Tattoos are not just ink; they're the chapters of your life story boldly etched onto your skin. Picture it: your skin as the canvas, your experiences as the plot, and the tattoo needle as the mighty quill, weaving tales of epic proportions. Whether your ink tells a saga worthy of The Odyssey or resembles the chaotic ramblings of a madman on the back of a crumpled receipt, it's your story, and you're the storyteller. But before you embark on this adventure, there's the matter of preparation. It's more than choosing a design; it's about readying yourself for a memorable, comfortable, and enjoyable experience for both you and your tattoo artist. Here are 10 indispensable tips to prepare for your tattoo journey so it becomes nothing short of extraordinary:
1. Get a Good Night's Sleep
A rejuvenating night's sleep is your body's way of gearing up for the creative process ahead. Beyond the general benefits for overall well-being, a well-rested body is better equipped to handle the discomfort that can accompany tattooing. Your pain tolerance becomes a steadfast ally when you've had a solid night of sleep. Without it, your pain will be magnified and you might end up tapping out of your session early.
2. Stay Well-Hydrated
Hydration is such an incredibly important part of overall wellness, but often overlooked for too easily. Beyond its obvious benefits for bodily functions, well-hydrated skin provides the ideal canvas for your artist to work with. It's not just about preventing dryness; it's about ensuring your skin is smooth, elastic, and pliable so that your artist doesn’t have to deal with difficulties that could have been prevented. Now, when we say to drink plenty of liquid, that specifically refers to water (and juices and electrolyte drinks like Gatorade), not coffee, sodas, or energy drinks. While they are technically liquids, the caffeine in them will actually do the opposite and dehydrate your rather quickly. Feel free to have something to keep you awake, but make sure you counter it with actual hydrating beverages.
3. Eat a Balanced Meal
Tattoos put your body through a unique form of stress. In order to make it through this (often painful) stress, you’ll need lasting energy to do so. The best way to do this is through having a well balanced meal before your appointment. Foods rich in proteins, complex carbs, and healthy fats will be great allies to have on your side, providing sustained energy to ward off the risk of a steep blood sugar dip during the session.
4. Bring Snacks
Having a balanced meal before your appointment is absolutely essential, but if you’re in for a longer session, you’re going to need some reinforcements along the way. Your adrenaline levels spike, your body responds, and blood sugar can take a hit. Having snacks on hand is your insurance policy against an energy crash, ensuring you stay grounded and focused throughout the process. Without this, you can quite easily become nauseous, light-headed, clammy, and ultimately lose consciousness. During really long sessions, it’s quite common for shock to set in and your body will start uncontrollably shaking. Once you’ve gotten to this point, your artist will likely recommend to end the session. When your body gets to this point, no amount of snacks will bring you back to normal; it’s your body’s way of saying “that’s enough.”
5. Avoid Partying the Night Before
The night before your tattoo isn't the time for a wild celebration. Alcohol and certain drugs can thin the blood, turning your tattoo session into a bleeding challenge. Your artist will have a hell of a time trying to see what they’re doing when they constantly have to wipe the blood away. Beyond that, a hangover can transform the pain from discomfort to a full-blown symphony. Save the festivities for the post-ink revelry (but not the same night, your body will be very angry with you!)
6. Prepare Your Skin
Your skin is the canvas, and a well-prepared canvas ensures the artist's tools glide seamlessly. Moisturizing in the days leading up to your appointment is more than a routine; it's a commitment to the art. You want your tattoo session to go as smoothly as possible, so having smooth skin is a no-brainer. If you’re getting tattooed in a hairy area, it may be tempting to shave it before the session. Now your artist may appreciate the effort, it might actually be detrimental. It’s actually advised to avoid shaving this area yourself, as quite a bit of time may pass between the time you shave and the time the needle touches your skin, allowing time for problems like razor burn to arise. Letting the artist handle the shaving ensures your skin enters the session without unnecessary irritation, ready for its transformation.
7. Avoid Intense Exercise
Working out before your appointment rather than afterwards may seem like the logical choice if you’re a regular gym-goer, but the effect on your blood pressure may overlap with the start of your appointment. The higher blood pressure and sore muscles could cause the pain sensation to be intensified, and possibly cause you to bleed more as your blood vessels will be dilated and full. Your body's resources are a precious commodity during the tattooing process, and you’ll want every bit you can to work for your tattoo. Intense exercise before or after your appointment can divert your recovery resources to muscle repair, thus impacting the healing process of your tattoo. Give your body the grace it deserves – let it focus on recovery and rejuvenation so your tattoo heals beautifully.
8. Wear Something Comfortable
Comfort is not a luxury; it's a necessity during a tattoo session, especially if it's a marathon. Loose, comfortable clothing isn't just about style; it's about giving yourself the freedom to relax during the artistic process. There’s nothing wrong with trying to look good and stylish, but this is not really a top priority when it comes to your tattoo appointment. You’ll want to wear clothes that will give your artist easy access to the area to make their job run as smoothly as possible. If you’re getting an upper arm or shoulder tattoo, wear something sleeveless. If you’re getting a leg tattoo, wear shorts or sweatpants that are easy to roll up. Just use some common sense for this, it’s not exactly hard to figure out. After all, you'll be spending hours in that chair; why not make it as cozy as possible?
9. Maintain Hygiene
Personal hygiene isn't just a courtesy; it's a form of respect for both yourself and your artist. It’s almost sad that we have to remind people of this, and quite frankly, you’d be shocked by the amount of times artists have to deal with a rather unpleasant-smelling client. If you show up for your appointment covered in dead skin cells, dried sweat, dirt particles, and cat hair isn’t very conducive to a sanitary environment. A clean canvas is necessary for your artist to work efficiently and safely, and having filth all over your skin is just a recipe for infection. Aside from showering, please wear deodorant. We all produce body odour, and left unchecked, it’s really unpleasant to be around. Now consider the fact that your tattoo artist is sitting right next to you, working on your skin for hours at a time. It’s not fair to them if you smell like a well-sued hockey bag. This also applies to your mouth — coffee breath isn’t fun for anyone, so brush your teeth! And if someone offers you gum… take it. It’s not just out of generosity; it’s a nice way of saying your breath smells like a dumpster full of roadkill.
10. Bring Headphones
Your tattoo session is your time, your show. You’ll want to keep yourself occupied, especially if you and your artist aren’t the chatty type. There is nothing wrong with bringing something to entertain yourself, in fact, it’s often encouraged. Whether you're into music, movies, or audiobooks, please remember to bring headphones. It's not just about your entertainment; it's about ensuring your experience doesn't become an unintentional performance for the entire studio. Let your art be the spectacle, not your soundtrack.
Follow these 10 tips, and your journey into the world of tattoos will not only be an aesthetic expression of self but also a comfortable and enjoyable experience.