before & after
tattoo care

— Lip Blush tattoo care —

PLEASE AVOID THE FOLLOWING THINGS BEFORE YOUR LIP BLUSH SESSION:

• COFFEE, caffeine/tea/energy drink consumption, minimum 4 hours before receiving a tattoo - to prevent excess bleeding, bruising and loss of pigment.
  -Post session consumption is fine.

• ALCOHOL consumption min. 24 hours before tattooing.
  -Post session consumption is fine.

• LIP INJECTABLES should be done 4 weeks before or after your appointment (only necessary in the same area as tattooing).

• Facials, Lasers, Tanning, Microdermabrasion for 4 weeks before/after receiving Lip Blush.
  Some facial treatments such as microneedling and Co2 lasers require 6+ weeks before tattooing is possible.

• Medications that cause thinning of the blood including but not limited to: Aspirin, Advil, Niacin, Fish Oil, Vitamin E, and Ibuprofen. Please consult your GP before stopping any medication.

• Please do not apply any topical numbing cream to the area.
  
  ACTIVE SKIN CARE, AHA’s, RETINOL USE:

  Cease using any active skincare, such as Retinol, Tretinoin or vitamin A products on/near the area of tattooing 14 days prior to your appointment and for 30 days post appointment.
  
  These products can cause premature colour loss due to skin cell turnover increasing.
  If you continue use, do not apply onto the tattooed area. More frequent touch ups may be required when using these products - but is not an issue.
  
  We refrain from working on individuals on Accutane and require clients to be off the medication for a minimum of 1 year before being tattooed.
  
  If you experience blemishes, cold sores or other skin irritations in the area of the procedure pre appointment, please contact your artist via e-mail for consultation prior to your appointment time.

GOOD-TO-KNOW INFO:

• COLD SORES / HSV (Herpes Simplex Virus):
  If you have ever experienced cold sores (even once) you MUST take anti-viral preventive medication on the day, or minimum 1 day prior to lip tattooing.
  Not doing so can risk an outbreak which may affect the healed result. Please consult your gp/pharmacist for official info before taking any medication.

• COLOURS:
  Bring your favourite go-to lip makeup and/or example photos of colours that you like to your appointment. This gives us a starting point to build from and helps to ensure your desired results are achieved.

• Hypersensitivity and discomfort around or during your menstrual cycle is possible.

• We will not be able to tattoo over blemishes, sores or moles, though your artist will do their best to camouflage/work around where possible.

• Bold colour, mild swelling and texture is normal in the initial stages of healing.
  Intensity will settle within 5 days post session. The vibrancy of your cosmetic tattoo will fade approximately 50% from what you initially see, revealing a soft and natural blush once healed.
  Initial healing time: 3-7 days.
  Full healing time: 6-8 weeks.

• The sensation can be similar to a mild sunburn, minimal flaking and peeling will take place while healing.
  Do not pick at the skin! Doing so will be removing pigment in the process.
  Allow the skin to heal in its own time.

• Keep your lips hydrated during day 1-5, use only the provided balm with clean hands or cotton tips as regularly, only as needed. Remember to keep yourself hydrated, too!

• No kissing for 5 days minimum post tattooing.

• Avoid hot/spicy and salty foods for 48 hours post tattooing.

• Avoid: submerging healing skin under water, direct sun, teeth whitening, rubbing, smoking, kissing and cosmetic products on unhealed lips.

Cosmetic tattoos are designed to soften and fade gradually over time. With proper care, they can stay looking beautiful for years.

• Lip Blush tattoos typically last 1-5 years depending on your skin type, lifestyle, and after care.
• Active skin care products such as: retinols, AHA’s or chemical exfoliants will cause tattoos to fade faster.
• Sun exposure, UV rays, and tanning beds can lead to premature fading or pigment discolouration. Once healed, apply sunscreen daily to protect your tattoos.
• Makeup can be applied once healed to achieve certain looks. Cosmetic tattooing is designed to create a soft, natural enhancement, while still allowing you to add more definition or drama with if/when desired.
•Touch-ups every 1-5 years are recommended to maintain your results looking fresh and defined. Touch ups should be done once tattoos have faded by at least 30%

• Skin in the centre of the lips is the thinnest and will usually lighten and fade first due to natural exfoliation. Lip filler can also disperse the colour saturation.

— Eyeliner tattoo care —

PLEASE AVOID THE FOLLOWING THINGS BEFORE YOUR eyeliner SESSION:

• Caffeine - coffee or energy drinks for a minimum of 4 hours before. This is to prevent excess bleeding, bruising and loss of pigment. Post session consumption is completely fine.

• Alcohol consumption for 24 hours before.
  -Post session consumption is fine.

• Eyelash extensions / false lashes cannot be worn during your session or while healing.

• Facials, Peels, Laser treatments, Tanning, Microdermabrasion should be done a minimum of 4 weeks before tattooing.

• Refrain from all medications that cause thinning of the blood, including but not limited to: Aspirin, Advil, Niacin, Fish Oil, Vitamin E, and Ibuprofen. Please consult your GP before stopping any medication.

• Do not apply any topical numbing cream prior to your appointment.

GOOD-TO-KNOW INFO:

• 2 initial sessions are done to consider your Eyeliner finished and complete. 
  Cosmetic tattoos use a two-step process and the general approach of “we can add, but we cannot take away” when it comes to working on such delicate features on faces. Touch up sessions are beneficial for layering the pigment for more saturation. We can also tweak the colour if needed in the session! Touch ups must be completed within 3 months from the original session for best results.

