Before We Begin

Your safety and wellbeing are always our priority. Please let us know before your appointment if there are any circumstances that may affect your ability to safely receive a tattoo.

For your safety, we may need to cancel or reschedule your appointment if you are:

• Pregnant or breastfeeding

• Taking blood-thinning medication

• Under the age of 18

• Unable to provide a valid, government-issued photo ID

• Experiencing an illness, infection, irritation, or compromised skin in the area being tattooed

If any of these circumstances apply to you on the day of your appointment, please reach out as soon as possible so we can determine the best way to proceed.

The Week Before Your Appointment

A confirmation email will be sent during the week of your appointment, as well as again the day before, to confirm your scheduled date and time.

Before your appointment, please review your email correspondence and make sure all important details regarding your tattoo have been communicated, including placement, sizing, references, and design requests.

A specific amount of time is reserved during your appointment for stenciling and design adjustments. To ensure your experience remains relaxed and your appointment stays on schedule, please arrive with a clear idea of what you would like.

While we are happy to make reasonable adjustments during your appointment, being significantly undecided or requesting major changes may require your appointment to be rescheduled and may result in the loss of your deposit.

Preparing Your Skin

Healthy, well-hydrated skin creates the best canvas for your tattoo. We recommend moisturizing the area consistently in the days leading up to your appointment.

Please avoid:

• Sun exposure and tanning on the area being tattooed

• Self-tanner before your appointment

• Arriving with sunburned, irritated, or damaged skin

Sunburned or compromised skin cannot be tattooed safely, and your appointment may need to be rescheduled.

We also recommend staying well hydrated in the days leading up to your appointment.

Design & Stencil Process

A dedicated portion of your appointment is reserved for reviewing your design, making final adjustments, and placing your stencil. To keep your appointment running smoothly, please come prepared with a clear vision of what you would like.

Joy is happy to make reasonable adjustments to ensure the design feels right for you. However, significant changes, indecision, or a complete change in direction on the day of your appointment may require additional time that has not been reserved. In these circumstances, your appointment may need to be rescheduled and your deposit may be forfeited.

Please remember that the time reserved for you is specifically planned around your tattoo and its preparation, so arriving prepared allows for a more relaxed and elevated experience.

The Morning of Your Appointment

Please eat a full meal before arriving. Tattooing on an empty stomach can contribute to lightheadedness, nausea, or fainting.

We will have snacks and drinks available, but having a proper meal beforehand is strongly recommended.

Please arrive at your scheduled appointment time. If you arrive early, Joy may still be preparing your design or setting up for your session. We ask that you allow her the time and space to finish preparing so she can give you her full attention when your appointment begins.

What to Bring

Please bring:

• A valid, government-issued photo ID

• Water and snacks, if desired

• A phone charger or headphones, if helpful

• Comfortable clothing appropriate for your tattoo placement

Please do not apply numbing cream before your appointment unless it has been specifically discussed and approved by Joy. Lidocaine spray may be provided during your appointment if needed.

Please choose clothing that keeps you comfortable while allowing easy access to the area being tattooed. We recommend wearing something you feel comfortable moving around in and that you don’t mind potentially getting ink or ointment on. If your tattoo is in a more intimate placement, privacy measures will be used to help you feel comfortable throughout your appointment.

Bringing a sweater or light blanket is also recommended, as tattoo environments can become cool during longer sessions.

A few placement-specific suggestions:

• Back tattoos: A zip-up hoodie, loose jacket, or button-up worn backwards can provide easy access while keeping you comfortable.

• Neck, chest, shoulder & upper arm: A tank top or strapless top is ideal. Please avoid tops with collars.

• Rib tattoos: A bikini top or another top that allows easy access to the ribs is recommended.

• Thigh tattoos: Loose shorts or other bottoms that can easily be moved away from the tattoo area.

• Ankle & foot tattoos: Sandals, slippers, or other easy-to-remove footwear are recommended. Socks are to be avoided.

If you’re unsure what to wear for your specific placement, feel free to reach out before your appointment. We’re happy to help you choose something that keeps you comfortable while making the tattooing process as seamless as possible.

We understand that things happen, but please plan accordingly and allow enough time to arrive at your scheduled appointment.

