TOP 10 PRE-TATTOO MISTAKES

By Whitney Parnell | July 29, 2024 |

Getting your first tattoo should be an experience to remember and cherish. A few things can impede that first time experience. So, we’ve compiled a top 10 list of what NOT to do, to help make your first go smooth and as painlessly as possible.

Showing up looking like a lobster from a sunburn. Sunburnt skin – not only is more painful, but tattooing over sunburn can lead to uneven healing and can affect the tattoo outcome. So, if you are on vacation, consider using a strong SPF on the area you intend on tattooing.
Thinking it’s a good idea to pregame with a few drinks before getting inked. Drinking before your appointment thins your blood, making the tattoo process more difficult, causing excessive bleeding, and potentially affecting the quality of the tattoo. it’s a good time to try out all those fabulous Mocktails!
Wearing clothes that require a full-on strip show just to get to the tattooed area. Wearing uncomfortable clothing can make the tattoo process more challenging and distract you from the experience. Dressing comfortably is a must!
Turning your tattoo appointment into a family reunion – awkward! Bringing too many people to your appointment can create a chaotic and stressful environment for both you and your tattoo artist, leading to a less-than-ideal tattooing experience. Bring 1 or 2 of your support team to your appointment and you’ll be sure to have the best experience and memories.
Googling all the ways a tattoo can go wrong right before your appointment – anxiety level: 1000.
Hyperventilating and working yourself into a frenzy before the needle even touches your skin. Allowing yourself to get overly anxious or worked up before the tattoo can increase pain sensitivity and make the experience more uncomfortable than necessary. Just think of how many people have tattoos…. if they did it, you can too!!
Arriving with a growling stomach because you skipped breakfast – nobody wants a hangry tattoo client. Getting tattooed on an empty stomach can cause low blood sugar levels, leading to lightheadedness, dizziness, or even fainting during the tattoo session. Make sure to get a bite to eat an hour or two before your tattoo appointment.
Skipping showers for weeks and expecting your tattoo artist to be cool with it – hygiene, people! Its best to shower and exfoliate beforehand. Not doing so can result in poor skin condition, making it harder for the tattoo to heal properly and potentially increasing the risk of infection. Another great thing to do, is moisturizing the week’s leading up to your appointment. Making your skin as healthy and hydrated as possible.
Pulling an all-nighter and showing up to your appointment like a zombie. Lack of sleep can impair your focus, patience, and pain tolerance during the tattooing process, making it more challenging for both you and the artist. Sleeping is part of a great self-care routine and will improve your overall tattoo and healing journey.
10. Coming in sick not only exposes others to germs but also weakens your immune system, prolonging the healing time of your tattoo and potentially compromising the quality of the final result. Your body is using all its forces trying to heal you during a cold or flu. Adding a tattoo to the list of things to heal, can add unneeded stress to your immune system. just recuperate and reschedule at a date your feel better. Your artist will here and ready for you when you are