Preparing for Your Tattoo

Do I need an appointment?
Yes, you need an appointment. Angela works on an appointment-only basis, and it can sometimes take a few weeks from the date of your initial consultation to fit you into the schedule.
 

How do I make an appointment?
A consultation is usually required before making your tattoo appointment, depending on the complexity of the idea, location, or if it’s a coverup. Email Angela at angelakoscaltattoo@gmail.com or contact her here to set up a consultation and include as much information about your desired tattoo as possible. If the idea is simple or straightforward enough, Angela will make an appointment with you through email without requiring a consultation; an invoice for your deposit to hold your appointment will be provided through email if this is the case.
 

Do you require a deposit?
Yes, an $80 to $150 deposit is required for all appointments, depending on the amount of time needed to prepare for the tattoo. If you have an in-person consultation, you can pay your deposit then. Your deposit will be applied toward the price of your tattoo, and comes off the final session if it is a larger piece that requires multiple sittings. 

What do I need to do to prepare for my tattoo?
Make sure you get plenty of rest the night before your tattoo appointment. Eat a light lunch or dinner before you come in, and bring a valid government issued ID. Please come in hydrated and sober; avoid alcohol and caffeine for 24 hours before your appointment if possible. If your session is going to be several hours long, it might be a good idea to bring along snacks and a water bottle.


Do you take cash or credit?
Cash is always preferred, but credit is also accepted. Tips, should you choose to give one, can be given via Venmo, too.

During Your Tattoo

Can I bring a friend?
If Angela works best when a client comes by themselves. It helps minimize distractions for artist and client, and allows Angela to focus entirely on creating the best possible tattoo for you. Additionally, having other individuals present during the tattoo process can sometimes interfere with the personal and intricate nature of the work. If you need someone there for accessibility reasons, please reach out to Angela to discuss your needs,


Can I get tattooed while taking antibiotics?
If you have questions or concerns regarding antibiotics and getting tattooed while on them, please consult with your doctor. It is not advisable to get tattooed while taking antibiotics. Since antibiotics are designed to combat infections, your immune system may already be compromised, increasing the risk of complications for your tattoo.

After Your Tattoo

 

Tattoo Aftercare with Saniderm
Saniderm—or Tegaderm™—is a transparent, waterproof adhesive bandage film that provides medical-grade healing for your tattoo.

  • Angela will apply the Saniderm directly to your tattoo at the end of your session. Leave this piece in in place for 24 hours.

  • Remove the bandage after 24 hours by gently washing the area with water and fragrance-free soap and peeling from the top down.

  • Wash your tattoo and pat dry with a paper towel (don’t rub!) and wait 10 minutes for it to air dry to apply a second bandage.

  • Wear your second bandage for four to seven days. Shower as you normally would, but avoid submerging the bandage. If the bandage starts to peel, early removal is fine—it’s ready to come off.

  • Repeat the removal process, then wash and pat dry your tattoo.

  • Apply unscented lotion whenever the tattoo feels dry for the next three weeks. Keep out of direct sunlight for one month and once your tattoo is healed, always use a high SPF sunscreen after your tattoo during sun exposure.


Traditional Tattoo Aftercare
If you are sensitive to adhesives, Saniderm may not be right for you. Instead, Angela will secure either a bandage over your tattoo before you leave the shop to protect your new work.

  • Leave your bandage on while you head home from the shop for one to two hours.

  • Wash your tattoo with gentle, fragrance-free soap immediately after bandage removal.

  • Apply an ointment. Rub it in well—your tattoo should not look shiny or glossy. Aquaphor, Hustle Butter, Redemption or Ink-Eeze are good ointments to use.

  • Continue to wash and moisturize your tattoo three times a day. Once your tattoo begins to flake—typically around day three or four, you can switch to a fragrance-free lotion. Lotion whenever necessary for the next three weeks.


Tattoo Aftercare DOs & DO NOTs

  • DO NOT wash your tattoo with soaps containing fragrances or exfoliants.

  • DO NOT wash your healing tattoo with a cloth or loofa.

  • DO NOT pick or scratch your tattoo.

  • DO NOT submerge your tattoo in water for long periods of time until it is fully healed. Do not go into pools or lakes for two weeks after you get tattooed.

  • DO use a fragrance-free soap on your tattoo, such as Dial or Dr. Bronner’s baby soap.

  • DO use only your hand to wash your healing tattoo.

  • DO moisturize your tattoo as needed.

  • DO protect your healing tattoo from direct sunlight and use sunscreen after it is healed.

  • DO take it easy for the next few days. Getting tattooed taxes your immune system, so be sure to get plenty of rest, stay hydrated, and keep alcohol intake to a minimum.


Angela’s Work Guarantee
The work you get from Angela is guaranteed for six months should a retouch be necessary—unless damage was caused by improper aftercare, including:

  • Sun exposure

  • Immersion in water—including showers, pools, and natural bodies of water—within the first two weeks.

  • Picking or scratching