How To Prepare For A Tattoo Session

< Get Hydrated >

Drink sufficient water on the days leading up to your tattoo session. Staying well hydrated makes your skin more resilient, which will allow it to endure longer tattoo sessions, and help you heal faster following your tattoo session.

< Moisturize >

Just as you should hydrate your skin from the inside by drinking water, so too should you hydrate your skin from the outside with moisturizer.

< Shave >

Shave the area where you will be tattooed carefully and a big surface around the spot to make desinfecting easier.

But be carefull; A cut or perforation of the skin, no matter how minor, could make it impossible for you to get tattooed on schedule, so pay careful attention not to break the skin during a shave.

< Rest >

Head to bed early and don’t imbibe any alcohol or drugs the night before. You’ll want to be well rested before getting a piece of permanent body art.

< Eat >

Be mindful to eat before a long tattoo session.

< Bring Snacks or Soda >

If you are getting a larger piece done and have scheduled in a longer session, be sure to bring a light snack at the very least. A snack comes in handy if you need to get some extra energy after your adrenaline is depleted.

What Not to Do Before a Tattoo Session

Tattoos won’t heal well on freshly damaged skin, so anything which causes damage to the skin must be avoided. That includes getting a tan, a fake tan, a sunburn, a chemical peel, or any cuts or scrapes.

Weight lifting and strenuous exercise should also be avoided at least 2 days before the tattoo session. Putting strain on your muscles can cause swelling and soreness which may exacerbate the sensation of the tattoo and impact healing time. It can also cause your skin to stretch slightly which can end up with your tattoo being distorted when your skin returns to normal.

The Day of Your Session You Should:

< Come Alone >

While most tattoo shops will let you bring a friend or significant other to share the big moment, it generally isn’t advised to bring people who aren’t there to get tattooed themselves. Onlookers get bored and may even get in the artist’s way.

Children or animals are not permitted in the tattoo lab.

< Shower & Cloathing >

Dress comfortably to ensure you can remain in your clothes for a few hours. Shower and Put on fresh and clean clothing to avoid any cross-contamination. Be aware that ink or blood spatters can sometimes be unavoidable, especially when having a clumsy artist like me! I will not refund any clothing or drycleaning, so put on clothes that can be ruined.

< Don’t Rush the Artist >

Be on time or you will lose a part of your session time and indirectly rush the artist. Don’t schedule commitments immediately after your tattoo session. Don't forget; it's permanent. Most Artist will not deliver "their best work" when under time pressure.

< Be Sober >

Do not use any numbing balms or topical creams on the area being tattooed on the day you are getting the tattoo. While it is acceptable to take over-the-counter pain relievers during your tattoo session, never use drugs or alcohol to numb the pain as they can lead to various complications and jeopardize your safety and the quality of your tattoo.

While You Are Being Tattooed

< Don’t Touch Your Tattoo >

Never touch the affected area or let anyone else other than the tattoo artist touch it. Your tattoo artist will be wearing sterile gloves and using sterile equipment, so any other contact can lead to contamination and infection.

< Don’t Touch Any Tattoo Equipment >

Don't touch anything without asking up front. Most area's in the shop have been disinfected. Don't put your purse, keys, phone or pocket content on counters without asking the Artist.

< Don’t Move Around >

It’s acceptable to talk during your session as long as keep your body still. Moving or breathing to excesively can result in blow-outs or other "mistakes".