INFORMATION
Everything you need to know about preparing for your appointment, caring for your tattoo, and FAQ's
Preparing for Your Tattoo Appointment
A little preparation goes a long way. The better you take care of yourself leading up to your appointment, the more comfortable your experience can be and the better your skin will be prepared for your tattoo. Here are a few best practices to help you arrive feeling prepared, comfortable, and ready for your session.
In the Week Leading Up to Your Appointment
• Stay hydrated. Drink plenty of water throughout the week leading up to your appointment. Well-hydrated skin is happier skin!
• Moisturize daily. Use a nourishing lotion that does not contain petrolatum, or coconut oil, each day during the week before your appointment. This helps keep your skin healthy and hydrated.
• Exfoliate 2–3 days before your appointment. Gently exfoliating can help remove dead skin cells and leave your skin smooth and ready for your tattoo.
• Don’t worry about shaving. Leave the shaving to your artist! They will shave the area as needed when preparing your skin for the stencil.
The Night Before
• Get a good night’s sleep. A well-rested body will make for a much more comfortable tattoo experience.
• Skip the alcohol. Avoid going out drinking the night before your appointment. Arriving hungover can make an already lengthy tattoo session significantly more difficult.
• Don’t make big plans for after your appointment. Tattoo sessions can occasionally take longer than expected. Leaving yourself plenty of time means your artist can work without feeling rushed.
The Day of Your Appointment
• Eat a good meal. Have a substantial meal within about two hours of your appointment. Going into a tattoo session well-fed can help you maintain your energy and avoid feeling lightheaded.
• Bring snacks! Especially for longer sessions, snacks can help keep your blood sugar from dipping and may help prevent lightheadedness or fainting.
• Wear comfortable clothing. Choose clothing that gives your artist easy access to the area being tattooed while keeping you comfortable throughout the session.
• Bring layers. Everyone has different sensitivities to our central air system, so we recommend bringing a sweatshirt, blanket, or other layer just in case.
• Arrive right on time. Our artists prefer that you arrive at your scheduled appointment time rather than significantly early. We’re often using every last minute before your appointment to prepare for you and your session.
• Come freshly showered and in clean clothing. Good hygiene is important for both you and your artist. Please arrive freshly showered and wearing freshly cleaned clothing. Poor hygiene may be a reason to reschedule your appointment, and we’d much rather avoid having to do that!
Make Yourself Comfortable
Tattoo sessions can last several hours, so anything that helps you relax and stay comfortable is welcome.
Consider bringing:
Fidget toys or stress balls
Headphones
A tablet or other entertainment
A blanket
Cozy socks
Anything else that helps you relax or stay occupied
Bringing a Guest?
Ask your artist ahead of time about their guest preferences. Every artist has their own approach to having friends or family accompany you, so please check with them before bringing someone along.
Most Importantly
Come rested, hydrated, well-fed, clean, comfortable, and ready to spend some time with us. Your tattoo is a collaboration between you and your artist, and giving yourself the best possible preparation helps set the stage for a great experience and a great tattoo.
Tattoo Aftercare Instructions
Your new tattoo is a fresh wound and needs time to heal. Proper aftercare helps protect your tattoo, support healthy healing, and reduce the risk of irritation or infection. Always follow your artist’s specific instructions first, as aftercare may vary depending on your tattoo, placement, and the type of bandage used.
If You’re Using Second Skin or a Similar Bandage
1. Keep the Bandage On
Leave your Second Skin or similar adhesive bandage on for the amount of time recommended by your artist, typically 1–5 days. If the bandage becomes excessively loose, leaks, or causes significant irritation, contact your artist for guidance.
2. Remove the Bandage
When it’s time to remove your bandage:
Remove it in the shower, using warm water to help loosen the adhesive.
Gently stretch the bandage away from your skin rather than pulling it directly upward.
Remove the bandage after washing your hair and body so shampoo, conditioner, and body wash do not run directly onto your tattoo.
Wash your hands thoroughly before touching your tattoo.
Gently wash the tattoo with clean, lukewarm water and a mild, fragrance-free soap.
Rinse thoroughly.
Pat the tattoo dry with a clean paper towel. Do not rub.
3. Moisturize
Once your tattoo is clean and completely dry, apply a very thin layer of the moisturizer or tattoo aftercare product recommended by your artist.
Less is more. Your tattoo should not look wet, greasy, or heavily coated.
The First Week
For approximately the first week:
Gently wash your tattoo twice daily.
Pat dry with a clean paper towel.
Apply a thin layer of your recommended moisturizer or aftercare product.
If your tattoo becomes noticeably dry during the day, you may apply a small additional amount of moisturizer.
Avoid over-moisturizing. Applying too much product can trap moisture against the skin and contribute to irritation. After the first week, continue moisturizing as needed while your tattoo finishes healing.
If You’re Not Using Second Skin
If your artist does not apply a Second Skin or similar bandage:
Keep the initial protective covering on for the amount of time recommended by your artist.
Wash your hands before touching your tattoo.
