GET READY GUIDE
Pro Tips to Ensure You Have the Best Experience
It is important for you to follow all procedure preparation and aftercare instructions, especially if this is your first tattoo. Our Aftercare Guide will assist you in choosing which healing method is best for you. We also recommend reviewing our suggested Aftercare Products, and getting nerdy about the Healing Process especially if this is your first tattoo so you know what to expect.
Do's & dont's
DO ✓ HYDRATE
Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated, but don't drown yourself otherwise you'll be getting up to use the washroom more than you'd like during the tattoo!
DO ✓ SLEEP
Getting plenty of rest tends to make it easier to sit calmly the following day.
DO ✓ EAT A GOOD MEAL
Consuming heavy and filling foods helps in particular because they tend to last longer, as sessions can run all day sometimes.
DO ✓ COME PREPARED
Check to make sure you have enough money to cover the cost of the tattoo, a tip, proper valid identification, and any drinks or snacks you might want while or after you get tattooed.
DO ✓ BRING/WEAR APPROPRIATE CLOTHING
Bring or wear warm/cool, loose fit, clean clothing that allows easy access to the area and do not wear fragrance or lotion on or near the area to be tattooed. Self tanning agents make it difficult for Ruby to properly evaluate your skin tone. Please avoid self tanner for 2 weeks or natural sun for 6 weeks.
DO ✓ SHOWER
It might seem to go without saying, but please make sure you shower beforehand. Unless you’re getting an underarm tattoo, please also wear deodorant. You should consider wearing clothes that it won’t matter if you get ink stains on. Even in the summer it’s a good idea to bring a sweatshirt or something warm to wear because getting tattooed can sometimes make you feel cold and our studio is typically well air conditioned.
DO ✓ TAKE IT EASY
Plan to rest for the remainder of the day after getting tattooed. Taking time afterward to relax and clean up your new artwork can help with the healing. Preparing dinner earlier in the day is sometimes helpful because getting a tattoo can make you surprisingly hungry and tired.
DO ✓ BE PATIENT
A very small and simple tattoo could take as little as ten minutes to apply. Most will take much longer than this. Except for large tattoos, (which usually get breaks) you’re probably going to have to sit still the entire time of the tattoo. You will want to prepare yourself to endure pain for that long, without moving around. You’ll have to figure out how to keep yourself calm and will perhaps want to practice calming yourself down by breathing through the pain. If you’ve taken classes or practiced any yoga or meditation you’ll benefit from the breathing exercises you learned.
Needless to say, if you ask to take frequent breaks or feel the need to constantly adjust your position to see Ruby's progress, it’s going to take longer. She will work as fast as she feels comfortable working, but you should be aware that regular stops tend to break up their rhythm and could make it take much longer.
DO ✓ TAKE BREAKS
During longer sessions, ask to take breaks if you need them. Usually a break is allowed every hour or so. Much more than that can interrupt the progress. When you do get a break make sure to use it wisely; use the bathroom, smoke a cigarette, drink water and munch on your snacks. You’ll probably notice that after a break the tattoo hurts pretty badly. Consider this another reason to limit the number of breaks you request.
DO ✓ BE PRESENT
During the entire procedure you’ll need to pay attention to any instructions that might be given to you. You might be asked to remove your belt, lower a sock, turn an elbow, take a breath, sit up straight, slouch over, or whatever, but you’ll need to be paying attention for when you're asked
DO ✓ HOLD STILL
If you find yourself needing to cough, readjust your position, stretch your leg, wiggle, laugh, or flinch; you have to give warning first. You should also not assume that because you don’t hear the machine running, you don’t still need to be motionless.
DO ✓ COMMUNICATE CLEARLY
Don’t be afraid to ask for assistance if you need a snack, a break, have questions, feel confused about anything or want to discuss changes to your drawing before getting it put on you permanently! Ruby is here to make this a great experience for you, but she needs a little help sometimes on what each persons specific needs are. :)
Sometimes people can feel faint when getting tattooed, particularly during the first few minutes, (sometimes even if it’s not their first time!) there’s no need to be embarrassed or afraid. Be vocal if you are feeling nauseous, dizzy or anything unusual besides the tattoo itself.
