Ghost in the Machine Tattoo
Tattoo Care Instructions
(Scroll down for Tegaderm aftercare)
Please be aware that a fresh tattoo is an open wound and should be treated as such. Following our aftercare guidelines will greatly increase your chances of healing without problems. Your tattoo will take about 10-14 days to heal superficially, and about 6 weeks to heal completely.
Every tattoo artist will have his or her variation on healing protocol, so follow any instructions your artist at Ghost in the Machine has advised, but do NOT follow the advice of any friends, “experts” you found online, other tattoo artists, etc. Help us help you. Your tattoo was applied under clean conditions using single-use and/or autoclave sterilized equipment. Successfully healing your hard-earned tattoo is up to you…
1. Keep your bandage on a minimum of three hours. If you will be going to bed before then it’s ok to leave it on overnight.
2. After removing the bandage, wash the tattoo thoroughly with cool soapy water. A mild antibacterial soap is good, but in general whatever bath soap you know your skin agrees with will usually be fine. A quick shower is fine but do not soak in a tub, go swimming, use a sauna, etc until the tattoo is healed. Do not re-bandage.
3. Dab it dry, and with clean hands apply a very thin coat of Aquaphor (available over the counter at any drug store), or whatever ointment your artist has recommended. Less is more! You don’t want to smother the tattoo.
4. For the first two weeks, be sure to wash the tattoo morning and night. If it seems necessary you can wash it throughout the day as well. Re-apply the ointment with clean hands.
5. Do not pick at your tattoo! Dead skin and possibly some light scabbing will flake off your tattoo as it heals- do not pick at your tattoo! Your tattoo may also itch while it’s healing- do not scratch your tattoo!
6. After about 3 days you can switch from the Aquaphor to thin coats of moisurizing lotion. Fragrance-free Eucerin or Lubriderm are good. Moisturizer may help with the itching. The tattoo should be completely closed over by now, but on the off chance you have trouble spots that are still weeping stick to the Auquaphor until it stops.
7. Avoid direct sunlight while the tattoo is healing but do not apply sun screen until it is completely healed. A lifetime habit of sunscreen use in the future will help preserve the color in your tattoo.
8. Ghost in the Machine strongly recommends against working out while your tattoo is healing! A dirty gym or equipment, your sweat, and friction and contact with the new tattoo will greatly increase the chances of infection.
9. If you have any questions regarding the care and healing of your tattoo, just call us! We take pride in our work and want it looking as good as the day it was finished for many years to come…
Aftercare with Tegaderm Bandage
Let the bandage be! Your bandage is specially designed to stay on the surface of the tattoo for 3-4 days. You can shower with the bandage, just avoid getting too much hot water or soap on the bandage itself. While tegaderm does help prevent contact with dirty surfaces (gyms etc), it is still recommended that you take a few days off to avoid stressing the area.
The night of or day after your tattoo, the area may look muddy or smeared. This is totally normal! This is just your body getting rid of some extra ink, blood, and plasma, and while it may look alarming, your tattoo is perfect safe under the muck. If it’s a small amount, your body will naturally dry it up. If a “pouch” of fluid builds up, gently push the bubble towards the edge of the bandage and wick away with a paper towel.
If the bandage comes off in the first 24 hours after your appointment, there are two options. The first option is to just follow the aftercare instructions listed above for non-tegaderm tattoos. The other option is to purchase tegaderm (or similar bandage) at a pharmacy and apply it yourself. Be sure to clean the skin and gently dry it before applying any new bandage. Do your best to keep the bandage on for three days.
REMOVING TEGADERM BANDAGE: After 3-4 days, your bandage will be ready to remove. The bandage works a lot like a Command Strip. If you gently pull a corner outwards, not upwards, the adhesive will stretch, and the bandage will break down. DO NOT rip off like a band-aid! Slow and gentle! During the very last phase of healing, your tattoo may look a little bit light, shiny, or waxy. This is the final layer of skin healing over, and will return to a more normal looking texture within a few days.
