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Before the session

Preparing for your tattoo

The quality of a tattoo doesn’t start with the needle, but with the skin you bring along. A few simple things make the session shorter, calmer and often less painful too.

The week before

Keep the skin on the spot intact. Sunburn, grazes, spots and eczema on the spot are a reason to move an appointment, because ink holds poorly in damaged skin and the risk of problems is higher. Are you red or peeling? Mention it beforehand and send a photo if needed.

In the days before, simply moisturise the spot with a plain, fragrance-free cream. Well-hydrated skin takes ink more evenly. You don’t need to shave: the tattoo artist does that just before tattooing, with a clean razor.

The day before

Sleep well and drink enough water. Skip alcohol: alcohol doesn’t literally thin your blood, but you often bleed more and feel more restless. A lot of ink then washes out and the view gets worse. If you are ill or feverish, cancel. Your body needs its energy to recover, and a wound is not a good idea then.

Do you take medication that thins the blood, or do you have a condition that affects healing? Read the article about health first and talk to your doctor. Never stop prescribed medication on your own for a tattoo.

The day itself

Eat a proper meal, about two hours before. An empty stomach is the most common reason someone goes pale during a session. Bring something sweet and something to drink for the break, especially for a long sitting.

Wear clothes you can easily move aside and that may get dirty, because ink stains. Choose dark fabric. For a rib piece or thigh, loose trousers or a loose shirt are practical; a tight waistband or bra straps can rub on the wound afterwards.

Bring a valid ID. A charger and headphones help during long sessions, but check whether the tattoo artist prefers you to lie still without a phone in your hand.

What you’d better not do

No numbing cream on your own initiative. Some creams change the skin, so the ink takes differently. Discuss it beforehand, then you’ll know whether it’s possible. No painkillers that thin the blood without advice from a doctor or pharmacist. And preferably don’t bring a big group: the studio works with care, and the tattoo artist needs to be able to concentrate.

What to bring for the design

References are welcome: photos of what you like, and also of what you don’t want. Say what is fixed for you and where the tattoo artist has freedom. Your own design works best if there is room to adapt it to the shape of your body. How that works is described under booking an appointment.

Afterwards

Count on not wanting or being able to go straight back to work or to sport. Plan a quiet rest of the day. The first hours have different rules than the first week; you’ll find them in aftercare day by day.

If it’s your first tattoo

Just say so. Then you’ll get an explanation beforehand of what happens, and you won’t have to guess. A first tattoo doesn’t have to be small or meaningful: it can simply be something beautiful. Do choose a spot you can handle and that you can look after well. Take your time to look at the stencil, even if you feel rushed. Nobody in a good studio minds if you want to look in the mirror once more or move the spot by a centimetre. That is exactly the moment when you can still change something.

Frequently asked

Can I drink alcohol the evening before?

Better not. After alcohol you are often more restless and the skin often bleeds more, which makes tattooing harder.

Do I need to shave the spot myself?

No. The tattoo artist shaves the spot just before tattooing with a clean razor.

What if I’m ill that day?

Call or message as soon as possible to reschedule. With a fever or an infection it’s better not to get a tattoo.

Sources

General information, not medical or legal advice. Aftercare advice from the studio comes first.