DO ✓ BE FLEXIBLE
Within reason of course! This goes back to communication, if you aren't able to sit in a certain way for whatever reason, be sure to let Ruby know as soon as possible so that she can find an alternative position.
From your perspective it may seem difficult for Ruby to reach an area in a position she may have requested, but she is also concerned with stretching out the skin not just reaching it.
Please be mindful, if you find yourself straining to hold a position because it may make you shake or twitch. You’ll have to try your absolute best to stay completely still in the position Ruby chooses. If you feel like you can’t maintain a position much longer for any reason, let her know before it becomes a struggle for you!
Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated, but don't drown yourself otherwise you'll be getting up to use the washroom more than you'd like during the tattoo!
DO ✓ SLEEP
Getting plenty of rest tends to make it easier to sit calmly the following day.
DO ✓ EAT A GOOD MEAL
Consuming heavy and filling foods helps in particular because they tend to last longer, as sessions can run all day sometimes.
DO ✓ COME PREPARED
Check to make sure you have enough money to cover the cost of the tattoo, a tip, proper valid identification, and any drinks or snacks you might want while or after you get tattooed.
DO ✓ BRING/WEAR APPROPRIATE CLOTHING
Bring or wear warm/cool, loose fit, clean clothing that allows easy access to the area and do not wear fragrance or lotion on or near the area to be tattooed. Self tanning agents make it difficult for Ruby to properly evaluate your skin tone. Please avoid self tanner for 2 weeks or natural sun for 6 weeks.
DO ✓ SHOWER
It might seem to go without saying, but please make sure you shower beforehand. Unless you’re getting an underarm tattoo, please also wear deodorant. You should consider wearing clothes that it won’t matter if you get ink stains on. Even in the summer it’s a good idea to bring a sweatshirt or something warm to wear because getting tattooed can sometimes make you feel cold and our studio is typically well air conditioned.
DO ✓ TAKE IT EASY
Plan to rest for the remainder of the day after getting tattooed. Taking time afterward to relax and clean up your new artwork can help with the healing. Preparing dinner earlier in the day is sometimes helpful because getting a tattoo can make you surprisingly hungry and tired.
DO ✓ BE PATIENT
A very small and simple tattoo could take as little as ten minutes to apply. Most will take much longer than this. Except for large tattoos, (which usually get breaks) you’re probably going to have to sit still the entire time of the tattoo. You will want to prepare yourself to endure pain for that long, without moving around. You’ll have to figure out how to keep yourself calm and will perhaps want to practice calming yourself down by breathing through the pain. If you’ve taken classes or practiced any yoga or meditation you’ll benefit from the breathing exercises you learned.
Needless to say, if you ask to take frequent breaks or feel the need to constantly adjust your position to see Ruby's progress, it’s going to take longer. She will work as fast as she feels comfortable working, but you should be aware that regular stops tend to break up their rhythm and could make it take much longer.
DO ✓ TAKE BREAKS
During longer sessions, ask to take breaks if you need them. Usually a break is allowed every hour or so. Much more than that can interrupt the progress. When you do get a break make sure to use it wisely; use the bathroom, smoke a cigarette, drink water and munch on your snacks. You’ll probably notice that after a break the tattoo hurts pretty badly. Consider this another reason to limit the number of breaks you request.
DO ✓ BE PRESENT
During the entire procedure you’ll need to pay attention to any instructions that might be given to you. You might be asked to remove your belt, lower a sock, turn an elbow, take a breath, sit up straight, slouch over, or whatever, but you’ll need to be paying attention for when you're asked
DO ✓ HOLD STILL
If you find yourself needing to cough, readjust your position, stretch your leg, wiggle, laugh, or flinch; you have to give warning first. You should also not assume that because you don’t hear the machine running, you don’t still need to be motionless.
