Preparing For a Tattoo
What to do the night before getting a tattoo
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Please don’t drink heavily the night before your tattoo appointment. Even if it’s not enough to make you hung-over, it could still thin your blood the next day.
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Drink lots of water!
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Get to bed on time and make sure to get plenty of sleep. Sure it might feel like Christmas Eve and be hard for you to get to sleep, but getting plenty of rest tends to make it easier to sit calmly the following day.
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Check to make sure you have enough money to cover the cost of the tattoo
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If you have an appointment, but are unsure about anything please call the studio well ahead of time to verify your appointment time. Make sure you know exactly when to be there and how much it will cost.
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Some people have medical conditions which require a doctor’s note beforehand. If you fear this may apply to you, please call the studio ahead of time to verify if your condition requires a physician’s authorization form. If necessary you may have come into the studio to obtain the form to have your doctor sign before getting tattooed.
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If you’re getting sick, or are outright sick, please call the studio ahead of time to reschedule your appointment. Don’t come in to get tattooed when you are sick! Not only is it unfair to expose the artist, employees, and other clients to your sickness; it may very well hinder your tattoos healing process. If the artist notices you’re sick, they have the right to not tattoo you at the moment, which could result in you losing your deposit.
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Check to ensure you have your ID, driver’s license, or passport.
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All of this is still true for a spontaneous tattoo! Please don’t impulsively decide to get tattooed after a night of heavy drinking; if you’re either using or have recently used illicit drugs; if you don’t have enough money; or if you’re unsure if you really want a new tattoo. You can always come to the studio another day, we’re here seven days a week.
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What to do the day of getting a tattoo
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Pack a small bag with: bottled water or juice, a fully charged cell phone (with headphones if you want to listen to your own music or to play games), snacks (particularly ones high in carbohydrates and protein like granola bars, nuts, chips, crackers, or fresh fruit), and a pillow or small (clean) blanket. You might want to make sure you have a ride home if you think there’s a chance you’ll need one.
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It might seem to go without saying, but please make sure you shower or bathe beforehand. Unless you’re getting an underarm tattoo, please also wear deodorant. You should consider wearing clothes that it won’t matter if you get ink stains on. Even in the summer it’s a good idea to bring a sweatshirt or something warm to wear because getting tattooed can sometimes make you feel cold.
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The area to be tattooed, and usually a large space surrounding it, will need to be shaved to prepare your skin for the tattoo. Some clients prefer to shave the area themselves beforehand and are welcome to do so, so long as they know that if for any reason the artist is unhappy with the client’s shaving job, they’ll do it again themselves. Tattoo artists are used to shaving people for tattoo preparation so you don’t worry about being shy or embarrassed, they’ve seen it all.
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If you tan, you’ll want to get one before getting tattooed because you shouldn’t be tanning again until your tattoo is healed. You’ll always need to wear sunblock on your tattoo. If you spray tan, don’t do it before. Not only will you have a big spot scrubbed clean when they prep the area, but scrubbing it clean rather unpleasant.
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Always eat a full meal before heading in to get tattooed! Eating heavy and filling foods helps in particular because they tend to last longer. Not being hungry will make it easier for you to sit calmly.
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We will not tattoo anyone under the influence. It’s actually illegal. Even the smell of one beer could get you turned away. If you have an appointment and are turned away for being intoxicated and/or under the influence, you may lose your deposit. If you feel you must take something beforehand, please ask your artist ahead of time if what you take will be an issue. Following the directions/warnings on the bottle and taking a small amount of Tylenol, Ibuprofen, Midol or other similar products is usually fine, but you shouldn’t expect it to help with the tattoos pain and should understand that it will thin your blood which could potentially make you harder to tattoo. If you are on any regular medications, you might consider asking your doctor ahead of time.
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Don’t drink a bunch of caffeine or energy drinks before coming in! It will not only thin your blood; it will make it harder to sit still.
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You may need a doctor’s note if you have medical conditions like a bleeding disorder, a heart condition, or if you have to take antibiotics before going to the dentist. The consent form you’ll have to sign has a detailed list of these conditions. Don’t worry, saying you have one of these conditions doesn’t usually mean we can’t tattoo you; it may only mean you’ll be asked to come back with a doctor’s permission. We want you to be safe when getting tattooed so please understand that we do this for your well-being.
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You need to always show up on time, while also keeping in mind that sometimes an artist may be running a little behind. The person ahead of you might be taking longer than expected. You’ll be happy they take the extra time to make sure you’re happy once it’s your turn, so please try and be understanding.
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Plan to rest after getting tattooed. Taking time afterward to relax and clean up your new artwork can help with the healing. Preparing dinner earlier in the day is sometimes helpful because getting a tattoo can make you surprisingly hungry and tired.
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