Getting a tattoo is a bit of a big decision and can also be a big process, on the body and wallet, depending on the tattoo.
So naturally we recommend putting in some thought and planning. Once you've found a reputable tattoo artist and booked your appointment, it's important to prepare yourself for the actual tattoo session.
Here are some big and small tips to help you get ready for your tattoo appointment:
Get in the right headspace
Tattoo sessions can take several hours and during that time your body will be under stress and discomfort from being in pain.
Simply put, your brains job, is to not be okay with that. It's your brain’s job to protect you, which usually is by avoiding pain.
It’s normal for your ‘fight or flight’ to kick in during a tattoo session and for you to want to find a way to avoid the pain or make it better. The best way to mentally manage this is to do your best to relax as much as possible during the session, focusing on breath control, and mindfulness of letting go of tension in the body and trying to not fight or avoid the pain.
Some people like to relax and not talk, some people like to talk, watch movies, listen to podcasts. Coming prepared with options to keep yourself in a distracted or relaxed state will help.
For longer sessions, we recommend thinking of it like running a marathon. It will get progressively more uncomfortable and painful the longer it goes on for. As a 30-minute jog is very different to a 4-hour jog is also different to a 6-hour jog. Knowing that it will be uncomfortable and focus on doing your best for as long as you can, is the best headspace to be in!
Get plenty of rest and eat a good meal
The more energy your body has and the more you are feeling as close to 100% as possible before the tattoo, the better your body responds and manages during your tattoo appointment.
This is why it's important to be well-rested and well-fed before your appointment. Get a good night's sleep the night before and eat a healthy meal a few hours before your session. This will help keep your energy levels up and reduce the risk of feeling lightheaded or faint during the tattooing process.
Bringing snacks or electrolyte drinks also helps to keep your bodies stamina and energy up during longer sessions. We have coffee, tea, soft drinks and water available at our studio to help!
Take care of your skin
Your skin is an organ! Like any organ, the healthier you are the better!
While everyone's skin and skin type, health, etc. is different there are still things everyone can do that will improve your skins overall health which will also improve how it responds to receiving a tattoo, healing from the tattoo and especially important; how well your tattoo ages over its life!
Make sure to drink plenty of water in the days leading up to your appointment. Staying hydrated will help your skin stay healthy and make the tattooing process more comfortable.
Exfoliate; the week before your appointment, gently exfoliating your skin will help remove dead and dry skin will not only make the tattoo artists job easier, but it will also help promote skins rejuvenation.
MOIST-NESS! Don't forget to also moisturize your skin regularly the week before your appointment! Moist.
Don't go suntanning or get sunburnt; In general, sun tanning and sun damage is notoriously bad for skin, making it age quicker, which naturally makes the tattoo in the skin age quicker and fade quicker, it also a makes the skin tougher to tattoo. MOSTLY if you get sunburnt leading up to your tattoo appointment it will have to be postponed until it has healed, as a tattoo will not heal well if it is already injured.
Dress appropriately
It might sound simple, but wearing comfortable clothing that allows easy access to the area where you will be getting tattooed makes life easier for everyone. If you're getting a tattoo on your arm, for example, wear a short-sleeved shirt. Avoid tight or restrictive clothing that may rub against the tattooed area. We promise we don't care what you look like, if you want to bring your pajamas, as long as you are comfortable, and we can also comfortably reach the tattoo area.
Communicate with your artist
While they might appear to be impressive creatures, tattoo artists are unfortunately not mind readers. Yet.
So before your appointment, make sure to communicate with your tattoo artist about your ideas and expectations. Be clear about what you want, concerns you have and ask any questions you may have. Your tattoo artist will be able to give you advice and suggestions to help you.
Follow aftercare instructions Every tattoo artist is different, not just in their art, but their machines, ink and techniques. Most artists will spend their career not only fine tuning their tattoos, but also fine tuning the best aftercare options for optimum healed results for their work.
After your tattoo is complete, your artist will give you instructions on how to care for your new tattoo. Make sure to follow these instructions carefully to ensure that your tattoo heals properly and looks its best, if you are unsure at all or have any questions or concerns during its healing, please reach out to your artist. Not google. Not your mum or your mate. We also have tailored aftercare instructions for each of our artists, which is downloadable on their artist page should you lose your copy after your tattoo appointment.
In conclusion, preparing for your tattoo appointment is crucial to ensure a successful and enjoyable experience. By following these tips, you can help make your tattoo session as comfortable and stress-free as possible!