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. Starting at least the day before, drink plenty of water. Keep it up on the day of your session. Not only will this help your body heal faster, you will feel more comfortable during the session. Hydrated skin is easier to work with so your artist will be happier too! Aim to drink around 1.5 to 2 liters of water the day before.
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 be less likely to yawn, stretch or twitch, helping your artist to make straighter lines. If you are coming in for a long session, you’ll have way more endurance if you get a good night’s sleep.
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.
Moisturise (but not on the day)
Firstly, DO NOT mositurise 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 mosituriser will not cause a reaction. If you start with a new moisturiser 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.
Shave
If the area you are getting tattooed on is hairy, please shave it the day before coming in. You will get great results if you shave it a couple of times per week leading up to the tattoo. If you are unable to shave the area, ask someone for assistance and if that’s impossible, please let us know before coming in that you’ll need help to shave the area.
Of course we need clean, unbroken skin to work with, so do bear in mind that however you shave the area you must be careful not to create any cuts or irritation.
Tattify provide a pretty good guide on shaving if you have any more questions: Should I Shave Before Getting My Tattoo? – Skincare Tips For Your Session – Tattify
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 asprin 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.