So you’ve booked your appointment, locked in your design, and now you’re counting down the days.
Exciting, right? But before you show up, there’s one more important step: How to Prepare for a Tattoo Appointment.
One of the most common questions I get asked is, “Do I need to do anything before I come in?”
The answer is yes, absolutely.
Preparing properly for your appointment doesn’t just make you more comfortable; it actually changes the condition of your skin. When you prep right, well-prepped skin takes ink better, bleeds less, and heals faster.
Whether it’s your first tattoo or your tenth, these prep steps will make your session go much more smoothly.
Let me walk you through exactly what you need to do before sitting in that chair.
1 Week Before Your Tattoo Appointment
To get your body (and your skin) into the best condition, your preparation should start 1 week before your appointment.
1. Care for Your Skin
If you have naturally dry skin (and let’s be real, who doesn’t during a Canadian winter?)
✅ Moisturize daily with lotion to keep the area where you’re getting tattooed well-hydrated.
❌ Avoid sunburns or tanning on the tattoo area, as damaged skin doesn’t take ink well.
24 Hours Before: The “Body Prep” Phase
1. Hydrate Like Crazy
This is the most underrated tip out there. Hydrated skin is plump, healthy, and way easier to tattoo.
Dehydrated skin? It’s tougher and doesn’t take ink as easily.
Start drinking extra water 24 hours before your appointment. Your artist (aka me) will definitely thank you for it!
For more tips: How to Hydrate Skin from the Inside Out: 3-Day Guide
2. Avoid Alcohol and Blood Thinners
I get it—you might want a drink to calm those pre-tattoo nerves. But trust me, skip the alcohol.
It thins your blood, which means you’ll bleed more during the session.
More bleeding = ink getting pushed out of your skin = harder for me to pack in solid colour = potentially patchy results when it heals.
Nat’s Note: The Same goes for Aspirin and too much caffeine. They thin your blood too.
3. Get a Good Night’s Sleep
Tattooing is no joke for your body. You’re releasing adrenaline and endorphins the whole time to deal with the discomfort. If you show up exhausted? Your pain tolerance tanks.
Aim for 8+ hours of sleep so you can actually sit through your session like a champ!
The Morning Of: Fuel Clean Clothing
1. Eat a Solid Meal
Never, ever get tattooed on an empty stomach. Seriously—this is the #1 reason people pass out in tattoo shops. When your body’s dealing with pain, your blood sugar can drop fast.
Eat a balanced meal that includes both protein and carbohydrates approximately 1–2 hours before your appointment. Think eggs and toast, a sandwich, pasta—something that’ll actually stick with you.
2. Shower (But Don’t Shave)
Please come freshly showered, as I’ll be in your personal space for hours, so it’s just good etiquette.
Now, about shaving: please don’t do it yourself unless I’ve specifically told you to. If you nick your skin or get razor burn, I can’t tattoo over it. I’ll shave you at the shop with a sterile, disposable razor—it’s safer that way.
3. Dress for Access (and Comfort)
Wear clothes that provide easy access to wherever you’re getting tattooed.
- Arm tattoo? Tank top or loose t-shirt.
- Leg tattoo? Shorts or loose sweatpants you can roll up.
- Rib/Back tattoo? Button-down shirt or zip-up hoodie (wear it backwards if needed).
Nat’s Tip: Wear black or old clothes. Ink splatters are inevitable, and tattoo ink absolutely does not come out of white fabric.
What to Bring With You
For longer sessions, I recommend packing a little “Tattoo Survival Kit” to keep yourself comfortable:
- Snacks and Drinks: Grab some protein-packed snacks like granola bars or trail mix, plus something sugary like a soda, juice box, or candy bar. If you start feeling lightheaded or shaky mid-session, these are absolute lifesavers.
- Entertainment: Bring headphones, a fully charged phone, a charger, a book, a tablet—whatever keeps you occupied. Just make sure it’s something you can use with your non-tattooed arm.
A Note on Numbing Cream
Don’t apply numbing cream without talking to me first. Some brands can change your skin’s texture—it gets kind of rubbery and weirdly difficult to tattoo.
If you want to use numbing cream, just ask me beforehand. I might have a specific brand I prefer or recommend.
Summary Checklist (before your Tattoo Appointment)
- [ ] Moisturize your skin in the days leading up (optional)
- [ ] No alcohol 24 hours prior
- [ ] Drink lots of water
- [ ] Get a good night’s sleep
- [ ] Eat a solid meal before your appointment
- [ ] Wear loose, dark clothing
- [ ] Bring a water bottle, protein, and sugary snack (optional)
Ready to get started? Check out my tattoo portfolio, or if you have any specific questions about your upcoming appointment with me at 7th House Tattoo, don’t hesitate to DM me on Instagram @nat_what_i_tat. See you in the chair!