Before the appointment:
When getting a tattoo, it is very important to prepare for your session so that you have the best possible experience. Some of the most important things to do before your session are to hydrate yourself by drinking at least one to two liters of water to make sure you don’t pass out. On top of drinking water, it’s incredibly important for you to have eaten before your appointment as well. This helps reduce the risks of passing out, plus makes your experience much easier on you, so you are not starving the whole appointment. Eating before your tattoo allows your body to function correctly and makes the pain management much easier for you! On that note, you are welcome to bring drinks and snacks to continuously fuel your body during your session. Taking breaks is very welcome, so bring snacks and drinks to take a moment to refuel yourself and allow the artist to rest! Get a good night’s sleep the night before! Sleep is so important! It dictates your energy levels, so when you get a tattoo, you want to be fully mentally and physically prepared for the session. Never drink the night before! Drinking and coming in hungover for a tattoo is sloppy and results in bad outcomes. Your chances of passing out or throwing up become very real, and it just makes the experience very negative for both you and your artist. Drinking also thins your blood, and a tattoo artist can tell!
During the appointment:
During your appointment, there is not much to prepare for if you have prepared adequately previously. One main thing is to keep yourself sanitized. Wash your hands, freshen up, or drink water as needed throughout the appointment. Make sure to bring your ID. Do your research beforehand, such as placement pain, so you have no surprises during the session. Always ask questions and speak up for yourself! Your tattoo is permanent, and you want it the way you want it, so speak up! Do not step outside during your session without some sort of protection over the tattoo. Ask your artist to cover it so you can take your break and do what you need to do.
After the appointment:
Follow the lead of your artist. Your tattoo artist will give you a rundown on how to care for your tattoo. Based on their professional opinion, the type or placement of the tattoo you received may differ. Feel free to ask away and get the best understanding you can from them. If you have fake skin, leave it on for the recommended amount of time so that your tattoo heals and looks its best! Make sure to keep the fresh tattoo out of areas with high bacterial levels, like a bath or a pool. Use ointment to keep it moist so it does not crust up as well. And most importantly, enjoy your new piece of art! Care for it and keep it!