How to prepare for your tattoo
A good tattoo starts before the needle. If you arrive rested, fed, and with healthy skin, your session goes better, hurts less, and the design heals crisper.
- Sleep well and hydrate starting the day before.
- No alcohol or heavy workouts 24 hours before.
- Eat 1–2 hours before; never on an empty stomach.
- Comfortable clothing that exposes the area. Don't shave.
- Bring: ID (18+), your reference, and something to keep you entertained.
- Be on time: 20+ minutes late = missed appointment.
1The days before
- Hydrate. Drink water starting the day before — hydrated skin takes ink better.
- Sleep well. Rested, you handle the session better and feel less pain.
- Protect the area. No sunburn, cuts, or scrapes. If you're sunburned, we wait until it heals.
- Moisturize those days with lotion… but not the same day you come in.
- Don't shave. I take care of that at the studio, with clean supplies.
2The 24 hours before
- No alcohol. It thins your blood: you bleed more and heal worse.
- No heavy workouts. Sore muscles make the session uncomfortable.
- Go easy on caffeine and energy drinks: they make you jittery and dehydrated.
3The day of your appointment
- Think about your clothing — it matters more than you'd think. Bring something comfortable and loose that exposes the area without you taking off more than necessary: a short sleeve for the arm, shorts for the leg, something that opens or lowers easily for the back or shoulder. And that you don't mind getting ink on.
- Eat before you come. A balanced meal 1–2 hours before. Never on an empty stomach: your sugar drops and you can feel faint.
- Come showered and clean — that's the baseline to work comfortably and hygienically.
- Be on time. More than 20 minutes late counts as a missed appointment.
- Bring: your ID (18+ only), your reference, and something to keep you entertained — headphones, music, a podcast. Sessions can run long.
- Bring calm. Trust the process; that's what I'm here for.
⚠ Your safety comes first
If you have any health condition (diabetes, clotting issues, allergies, pregnancy) or take medication like blood thinners or aspirin, tell me beforehand and check with your doctor.
Quick questions
What do I eat before a tattoo?
A balanced meal 1–2 hours before. Never on an empty stomach: your sugar drops and you can feel faint.
Can I drink alcohol before?
No, avoid it for 24 hours: it thins your blood, so you bleed more and heal worse. Go easy on caffeine too.
Do I shave the area?
No need — I take care of that at the studio with clean supplies.
What do I wear?
Something comfortable and loose that exposes the area, and that you don't mind getting ink on.
What do I bring on the day?
Your ID (18+), your reference, and something to keep you entertained. Sessions can run long.
Don't have your appointment yet? Get your tattoo quote → · And when you're done, check how to take care of a new tattoo.