Tattoo How To’s: Preparing For Your First Tattoo

Our “how to” guides are meant to help you narrow in on the right kind of information, so you aren’t surfing the web for hours only to find the wrong kind of advice! 

You’ve done your research, found the perfect shop and artist, booked your first appointment, so now what? How do you prepare for your first tattoo? This guide will help you prepare for your first time going under the needle!

HYDRATE

It seems simple enough, but being well hydrated will help! Don’t go out drinking the night before, because alcohol thins the blood. Bring a bottle of water with you to your appointment, especially if you are getting a larger piece. While drinking lots of water is good for you regardless because you are human, it can help with pain management.

SLEEP AND EAT

This also seems pretty simple, but sometimes people need reminding! Once again, you’re human and you need sleep. You’ll most likely be antsy and anxious the night before your appointment, and that’s totally okay! However, your body needs sleep, so make sure to get a full 8 hours.

Eating is definitely another biggie! You don’t want to be sitting for several hours on an empty stomach. If your appointment is in the morning, eat breakfast, if it’s in the afternoon, eat lunch first, and eat dinner if it’s later in the evening. Don’t forget to bring a snack if your appointment is expected to run long.

SHOWER AND MOISTURIZE

Your skin is literally a canvas, and imagine a painter trying to paint on a dirty canvas. It wouldn’t come out how that painter wanted, right? The same goes for your skin! A clean and fresh canvas is ideal for a tattoo artist, and putting a little lotion on to ensure your skin isn’t dry and cracked will do wonders.

It may seem like easy stuff, but if you’re anxious for your first appointment, these are things that can simply be over looked. One last thing to keep in mind is that, yes, it does hurt to get a tattoo, but it’s nothing that isn’t manageable! If it was so awful and painful, why would so many people have them?? If you anticipate what’s coming and prepare for it fully, it’ll be a piece of cake!

Richard (Lodi Location)