1. Take Care of Your Body Ahead of Time

Healthy skin = better tattoos.

In the days leading up to your appointment:

• Stay Hydrated: Drink plenty of water for at least 24–48 hours before your tattoo. Well-hydrated skin is easier to tattoo and heals faster.

• Moisturize Regularly: Keep your skin moisturized, but do not apply lotion on the day of the tattoo.

• Avoid Sunburn: Sunburned skin cannot be tattooed. Stay out of the sun or use SPF if you’ll be outdoors.

• Eat a Good Meal: Have a solid, healthy meal before your appointment. Low blood sugar can cause dizziness, nausea, or fainting during your session.

2. Get a Good Night’s Sleep

You’ll want to come in feeling rested and energized. Lack of sleep can increase your sensitivity to pain and make the tattooing experience harder on your body. when getting tattooed, it may look like you’re just sitting there, but in reality your body is going through a lot. After long sessions your body can sometimes feel like you’ve just ran a marathon. So its best to make sure you’re body is well rested.

3. Avoid Blood Thinners and Alcohol

The day before and the day of your appointment:

• Skip alcohol: Drinking thins your blood, which can cause excessive bleeding and interfere with the tattooing process.

• Limit caffeine: Large amounts of caffeine can increase sensitivity and anxiety.

• Check your medications: If you’re on blood thinners or have health concerns, talk to your doctor and your tattoo artist ahead of time. Sometimes your tattoo artist will want to see a letter from the doctor stating that you’re okay to be tattooed. This is just your artist making sure that getting tattooed isn’t going to cause you any harm or make your condition worse.

4. Dress Comfortably and Appropriately

Think about the location of your tattoo:

• Wear loose clothing that gives easy access to the area being tattooed.

• Bring layers if you tend to get cold — tattoo studios are often kept cooler for comfort and hygiene.

• Avoid wearing anything expensive that you don’t want to accidentally stain with ink.

5. Bring the Essentials

• Photo ID: Most studios require proof of age (18+).

• Payment: Check ahead if your artist prefers cash, card, or deposit payments.

• Snacks and Drinks: For longer sessions, bring water and light snacks to stay energized and I usually recommend a sugary drink to keep blood sugar levels up.

• Entertainment: Bring headphones, a book, or a playlist to help pass the time.

6. Mentally Prepare Yourself

Even if you have a high pain tolerance, it’s normal to feel a little nervous, especially for a first tattoo. Here’s how to mentally prep:

• Trust Your Artist: You chose them for a reason. Let them guide the process. If you don’t trust your artist DO NOT GET TATTOOED BY THEM! You should trust your artist completely, if you don’t, there’s something wrong.

• Practice Deep Breathing: Slow, steady breathing helps manage pain and keeps you relaxed.

• Stay Positive: Focus on the outcome and the meaning behind your tattoo.

7. Communicate Clearly with Your Artist

Before the needle touches your skin:

• Discuss your design thoroughly to make sure you’re 100% happy.

• Mention any allergies (like latex or certain inks).

• Be honest about pain tolerance — Your artist can always schedule breaks if needed.

8. What Not to Do

• Don’t come to your appointment drunk or high — you will likely be refused service.

• Don’t bring a crowd — most studios allow only one guest if any.

• Don’t try to change your entire design at the last minute — big changes should be discussed well ahead of time.

• If at any point during the tattoo process you feel light headed, drowsy, lose your sight or hearing, hear a ringing in your ears, its usually a sign that you’re about to pass out. DON’T STAY SILENT, TELL THE ARTIST! This is important because not telling your artist could result in injury as you can fall and potentially injury yourself.

  Your artist should be trained in how to deal with this type of thing. If this happens follow your artists instructions and don’t move unless your artist or someone else is there to help and guide you. Trust your artist.

Final Thoughts

Getting tattooed is a collaboration between you and your artist. With the right preparation, your session will be smoother, your healing time will be faster, and the artwork will look its absolute best.

If you have any specific questions or concerns before your appointment contact your artist and they should be able to answer any questions that you may have — we’re always happy to help!