What to do, eat and avoid before a tattoo session. Complete checklist for a comfortable and smooth appointment.
Quick answer: On the day: eat well (keep blood sugar stable), drink plenty of water, sleep well the night before. Avoid alcohol (24 hrs), aspirin/ibuprofen (48 hrs). Moisturise the area in the days before; avoid sunburn. Wear comfortable, loose clothing that allows access to the tattoo area.
The day before
- Drink plenty of water — Hydrated skin takes ink more easily and heals faster.
- Avoid alcohol — Thins blood, disrupts healing and can affect how ink sits. Stop 24 hours before.
- Sleep well — Tiredness lowers pain tolerance significantly.
- Moisturise — Dry skin makes tattooing harder. Use moisturiser for a few days beforehand; don't apply on the morning of the appointment.
On the day
- Eat a proper meal — Keep blood sugar stable. A light-headed session raises fainting risk. Bring a snack for longer sessions.
- Avoid aspirin and ibuprofen — Blood-thinning effect. Paracetamol/acetaminophen is an alternative.
- No sunburn — A sunburned area cannot be tattooed. The appointment will need to be rescheduled.
- Wear comfortable, loose clothing — Easy access to the area; something you don't mind getting ink on.
- Bring reference images — Style, placement and colour references speed up the process.
What to avoid and when
| What? | How long before? | Why? |
|---|---|---|
| Alcohol | 24 hours | Thins blood, disrupts healing |
| Aspirin / ibuprofen | 48 hours | Blood-thinning effect |
| Sunbed / tanning | 2 weeks | Sensitises skin |
| Retinol / AHA creams | 1 week | Thins and sensitises skin |
| Heavy exercise (on tattooed area) | Day of appointment | Swelling and sweat affect the session |
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