How to set yourself up for success for your tattoo appointment

When on a a trip to Korea, there is certainly a lot to plan and think about. Therefore, if you're planning on getting tattooed while visiting, here area few helpful tips to keep in mind!

Prepare your skin.

In the week leading up to your appointment, it is a good idea to exfoliate and moisturise regularly. Furthermore, if you lead an active lifestyle, plan ahead to prevent sunburn or skin injuries in the area where you will be tattooed.

Head to bed early and get a good night's rest!

We realize this might be easier said than done, especially if you are on vacation! However, getting plenty of rest and abstaining from or reducing your alcohol consumption will not only allow you to be more present during your appointment, but will also give your body what it needs to heal as quickly as possible.

Eat a substantial meal.

Getting tattooed causes changes in your blood sugar levels. A healthy meal will prevent too many rapid changes in blood sugar during the procedure.

Stay hydrated.

Drink lots of water leading up to your appointment and continue to hydrate during your appointment, too! A hydrated body heals better and faster.

Pack a bag with all of your essential items.

Bring music, a book to read, snacks, or any medication that you might require while at our shop.

Dress comfortably!

Comfortable, soft, and loose fitting clothing is always recommended. It is especially helpful to avoid any elasticated clothing that might rub or irritate your new tattoo.

We hope these tips helped! And if there is anything that you are unsure of leading up to your appointment, pleas do not hesitate to get in touch! See you soon! :)

Sentences you should never be afraid to say to your tattooist

After last week’s “Things you should never be afraid to ask your tattooist,” there is still quite a lot of ground to cover. So as a continuation, here are some key sentences you should never be afraid to say out loud to your tattooist.

“I can’t find an exact picture of the design I want.”

Don’t worry about this! While it is always helpful for an artist to have lots of inspo pictures, sometimes a very general concept can also be fun for the artist because it allows them to be really creative and inventive.

“This is my budget.”

We understand that everyone’s situation is different and your artist will not be offended if you are honest and upfront about how much you can afford to spend on your tattoo. When your artist has a clear idea of your budget, they might be able to make adjustments to your design so that they can bring your ideas to life while still being respectful of your financial circumstances.

“I’m not sure about this part of the design/placement.”

This is all part of the collaborative process. Your artist will not be offended if there are modifications you would like made to the design, size, or placement. Being able to effectively communicate with and listen to clients is a skill tattooist are constantly looking to improve and quite often, our clients’ ideas give us inspiration for future designs!

“I have a certain skin condition.” Or “I have a pattern of healing from wounds this way.”

Please don’t be afraid to speak up about any characteristics, healing patterns, conditions, or recent injuries related to your skin, no matter how small. Things that are useful for us to know include any family history of keloid scars, recent sunburns, allergies to medical adhesives, any topical ointments you’re using on your skin, or if you tend to experience hyperpigmentation. Furthermore, during the summer it’s especially helpful for us to know if the area we are tattooing has recently healed from a sunburn. And finally…

“It hurts too much.”

Your wellbeing is a huge priority to us. And although certain tattoo placements might be a bit more sensitive than others, there are always things we can do to make you as comfortable as possible. If the pain is too much, please speak up so your artist can advocate for you.

We hope you find this helpful! Please get in touch anytime with any questions that you might have. We look forward to welcoming you to the shop soon :)

Things you should never be afraid to ask your tattooist!

When someone is getting their first tattoo or is getting tattooed or is unfamiliar with the tattoo culture in a country they are visiting, they might be hesitant to speak up. While tattooists always appreciate clients that are kind, polite, and respectful of boundaries, here are some things you should never be afraid to ask :)

“Will it hurt?”

It is totally understandable to be concerned about pain, especially if you are advised that your tattoo is likely to take a few hours. Your tattooist is happy to answer questions about the pain you are likely to experience in different tattoo placements, as well as pain levels at various stages of the process like lining, packing and shading. The good news is, the level of discomfort is often quite lower than what clients expect :)

“Can we change/alter this part of the design?”

Your tattooist wants loves being able to bring your tattoo concept to life, so when you are shown a design, do not be afraid to ask for adjustments to design elements. In fact, this can be a very fun and collaborative part of the process for both the client and the tattooist?

“Can we try a different stencil placement?”

Just as with making alterations to your design, please feel free to speak up if you’d like to adjust the placement of your stencil. You would be amazed how even tiny adjustments in the placement can make a huge difference. And just as with making the design itself, experimenting with placement can be incredibly fun for you and your tattooist. Similarly, this is the time to tell your tattooist if you have any future plans for other tattoos, so they can be sure to save space.

“Can I take a break?”

Your health, wellbeing, and physical and emotional comfort are a top priority for your tattooist. Do not be afraid to speak up if you’d like a break for the restroom, a snack, or even just stretching after laying on the tattoo bed for long periods of time.

“Is it okay if i I do this activity/hobby while healing?”

We always try to give our clients very clear and detailed aftercare instructions, however please do not feel shy about asking any specific questions you have regarding aftercare. For example, if you are staying in Korea for a long period of time, your tattooist can recommend good aftercare products that can be found at a local Korean pharmacy. Similarly, if you have any hobbies that involve rigorous physical activity, it is good to let your tattooist know so they can advise you when it’ll be safe to resume those activities again.

“What can I do to say thank you?”

Sometimes clients who come from countries with a tipping culture ask what they can do to show appreciation to their tattooist. Gestures of appreciation that we love are Google reviews, following your artist on Instagram, and posting and tagging a photo of your new tattoo :)