How to prepare well before your first tattoo: A practical guide

Hello everyone!

The first tattoo is often a rather strange mixture of immense excitement and a small amount of stress that we try to hide until the moment we sit down in the chair. We have been thinking about the design for weeks, sometimes months, and then suddenly the appointment really arrives.

And of course, when you’ve never been tattooed, you have a thousand questions: does it hurt? Do I have to eat before? What outfit should I wear? Can I have a drink the night before? I can assure you, everyone goes through this at some point.

The good news is that it’s not very complicated to prepare. A few simple things can simply make the session much more enjoyable.

Really sleep the night before

It seems silly, but arriving rested changes a lot of things, especially if the session is going to last several hours. When you’re already tired before you even start, staying still, managing the discomfort, and holding the entire session becomes inevitably more difficult.

So if you can avoid the evening that ends at 3 a.m. the day before your first tattoo, that’s probably a good idea.

Eat before you come

This is really one of the tips I give the most often. Don’t come in on an empty stomach thinking you’ll eat afterwards. Have a proper meal a few hours before the session, and if the appointment is going to last long, also take a bottle of water and something to snack on.

The tattoo still takes energy from the body, and a long session is much more enjoyable when you don’t start feeling hungry after only forty-five minutes.

Hydrate yourself in the days before

I always prefer to work on a skin that is not completely dehydrated. You don’t need to change your entire routine or empty three liters of water in the morning of the appointment, but simply drinking normally and taking care of your skin the days before already helps a lot.

On the other hand, I wouldn’t apply a heavy layer of cream just before heading to the studio. Simply come with clean, normal skin, unless your tattoo artist specifies otherwise.

Choose a practical outfit, especially

The outfit obviously depends on the area being tattooed. For a leg, avoid ultra-tight jeans. For an arm or a shoulder, choose something that allows easy access to the area without having to contort yourself for ten minutes.

And a very practical tip: avoid white. Even with all the care you take between the ink, the products, and the session, it really isn’t the best day to wear your most beautiful, immaculate white T-shirt.

Avoid alcohol before the session

Personally, I advise avoiding alcohol the night before and obviously before the appointment. This is not the time to arrive dehydrated, tired, or with a body that already needs to recover from the previous night.

In the same way, I wouldn’t do a huge workout just before a tattoo if you can avoid it. Arriving rested is still much more comfortable, though.

Don’t prepare your skin in any way

Avoid getting a big dose of sun on the area before the appointment. A burned, very irritated or damaged skin is not a good base for tattooing and the session may have to be postponed.

For shaving, I usually prefer that people ask the tattoo artist directly before doing it themselves. Depending on the area, it’s often easier to properly take care of it in the studio rather than arriving with irritation or minor cuts.

Ask all the questions before starting

You don’t need to pretend to know the milieu. If this is your first tattoo, say so. Ask how the session will go, how long it should last, when you can take a break, or how the healing will be afterwards.

A tattoo artist is also there to explain what will happen. And if you’re still in the phase of looking for the right person for your project, I’ve written a complete article about it. how to choose your tattoo artist.

And after the tattoo?

Once the session is over, the tattoo only begins its second life: healing. The skin will redden, pull, dry out, and sometimes peel and itch a little. It can be impressive the first time, especially when you don’t really know what to expect.

I have covered all the steps in my article on the aftercare, And if you’re wondering which product to use next, I’ve also made a review Cicaplast after a tattoo.

Enjoy the moment anyway

I think it’s the simplest advice, but it’s also the one that’s easily forgotten when you’re stressed. Your first tattoo is probably going to stay a very vivid memory for a long time, so try to enjoy the day a little instead of spending the hours before the procedure imagining the worst.

Most people who arrive very stressed tell me after the first few minutes: "Oh but actually, it's okay". Of course the pain depends on the area, the duration, and on each person, but the anticipation is often much worse than the reality.

FAQ: Preparing for your first tattoo

Should you eat before getting a tattoo?

Yes, I always recommend eating properly a few hours before the session. For a long appointment, also take some water and a small snack.

What outfit to wear for your first tattoo?

Choose comfortable clothes that easily allow access to the tattooed area. And if possible, avoid white clothes that you are particularly attached to.

Can you drink alcohol before getting a tattoo?

I recommend avoiding it the day before and the day of the appointment. Arriving rested and well hydrated usually makes the session much more enjoyable.

Does a first tattoo necessarily hurt a lot?

The sensation depends on the area, the duration of the session, and each person. Many clients are especially stressed out before starting and ultimately find the session more bearable than they imagined.