Preparing for your tattoo appointment.

You finally have that tattoo appointment! And you can’t wait to get your amazing new tattoo. But what now? What is the best way to prepare yourself for your next tattoo? In this blog, we will cover exactly that. How to prepare your body, mind and soul so to speak and make sure your session goes as smoothly as possible.

Hydration.

There are a few things that you can do leading up to your appointment to make sure your skin is in the best condition possible to get tattooed.

Starting off with drinking enough water. This makes sure your skin is nice and hydrated and will really help in making your skin easy to work with. Speaking of hydrating, applying body lotion or some other kind of moisturizer once a day for a few weeks before getting tattooed will also do wonders. Having hydrated and supple skin will not only make it easier for your artist, it can also cut down the time needed to finish your tattoo. So a definite win, win!

Sleep. 

Another thing that can really help during your session is going to bed on time in the week leading up to your appointment. Starting a week before can also cover for the potential lack of sleep you might get from nerves or excitement the day before getting your new ink. Getting a tattoo costs your body a lot of energy, so making sure you get enough sleep will make it easier to deal with this and also makes it easier to deal with any pain you might be feeling during the session.

Shaving.

You might be tempted to shave before your appointment. Many artists prefer to shave the area themselves, to make sure the area is as smooth as possible, but also to make sure you don’t cut yourself. A cut area sadly can’t get tattooed.

If you’d like to shave yourself make sure to do it the morning of your appointment. Any earlier before that, and it’s possible stubble is already making its appearance. Making the area really hard to work with since the hairs will be too short to shave again without damaging the skin.

Hygiene.

Hygiene is very important, so make sure to take a shower before your appointment and wear clean (preferably dark-colored) clothing. Also, make sure the clothes over the area you're getting tattooed aren’t too tight. If you are not sure what to wear, you can always ask your artist if they have any tips. My personal favorites are: Bring a zip-up hoodie; they are comfy and super versatile. For example, you can wear them on one arm if the other is getting tattooed, or wear them backward when you’re getting your back done, giving full access to your back but still giving you warmth and coverage. Another favorite of mine is to bring wet wipes and clean socks when getting a tattoo on your leg. You can’t prevent walking or wearing shoes before your appointment. This makes sure your feet/socks are clean, and you don’t have to worry about any smells.

Food and Snacks.

Make sure to eat a hearty breakfast even if you’re not much into breakfast, and make sure to bring lunch. Maybe a little bit of a bigger lunch than usual. As I said, getting tattooed costs a lot of energy. It’s also good to bring some snacks or sugary drinks to keep your blood sugar up.  

Pain.

If you’re worried about pain, don’t be afraid to mention this to your artist. You can discuss taking breaks a little more often, and your artist can make sure to check in with you more often as well. It’s okay (unless the doctor tells you otherwise) to take two paracetamols every 4 hours. Don’t take Ibuprofen since it’s also blood thinning.

Make sure to discuss any medical conditions or allergies with your artist as well.

Communication.

Make sure to discuss any questions or concerns you have, before or during your appointment. Communicating helps your artist to understand and accommodate you better, and it will make it way easier for you to have a comfortable experience. A good artist makes you feel welcome and at ease. If you ever feel unsafe at any time during making your appointment or when getting tattooed, stop, and leave. Even when the tattoo isn't done, your wellbeing and safety always come first.

Now that you know all this, there’s no way you could be any more prepared for getting your new tattoo! I hope you have a great time during your session and love your new forever art. If you have anything you’d like to add or miss in this blog, feel free to leave a comment or send me a message.