Are you going to get inked in the coming days & thinking of what to do before getting a tattoo? Tattooing has become increasingly popular in recent years. From delicate floral designs to meaningful scripted words, tattoos can be an amazing way to express yourself through art while also permanently marking your body.
But before diving into the world of tattooing there are certain steps you should consider taking first! In this blog post, we’ll cover what to do before getting a tattoo – from preparing your skin and mind for it to learning about design changes and the importance of communication with your artist.
Read on for helpful tips that will ensure you have a successful experience when going under the needle!
What To Do Before Getting A Tattoo
To get the best results from your upcoming tattoo, it is important to prepare your body and mind beforehand.
1. Hydrate your body
Hydrating your body before getting a tattoo is one of the most important steps you can take to ensure optimal results. Proper hydration aids in the healing process, increases skin elasticity and prepares the skin for ink absorption.
Water helps lubricate joints and also flushes out toxins that may cause infections or other health issues when combined with an invasive procedure like tattooing. Best practice is to drink plenty of water leading up to your appointment, as well as continuing drinking 8 ounces or more every day afterwords.
Keeping your skin healthy and moisturized not only help prepare it for better stimulation but also speeds up the rate at which tattoos heal afterwards. Staying hydrated will also replenish many vitamins lost during a long session so be sure to bring some fluids with you on your next visit!
2. Take care of your skin
Before getting a tattoo, it is essential to ensure your skin is in the best possible condition. Moisturizing at least a week in advance can help keep the skin hydrated and supple throughout the process.
Shaving and exfoliating the area prior to getting a tattoo can also help reduce stress on the needles used for etching canvas into art. Eating healthy meals 3-4 weeks prior to your appointment can boost skin’s health which will make you feel better going through long hours of being worked on for your tattoo — especially large masterpieces.
Proper nutrition enhances overall health as well as healing capabilities of any wound, so eating clean and healthy foods should be part of prepping routine before treatment sessions.
3. Avoid Alcohol / Caffeine
It is important to avoid alcohol and caffeine before getting a tattoo. Drinking alcohol can dilute the blood and reduce the body’s ability to clot, increasing the risk of excessive bleeding during the tattooing process.
Caffeine found in drinks such as coffee and energy drinks may temporarily calm nerves, but these effects are fleeting and do not provide long-lasting relief. Therefore it is advised to stay away from both substances for at least 48 hours prior to getting a tattoo in order maximize healing rates and minimize complications related to too much bleeding or pain while receiving your tatoo.
4. Get plenty of rest
Good sleep is just as important for your tattoo session as the chosen design or artist. It helps you feel relaxed and have more focus while getting inked, plus it increases your pain tolerance by pumping up Adrenaline levels naturally produced when a person is tired.
Additionally, rest and proper sleep aid in aiding quicker healing of tattoos thus avoids complications in future. So make sure to get at least 7-8 hours of rest on the night before your appointment and also eat a good-sized meal a few hours prior to ensure optimal experience during the tattooing process.
5. Eat a balanced meal beforehand
It’s always a good idea to eat a balanced meal before getting a tattoo. A nutritious and energizing meal can help provide the body with plenty of energy needed for completing the tattoo session and will also ensure blood sugar levels stay in balance.
The best pre-tattoo snacks are healthy carbohydrates, lean proteins, and veggies like carrots or bell peppers – as these foods have been found to provide sustained energy. For an ideal pre-tattoo meal, try eating protein sources such as eggs, Greek yogurt, chicken breast sausage or fish along with complex carbs from whole grains or sweet potatoes.
This combination offers all the nutrients you need to keep going during your long session! Eating one to two hours before your appointment is recommended by most tattoo artists – it’ll make sure you don’t feel overwhelmed during your time together!
What to Bring to Your Tattoo Appointment
Be sure to wear comfortable clothing and bring valid identification, payment, snacks and water to your tattoo appointment. Additionally, bringing a supportive friend or family member is highly encouraged!
1. Comfortable clothing
When getting a tattoo, it is important to wear comfortable clothing. This allows the tattoo artist easy access to the area and for the client to be comfortable during their session.
It is recommended that when getting an arm tattoo people should wear sleeveless shirts or dresses to allow better access for the tattoo artist and reduce any fabric covering/bunching up around arms during application of the ink.
Loose fitting clothing should also be worn in general, no matter where on body you are receiving your tattoo; this helps avoid any tightness from constricting or rubbing against new skin design potentially affecting newly crafted image as well as ensuring comfort throughout each sitting.
2. Snacks and water
It is essential to bring snacks and water to a tattoo appointment in order to sustain energy levels and stay hydrated. Tattoo artists strongly suggest protein bars, sugar-free or low-fat fruit bars that can provide the body with natural sugars as well as carbohydrates.
As for drinks, bringing glucose-based energy drink mixes or sugary beverages such as juice and smoothies are great ideas. Additionally, water should be consumed throughout the session which helps maintain electrolyte levels while flushing out toxins released during the process.
