Drink a lot of water during the week; avoid alcohol for at least 24 hours before getting tattooed. Please do not shave the area; we will do it for you at your appointment. Avoid aspirin or blood thinning medication at least 24 hours before your tattoo; ibuprofen, acetaminophen, & other NSAID pain relievers are OK.
Caffeine, Energy Drinks, and Alcohol
We recommend you skip the morning coffee or energy drinks on the day of your tattoo session or avoid drinking alcohol the night before your appointment. These drinks act as a stimulant that can make you nervous and uncomfortable.
Carbs are good, but not too many
And to that point, you should also have a filling meal the night and a few hours before your appointment. Loading up on some extra carbs—you know, the good stuff like pasta, rice, bread, and oatmeal—will help keep your energy up and appetite sated.
Don't fidget. It can be challenging to stay still for hours, but it's a small price to pay for something that will be on your body for the rest of your life. "During the tattoo process, just stay still," said Cuda Vendetta, tattoo artist at Big Joe and Sons Tattoo.
No. We don't recommend taking a shower within one hour of getting a tattoo. Even with a Saniderm bandage on, it's wise to let the ink settle for several hours before getting your tattoo wet. In many cases, the plastic wrap, bandage or covering on your tattoo will be required to stay on for much longer than an hour.
Let the artist concentrate while you get tattooed
Even the most experienced artists need to limit stressors during their tattooing. Tattooing requires intense concentration. Some artists love to gab while tattooing but others prefer to be quiet. Let the artist take the lead or ask them what they prefer.
Firstly, when the body is hydrated, it will take to the ink more effectively, so overall it could be best for the final look. Moreover, staying hydrated can make the process less painful overall. From the day before to the day of, drink plenty of water, and remember to bring some for during the appointment.
If you're sick or under the weather, please wait until you're feeling better before getting tattooed. Make sure to eat something a few hours before you come in. Getting tattooed on an empty stomach may cause you to feel faint, nauseated, or dizzy. Allow plenty of time for your visit.
It's not uncommon for people to shiver during a tattoo because your body may be in shock so consider bringing a sweater, hoodie, or blanket to keep you warm.
Foods to avoid include those that promote inflammation – red meats, foods high in sugar, salt and additives, as well as overly processed foods. These can interfere with the body's natural healing processes. The same is said to be true for an excessive amount of dairy.
If you have a medical problem such as heart disease, allergies, diabetes, skin problems like eczema or psoriasis, a weak immune system, or a bleeding problem, talk to your doctor before getting a tattoo. Also, if you get keloids (an overgrowth of scar tissue) you probably should not get a tattoo.
"Spiritual tattoos — mandala, hamsa, chakra, tree of life, Budha, lotus, etc. — are common for battling anxiety. They symbolize the overcoming of struggle, protection, self care, rebirth, the circle of life, kindness, strength, new challenges, and new beginnings."
It is customary to tip tattoo artists for their time and skill. A general guideline is to tip between 15-20% of the total cost of your tattoo, but you can adjust this amount based on your personal budget and satisfaction with the service.
It is rude to the artist you are asking, as well as the artist whose work is being plagiarized. If you must have a specific tattoo you've seen somewhere else, find a tattoo artist who did the original work and ask him or her to give you the same tattoo.
Sleep well:
It is crucial that you get a good night's sleep before your tattoo appointment. Showing up to your appointment completely exhausted and sleepy isn't ideal as it will make the process more difficult for both you and your artist. In fact, when you are tired your body becomes more sensitive to pain.
Therefore, some good spots to target are your calf, bum, bicep, and thigh. The shoulder blade also doesn't usually hurt all that much. Therefore, you should avoid getting a tattoo on very bony parts like your spine, ribs, ankle, feet, breast bone, etc.
Also be wary of taking any kind of pain medication that thins your blood or affects its ability to clot, such as aspirin or ibuprofen, lest you want to bleed more while getting tattooed.
What to eat to speed healing. To speed the healing process of the skin, you should consume foods rich in antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds, such as omega-3. Foods with the most antioxidant properties include tomatoes, red fruits, citrus fruits like orange, and herbs such as garlic, onion and saffron.
If you're wondering what to eat before you visit the tattoo studio, cook a meal that's protein-rich with plenty of eggs, fish or red meat. Protein helps with recovery, so it's a great way to prepare for the procedure ahead.
You may not be able to have your phone with you while getting tattooed. (Phones tend to be germ magnets, so it's best to avoid having them come into contact with the tattooing area. They can also be distracting for the artist and cause you to move etc).
Bring your headphones
If you have music or something that might relax you, we strongly encourage you to have your headphones as an option.