Gently wash the tattoo and surrounding area with lukewarm water and a mild, fragrance-free soap.
Rinse thoroughly.
Pat dry with a clean paper towel. Do not rub.
Apply a very thin layer of your recommended moisturizer or aftercare product.
Repeat this process approximately twice daily for the first week.
If you need to wash your tattoo more frequently because of work, exercise, or other circumstances, be gentle and avoid excessive washing, which can irritate healing skin.
Choosing a Moisturizer
We recommend using a simple, fragrance-free moisturizer or tattoo aftercare product recommended by your artist. Avoid heavily fragranced products and avoid applying thick layers of ointment or lotion.
If you have a known sensitivity or allergy to a particular ingredient, choose a product that is appropriate for your skin or consult your healthcare provider.
During the Healing Process
Avoid:
Swimming and soaking in pools, hot tubs, baths, lakes, or other bodies of water until your tattoo is fully healed.
Exfoliating or scrubbing the tattoo.
Picking or scratching at flaking skin or scabs.
Heavy exercise while wearing a Second Skin bandage, as excessive sweat and movement can loosen the adhesive.
Tight clothing that constantly rubs against the tattoo.
Excessive exposure to dirt, debris, dust, or animal dander.
Direct sun exposure while your tattoo is healing.
Dirty bedding or close contact between your tattoo and pets.
Do:
Shower normally.
Wear clean, breathable clothing.
Keep your bedding clean.
Stay hydrated.
Allow your tattoo plenty of time to heal.
Take photos and send them to your artist, we love seeing your tattoos as they heal!
What’s Normal?
Some redness, tenderness, swelling, clear fluid, itching, flaking, and light scabbing can be normal during the healing process.
If redness or pain is getting worse instead of better, or you notice significant swelling, increasing warmth, pus, spreading redness, red streaks, fever, or chills, contact a healthcare professional.
Be Patient With Your Tattoo
A tattoo is a controlled injury to the skin, and healing takes time. Your tattoo may look different from day to day as it moves through the healing process. Keep it clean. Keep it lightly moisturized. Leave it alone. Let your skin do its thing. And when in doubt, reach out to your artist. We’re always happy to help you take the best possible care of your new tattoo.
Frequently asked questions
What is The Collective Tattoo?
The Collective Tattoo is a community of independent tattoo artists who share a creative space, while each maintaining their own unique style, voice, and approach to tattooing. Our goal is to create a professional, welcoming environment where artists can do their best work and clients can have a comfortable, memorable experience. We believe tattooing is more than just the finished piece, it’s an opportunity for art, connection, and community.
What should I expect when I visit The Collective?
The Collective is a welcoming, professional, and creative space where independent artists come together under one roof. Because each artist operates independently, your experience—from booking and consultations to pricing and appointments—will vary by artist. When you visit, you can expect a clean, comfortable studio, talented artists, and a community-minded atmosphere. We want you to feel relaxed, respected, and excited about your experience from the moment you walk through the door.
Where are you located?
We are located on the West Side of downtown Salt Lake City, Utah. Our address is 561 W 200 South. We are on the south side of 200 South just across the way from the Old Greektown Station if you’re taking the Trax. The front of our building looks like 2 silver curves and we’re located next to a red and yellow Chinese food restaurant.
Do you accept walk-ins?
All of our artists are appointment only, but that doesn’t mean we don’t have someone who could do a tattoo for you in the same day. Send us a DM via our Instagram or call the shop phone 385.382.3613 to get in touch with someone.
How does The Collective Tattoo approach health, safety, and cleanliness?
The health, safety, and comfort of our clients and artists are a top priority at The Collective Tattoo. Our studio follows strict sanitation and hygiene practices to maintain a clean, professional environment for every appointment. Each artist has taken the Red Cross Blood Bourne Pathogen’s certification course. Our artists use single-use needles and disposable supplies with each client and never reused. Work surfaces and tattoo stations are thoroughly disinfected between clients, and artists follow proper hand-washing and glove protocols throughout every tattoo. We believe a great tattoo experience starts with a space where you feel comfortable, confident, and cared for. Every artist at The Collective is committed to maintaining a professional workspace and upholding high standards of cleanliness and safety.
Do you have merchandise available?
YES, we do! We have a collection of our merchandise found here on the website that are all designed by artists of The Collective Tattoo. We have t-shirts, sweatshirts, tote bags, and sometimes limited edition specialty items! Click here to shop merch.
How can I stay informed about shop events and guest artists?
If you’ve gotten this far, you might as well follow us on Instagram and TikTok! That’s the best place to see all the amazing things we’re up to! We always love it when you like, share, and comment. Or head to our events page to see what our community events are all about and when our next event is.
Does The Collective host events or support local artists and organizations?
Absolutely. We believe tattooing is part of a larger creative community. We regularly host Community Creative Events that bring together tattooing, local artists, businesses, nonprofits, and causes through themed flash, limited-edition merchandise, and curated art galleries. We’re always looking for ways to collaborate, highlight local talent, and create meaningful connections within our community. Keep an eye on our events page and social media for what’s coming next!