Keeping these items handy allows individuals to regulate their blood sugar levels by snacking on small amounts throughout long sessions without feeling deplete of nutrients and becoming weak or faint due to hunger pains related from not eating enough prior to their session.
3. Personal items (ID, payment)
When preparing for your tattoo appointment, it’s important to bring your valid ID and payment. Personal identification is necessary for the studio to verify that you are of legal age to get a tattoo as well as comply with legal requirements.
In most states, the accepted forms of identifications are state-issued photo IDs like driver’s licenses or government-issued passports. It is also important to bring payment; usually tattoo studios require upfront payment or payment at the time of the appointment.
Different studios may have varying preferred payment options such as cash, check, debit card or credit card so make sure to ask beforehand if there is any particular method you should use for payments in order to be prepared on the day of your appointment!
4. Bring A Support Person
Having a support person present during your tattoo appointment can provide numerous benefits. It is important to feel comfortable and supported while receiving a tattoo, and having someone there with you can make the entire experience more enjoyable.
Having someone with you allows for additional comfort and reassurance during the process, as well as providing direct emotional support that may be needed. A familiar face in the room can help alleviate any anxiety or fear you may have before getting a tattoo namely if it’s your first time receiving one.
Having another person in the studio helps facilitate communication between you and your artist by allowing them to focus on their work without constantly checking up on how you are doing.
What Considerations To Do Before Getting A Tattoo
It’s important to have a clear understanding of the entire process including design changes, communication with your artist, aftercare instructions and follow-up appointments. Knowing what each step entails will ensure you get the best possible experience out of getting a tattoo.
1. Design changes
Tattoo artists understand that a tattoo is a personal piece of artwork and are usually willing to make changes to a design if necessary. It’s important for the individual getting the tattoo to express their opinions and creativity during the process.
The artist will be able to modify the details of a design, so it fits seamlessly with any body part that may have unique contours or curves – allowing you to achieve excellent results.
Furthermore, working together with your artist can help you tailor colors, composition concepts, ornamental elements and incorporate symbols into an already existing theme effectively without compromising its original idea or intent.
2. Communication with your tattoo artist
Effective communication during the design phase is paramount when getting a tattoo. Open and honest discussion allows you to communicate your vision, ideas, size, placement, color and style with the artist accurately.
It’s important that both parties understand what’s expected from the project and what can be achieved – questions around time frames and cost should also be discussed. Understanding these parameters helps ensure realistic expectations are set for the outcome of your tattoo work.
It is also necessary to agree on how touch-ups will be handled if desired in order make sure everyone is clear about procedures involved. Additionally, ask your artist about their aftercare instructions so you know exactly how to look after your new body art once it has been completed.
What to do After getting a tattoo
1. Aftercare instructions
It is essential to follow aftercare instructions given by the tattooist when getting a fresh tattoo. Proper care and hygiene help ensure that your new artwork will heal properly and last for years. Here are some important steps you should take to look after your new body art:
- Wash the area with plain soap and warm water gently, no more than twice daily.
- Apply a mild moisturizer or an antibiotic ointment recommended by your artist, this will keep it soft and hydrated while healing.
- Avoid scratching or picking at the scabbing process; let them naturally fall off as this could result in irritation or infection if opened prematurely..
2. Follow-up appointments
Making follow-up appointments is an essential step in the tattoo process, especially for tattoos with intricate designs or multiple colors. It’s important to have a qualified tattoo artist review and finalize your design to ensure the best results after it has been applied to your skin.
Additionally, having these appointments can reduce any potential risks during the session as well as providing necessary feedback on how you might want to adjust down the line if needed.
Not only will this allow you to better prepare for your appointment but it will also give you peace of mind that everything has been addressed properly before any ink hits your body.
Conclusion
Getting a tattoo is a serious commitment and should not be taken lightly. Do your research, talk to your tattoo artist, and consider all possible design changes so that when it comes time to get inked, you are fully informed and ready.
Assess the cleanliness of the shop before agreeing to proceed with any services. Make sure single-use needles are being used as well as ink, gloves, bandages, swabs, razors etc., which can help minimize cross-contamination risk.
Healing can take up to several weeks or more—so follow your aftercare instructions given by your tattoo artist closely for optimal healing results. Appreciate the fact that this will be part of you forever!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Should I avoid alcohol before a tattoo?
Yes, skip the booze before getting inked. It thins your blood and you bleed more.
How do I choose a tattoo artist?
Check their portfolio for designs in the style you want. Read reviews and ask to see healed tattoos.
Should I eat before my tattoo appointment?
Eat a good meal before your session to keep your strength up. Avoid heavy foods that could make you feel sluggish.
What about pain medication before a tattoo?
Pain pills are usually not recommended. They can cause excess bleeding and interact with numbing agents.
How far in advance should I book my tattoo?
A few weeks to a few months is ideal. Reputable artists are booked solid for months.