You’ve consulted with your artist, finalized your design, and your appointment is officially on the calendar. The excitement is building! But what you do in the 24-48 hours before you get in the chair can make a world of difference for your comfort, your artist's work, and how well your new tattoo heals.
At No Pain Tattoo, we want every client to have the best experience possible. Here are our essential dos and don'ts to ensure you’re perfectly prepared for your session.
The DOs: What You Should Do Before Your Appointment
1. DO Get a Good Night's Sleep This might be the most underrated tip. Being well-rested helps your body manage pain and sit still for longer periods. It keeps your nerves calm and your immune system strong, which is exactly what you want when getting a tattoo.
2. DO Eat a Substantial Meal Never, ever get a tattoo on an empty stomach. Eat a balanced, healthy meal about 1-2 hours before your appointment. This keeps your blood sugar levels stable, preventing dizziness or feeling faint. Think proteins and complex carbs, not just sugar.
3. DO Hydrate, Hydrate, Hydrate Well-hydrated skin is healthy skin. Drinking plenty of water in the days leading up to your session makes your skin more receptive to ink. It can improve the tattooing process and even help with healing. Bring a water bottle with you to the appointment, too!
4. DO Wear the Right Clothes Think comfort and access. Wear loose, comfortable clothing. If you're getting a tattoo on your thigh, wear shorts or a skirt. If it's on your upper arm, a tank top is perfect. Black clothing is also a pro move, just in case any ink splatters....(it's going to spatter)
5. DO Bring the Essentials Make sure you have your government-issued ID (your artist needs it to tattoo you!), the method of payment the shop takes (cash is king in the tattoo world), and any snacks or drinks you might want. It’s also a great idea to bring headphones if you or your artist isn't a blabber, a book, or a tablet to keep you entertained during longer sessions.
The DON'Ts: What to Avoid Before You Get Inked
1. DON'T Drink Alcohol or Caffeine It’s crucial to avoid alcohol for at least 24 hours before your tattoo. Alcohol thins your blood, which can cause excess bleeding during the session. This makes it harder for the artist and can affect the final look of your tattoo. Similarly, caffeine can heighten anxiety and make it harder to sit still. We know that many people don't abide by this rule (including...especially our founder), but avoiding alcohol and caffeine really does help.
2. DON'T Take Blood Thinners Unless prescribed by a doctor, avoid medications like aspirin and ibuprofen, which also thin your blood. If you're on prescribed blood thinners, please discuss this with your artist and doctor beforehand.
3. DON'T Get a Sunburn We cannot tattoo on sunburned, peeling, or damaged skin. It’s painful for you and makes the canvas impossible for your artist to work on. Protect your skin from the sun in the weeks leading up to your appointment.
4. DON'T Show Up Sick If you're feeling unwell, please reschedule. Your immune system is already working overtime, and getting a tattoo will tax it further. It’s better for you, your artist, and the healing of your tattoo to wait until you’re healthy.
5. DON'T Bring a Crowd While we understand wanting support, our artists need space to focus. Most shops have a policy of one guest per client, if any at all. It’s best to come solo or check our policy beforehand to ensure a calm and professional environment for everyone.
By following these simple steps, you're not just preparing for an appointment—you're setting yourself up for a smoother, more comfortable experience and a beautifully healed tattoo.