Pre & Post Care
Caring for Your Skin Before & After Treatment
Proper care before and after your appointment is essential to achieving the safest healing process and the most natural, long-term results. These guidelines are designed to support your skin, minimize irritation, and protect the work we create together.
If you ever have questions or concerns, you are always encouraged to reach out.
Before Your Appointment
1 Week Before
Exfoliate the area 1 week before your appointment to remove dead skin cells.
Shave or wax prior to your appointment (if applicable).
No laser hair removal or laser treatments on the area.
No Tanning
No tanning of any kind (sun, tanning beds, or spray tan).
For the best color match, I need to work with your true, natural skin tone.
Avoid Blood Thinners + Alcohol
No alcohol or blood thinners for 3 days before your appointment.
(If you take medication prescribed by a doctor, do not stop without medical guidance.)
Antibiotics
You cannot be on antibiotics 20 days before treatment or 40 days after treatment.
If this applies to you, please let me know before booking.
Day Of
Eat something before we meet and drink plenty of water.
Arrive with the area clean and free of chemicals:
No lotion, oils, makeup, deodorant (if relevant), or sweat on the skin
Wear loose clothing to avoid friction after treatment.
FYI: You will not be able to work out for a week, and no showering the night of treatment.
Medical Note
If you are diabetic, please let me know prior to treatment.
What to Expect After Treatment
Tonight
Please do not shower tonight.
Keeping the area dry initially is important for pigment retention and proper healing.
First 3 Days
Use a cold compress on the treated area 2–3 times daily for 10 minutes.
This helps reduce swelling and supports a calmer healing response.
Healing Ointment
Apply the provided healing ointment to treated areas 2x/day for 2 weeks.
Always apply with clean hands.
Sweating + Exercise
No working out or excessive sweating for 7 days.
We don’t want the skin to metabolize the ink and cause pigment loss.
Light walking is okay.
Water + Skin Services
For 14 days, avoid:
Saltwater (ocean, salt pools, hot tubs)
Exfoliation
Waxing on the treated areas
Sun Exposure
No sunbathing, spray tanning, or direct sun exposure for 40 days on treated areas.
This is critical — sun exposure can alter healing and affect your final color result.
After healing:
Always use sunblock on the treated area to protect it from fading long-term.
What Your Skin Will Look Like (Totally Normal)
Color Transitions (First 40 Days)
During the next 40 days, any camouflage tattoo will go through a variety of color transitions as your skin heals and pigment settles.
Stretch Marks
For the first 40 days, stretch marks may appear darker.
Please don’t panic — this is expected. Final results take time and settle gradually.
Scabbing / Flaking (Do Not Pick)
Do not scrub, rub, or pick at the epithelial crust/scab that forms.
Allow it to flake off naturally.
If it’s removed too early, it can pull pigment out from underneath and affect your results.
Very Important: Laser Warning
No lasers of any kind on treated areas.
Some pigments may contain titanium dioxide, and laser treatments can cause severe burning or skin damage.
If you’re unsure whether a treatment counts as a laser (IPL, resurfacing, etc.), ask first.
Need Help During Healing?
If anything feels off, or you’re unsure what’s normal, reach out. Healing is personal — support is part of the experience here.
Questions?
Policies & Reminders
Please arrive on time so we can honor the full process safely. Arriving late will cut into your appointment time and may result in additional charges if your appointment has to be cancelled.
I understand that life, health, and emotions can shift unexpectedly. You may reschedule with proper notice. If any changes need to be made to your appointment, please notify me at least 48 hours in advance in order to avoid additional charges.
If you arrive sick: The appointment must be canceled for safety; booking fee forfeited. Your health and the health of all my client’s matter.
No-call / no-show = booking fee forfeited. A new booking fee is required to rebook. Repeated no-shows may result in the refusal of future services.
For purposes of safety and sanitation, we cannot allow children to attend the sessions.
Epilogue Ink maintains a safe and grounded environment for every client.
Service may be denied to anyone who:
Is disrespectful or unsafe
Arrives under the influence
Displays aggressive or inappropriate behavior
Ignores pre-care or health requirements
Thank you for honoring these boundaries and for choosing Epilogue Ink as part of your healing journey.