There is a 15-minute grace period. Arriving more than 15 minutes late may result in your appointment being canceled and rescheduled, and your deposit may be forfeited.

If you know you are running behind, please reach out as soon as possible. We appreciate your consideration of the time reserved specifically for you.

Life happens, if you need to cancel or reschedule your appointment, please provide at least 72 hours’ notice.

than 72 hours’ notice will require a new deposit in order to book a new appointment.

No-call, no-show appointments will also require a new deposit equal to 50% of the total appointment cost before a future appointment can be scheduled.

Your appointment time is reserved exclusively for you, so we kindly ask that you provide as much notice as possible if your plans change.

Proper aftercare is an essential part of your tattoo experience. Caring for your tattoo while it heals helps preserve the quality, detail, and overall appearance of your finished piece.

For All Tattoos

Please use a gentle, unscented lotion during the healing process. Avoid petroleum-based products and heavy creams such as body butters, as they can be too occlusive for a healing tattoo.

For approximately the first two weeks:

• Keep your tattoo clean and follow the cleansing instructions provided.

• Always clean your tattoo after working out, regardless of when you last cleaned it. Sweat, bacteria, and friction can interfere with the healing process.

• Once the tattoo has begun to scab and dry, apply a light layer of unscented lotion 1–2 times per day, or as directed by Joy.

• Do not moisturize excessively. Your tattoo should not feel overly wet, greasy, or coated in product.

• Avoid over-cleaning, as excessive washing can also irritate the skin and interfere with healing.

• Avoid prolonged sun exposure.

• Do not swim or submerge your tattoo in pools, oceans, lakes, hot tubs, or baths while it is healing.

• Do not pick, scratch, peel, or intentionally remove scabbing or flaking skin.

• Allow the tattoo to heal naturally and avoid unnecessary touching.

If you notice signs of infection, an allergic reaction, or anything unusual or concerning during the healing process, seek appropriate medical attention and notify Joy.

Saniderm / Second Skin

If your tattoo has been covered with Saniderm, Second Skin, or another adhesive healing bandage, follow the specific instructions provided by Joy.

Most of the bandages Joy uses can remain in place for up to 4 days maximum, provided the bandage remains properly sealed and in good condition.

While wearing your Second Skin:

• Do not work out or participate in activities that cause you to sweat.

• Avoid excessive physical activity that may cause the bandage to loosen or the tattoo to become irritated.

• Sweat trapped underneath the bandage can create a warm, moist environment against your healing tattoo and may interfere with the healing process.

• Keep the bandage clean, dry, and securely adhered.

You May Leave the Bandage On If:

• The edges remain securely adhered to the skin.

• The bandage is not lifting around or over the tattoo.

• There are no leaks.

• The seal remains intact.

• There is no irritation or discomfort.

Remove the Bandage Immediately If:

• The edges are peeling or lifting significantly.

• The bandage is no longer staying securely in place.

• Fluid is leaking from underneath.

• The seal has been compromised.

• You are experiencing irritation or discomfort.

Do not attempt to re-secure or replace a compromised bandage unless specifically instructed to do so.

Removing Your Bandage

When removing the bandage, take your time and gently peel it away from the skin. Removing it under warm running water or in the shower can make the process more comfortable.

You can view a video on how to remove second skin here.

Once the bandage has been removed:

1. Gently wash the tattoo with a mild, fragrance-free cleanser.

2. Pat the area dry with a clean paper towel.

3. Allow the tattoo to fully dry.

4. Once the tattoo has begun to scab and dry, apply a very light layer of unscented lotion.

5. Continue moisturizing lightly 1–2 times per day as needed throughout the healing process.

If your bandage needs to be removed earlier than expected due to lifting, leaking, sweating underneath, or irritation, remove it and begin the standard cleansing and healing process above.

When to Seek Medical Attention

If you experience vomiting, severe or worsening pain, significant swelling, spreading redness, increasing warmth, excessive drainage or pus, fever, chills, difficulty breathing, signs of an allergic reaction, or any other symptoms that seem unusual or concerning, please seek medical attention as soon as possible.

If you believe you may have an infection or are experiencing a serious or rapidly worsening reaction, do not wait for a response and seek medical care immediately. Please notify Joy afterward so she is aware of what you are experiencing.