pre-care

Get a goodnight's sleep! This will help your body get through your session.
HYDRATE. Drink lots of water throughout the week leading up to your appointment. This will help moisturize your skin as well as keep your body in a healthy condition for your appointment.
Shower, exfoliate, and moisturize the day before! Do not shave. That will happen at your appointment. If you knick your skin, you may have to reschedule your appointment to allow the cut to heal -- just leave the hair!
Protect your skin. Wear sunscreen, don't let your pet bite or scratch the area, avoid situations that cause bruising.
Avoid drinking alcohol, taking aspirin or other blood thinners 48 hours before your appointment. Excessive bleeding during your appointment will force the ink out of your skin.
Eat a good meal! A breakfast or lunch that's hearty will help keep your blood sugar levels up during the appointment. This helps with the pain, I promise! (Typically, I'll go for some french toast, fruit, and eggs before an appointment to keep my tummy full.)
Do NOT apply lotion before you go to your appointment. This will prevent the stencil from sticking properly.
Ask any questions or share concerns. This is on your body forever! It's okay to have questions or ask for changes.