It is important to eat a good meal the night before your session and a slow energy releasing breakfast - this way, once your body works through all it's reserves it can feast on the additional calories from your previous meal(s). Without these additional calories you could become dizzy and worse case, pass out. So!
First of all, people pass out because their blood sugar drops from not eating or they just allow themselves to get too worked up and their own fear knocks them out. Pain is usually not the culprit when someone faints during a tattoo.
Don't get inked on empty stomach.
“We recommend everybody to get a good night of sleep before getting the tattoo, and eat a good meal, too. You are putting your body through a little bit of stress.”
Skipping a meal before getting a new tattoo is not a great idea. You want your skin to be hydrated and your body to have healthy nutrients before seeing your tattoo artist!
Don't arrive to your tattoo appointment dehydrated or on an empty stomach. Doing either of these things will make the process significantly more painful to sit through. Your body requires blood sugar (i.e. energy) to produce the endorphins and adrenaline that work to naturally relieve pain.
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.
The body's blood sugar will be raised and more prepared for the stamina and energy needed for an appointment. In addition, the body's pain tolerance will be higher on a full stomach versus an empty one. If the tattoo will take a while to complete, consider bringing something to eat during a break as well.
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.
Eat and Bring Snacks
Showing up to your appointment starving is not a good move. You are going to need your energy especially if you are about to sit through a longer session. A balanced and healthy meal will help your body as it deals with the needle and it will help you mentally.
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.
Getting a tattoo can cause some anxiety in even those who have a fair share of tattoos, and that anxiety is only heightened when you're feeling tired after a bad night's sleep. Try your best to get to bed at a reasonable time the night before your tattoo appointment, and get your recommended eight hours of sleep.
If you got lost in all the wordiness, I had written that this takes four to six hours, but trutfhfully in my years of experience , four hours is MOST peoples' limit. After four to six hours, you will probably also be shaky, cold, tired and in need of a good meal maybe a beer and a lot of sleep.
Pee first.
This one is my favorite only because one time, while getting tattooed, I fainted and peed. No joke, that happened. So take my advice and pee first. Also, once your artist gets going you don't want to have to interrupt them to tinkle.
Because alcohol decreases your normal blood clotting ability, you may experience increased bleeding during the tattoo session. The blood can cause problems for your tattoo artist and may make it more difficult for them to do their job. The artist has to focus on accuracy while sticking to the design you requested.
You know that amazing mood boost you get after an intense gym session? The tattooing process has the same effect. These feel-good chemicals reduce your perception of the pain in the same way as drugs like morphine or codeine. You'll also feel a 'natural high' according to Mark.
Small tattoos usually take under an hour to make. Palm-sized tattoo would take from one to three hours to make. Hand sized tattoo can take up to 5 hours to make. Full sleeve tattoo can take 6-10 hours to make.
Basically treat this sickness as if it is a regular flu. Your symptoms should pass in a day or two as your body's immune system calms down and gets to the proper work of healing the actual tattoo on your skin.
Don't: Consume Alcohol, Coffee, and Energy Drinks
A rough night before will also leave alcohol in your system, so be aware of how much you consume. Like alcohol, caffeine intake and energy drinks also thin out your blood. So, skip that morning cup of coffee the day you get your tattoo.
Getting the tattoo
Pain can feel magnified when you are hungry or dehydrated, so bring a healthy snack and a bottle of water with you. Avoid medicines that thin the blood.
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.
Cleaning and excess water exposure
So never submerge a fresh tattoo underwater. Also, avoid excessive water exposure while showering. Our skin is like a sponge and it will absorb the water, which can damage the tattoo. When it comes to cleaning your new tattoo, make sure you do this several times a day.