Professional Education

Key Takeaways Winter skin is different: Cold air, indoor heating, and hot showers all compromise the skin’s protective barrier. Pre-session prep matters more: Have clients moisturize daily for 3 days before their appointment. Stencil adjustments: Warm the skin slightly, use thin layers of transfer gel, and allow extra dry time. Reapply glide more often: Dry skin absorbs product faster than summer skin. Studio environment: Consider a humidifier and minimize direct airflow on the work area. Know when to reschedule: Severely compromised skin won’t give good results. February. Your studio is warm. Outside is brutal. And every client walking through your door has the driest skin they’ve had all year. ...

You know what happens when a tube starts acting up mid-session. The client’s sitting there, you’re halfway through a piece, and suddenly you’re dealing with inconsistent flow or residue buildup. It’s not always the tube. Sometimes it’s the glide. Petroleum-based products have dominated the professional tattoo supply market for years. They’re cheap, readily available, and “everybody uses them.” But working artists are starting to ask: what’s the real cost? Let’s talk about the hidden costs petroleum-based glides carry—and why more Central PA artists are making the switch to natural alternatives. ...