The bottom line Tattoo artists recommend you eat one to two hours before your appointment and a meal full of protein and vegetables is a good choice.
Drink plenty of water the day before and make sure that you eat a healthy meal no longer than an hour before your appointment. Bringing a snack that is high in protein with you to your appointment helps your body to rejuvenate when you and your artist take a break.
It is important to eat a good meal the night before your session and a slow energy releasing breakfast - this way, once your body works through all it's reserves it can feast on the additional calories from your previous meal(s). Without these additional calories you could become dizzy and worse case, pass out. So!
Drink a lot of water during the week; avoid alcohol for at least 24 hours before getting tattooed. Please do not shave the area; we will do it for you at your appointment. Avoid aspirin or blood thinning medication at least 24 hours before your tattoo; ibuprofen, acetaminophen, & other NSAID pain relievers are OK.
Foods high in vitamin C, zinc, protein, and vitamin A are the best choice after getting a brand new tattoo. Eat oranges, berries, green vegetables, chicken, garlic, and a lot of water to keep your tattoed skin damage-free and healthy. Just make sure to clean the area 2-3 times a day while it heals.
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.
If you can, you should try to avoid sleeping directly on the tattoo. For instance, if you have a tattoo on your back, try to sleep on your front and let the tattoo breathe. A lot of tattoo artists recommend sleeping with the wrap that was put on.
If you're wondering what to eat before you visit the tattoo studio, cook a meal that's protein-rich with plenty of eggs, fish or red meat. Protein helps with recovery, so it's a great way to prepare for the procedure ahead.
First Day/Night
Keep the bandage on for a minimum of 6 hours. We recommend keeping it on overnight provided the dressing feels comfortable and secure. If you decide to remove the bandage before going to sleep, follow the instructions in the next section to properly remove the bandage and clean your tattoo.
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. Not only is it good for your health, but it will make sure that your skin is hydrated and prepared for your tattoo session.
Don't arrive to your tattoo appointment dehydrated or on an empty stomach. Doing either of these things will make the process significantly more painful to sit through. Your body requires blood sugar (i.e. energy) to produce the endorphins and adrenaline that work to naturally relieve pain.
If you're sick or under the weather, please wait until you're feeling better before getting tattooed. Make sure to eat something a few hours before you come in. Getting tattooed on an empty stomach may cause you to feel faint, nauseated, or dizzy. Allow plenty of time for your visit.
It's not uncommon for people to shiver during a tattoo because your body may be in shock so consider bringing a sweater, hoodie, or blanket to keep you warm.
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.
Protein helps raise your energy levels which is great for keeping your adrenaline going. Adrenaline helps you manage the pain of the tattooing experience, so stock up on some peanut butter, nuts, eggs, and tofu before your tattoo.
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.
You can shower 3-4 hours after getting a tattoo, if you have a Saniderm bandage on, however, if you have a plastic wrap wait 24 hours to unwrap your tattoo and shower. In either case, shower in cold or lukewarm water and avoid prolonged soaking or submerging your tattoo in water for 3-4 weeks.
Yes, you can (and should!) shower with a new tattoo, but there are a few things to remember. "Use lukewarm water and do not directly soak the tattoo for too long," Smith notes. "You should also avoid scrubbing your tattoo or using harsh soaps as that can irritate healing skin."
Take into consideration that during the first few nights, your tattoo will ooze. Dark color linens are best because you may end up getting ink and blood on the fabric. The ink will likely leave a permanent stain, so don't use sheets that you don't want to be ruined.
Just like any cut or scrape, you will want to keep the area clean and avoid exposing it to harsh chemicals, dirt, bacteria, or germs. Apply aftercare lotion in a light layer 3 to 4 times a day, cleansing the area with soap and water before each application.