Before Your Appointment: How To Prepare for an Upcoming Tattoo
Finally, the big day has arrived! Allow us to live vicariously through you for the hit of excitement that comes before a tattoo session. Whether it’s your first or fortieth piece, there are some tips that you should take into consideration before your appointment begins. To help this process go as smoothly as possible, we’ve put together a little guide of best practices to make your day the best it can be. Let’s get to it!
Arrive showered, with the area shaved if possible
Since this is a process that requires you to be in close quarters with your artist for extended periods of time, arrive fresh! Secondly, if possible, shave (exfoliate for bonus points!) the intended area where your tattoo will be placed. Your artist will appreciate it!
Wear clothing that provides easy access to the area you’ll be tattooed
Think loose, comfortable garments you won’t mind being in for a while. Black or dark clothing is best to avoid any staining from ink.
Prepare your body
Getting tattooed is taxing on the body and dehydration, hunger, or lack of sleep can lead to uncomfortable moments in the chair. You want to be fully hydrated and rested with some high-energy food in your belly for the best possible experience. Bring a bottle of water to stay hydrated, and don’t be afraid to pack snacks.
Leave the kids at home
This is a one-size-fits-all rule that includes babies, toddlers, and usually anyone under the age of 18.
Though most tattoo shops maintain high sanitation standards, they are still filled with biohazardous waste materials that little ones can get into if not properly looked after. Moreover, most shops do not let children on the tattoo floor at all. It’s a better vibe for you, your artist, and the little ones that they are elsewhere during your tattoo day.
If you’re feeling under the weather or have tested positive for Covid-19 please reach out to your studio as soon as possible, don’t wait until the last minute
A last minute cancellation is considered bad etiquette, and oftentimes will result in loss of deposit. It is considerate to let your artist know you need to reschedule at the earliest opportunity.
Artists make their income when and only when there is a client in their chair. A heads up that a reschedule is in the cards gives them time to book another client in, versus accruing a loss of income for the day.
Any budgetary constraints should be discussed before your tattoo begins
(This insight is reserved for appointments with artists who charge an hourly fee.)
For example: If you’ve budgeted for 4 hours and you’ve been given a 4-6 hour approximation for your appointment, let the artist or front desk know ahead of time what your maximum spend is (also consider the artists tip!) so they can prepare your tattoo and their schedule accordingly.
Follow your aftercare instructions
Most artists will provide you aftercare instructions highlighting a method that works best for healing their tattoos.
So there you have it, a few key tips that will take your big day from good to great. Don’t be surprised if you become your artists favorite client. Good luck!