So you have finally took the big step to decide on your favourite design and book your tattoo session. It’s now the night before your session and you realise you have no idea if you should prepare or do anything for your tattoo appointment. Do you do your research or do you just hope for the best?

Luckily, you visit our blog and find our comprehensive quick guide on how to prepare for a tattoo session. Do not worry, you don’t have to thank us!

1. Stay Hydrated

Drink plenty of water in the days leading up to your appointment. Hydrated skin is healthier and takes ink better.

2.Communicate With Your Artist

Share any concerns or questions you have before your session. Be honest about your pain tolerance, medical conditions, or skin sensitivities. We are here to help and guide you as best as we can, so we encourage you to reach out!

3. Avoid Alcohol and Blood Thinners

Refrain from drinking alcohol or taking blood-thinning medications (like aspirin) for at least 24 hours before your appointment. These can increase bleeding and make the tattooing process more difficult.

4. Get a Good Night’s Sleep

Being well-rested helps your body cope with the stress of getting a tattoo, especially if it’s a longer session. With little sleep, your pain threshold is reduced and you may experience more stress on your body than usual.

5. Eat a Healthy Meal

Have a balanced meal before your appointment to keep your blood sugar levels stable. Low blood sugar can make you feel lightheaded or faint during the session.

If your session is in the morning, have a good full breakfast with carbs to help manage your sugar levels for a longer period of time. Bananas are a great source of sugar and fibre if you are not a big breakfast person.

6.  Dress Accordingly

Choose clothes that allow easy access to the area you’re getting tattooed. For example, if you are getting your arm tattooed, wear T-shirts or vest or if you are getting your leg tattooed make sure you wear shorts.

Also, choose dark, loose-fitting clothing as it won’t rub against fresh ink and your tattoo. Tattoos can get messy so please wear clothes you do not mind getting stained.

7. Take Care of Your Skin

Avoid sunburns and excessive tanning before your appointment. Healthy, undamaged skin is the best canvas for a tattoo. If you have burns or very bad skin, we might have to suggest alternative locations.

Moisturize your skin regularly in the weeks leading up to your session, but don’t apply lotion on the day of your tattoo.

8. Don’t Worry About Shaving

You do not need to shave the area we will tattoo as we can do this in the studio on the day of your appointment. It will help create a smooth and fresh surface for tattooing. However, if you shave a few days before, you may start growing new hairs and the skin may become bumpy which would make tattooing on that surface harder.

9. Bring Entertainment

Here at Devlin Ink, we’re really cool so we have books, a Nintendo switch, a TV where you can choose your own playlist or watch whatever you like and we also have a clingy dog who will happily sit with you all session. However, if you have something you would rather do or read during your session, then feel free to bring something to keep yourself occupied.

10. Optional Numbing Cream/Spray

We are very progressive at Devlin Ink and we do not believe in the outdated dinosaur prehistoric opinions that tattoos must be earned. Don’t listen to the old-fashion fossilised tattoo artists, if you are very worried about the pain and know you do not deal well with pain, we encourage you to purchase some numbing cream and apply it generously 2 hours before the session begins. That way, your skin will be numb by the time we begin tattoo and the pain will be significantly reduced.

By following these tips, you’ll be well-prepared for your tattoo session, ensuring a smoother process and a stunning result. Happy inking!