What Happens at the end of a Tattoo session? | Behind the Scenes with Sal
When it comes to finishing a tattoo, I normally tell my canvas, “We’re almost done,” when I feel like we’re about thirty minutes away from the end of whatever struggle you might be feeling at that point. 😂
But there’s a little catch to what “done” means with me.
“We’re Done!” …Well, Almost.
Normally, I’ll tell you we’re done and have you stand up.
There’s a reason for that.
While you’re being tattooed, your skin is constantly being stretched, moved and positioned so I can work. Depending on how you’re sitting or lying, the skin can also bunch together or distort the way the finished tattoo naturally sits on your body.
Once you stand up and relax, I finally get to see the tattoo in its true position on your skin.
And that’s when I can see the truth of the image.
This is also where I psych out almost every client.
I’ll look at the tattoo and suddenly say something like:
“Ahhh… I see a couple places I want to touch up.”
And almost immediately I hear:
“HEY! I thought you said we were done!”
😂
Yes. We are done.
But now we’re doing what I consider my sealing touch-ups.
The Final Touch-Ups
Once I can see the tattoo naturally sitting on the body, I look for anything that deserves a little more attention.
Maybe there’s an area I want to repack. Maybe a line needs another pass. Maybe there’s a tiny detail or transition that I want to strengthen before I consider the tattoo finished and send it off to heal.
When you’re looking at the tattoo stretched out while working, everything can appear one way. Seeing it completely relaxed and in its natural position can reveal little things that weren’t as obvious during the session.
That’s why I don’t rush this part.
I’d rather spend a few more minutes making those final adjustments than look at the finished tattoo and think, “I should have touched that.”
Cleaning & Calming the Tattoo
Once I’m actually satisfied, it’s time to clean everything down.
I normally finish by gently cleaning the tattoo with witch hazel or distilled water before preparing it to be bandaged.
In some circumstances, I may use specialized electrolyzed water as part of the finishing process. It can be especially helpful when we’re preparing a fresh tattoo to be photographed.
If we’re doing a photo shoot after your session, we’ll sometimes give the tattoo about 15 minutes to settle, using products intended to help calm the appearance of freshly worked skin before taking the final photographs.
And that’s where one of my favorite parts begins.
Every Tattoo Deserves Its Photo
I love getting my canvases and clients ready for photographs.
And I don’t care whether we just finished an enormous multi-session piece or a tattoo that took five minutes.
Your tattoo is still yours.
Professional photographs give you the opportunity to see your artwork in a way you don’t normally get to experience while sitting in the chair. You have something you can share socially, keep for yourself, or even turn into a photograph to have at home.
Because no matter how small the piece may be, I look at every finished tattoo as a testament to what that person decided to do—and what they went through to get it.
You sat for it. You earned it!
And when we’re finished, I want you to have an image that celebrates it.
That’s when we’re actually done.
“A finished black and grey tattoo shown in its natural resting position at the end of the session.”