feel you need it, please let me know

• with regards to numbing cream, it depends on the artist. personally, i don’t mind if you need to use it! it can change the consistency of your skin to be a bit more rubbery but it just means it may take some extra care and time into the tattoo. depending on the brand you use it’s recommended to apply over the placement an hour before the tattoo and it may last about 30 mins into the first stages of the tattoo. if you feel you need to apply it or are more comfortable with applying it before the session, please check in with me to give me a head’s up so I can take it into account

• if you are someone that experiences menstruation there’s a chance your pain tolerance may be lower if you are currently on your period, if you feel comfortable disclosing it please let me know at our session so we can take it into account while we tattoo :))

REGARDLESS OF THE CIRCUMSTANCES WITH THE ARTIST OR THE STUDIO, YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO REVOKE CONSENT AT ANY STAGE IF YOU ARE NOT COMFORTABLE, FEEL UNSAFE OR HAVE REACHED YOUR LIMIT

at the end of the day, you are investing in a permanent design on your skin and entrusting another person with your body. it is important that you have and are able to consent through the whole process from the design, to the placement, to the tattoo being done to approving of the final design on skin. you should ultimately feel comfortable and confident in your decision and your artist. an artist should never make you uncomfortable - and they shouldn’t guilt you into continuing a tattoo if you’ve gone past your limit, if you are uncomfortable with the design or environment, try to re-quote you above the agreed design price without making you aware and having your consent prior to the tattoo, making derogatory remarks, make you feel unsafe and disrespected or make changes to the design you haven’t consented to. listen to your gut!