5 ‘Before The Tattoo’ Self Care Prep Tips!

5 Things To Do BEFORE Your Next Tattoo Appointment

As a tattoo artist, I’ve seen a lot of different types of skin. There are so many factors that can make a tattoo session better or worse for the client and artist! Here’s a little list of things I suggest my clients do before their upcoming appointment and hopefully you can benefit from it too!

There's a lot to know when it comes to getting a new tattoo! Including but not limited to figuring out your idea, picking an artist, and how to take care of your new piece!

But we must not forget how to prepare yourself for your upcoming tattoo! Something discussed a little less than how to take care of your finished work but just as important!

Here are 5 tips to prepare your skin and make your next tattoo visit nice for yourself and your artist!
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1:  DRINK WATER

Seems simple enough. But you'd be surprised how many people don't drink enough water, and no doubt, your skin suffers from this greatly.

Once you book your appointment, make a point to keep hydrated! Your skin will thank you, and so will your artist!

Dehydrated skin can be hard to work on. Nice healthy skin on the other hand will be ready for the big day and should lead to easy tattooing and easy healing.

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2:  MOISTURIZE

To go with the healthy hydrated skin from all the water you've been drinking, lets double down and start moisturizing the area from the outside too! A few times a day, take a moment to put some lotion on the area you are going to get tattooed.

Once again, your tattoo will go in a whole lot easier on healthy skin. Hydration and moisturizers are your two best friend for healthy skin.

​It can smell as fancy as you want at this point, but don't forget to pick up your unscented lotion for after the tattoo is done.

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3:  EAT BEFORE YOUR APPOINTMENT

A very important thing to do right before your tattoo appointment is to have a good meal. You might be nervous, makes your guts a little funny, but you should not skip this step!

It helps with blood sugar, bleeding, and your stamina. Keeping you healthy and upright during the duration of your appointment.

As tattoo artists, we've all had to scrape a grown man off the floor in our careers, but we'd really rather not... So for your own good, please eat!

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4:  SHOWER 

This is more so for your artists sake to be honest. When you have to sit next to someone who stinks for hours on end.... well, it's just not pleasant!

Don't worry, your artist will disinfect the area no matter what. So if you've come straight from work, or just haven't had the time to get a quick rinse of before your appointment, its not always the end of the world. Unless you smell like you've been bare knuckle boxing a tuna all morning.....

But to be safe, if you can, do everyone a favor and make sure you are nice and clean before your appointment!

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5:  HAVE A GOOD NIGHTS SLEEP

Last but not least, rest easy the night before your big appointment. A drink to calm the nerves if you are a bit nervous, but don't over indulge.

One too many and it will affect you more than the average hangover!  You'll bleed more, have low tolerance to pain, and likely be kinda cranky.... Not a great experience for anyone involved. A quiet night in, full of rest and a good nights sleep is best. 

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If you are sure to stay hydrated, moisturize, eat well, have a nice shower and a good nights sleep, you should be good to go for your new tattoo! 

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Do you have any pre-tattoo 'rituals' you like to do?? 

Ready to book your next tattoo? Click here