Are you ready to take the plunge and get that tattoo you’ve dreamed of? It’s a big decision, but if you’re prepared for your appointment, the process will be much smoother and less stressful.
To ensure a successful tattoo experience, here are five must-know tips on how to prepare for your upcoming appointment. From getting a good night’s sleep to staying hydrated and dressing appropriately, these guidelines will help ensure your new body art turns out exactly as you imagined.
So let’s get started.
5 Tips To Remember When Preparing For A Tattoo
Understanding what to do in advance will make the entire procedure much more comfortable for you and your tattoo artist. Not only will you impress your artist, but they’ll be free to concentrate on making the ideal design for you.
1. Get A Good Night’s Sleep
The last thing you want is to arrive at your tattoo appointment completely weary. It is crucial to get enough sleep in order to be attentive and in touch with your body. You should be able to recognise your body’s cues while obtaining a tattoo so that you can respond accordingly.
As your tattoo artist works to carefully and precisely complete your tattoo, you don’t want to be dozing off on the chair. We advise going to bed a little earlier than usual. In particular, if you’re extremely anxious about your visit, this will allow you more time to relax and go to sleep.
It is essential to inform your artist that you didn’t receive the best night’s sleep if you arrive for your session feeling fatigued. Otherwise, as you yawn and stretch your way through your session, your artist won’t know how you are genuinely feeling, making your visit feel much longer. Your body can also become more sensitive to discomfort.
2. Stay Hydrated
Make sure your body is properly hydrated before sitting down in that chair. We have all experienced times when we didn’t feel great, and a glass of water felt like the finest thing ever. That is even more crucial before getting a tattoo.
Drink a lot of water in the 24 hours before your visit. Aiming to consume eight 8-ounce glasses of water each day will help you fully ensure that your body is in the greatest condition possible. It will ensure that your skin is moisturised and ready for your tattoo session, in addition to being beneficial to your general health.
Because moist skin absorbs ink far better than dehydrated skin, your artist will have an easier time during the entire process. We advise carrying a water bottle with you during your session if you didn’t have time to drink enough water before your appointment.
3. Shave
It might be time to use the razor if the place where you will have the tattoo has hair on it. Prior to getting your tattoo, we advise shaving two to three times a week. This will make it much simpler for your tattoo artist to work on the region and will help prepare your skin for your tattoo session.
You should ask someone who is comfortable shaving for help if you aren’t. It is crucial to avoid aggravating the region because your tattoo session cannot continue until the discomfort has subsided.
In the same way, if you get cuts or razor burns frequently, it is preferable to leave the area alone for at least a week because your tattoo artist requires a clean, fresh surface to work on. Ask your tattoo artist to shave the area for you if you don’t have anyone to help you. It is best to let them know in advance that you will require assistance from them to shave the region.
4. Shower
Although this one may be obvious, we wanted to mention it anyhow. Ideally, you should shower every day, but if not, please do so right before your appointment. As tattooing causes minor wounds and opens up the skin, you should keep it as clean as possible.
Do not arrive after a strenuous workout or a basketball match. Your poor artist will have to endure the stench of sweat and grime as they get up close to your skin while also working with unclean skin.
5. Moisturize Your Skin
Please refrain from moisturising your skin on the day of your tattoo before we continue. You don’t want there to be any problems with your skin, the tattoo machine, or the ink.
Now that we have that out of the way, you should start hydrating your skin days or even weeks in advance. In order to locate a moisturiser that works for your skin, we advise trying out a few different brands. Take the time to locate a lotion or moisturiser that works well with your skin because everyone’s skin responds to them differently.
We advise moisturising your skin 1-2 times daily for 5-7 days before your appointment. Your skin may become drier than usual over the winter. This implies you should pay extra attention to how your skin feels and looks if your tattoo session is between December and February.
Conclusion
Understanding what to do in advance will make the entire procedure much more comfortable for both you and your tattoo artist. Not only will you impress your artist, but they’ll be free to concentrate on making the ideal artwork for you.
FAQ
What should you not do before getting a tattoo?
- Drinking alcohol at least 24 hours before getting tattooed.
- Excessive sun exposure dries out the skin and makes the tattooing process less efficient and more painful.
- Tight clothes can snug up against the skin, making you uncomfortable, and it can even get in the way of your tattoo.
Can I take painkillers before a tattoo?
With that said, don’t take painkillers before getting a tattoo, either. Painkillers like Advil and Ibuprofen also thin the blood, leading to similar issues that alcohol has. Acetaminophen may potentially be fine to take but should be discussed with the artist beforehand.
Why don’t tattoo artists use numbing cream before tattooing?
A lot of tattoo artists refuse to use their own numbing creams or sprays during their sessions. Two of the main reasons they might not use creams are: They consider the pain of a tattoo part of the tradition. They’ve used certain numbing creams before, and they don’t feel like they worked.