• It is super helpful to come to your appointment with no mascara or other eye makeup - but a visual reference of your desired eyeliner outcome. This can be by having your liner pre-drawn in, or a photo of the desired results.

• We cannot go ahead with the procedure if you have eyelash extensions on or recently had your lashes tinted.

• Maintenance will vary, depending on preferences, skin type and long-term care. Most clients will need a refresher/colour boost session after 18-24 months to keep colour full and fresh, after the initial (two) sessions are completed.

DAYS 1 & 2:
Clean the area using a cotton pad dampened with water 3-4 of times a day to remove any lymph or build up on the healing skin. PATTING MOTIONS ONLY - NO RUBBING! 
Use fresh pillow cases and towels while healing to avoid any bacteria from previous uses touching your tattoo.

DAYS 3 – 10: Don’t get the area wet. Don’t apply any product onto the treated area until all scabs/flakes have naturally peeled off on their own. NO PICKING.

Depending on skin type, aftercare cream may be included as part of the aftercare. If so apply as instructed in thin amounts. 

Things to AVOID:

• RUBBING or PICKING the tattooed area.

• Wear glasses and avoid contact lenses for 5 days. Fresh contact lenses are recommended after healing is complete.

• Harsh facial products when cleansing, during the healing process.

• Avoid using used towels on healing tattoos, as they carry bacteria.

• Do not wear mascara or makeup on or near the tattooed area for 7 days.
  After 7 days, use a brand new mascara and clean makeup/brushes to avoid irritation/infection.

• Avoid eyelash extensions or tinting services until you are fully healed - min. 2 weeks post tattooing.

• Avoid facials, saunas/steam rooms, tanning for 7 days.

— Paramedical & Restorative
tattoo care —

— Consult Your Doctor First:
Before booking, please consult with your doctor/specialists to ensure you are medically suitable for tattooing. Certain medications and treatments, such as: skin or blood thinners, steroids, or ongoing therapies that affect healing, may impact the tattooing process and recovery/healed results.
Always seek official medical advice before proceeding, especially when tattooing over a surgical site.

— Timing your first session:
For best results, we recommend waiting a minimum of 6-12 months after any surgery or procedures in the area of tattooing. Feel free to reach out with some photos, or arrange an in person consultation to decide when may be best for you.

— PREPARING FOR APPOINTMENT DAY:

• Get a good nights sleep beforehand. Being well rested will make for a more comfortable tattoo experience.

• Eat something nutritious before getting tattooed. Bring along a snack if you would like.

• Wear comfy clothes that allow for easy access to the area we’re working with.

• AVOID CAFFEINE (4hrs min) before your tattoo.
  -Consumption after is fine

• AVOID ALCOHOL for 24hrs before your session.
  -Consumption after is fine

• Get excited !

At each visit, after care info is provided in writing along with specialised healing balm
and dressings.
After tattooing, ‘second skin’ dressings (Tegaderm) are applied and worn for 7–10 days.
This dressing alleviates need for the below aftercare steps and makes for a much easier healing process.

For those who cannot wear a second-skin dressing:
DURING THE HEALING PERIOD
(10-14 DAYS POST TATTOOING):

• Avoid touching, scratching, picking and rubbing the tattooed area at all times.

• Use only the provided aftercare balm, extremely minimally, to very lightly hydrate the skin once per day.
  Applied with a cotton tip or clean fingers. Avoid over applying and over saturating the skin with balm.

• Avoid submerging the tattooed area under water (pools, hot tubs, hot baths) for 4 weeks.

• Avoid high intensity activities that will cause excessive sweating or friction in this area until fully healed - 2 weeks.

• Flaking and peeling of the tattooed area around day 5-14 is completely normal and expected.
  Please allow this skin to flake away in its own time and ensure it is left totally undisrupted.
  A light amount of hydration from the provided aftercare balm 1x per day is recommended during this time.

• Keep healing and tattooed skin away from direct UV rays

• Avoid lotion/perfume/fake tan on/around the tattooed area for 4 weeks.

EXERCISING:
Allow your body proper time to rest and heal for the first 10-14 days following tattooing.
Day 1-10: No exercise recommended. Walking and weights are accepted (NO hot yoga/pilates)
Day 10-14+: You may slowly resume your usual programs, be slow and gentle with the area until the peeling has stopped.

High intensity exercise eg: F45, hot yoga/pilates, running/jogging, anything that causes friction, sweating and bouncing is not advised until healed (2 weeks).

WEARING A BRA:
In most cases a ‘second skin’ dressing (such as Tegaderm) is applied right after tattooing and worn for 7–10 days.
This dressing protects the area and makes wearing a bra, and general aftercare, much easier.
The area is not impacted by a bra with a dressing in place.

If you’re unable to wear second skin dressings:

When possible, avoid bras or tight clothing during the 14 day healing period. When wearing a bra is necessary:

• Create a barrier between your skin and clothing to prevent rubbing or sticking.

• On clean skin, gently place a small piece of cling film (Glad Wrap) over the tattooed area.

• Secure it with medical tape to prevent movement.

• Wear your bra or clothing over the top.

• Be sure to remove or change the wrap after maximum 4-5 hours for hygiene and to allow skin to breathe.