DO ✓ COMMUNICATE CLEARLY
Don’t be afraid to ask for assistance if you need a snack, a break, have questions, feel confused about anything or want to discuss changes to your drawing before getting it put on you permanently! Ruby is here to make this a great experience for you, but she needs a little help sometimes on what each persons specific needs are. :)
Sometimes people can feel faint when getting tattooed, particularly during the first few minutes, (sometimes even if it’s not their first time!) there’s no need to be embarrassed or afraid. Be vocal if you are feeling nauseous, dizzy or anything unusual besides the tattoo itself.
DO ✓ BE FLEXIBLE
Within reason of course! This goes back to communication, if you aren't able to sit in a certain way for whatever reason, be sure to let Ruby know as soon as possible so that she can find an alternative position.
From your perspective it may seem difficult for Ruby to reach an area in a position she may have requested, but she is also concerned with stretching out the skin not just reaching it.
Please be mindful, if you find yourself straining to hold a position because it may make you shake or twitch. You’ll have to try your absolute best to stay completely still in the position Ruby chooses. If you feel like you can’t maintain a position much longer for any reason, let her know before it becomes a struggle for you!
DON'T ✗ DRINK TOO MUCH CAFFEINE
before coming in! It will not only thin your blood; it will make it harder to sit still
DON'T ✗ COME IN HUNGOVER
Please don’t drink heavily the night before your tattoo appointment. Even if it’s not enough to make you hung-over, it could still thin your blood the next day.
...OR INTOXICATED
Ruby will not tattoo anyone under the influence. It’s actually illegal. If you have an appointment and are turned away for being intoxicated and/or under the influence, you will likely lose your deposit. If you feel you must take something beforehand, please ask ahead of time if what you take will be an issue. Following the directions on the bottle and taking a small amount of Ibuprofen or other similar products is usually fine, but you shouldn’t expect it to help with the tattoos pain and should understand that it will thin your blood which could potentially make you harder to tattoo. If you are on any regular medications, you might consider asking your doctor ahead of time.
DON'T ✗ COME IN SICK
If you’re getting sick, or are outright sick, please email us ahead of time to reschedule your appointment. Don’t come in to get tattooed when you are sick! Not only is it unfair to expose Ruby, other artists, and other clients to your sickness; it may very well hinder your tattoos healing process. If Ruby notices you’re sick, she has the right to not tattoo you at the moment, which could result in you losing your deposit.
before coming in! It will not only thin your blood; it will make it harder to sit still
DON'T ✗ COME IN HUNGOVER
Please don’t drink heavily the night before your tattoo appointment. Even if it’s not enough to make you hung-over, it could still thin your blood the next day.
...OR INTOXICATED
Ruby will not tattoo anyone under the influence. It’s actually illegal. If you have an appointment and are turned away for being intoxicated and/or under the influence, you will likely lose your deposit. If you feel you must take something beforehand, please ask ahead of time if what you take will be an issue. Following the directions on the bottle and taking a small amount of Ibuprofen or other similar products is usually fine, but you shouldn’t expect it to help with the tattoos pain and should understand that it will thin your blood which could potentially make you harder to tattoo. If you are on any regular medications, you might consider asking your doctor ahead of time.
DON'T ✗ COME IN SICK
If you’re getting sick, or are outright sick, please email us ahead of time to reschedule your appointment. Don’t come in to get tattooed when you are sick! Not only is it unfair to expose Ruby, other artists, and other clients to your sickness; it may very well hinder your tattoos healing process. If Ruby notices you’re sick, she has the right to not tattoo you at the moment, which could result in you losing your deposit.
Please Be Sure to Inform Ruby of any:
• Blood thinning medications
• Alcohol consumption
• Diseases or conditions
• Trauma to the area to be tattooed
• Skin lesions, infections or irritations on or near the tattoo area
• Alcohol consumption
• Diseases or conditions
• Trauma to the area to be tattooed
• Skin lesions, infections or irritations on or near the tattoo area
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