How do you prepare for a tattoo?
Andrew Mccoy
Updated on January 05, 2026
How to Prepare for a Tattoo Appointment – [10+ Must-Know Tips]
- Get a Good Night's Sleep. The last thing you want is to come in and be completely exhausted for your tattoo session. ...
- Stay Hydrated. ...
- Shave. ...
- Shower. ...
- Moisturize your Skin. ...
- Eat and Bring Snacks. ...
- Dress for you Session. ...
- Do not show up Intoxicated.
What should I not do before getting a tattoo?
9 Things You Should Avoid Before Tattooing!
- Alcohol and Drinking. First and foremost; tattoo artists aren't legally allowed to tattoo and provide services to customers that appear drunk and intoxicated. ...
- Blood Thinning Pills. ...
- Sun Exposure. ...
- Dairy and Sugar. ...
- Caffeine. ...
- Getting A Razor Cut. ...
- Avoiding Showering. ...
- Wearing Tight Clothes.
How do I prepare my skin before getting a tattoo?
How to Prepare Your Skin for a Tattoo
- Get hydrated and moisturize. ...
- Shave and exfoliate. ...
- Eat before the session. ...
- Wear comfortable and appropriate clothes. ...
- Avoid using drugs and certain products before the session.
What can I take before a tattoo to ease the pain?
Avaliani recommends taking three or four Ibuprofen tablets an hour before your appointment so that your pain tolerance is higher by the time you feel the needle (which, by the way, looks more like the tip of a pen than a needle, in case that word scares you like it scared me).What are 3 things you should consider before getting a tattoo?
8 important things to consider before you get a tattoo
- Expect to be waitlisted. ...
- Tattoos are expensive. ...
- Do a recce of the shop. ...
- Consult your dermatologist. ...
- Proofread. ...
- Getting inked hurts. ...
- Tattoos do need touch-ups. ...
- Post-tattoo care is crucial.
Everything You Need to Know Before Your First Tattoo | Dos and Don'ts
What is a good first tattoo?
While upper arms, forearms, thighs, and calves are all great locations, Brodsky says elbow and knee tattooing can be “kind of spicy, but it's still doable.” Tattoos on the torso hurt worse, she explains, because the skin is softer and lighter.Can you shower after getting a tattoo?
The bottom line. Showering with a new tattoo isn't only fine; it's necessary for the sake of good hygiene. As long as you follow the aftercare instructions your tattoo artist gives you, and you're careful not to rub or soak your tattoo, showering shouldn't interfere with the healing process of your new ink.Whats the most painful place to get a tattoo?
Most painful
- Armpit. The armpit is among the most painful places, if not the most painful place, to get tattooed. ...
- Rib cage. The rib cage is probably the second most painful place for most people to get tattooed. ...
- Ankles and shins. ...
- Nipples and breasts. ...
- Groin. ...
- Elbows or kneecap. ...
- Behind the knees. ...
- Hips.
Does numbing cream make it harder to tattoo?
Some artists don't like the way it makes the skin feel, but it won't interfere with the tattooing process and it keeps the skin "wet" much like glides do while keeping the customer good and numbed up.Do tattoos hurt less if you're fat?
Fatty areas with thick skin are the least painful because they are able to cushion the sting of the needle. Areas with thin skin and little fat are the most painful, because the pain gets down to the bone.Should I shower before my tattoo?
It's recommended that you wash the area of the skin or take a shower before coming in to get the tattoo, especially if you work with paint, construction materials, garbage, or sewage.What should I bring to a tattoo session?
To prepare for a long tattoo appointment, make sure that you have plenty of water, healthy snacks, and other drinks. “Bring a sugary drink and snack with you,” says Wylde. “It will keep your body and mind going.” Your artist will likely need to take a few breaks during your tattoo to stretch, eat, or drink.Should I put lotion on before getting a tattoo?
Keeping your skin hydrated is one of the most critical measures to take because it makes it easier on you and the tattoo artist. Please don't moisturize right before your session, however, as this could affect the tattoo machines function.How long does a small tattoo take?
A small, simple quarter-sized tattoo could take an hour, where a large back piece could take seven or 10. Size matters in this equation, and it's important to remember that time is also money.What should I wear to a tattoo appointment?
In general, you don't want to wear anything tight or restrictive. "Your body will be in distress, so wearing comfortable clothing is key," Monikka Velvet, co-founder of the female-owned NYC-based tattoo shop High Hopes, told POPSUGAR.Where do tattoos hurt the least?
Least painful to tattooThe least painful places to get a tattoo are areas of your body with fewer nerve endings. Think outer shoulder, calf, buttocks, and outer arm.
Can you be put to sleep for tattoo?
HUSH Numbing SprayAnesthetics are introduced to the skin by way of tiny drops or mists. It works immediately upon skin contact, making it a perfect product in keeping a painless tattoo while the artist is concentrating on creating a mind-blowing masterpiece!