It's generally recommended that you wait at least 48 hours after your new tattoo before you start drinking alcohol again. One beer with a meal probably won't cause much damage, but why not just wait and give yourself the best results possible?
Drinking after a tattoo is not a good choice as well. It's okay to have a beer or half a glass of wine with dinner after your tattoo, but it should be limited to that. Because even directly after the appointment you should create the circumstances in your body that your tattoo can heal perfectly.
If you're serious about getting an amazing tattoo, then we'd advise not to drink any alcohol for at least 24 hours beforehand. Then afterwards we'd ask that you avoid it for 48 hours more.
So, if you are planning to get a new tattoo, try to stay sober for at least 48 hours before and at least 2 weeks after. Nowadays, you can find some amazing engineers, doctors, and pilots with full-body tattoos.
Alcoholic Beverages – alcohol should be avoided before and after getting a tattoo. It can dilute the blood and promote excessive bleeding during and after the tattooing process. Because of the excess blood, the tattoo will have a hard time drying and sealing, which can cause an inflammatory reaction and infection.
Alcohol can dilute the ink
The body works in such a way that it pumps more blood to an area that is being treated or affected; for example, the affected area during tattooing. Now, because alcohol thins the blood, there will be an excess of blood in the tattooed area, which is unable to clot.
Cleaning and excess water exposure
So never submerge a fresh tattoo underwater. Also, avoid excessive water exposure while showering. Our skin is like a sponge and it will absorb the water, which can damage the tattoo. When it comes to cleaning your new tattoo, make sure you do this several times a day.
With increased bleeding in the area of tattooing, blood becomes a real paint thinner, which means that the brightness of a tattoo itself decreases. Due this reason it is not recommended to drink alcohol until the tattoo is completely healed. Especially in the early 2-3 days when a tattoo is a fresh wound.
Stay Hydrated
It is even more important before you get tattooed! 24 hours before your appointment you should be drinking a lot of water. A good goal is to aim to drink eight 8-oz glasses of water to fully ensure that your body is in the best shape possible.
Don't drink a bunch of caffeine or energy drinks before coming in. It will thin your blood and make you less likely to sit still. You may need a doctor's note if you have medical conditions like a bleeding disorder, a heart condition, or are on antibiotics.
Since we need platelets to help in clot formation and alcohol reduces this ability, it's advisable not to drink alcohol for at least 24 hours leading up to your tattoo appointment.
We advise that you don't drink coffee before getting a tattoo. Sure, drinking coffee, or any drink that contains caffeine, may calm your nerves, but this is a temporary effect and should be avoided. For one, caffeine is known to thin the blood, which can increase bleeding and reduce healing.
You can thicken your blood after drinking alcohol by consuming foods that are high in vitamin K.
Sleep on a clean surface
Avoid sleeping directly on the tattoo, as the friction from the sheets can disrupt the healing process. Be sure to follow the aftercare instructions provided by your tattoo artist and use a clean pillowcase or bedding to promote a healthy healing process.
Avoid alcohol and stay away from recreational drugs for at least 3 days, first 3 days are very crucial for better healing.
Yes, you can use cups after they have completely healed. Tattoos will continue to heal and 'shed skin' for up to two weeks after being done.
After getting inked, take it seriously and do as the experts say. Wait at least two weeks before submerging the area in water (that means holding off on trying your fancy new bath bomb, too) and keep the area clean. For more tattoo news: The FDA Just Released Some Scary Guidelines About Moldy Tattoo Ink.
Drunken behaviour could ruin your new tattoo
You need to be aware of keeping your tattoo clean and dry while it is fresh, so a night out might not be the best option. It's generally recommended that you wait at least 48 hours after your new tattoo before you start drinking alcohol again.
Don't worry, this is completely natural. It happens because the old skin, damaged during the tattooing process, forms a thin layer over your tattoo and masks its true appearance. In time this old skin will naturally exfoliate itself, revealing your tattoo underneath in all its vibrant glory.