How to prepare for your tattoo appointment…
Before you get tattooed, there are a few important things to know that will help the process and healing go more smoothly on the day. Here’s a few tips on how to prepare before your appointment (to find out what to bring on the day, read our blog post here):
Get plenty of sleep/rest so that you feel refreshed and ready to go! Tattooing takes it out of the body, so you need to be well rested and have your energy levels stocked up.
Eat well before your appointment. If you’re starting early, make sure you get a good, nutritional breakfast inside you to fuel you for the day ahead. Read our advice on what drinks and snacks to bring on the day here. It is a myth that not eating will help to avoid feeling faint - it is the opposite when getting tattooed! Your body needs fuel and stable blood sugar levels.
Hydration is important for general skin health and will help during and after the tattoo. Drink plenty of water in the lead up to your appointment. We advise against drinking caffeine and energy drinks on the day too, as this can have an adverse effect on your heart rate and blood pressure on the day. Read more here.
Avoid alcohol at least 24 hours before your appointment. Not only may it have an effect on how you feel on the day, potentially increasing restlessness and fatigue, but it also has an effect on the body making you bleed more. This stops the ink going into the skin properly and can affect the healing process, resulting in fading. You may also be turned away from your appointment or have your appointment cut short if your tattoo artist feels that you are unable to be tattooed/are bleeding a lot.
Moisturise your skin on the lead up to your appointment, however, do avoid adding creams on the actual day. This just helps to keep your skin nice and supple and hydrated.
Stay out of the sun/off sunbeds and avoid getting sunburnt. Your artist may turn you away if you have sunburnt skin. The sun and sunbeds can also dehydrate the skin, which is not ideal when getting tattooed. Plan your appointments well in advance of your holidays or time in the sun. And this is a good time to mention that it is very important to not go on holiday/spas/sunbeds/in the sea/swimming pools etc after your tattoo, during the healing time, as this can result in a higher risk of infection and fading.
Avoid caffeine/energy drinks at least 24 hours before your appointment. These can raise your heart rate and blood pressure, making you bleed more and feel more on edge.
No need to shave …your artist will prep your skin and do that for you! So don’t worry, and don’t be embarrassed about, or apologise about your body hair - it is natural, we see it all the time. There is nothing to feel embarrassed about.
A note on numbing cream if you are planning on using it. Please check with your artist first - we cannot stress this enough. There is only a certain brand we recommend using and some artists prefer their clients not to use it at all. Please chat with us first. There is also a specific way of applying the cream and a period of time the cream needs to be on… so it needs some forward planning. Your artist will happily chat to you about your options.
Now you’re all prepared and ready to go… don’t forget to check out what you need to bring on the day here!
