How to Prepare for a Tattoo

So you’ve mulled over a bunch of different tattoo ideas, carefully chosen tattoo placement on your upper arm, and got up the nerve to book an appointment at your local tattoo shop…

And now, you’re getting a tattoo! Radical!

But as your big day approaches, you find yourself wondering how to prepare for a tattoo.

If you’re getting your first tattoo, there are actually quite a few things you should know about preparing for your tattoo session, which is what we’re here to talk about!

In the following article, we’re diving into all of the Do’s and Don’ts of getting a tattoo to make sure that both you, and your tattoo artist, have a pleasant experience.

Image courtesy of Chloe Boulos @ Unsplash.com

Get A Good Night’s Sleep

From your body’s point of view, getting a tattoo is somewhat of a traumatic experience.

Not only is your artist injecting a foreign substance (ink) under your skin, they’re also about to stab you a few thousand times with a bunch of needles.

This is why it’s so important to make sure that your body is physically ready to be tattooed before your artist gets started.

Otherwise, you could actually go into shock, making your feel dizzy, nauseous, and you could even pass out.

And nobody wants to end up on the floor of a tattoo parlor….

That said, be sure to get a good night’s rest the night before your appointment.

Especially if you’re going to be sitting for a long session, don’t stay out late, no partying, and make sure you’re eating and drinking plenty of fluids (which we’ll talk about more below) to ensure your energy levels are up!

Eating A Well-Balanced Meal

From making sure to get a good night’s sleep through to eating a nutritious meal and everything else we’re discussing today, tattoo prep is no joke.

Being tattooed won’t have a direct impact on your blood sugar levels, but being nervous about it, or being malnourished can cause some pretty intense blood sugar spikes or a blood sugar drop, either of which are no fun!

That’s why it’s so important to eat a good meal before going to your appointment!

Image courtesy of Anna Pelzer @ Unsplash.com

That means eating healthy, natural foods, like fruits, vegetables, whole grains or meats, which will help keep your sugar levels in check throughout your appointment.

Eating a protein bar before the appointment can also make sure your system is up to the task at hand. You might even bring healthy snacks with you to keep your energy levels up while being inked.

In fact, in case your blood sugar does start to drop while being tattooed, or you do start feeling a bit lightheaded, it can even be smart to have a few sugary sweets with you as a little pick-me-up.

But remember, if you bring anything tasty, it’s rude to not share with your artist!

Hydration Is VITAL!

Staying well-hydrated isn’t just for tattoo prep. Hydration is important at all times, obviously!

But when it comes to preparing and getting a cool piece of body art scratched into your skin, making sure to drink plenty of fluids is of paramount importance!

And it’s not just about being healthy. The fact is that hydrated skin is easier and better to tattoo. So it makes your artist’s job that much easier.

Being hydrated also does ensure your body is physically ready for your tattoo session, and even helps with better wound healing after you’ve been inked.

So don’t be scared to bring a water bottle with you to your appointment.

On the same note, we should also mention that drinking alcohol before or during your appointment is a terrible idea.

You should actually avoid alcohol for a day or two before your appointment, which gives you plenty of time to stay hydrated, to drink plenty plenty of fluids, and to get yourself ready for your new body art.

What To Wear

What you’ll want to wear will depend largely on where your tattoo area is going.

So if you’re getting a tattoo on your inner arm, it doesn’t matter whether or not you wear skinny jeans.

But you will want to wear a lose fitting t-shirt and not a long-sleeve.

On the other hand, if you’re getting a tattoo on your upper thigh, it’s best to wear loose fitting shorts that can be hiked up.

Otherwise, if you show up wearing skinny jeans, you may need to remove them completely to give your artist easy access to that body part.

Regardless, make sure to wear comfortable clothing, especially since you might be sitting for a few hours. You’ll want to be comfy!

Image courtesy of Jay Wennington @ Unsplash.com

Sunburns Are A Big No-No

It’s super important to avoid tanning or undergoing any type of excessive sun exposure before your appointment.

After all, any type of excessive sun exposure can cause both temporary and permanent damage to your skin.

And it doesn’t matter what type of design or tattoo styles you’re getting down, sunburned skin DOES NOT GET TATTOOED! In most cases, if you show up with a sunburn, your artist won’t even start on your piece.

