Whether it’s your first tattoo or you’re a seasoned veteran, the following tips will help your session go as smoothly as possible. So, how should you prepare for a tattoo?
Hydrate
Prepare for a tattoo session by making sure you are well-hydrated. Drink sports drinks on the day to keep your blood sugar levels up. This will help keep your energy levels up throughout the tattoo and you wont feel so drained at the end of the session.
Sleep
We get it, you’re excited! But your tattoo session will feel much more comfortable if you’re well rested. Try to get a proper night’s sleep before your tattoo. Being properly rested helps you get the best tattoo as you will have more endurance to sit the session through.
Eat
Having a good meal on the day of your tattoo will help you to feel more comfortable. Especially if you are having a long session. Your body needs fuel to get through a session comfortably. Feel free to bring sugary sweets to have on breaks whilst being tattooed.
Moisturise (but not on the day)
Firstly, DO NOT moisturize on the day of your tattoo. BUT, leading up to the day… You would do well to prepare for a tattoo by moisturizing the area for a few days or even a couple of weeks. This will help your skin take the ink better.
If you have sensitive skin, please be careful to make sure your moisturizer will not cause a reaction. If you start with a new moisturizer the day before and your skin has a reaction, you may have to cancel your tattoo. So if you’re using a product that you’ve never tried before, we recommend trying it a couple of weeks out to make sure you’re not going to have any problems with it.
Shaving
If the area you are getting tattooed on is hairy, please do not shave it the day before coming in. You will get great results if you leave it to the tattooist on the day of the tattoo.
Avoid alcohol and other drugs
It’s a very bad idea to show up drunk to your appointment, this thins your blood and puts you at risk of various complications. For best results, try to limit your alcohol consumption for a few days before the tattoo as it will help with general healing and hydration. Please try to avoid aspirin or other drugs which thin the blood if possible. Avoid any drug which will dehydrate you including party drugs.
Dress appropriately
Dress in comfortable clothes that will allow easy access to the tattoo area. For example, loose clothing would generally be more preferable than skinny jeans and a dress shirt, so you’re not overheating or getting itchy.
Tattoo Aftercare
To get the best results, it’s important that you care for your tattoo properly afterwards. Ask your tattoo artist about aftercare at your appointment and read our online guide on caring for your tattoo.