What To Do Before Your Tattoo Appointment

So, you've decided on a tattoo design, chosen your artist and made your appointment. What's next? If it's your first tattoo, you might be a little lost. Newcomers to the "tattoo world" might be unsure and intimidated about the whole process, but, hopefully, this article can help calm your nerves before you go under the needle. 

I'd like to begin by saying that all tattoo artists are different. The process that I prefer may not be what your artist prefers. At a minimum, you might walk away from this article with some good questions to make your session go a lot smoother. 

Be Calm
Hey, I get it, it seems like a scary thing. By this point, you've probably seen Youtube videos of people screaming in agony at the hands of a tattooer. Please, know that these are "fringe" reactions. It's very rare that we get a "screamer," and, to be honest, it has more to do with personality than pain. Getting a tattoo is uncomfortable, but take a moment to think about how many tattoos you see on a daily basis. If all of these people can survive a tattoo, then, you certainly can, too! If you find yourself in the middle of the tattooing process and you need to stop for a moment, don't hesitate to ask. It's not uncommon for clients to request a smoke break, bathroom break or a couple of minutes to stretch their legs. If listening to music helps calm your nerves, feel free to bring your headphones with you to your appointment. Talking is also a great distraction and really makes the time fly. Most artists will allow a friend to sit with you, but be sure to ask ahead of time if you plan to bring someone along as the rules might be different for each shop. 

Communicate
Be clear with your artist from the time you set up the appointment to the day of. What style of tattoo are you looking for? Realistic, traditional, new school? These are all drastically different styles and only a few of the many options out there for you to choose from. If you told your artist that you want a rose, but weren't specific on the style, you may end up with a drawing that's very different from what you had in mind. How big do you want the tattoo? Do you prefer black & gray or color?  Are you considering adding on to the tattoo later? These are a few things to mention ahead of time in order to reduce confusion on the day of the appointment. If you have a change to your design, contact your artist with as much advance notice as possible. A change to the design may require a longer slot of time than you were originally scheduled for. Especially for artists that book out a few days or weeks, this can be a huge problem if you don't mention a change ahead of time. When the artist presents your stencil, take time to study it carefully, especially if you've requested changes. 

Another important topic to discuss with your artist is a medical condition. Precautions may need to be taken ahead of time or the day of the appointment to accommodate certain medical conditions. There are medications that can affect the tattooing process and aftercare period as well. It's also worth noting that, while most of us have basic knowledge of common conditions, it's always best to consult your doctor ahead of time to confirm that the tattoo process is safe for you. 

One last note on this topic: keep your communication orderly and to the point! If you send your artist 10 emails and leave 10 more phone messages, chances are, something is going to get overlooked. A nice detailed email (or 2, if needed) is always preferred. As for myself, I actually enjoy when a client is able to stop by the shop and discuss details in person. A 5-minute conversation will always give me more information than 15 emails back and forth. 

Nutrition
This might be the most overlooked aspect of pre-tattoo preparations. Tattoos have become such a common occurrence in modern society, that we no longer treat them as a minor medical procedure (which, they are). Your body is your most prized possession, so if you plan on decorating it, don't forget to put proper fuel in it as well. There's a common misconception that eating before a tattoo will cause you to get ill during the process. For this reason, clients come in on an empty stomach. This is a terrible mistake! This tends to result in a feeling of dizziness, confusion, nausea and, in extreme cases, fainting. Eat a decent meal before your appointment and, if you're prone to low blood sugar, bring a granola bar with you. Hydration is critical as well. I've had clients that admit to not drinking much water before an appointment because they don't want to take bathroom breaks. This is crazy! I can actually tell a difference in the skin when I'm tattooing a hydrated person verses a dehydrated person. So, please, do yourself a favor and drink plenty of water the week of your appointment. You'll feel better and I truly believe that it aids in healing and recovery. 

Clothing 
This is something else that a lot of people don't think about, but wish they had on appointment day. Consider the placement of the tattoo and what you have in your closet that will give your artist the best access. Also, tattoo shops have varying floor plans. Some studios have private rooms, while others may have a more open layout. So, if you're a modest person, consider bringing a jacket, towel or blanket with you to cover up with.  Another recommendation is to wear old clothes. Most inks will stain clothing and I can't tell you how many nice outfits I've (unintentionally) ruined during a tattoo. If you're not sure what to wear, definitely ask your artist ahead of time what will be most comfortable for the both of you.

Aftercare 
When you leave the studio with your new tattoo, you're technically walking out with an open wound. For the best results, you'll want to use proper wound care to encourage healing and combat infection. Most tattoo artists will go over aftercare with you once the tattoo is finished, but it never hurts to plan ahead. Plus, who wants to make a shopping trip right after they've been tattooed? Studios usually have their recommended aftercare printed on sheets to hand out, so, go ahead and ask for a copy when you make your appointment.  Also, there's certainly no shortage of tattoo aftercare products on the market, so making a choice on your own can be overwhelming. Ask if there are particular products that the shop recommends. Get your shopping done in advance and become familiar with the aftercare procedures ahead of time. I promise, this will make the process much easier.

Enjoy
Alright, so this might seem like a strange word to use for your tattoo experience, "enjoy." Really, though, many people come to find that their tattoo appointments can be both fun and therapeutic. For some clients, their sessions become a bit of an "escape." Frivolous stresses seem to temporarily melt away when you're in the tattoo chair.  Others leave with a little more boldness in their soul, having won an internal battle that no one else knew was taking place. On the lighter side, sometimes there's just a lot of laughing and podcast-worthy conversation. Wherever your tattoo experience takes you, do your homework, be present and don't hesitate to plan your next adventure.

"Twenty years from now, you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did. So, throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover." 

​-Mark Twain