How to Prepare for Your First Tattoo
Sleep, hydration, food, what to wear — what to do in the 48 hours before your appointment.
A first tattoo goes far better when the day itself is boring. Nothing you need to do is complicated, but the small things — sleep, food, water, clothing — make a real difference to how the session feels and how the tattoo heals.
Start two days out. Drink water consistently rather than in one go, and keep alcohol out of the picture for the 24 hours before your appointment. Alcohol thins the blood, which means more bleeding, ink that sits less cleanly and a longer session. We can't tattoo anyone who arrives intoxicated, so this one isn't negotiable.
Sleep matters more than most people expect. Sitting still while being tattooed is tiring in a way that surprises first-timers, and a tired body reads pain more sharply. A full night's sleep is the single cheapest way to make the experience easier.
Eat a proper meal before you come in — not a coffee and a pastry. Something with protein and slow carbohydrates an hour or two beforehand keeps your blood sugar steady through a long sitting. Bring a snack and a drink for anything over a couple of hours; there's complimentary coffee, soft drinks and snacks at the studio too.
Dress for access, not for the photo. Loose, dark clothing you don't mind marking, and something that leaves the area easy to reach — a vest for a shoulder, shorts for a thigh, no tight sleeves over a forearm.
In the 1–2 weeks before your appointment, moisturise the area regularly so the skin is well cared for and hydrated. On the day, arrive with clean skin and avoid applying heavy moisturisers, oils, body butters or fake tan to the area immediately before your appointment. Do not come in with sunburn or irritated skin near the placement.
We tattoo adults only. If you look under 25, please bring valid photo ID, such as a passport or driving licence, as we may ask to verify your age.
On the day, arrive a few minutes early so you can settle, look at the stencil properly and speak up about placement before the needle starts. Once you're sitting, breathe normally, tell your artist when you need a break, and don't try to be heroic — regular short breaks make for a cleaner tattoo than one long grim endurance test.
Afterwards, your artist will dress the tattoo and take you through aftercare. Read it before you leave, and follow it for the first fortnight — healing is the part of the process that's entirely in your hands.