PREPARATION

The first step to achieving great tattoo results is properly preparing for your appointment. Here are some tips and tricks to make sure your experience is smooth, comfortable and memorable!

BEFORE YOUR APPOINTMENT

  • Have a shower so you arrive to your appointment fresh and clean

  • Have a good, filling meal. This will give you energy for your session and helps to manage blood pressure, preventing dizzy spells

  • Wear comfortable clothing that will grant easy access to the area being tattooed

  • Drink plenty of water for the 2 weeks leading up to your appointment. Well hydrated skin takes ink a lot easier and heals well.

  • Read through the Aftercare page to get to grips with what you’ll need to heal your tattoo

  • Exfoliate gently with a loofah up to 3x a week for 2 weeks leading up to your appointment - but STOP 2 days before your appointment date. This helps remove dead skin cells on the top layer of skin meaning our needles will penetrate efficiently.

  • Moisturise the skin for 2 weeks leading up to your appointment, especially if exfoliating. This helps your tattoo to go in smoothly.

  • Come alone to your appointment, Hocus does have a waiting area in the main lobby but no station-side seating, for the sake of artists’ concentration

We’re aiming for a comfortable and hiccup-free experience, here are a few things you may want to bring:

  • Photo ID - If you’re lucky enough to look under 25 you may be asked for ID in the studio, bring it with you just in-case

  • Comfortable layers - depending on what you’re wearing to your appointment and the placement, you may want to bring something extra to change into. Button down shirts can work great for exposing the back whilst keeping your front covered, bikinis can be a great choice for getting a sternum piece whilst ensuring your dignity and comfort is protected.

  • Snacks - sugary drinks and sweets are essential pick-me ups for breaks in between stages, keep those sugar levels up!

  • Lunch - if you’re in for a longer session, it may be worth bringing a packed lunch unless you’re wanting to head into town mid-way through for food

  • Music, books, audiobooks - Something to keep your mind occupied during your session

  • Pillows and blankets are provided for comfort, but you’re welcome to bring your own if you’d like

  • Chargers - If you’re in for a long session, feel free to bring a phone charger, we’ll keep you topped up.

WHAT TO BRING WITH YOU

WHAT YOU SHOULD HAVE AT HOME

Head on over to Aftercare for more in-depth details, but as a guideline, here’s what you should have at home :

  • Gentle, alcohol and scent-free soap

  • Tattoo specific aftercare Balm

  • Clingfilm

  • Microporous tape if you’re unable to wrap around your new tattoo with clingfilm (generally for torso placements)

  • Fresh bedsheets for the first night

WHAT TO AVOID

Here are a few things that you should avoid before your appointment, to minimise risk and rescheduling:

  • Sun exposure - sunburned skin cannot be tattooed

  • Chemical exfoliants (peels and chemical scrubs) for 2 weeks prior - similar to sunburn, damage from chemical exfoliants can make the skin unsafe to tattoo

  • Numbing cream - I do not use numbing products or tattoo numbed skin

  • Manual exfoliation (Loofah, textured scrubs) for 2 days prior

  • Cuts, bruises, scratches - No one plans for these things but wounds in the area to be tattooed can mean the appointment has to be rescheduled, so be careful where possible! (Avoid woodchippers and the like)