THE DAY BEFORE YOUR APPOINTMENT
Doing a little bit of prep before your tattoo appointment can make a huge difference in how comfortable you feel during your session and how well your skin takes the tattoo. You don’t need to be perfect, and you definitely don’t need to stress, but taking care of yourself in the 24 hours before your appointment helps set us both up for the best possible experience. Here’s some tips on how to prep for your appointment with me :)
Stay hydrated and avoid alcohol
Hydration matters more than most people think. Well-hydrated skin is generally more supple and easier to work with, which can help the tattoo process go more smoothly. Drinking enough water the day before and the morning of your appointment can also help you feel better overall, especially during a longer session.
Alcohol is best avoided for at least 24 hours before your tattoo. The reason is that it can thin your blood and increase bleeding during the appointment. This makes it harder for the ink to settle cleanly into the skin. More bleeding does not just make the session messier, it can affect how efficiently I’m able to tattoo and may impact the ink saturation of the final result.
If you can, skip heavy drinking the night before and focus on water, electrolytes, and a proper meal instead. Your body will thank you!
Get a good night’s sleep
A good sleep the night before your tattoo is one of the best things you can do for yourself. Tattooing puts your body under stress, even when you are excited and feeling ready for it. If you come in overtired, your pain tolerance can feel lower, your body may feel more tense, and the session can become more draining than it needs to be.
This is especially important for larger pieces or longer appointments. When you are rested, you are usually better able to manage the adrenaline, sit still for longer, and recover more comfortably afterward. Even if nerves make it hard to get a perfect sleep, try to wind down early and give yourself the best chance at a full night of rest.
Avoid direct sun exposure
Especially important during the summer months, please try to keep the area being tattooed out of direct sun in the day or two leading up to your appointment. Sunburned skin is damaged, irritated skin, and I cannot safely tattoo over it. Even a mild burn, redness, peeling, or tenderness can mean we need to reschedule.
This is something people usually think about in summer, but winter sun counts too, especially on the face, hands, and anywhere exposed during outdoor activities. If you are going to be outside, cover the area when possible or wear sunscreen if you can.
Exfoliate and moisturize
This step is optional, but it can definitely help. Gently exfoliating and moisturizing the area in the days leading up to your appointment can improve skin texture and make the surface smoother to work with. This is especially nice if your skin tends to be dry or flaky.
That said, please do not overdo it. Think gentle, long-term care, not aggressive scrubbing. Harsh exfoliation, strong active skincare, or irritating products can leave the skin sensitive, and that is the opposite of what we want before tattooing. A light exfoliation a day or two before and regular moisturizing is more than enough.
And if you forget, do not worry. I work with all skin types, all the time. Dry skin, textured skin, sensitive skin, melanated skin, none of that is something to feel embarrassed about. My job is to assure the safest application possible for your unique skin type.
A little reminder
Tattoo prep is not about being “perfect.” It is just about helping your body feel supported so your appointment is more comfortable and your tattoo has the best possible start. Drink water, rest well, protect your skin, and be kind to yourself. The more cared for you feel walking into your session, the better the whole experience tends to be!
If you’d like to book with me, email your idea to coblou.tattoo@gmail.com and lets bring your idea to life!
