“ I think my tattoo needs a touch up…what should I do? ”
After having a tattoo, you may think it needs a touch up depending on how it looks during the healing process. Here’s our guide for all things relating to touch ups!
HOW LONG SHOULD I WAIT BEFORE CONSIDERING A TOUCH UP?
We typically suggest allowing a full 4 weeks after your tattoo appointment before thinking about scheduling a touch up. The healing process is different for everyone depending on your skin and the way your body reacts to being tattooed. Allowing time for the tattoo to settle in and heal will make it much easier for you and your artist to identify if the tattoo needs a touch up and where in the piece needs going over. Depending on the style of tattoo and your skin, the tattooed skin may be drier than you expect which can often lead to people thinking the tattoo needs a touch up when really a good moisturiser can help with the appearance of the tattoo. We strongly recommend using something like the KHO care cream even once the tattoo has fully healed, this will continue to lock in moisture for your skin giving it the hydration it requires.
HOW DO I BOOK IN FOR A TOUCH UP?
All artists will process bookings differently but it’s usually a good idea to get in touch with your artist after the 4 week period with a picture of how the tattoo has healed when asking for a touch up slot. This allows your artist to assess the tattoo properly and they can help advise you on whether it’s necessary to book a touch up. Even if a touch up isn’t necessary - they’ll still appreciate seeing a healed photo of your tattoo!
If you’re ever in doubt about the booking process just get in touch with your artist or ask about how to book a touch up during your appointment.
WILL I NEED TO PAY FOR A TOUCH UP APPOINTMENT?
This will depend on your artist and their touch up policy. At HOLM* we offer free touch ups within the first 6 months and after that time a small charge will be required just to cover the cost of supplies used for the touch up.
HOW LONG WILL A TOUCH UP APPOINTMENT BE?
Most touch ups won’t take very long depending on the size of the piece, the style and how it has healed. For simpler touch ups, you may only need a 30 minute time slot. As touch up appointments tend to be much shorter than regular ones, you may find there’s less flexibility around dates and times offered to you. Our artists tend to fit them in around existing appointments for the best use of time. If your schedule is tricky to work around - let your artist know and they’ll be able to figure out a way to get you booked in that works for you both.
WILL MY ARTIST TOUCH UP A TATTOO BY A DIFFERENT ARTIST?
Sometimes you’ll have a tattoo by an artist who either may not be tattooing anymore or has moved and you’re unable to get to them. In these instances you may be needing a different artist to touch it up for you. If this is the case - ask your artist if they’d be willing to, however, most artists usually won’t touch up work that isn’t theirs so keep this in mind when enquiring.
