Preparing for Your Tattoo Session
1. Stay Relaxed and Rested
It’s essential to keep your body relaxed and well-rested before your tattoo session. Make sure you get a good night’s sleep to help you manage the experience better.
2. Eat a Nutritious Meal
Before your session, eat a nutrient-rich meal to give your body the energy it needs to handle the tattooing process. Low food intake can lead to dizziness, low blood sugar, and may make the experience more painful, dont forget to bring snacks or a light lunch to the studio if possible if you have a long session.
3. Hydrate Well
Drink plenty of water to keep your body hydrated. Proper hydration ensures your skin is supple and resilient, which helps it better handle the pressure of the needle, especially during long sessions.
4. Avoid Alcohol
Please avoid drinking alcohol both the night before and on the day of your session. Alcohol thins the blood, which can cause excessive bleeding and interfere with the tattoo process.
Managing Pain
Tattoo Pain
Getting a tattoo is a personal experience, and while some discomfort is to be expected, it’s generally manageable. Certain areas, particularly those close to bones like the knees, hands, feet, head, neck, and ribcage, can be more sensitive.
Tips to Cope with Pain:
- Breathe slowly and deeply; avoid holding your breath.
- Keep your mind and body as relaxed as possible.
- Distract yourself by watching a movie, listening to music, or engaging in another calming activity.
- If the pain becomes too intense, feel free to request a short break—it’s perfectly normal to pause when needed.
Medication & Pain Management
1. Blood-Thinning Medications
Avoid taking blood thinners (such as aspirin) before your session. These medications can increase bleeding and prolong the healing process, as well as make the tattooed area more prone to infections.
2. Painkillers
You can take a non-aspirin pain reliever, like acetaminophen, about half an hour before your session to ease discomfort. However, avoid ibuprofen or aspirin, as these are blood thinners that can cause excessive bleeding during your tattoo.
Alcohol
1. Avoid Drinking Alcohol
Alcohol acts as a blood thinner, leading to excessive bleeding during the tattooing process. This can reduce visibility for the artist and may dilute the ink, affecting the final result. To avoid these issues, steer clear of alcohol for at least 48 hours before your session and 72 hours after.
Smoking weed
1. Avoid smoking Weed Before Your Session
Smoking weed before your tattoo session may heighten your sensitivity to pain and cause anxiety. For a smoother experience, it’s best to avoid it before your appointment.
Clothing
1. Clothing During the Session
Tattooing can get messy, with ink and blood possibly staining your clothes. To ensure easy access to the area being tattooed, wear or bring old, dark clothes that you won’t mind getting dirty.
2. Clothing During Healing
After your session, avoid wearing tight clothing over your new tattoo, as it can rub against the skin, irritate the area, and prolong the healing process.
Additional Tips
1. Light Sensitivity
Our artists use bright white lighting for precision. If you’re sensitive to light or prone to migraines, bring sunglasses to your session to stay comfortable.
2. No-Shoe Policy
For hygiene reasons, we have a no-shoe policy at the studio. Please bring your own slippers to help us maintain a clean, sterile environment.
3. Staying Warm in Winter
In colder months, we recommend clients bring a clean, light blanket if they’ll need to be partially uncovered for their tattoo. This will help keep you warm and comfortable during your session.