Once the bandage is removed, wash with a mild soap and water, pat dry with a paper towel, and apply a thin layer of unscented moisturizer. repeat twice a day for about a week.
Frequently asked questions
*COVID QUESTIONS*
Do I need to wear a mask?
No, we no longer require you to wear a mask. If you would like to you may and if you would be more comfortable you may ask your artist to wear one as well.
Can I bring a friend?
NO, we’re still operating at a low capacity and can only have one client per tattoo artist in GITM.
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Do you do body piercing?
NO, we’re strictly tattooing here at Ghost In The Machine.
Do you take walk-ins?
All of the artists in the shop work primarily by appointment and are generally booked out a few months in advance. That being said, we do get late cancellations and random holes in our schedules and will sometimes have availability for walk-ins. It is best to call after 12:00 to see if we have any openings. Anything larger than a hand-sized tattoo will very likely require an appointment.
Do you do cosmetic tattooing?
Yes, you can find a portfolio and contact info for artist Liz Grace here.
How do I book an appointment?
Each artist here at GITM book their own appointments through email. You can find everyone’s Portfolio & contact information under the “Artists” section of our website. We recommend contacting the artist whose style best suits what you’re looking to get done. Please write a brief description of the tattoo you would like, approximate size, and placement. Any artwork or photo references are helpful but not necessary. Once an artist has all the info needed they can tell you their earliest availability and hopefully schedule something with you after a deposit is placed.
What if i don’t have a preference for who does my tattoo?
Everyone here at GITM Tattoo is capable of tattooing most designs and ideas you bring to us. However, everyone here does have a specialized style and skillset that will suit you and the tattoo you’d like to get best. If you check out everyone’s portfolio we’re sure someone’s work would stand out to fit what you’re looking for. If you’d like, you can email an artist directly to book an appointment. Or if it’s something on the smaller side that you feel anyone could do well, you can always walk-in or call the shop to see if we have same day availability and hopefully we can tattoo you.
My artist hasn’t responded to my email yet, what’s up?…
Our goal is to treat prospective clients with respect, and we ask the same from you. We strive to respond as promptly as we can, but it’s not uncommon for it to take a week or two to respond to your inquiries. Some of the artists have auto-responses that will elaborate on their situation and they may warn of an even longer response time due to a heavy schedule. Please be patient and courteous and we will make it worth your time.
How much are deposits & can I get my deposit back?
To schedule an appointment an artist needs a NONREFUNDABLE $100 deposit. Deposits will go towards the cost of the tattoo. If the tattoo takes multiple sessions, the deposit will come off the cost of the final session. If needed, you can reschedule your appointment and your deposit will remain intact. We ask for 48 hours notice to reschedule, no-shows and last minute reschedules will lose their deposits, and a new deposit will be required to book a new session.
Can I book an appointment over the phone?
Booking an appointment date and time requires a $100 deposit and cannot be done over the phone. If you’re calling to get in for a same-day appointment we can let you know our availability and the protocol for showing up.
Tattoo Pricing?
With so many factors in pricing tattoos we don’t provide quotes over the phone or internet. However, once you schedule an appointment, an artist can give you a better price estimate. GITM’s shop minimum is $100 & hourly rate are $200/hour, although pricing is ultimately determined by the individual artist.
Forms of payment?
CASH IS KING! Cash is the preferred form of payment here at GITM but each artist here can receive payment through third party payment apps. Some artists here also accept credit cards with a 3% service charge.
Do I need a consultation?
Consultations are great to figure out all the details/ideas and trace the area for larger tattoos. But they aren’t always necessary with smaller tattoos or certain tattoos that can be worked out with an artist via email. When talking with an artist they can tell you if a consultation is needed & the best way to move forward.
Age/ID requirements?
Anyone getting tattooed here at GITM must be 18 years or older with a physical valid form of state/government issued photo ID.
Thanks for your interest in getting tattooed!
If you have any other questions you can always call the shop 617-562-4089
or email us at gitmtattoo@gmail.com
We look forward to working with you!