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Ink By STARS is a professional black-owned, women-led custom tattoo shop in Minneapolis, MN. We offer a custom modern tattooing experience with excellent expertise and artistry. As such, we guarantee that your custom tattoo design will come to life exactly as you imagine before putting ink to skin. We have a strong team of artists, who combined, have decades of experience in the tattooing industry.

We pride ourselves on our team being composed of only women artists who are breaking the mold in the industry. With our private studios, we maintain your health and safety so that you can feel safe, relaxed, and comfortable during your tattooing experience. Follow us on Instagram to see our work in real life - your tattoo might even be featured on our page.

TATTOO STUDIO

OPEN SIX DAYS A WEEK!

Preparation & Aftercare

Preparing for your tattoo.

1. Stay hydrated. In the days leading up to your session (at least a week before), be sure to drink plenty of water. It is recommended to drink at least 1-2 liters per day. The more hydrated you are, the more hydrated your skin is which will make the tattooing process easier for your artist.

a. You will also want to continue being hydrated in the days following your appointment during your aftercare.

2. Get a good night’s rest and eat a healthy/hearty meal the night before and day of your appointment. Tattooing can be stressful on the body, so be sure to give it lots of energy through rest and food.

3. Moisturize the area that is going to be tattooed for at least a week before your tattoo session. Unscented moisturizers are the best to use. Your artist will shave and prepare your skin for your tattoo the day of your appointment.

4. Wait at least two weeks before getting another tattoo.

Aftercare.

If your tattoo was wrapped with Saniderm:

5 days after appointment:

1. Gently remove your Saniderm wrap from your tattoo in the shower or under running water. The wrap should be peeled off from top to bottom

a. Only use mild, unscented hand soap like (Dial Anit-bacterial, Dr. Bronner's Castile Peppermint, Dove Sensitive).

b. Only pat dry your tattoo with paper towels.

2. Stay hydrated.

DO NOT:

1. Over wash your tattoo - you should only wash your tattoo at a maximum twice a day (morning and night).

2. Rewrap your tattoo.

3. Use harsh substances like washcloths, loofahs or bath towels for the first 72 hours after getting your tattoo.

5+ days after your session :

1. Continue to clean your tattoo per instructed above.

2. Use Aquaphor for 1 day to moisturize your tattoo. Only apply a thin layer of the product to your tattoo and be sure to blot away any excess product.

3. After using Aquaphor for 1 day, continue moisturizing your tattoo with plain unscented lotion every 2 hours as needed to ensure that your skin stays moisturized. 4. Stay hydrated.

If your tattoo was wrapped with standard wrap:

24 Hours after your session:

1. If your tattoo was wrapped with standard wrap, 2 hours after your appointment you can gently remove and clean your tattoo.
a. Only use mild, unscented hand soap like (GIVE SPECIFIC EXAMPLES HERE 2-3).
b. Only pat dry your tattoo with paper towels.
2. Stay hydrated.

DO NOT:

4. Over wash your tattoo - you should only wash your tattoo at a maximum twice a day (morning and night).

5. Rewrap your tattoo.

6. Use harsh substances like washcloths, loofahs or bath towels for the first 72 hours after getting your tattoo.

3+ days after your session:

1. Keep your tattoo area moisturized. Use Aquaphor for 3-4 days to moisturize your tattoo. Only apply a thin layer of the product to your tattoo and be sure to blot away any excess product.

a. After 3-4 days of using Aquaphor, switch to moisturizing your tattoo with plain unscented lotion every 2 hours as needed (while awake) to ensure that your skin stays moisturized.

2. Stay hydrated.

3. Avoid having your tattoo in direct sunlight or in tanning booths for at least 10-14 days.

DO NOT:

1. Submerge your tattoo in any type of water for at least 2 weeks after your appointment. No soaking in tubs, Jacuzzi or swimming during the initial part of your healing process. Also try to avoid your tattoo being directly under the water stream in the shower.

2. Pick, scratch or rub your tattoo during the healing process. If your tattoo itches, pat it lightly, but DO NOT scratch. Picking, scratching and/or rubbing can lead to loss of color and in extreme cases, infection.

DO NOT:

1. Come to your appointment if you are sick. To prevent the spread of illnesses, we ask that you please do not attend your tattoo session if you are feeling unwell. Being sick can affect your tattoo’s healing process. You can reschedule your appointment by contacting our shop (612)-512-1504 or reaching out to your artist directly.

2. Drink alcohol before, during or after your appointment.

3. Use fake tanner, tinted moisturizers, numbing gels or attend your appointment with sunburned skin. To ensure the quality of your piece and the artistic integrity of your artist, do not use any of the items just listed. Tanners and tinted moisturizers can compromise the consistency of your skin, impact your healing process as well as affect the long-term look of your tattoo. Tattooing sunburned skin will not only be painful for you, but will affect how your tattoo will look long term.

4. Take any painkillers, blood thinning drugs or use numbing cream before your appointment. Painkillers, blood thinners and numbing gels can make the body unable to be properly tattooed and impacts your healing process as well as.

5. Do any intensive exercising or heavy lifting for 24 hours before or after your session. Intense exercising can impact your skin during the tattoo process as well as affect your healing time. If you must work out, use your best judgment and especially avoid having your tattoo exposed to any gym equipment.

PREPARATIONS & AFTERCARE

ARTISTS