This is because skin that’s had too much sun exposure will be dry, dehydrated and hard to tattoo.

Plus, having a sunburn makes your skin super sensitive, which makes the process of getting your tattoo that much more painful.

And truthfully, getting a tattoo, at least in my books, is already painful enough.

Worried about how much your ink is gonna hurt? Check out our comprehensive tattoo pain chart to find out!

Should I Shave The Area Where My Tattoo Is Going?

Little known fact: body hair can and will get in the way of your tattoo artist doing their job.

Those tiny little hairs can interfere with the needle and prevent the ink from properly penetrating your epidermis.

Therefore, it’s a good idea to shave before showing up to your appointment, especially if you’re on the hairier side of the spectrum.

On the other hand, depending on where the tattoo is being placed, or if you don’t really have much hair where your tattoo is going, you don’t really need to worry about shaving.

That said, most artists will have razors at-the-ready to shave you if you haven’t, but it will save you on time and possibly a wee bit of embarrassment if you shave ahead of time.

The Impact Of Certain Medications

Obviously, taking your medication is more important than getting a tattoo.

And in most cases, it’s going to be perfectly safe to take your medication before showing up to your appointment.

However, there are certain drugs, such as blood thinners or diabetes medications, that can increase bleeding or have an impact on your blood sugar levels.

And neither of those things are good! Your immune system needs to be in tip-top shape throughout the whole tattoo process.

Plus, blood thinners can increase the risk of excessive bleeding.

If you do take any of these medications, be sure to talk to your artist about and see if they have any tips or information on getting around the problem.

Shower Or At Least Use Deodorant

During your session, your artist will be getting up close and personal with your body.

No matter where your next tattoo is going, you’ll be sitting in close proximity to another human being for the next couple of hours.

So it’s a good idea to shower, wear deodorant or perfume, or keep some chewing gum handy for your appointment.

Always remember that you wouldn’t want to smell somebody else’s stinky armpits. And your artist definitely doesn’t want to smell yours!

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Follow All Aftercare Instructions Provided

Not that you know how to prepare for a tattoo, it’s also important to understand the importance of tattoo aftercare.

Once they’re done working their magic, your artist will wrap your new tattoo, and you’ll be free to be on your way.

However, remember that the healing process lasts several weeks after your new art is complete, so make sure to follow your artist’s aftercare direction, and keep your tattoo clean and dry until it’s healed.

Now, let’s recap everything we’ve learned about how to prepare yourself for a tattoo

• Get a good night’s sleep – Proper sleep hygiene ensures that your body will be ready to endure the physical trauma of getting a tattoo. Plus, if you’re sitting for a long session, it’ll ensure you’re able to keep your eyes open the whole time.
• Eating healthy food – It’s vital to make sure that your energy levels are up before and while getting tattoo. Be sure to eat a healthy meal a few hours beforehand to make sure your system is ready for what you’re about to do to it.
• Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate! – Hydrated skin is healthy skin, and healthy skin is what your artist wants to be tattooing. Avoid alcohol until after your session, and make sure to drink plenty of fluids before and during your appointment.
• Wear comfortable clothing – Depending on where your tattoo is going, you’ll want to wear clothes that will allow your artist to access that body part. Getting a leg tattoo? Wear short, not skinny jeans.
• No sun exposure – Sunburn literally damages and dehydrates your skin. So aside from making the tattoo experience itself much more painful, being sunburned can also have a negative impact on the healing process and what your tattoo will look like in the future.
• Medications – It’s fine to take most medications before going to your tattoo appointment, but you should avoid blood thinning medications, like Aspirin, which can increase bleeding, or anything else that can have an impact on your blood sugar levels.
• Body Odor Is Bad For Everyone – It’s true that body odor is natural. But trust me, your tattoo artist doesn’t want to small your armpits for the next three hours. So don’t forget to shower or at least use deodorant or perfume before showing up to your appointment.

And remember, if you feel anxious or have any questions about your upcoming tattoo session, don’t be scared to talk to your artist about it!

They’re pros and will have have no issue with explaining all you’ll need to know to ensure a pleasant tattoo experience for both you and them.

Thinking about designing your next tattoo? Check out our super cool AI tattoo generator!