Caffeine is a stimulant that can increase your heart rate and make you more sensitive to pain, which may make the tattooing process more uncomfortable for you. Additionally, drinking coffee can cause your blood vessels to constrict, which can make it more difficult for your body to circulate blood and heal the tattoo.
When getting a tattoo alcohol and caffeine should be avoided for 24 hours prior to the tattoo session and 3 days after the tattoo session. Both alcohol and caffeine thin the blood. They both can increase bleeding which can causes the ink not to stay as well resulting in a blotchy tattoo.
This tip differs depending on the client, but we've found some clients who elect to limit their caffeine intake the morning of the tattoo have an easier time managing the pain. Caffeine can also increase your anxiety, so if you're going to do coffee before your session, maybe swap it out with decaf!
Don't: Consume Alcohol, Coffee, and Energy Drinks
A rough night before will also leave alcohol in your system, so be aware of how much you consume. Like alcohol, caffeine intake and energy drinks also thin out your blood. So, skip that morning cup of coffee the day you get your tattoo.
Try to avoid drinking alcohol or taking any mind-altering substances, and make sure you keep your body hydrated in the days before and after your appointment. Hydrated skin is easier to tattoo and has much better ink retention than dry skin.
It is generally not recommended to drink coffee before getting a tattoo. Caffeine is a stimulant that can increase your heart rate and make you more sensitive to pain, which may make the tattooing process more uncomfortable for you.
We've all seen those movies or TV programs where people find the courage to get a tattoo when drunk. But they almost always regret them afterwards. If you're serious about getting an amazing tattoo, then we'd advise not to drink any alcohol for at least 24 hours beforehand.
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.
Research has shown that in most parts of the body, caffeine acts as a vasodilator by stimulating the release of nitric oxide. That means it widens blood vessels to increase blood flow and improve circulation. Both can help prevent heart problems and the development of heart disease.
It is crucial that you get a good night's sleep before your tattoo appointment. Showing up to your appointment completely exhausted and sleepy isn't ideal as it will make the process more difficult for both you and your artist. In fact, when you are tired your body becomes more sensitive to pain.
The level of caffeine in your blood peaks about one hour later and stays at this level for several hours for most people. Six hours after caffeine is consumed, half of it is still in your body. It can take up to 10 hours to completely clear caffeine from your bloodstream.
This includes coffee, energy drinks, pre-work out, coca cola and tea. Do not take fish oils & vitamin E oils for a week before your treatment. Caffeine, alcohol & fish oils act as a blood thinner, causing you to potentially bleed during the process. This will stop the cosmetic tattoo pigment from holding in the skin.
Foods to avoid include those that promote inflammation – red meats, foods high in sugar, salt and additives, as well as overly processed foods. These can interfere with the body's natural healing processes. The same is said to be true for an excessive amount of dairy.
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.
No alcohol 24 hours before a tattoo
Therefore, you should not drink alcohol, take drugs and avoid blood-thinning medication for at least 24 hours before your tattoo. Of course, it's even better to take care of your diet and live a healthy lifestyle a few days before your tattoo.
A glass of wine won't necessarily ruin your fresh ink with excessive bleeding, but we advise waiting a couple of days to have a drink to celebrate your freshly tattooed skin. Lengthening your healing time can make your tattoo more prone to infection since the scabs can't protect it as quickly.
Ready-To-Drink Juices, Soda, and Processed Foods
Sugar, salt, and oil are proven to cause skin inflammations, prolonging the skin's healing process.
Pee first.
This one is my favorite only because one time, while getting tattooed, I fainted and peed. No joke, that happened. So take my advice and pee first. Also, once your artist gets going you don't want to have to interrupt them to tinkle.
Thinned Blood
Because alcohol decreases your normal blood clotting ability, you may experience increased bleeding during the tattoo session. The blood can cause problems for your tattoo artist and may make it more difficult for them to do their job.
The body's blood sugar will be raised and more prepared for the stamina and energy needed for an appointment. In addition, the body's pain tolerance will be higher on a full stomach versus an empty one. If the tattoo will take a while to complete, consider bringing something to eat during a break as well.
Getting a tattoo can cause some anxiety in even those who have a fair share of tattoos, and that anxiety is only heightened when you're feeling tired after a bad night's sleep. Try your best to get to bed at a reasonable time the night before your tattoo appointment, and get your recommended eight hours of sleep.
Otherwise you may face an awkward conversation when you show up with numbing cream that your artist didn't know about. And if you're wondering if they can tell whether you used it or not, they can. Many creams have odors and they'll be able to feel the texture difference on your skin.