What To Eat Before A Tattoo?
Embrace the protein – If you’re wondering what to eat before you visit the tattoo studio, cook a meal that’s protein-rich with plenty of eggs, fish or red meat. Protein helps with recovery, so it’s a great way to prepare for the procedure ahead. If you want to snack during the tattooing process, consider packing some healthy foods such as nuts or fruit to fight any hunger pangs you might get while sitting in the chair. 
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Should I eat before a tattoo?
The bottom line – Tattoo artists recommend you eat one to two hours before your appointment and a meal full of protein and vegetables is a good choice. Beyond the nutritional benefits, it’s unlikely that a healthy meal will overstuff you to the point of nausea — a bonus if you’re especially squeamish around needles.
If you’re planning on packing snacks, check with your artist on whether food is allowed and what to bring. Peanut butter cups won’t be a smart move if your artist is deathly allergic and a bag full of fast-food is just plain aggressive.
And that’s no way to start a session, is it?! If you liked our story Here’s What to Eat Before Getting a Tattoo, Plus Foods to Avoid, make sure to check out the 13 Important Things to Know Before Getting Your First Tattoo ..
What should you avoid before a tattoo?
Should you eat sugar before a tattoo?
Don’t: Consume Dairy and Sugar – 
Phoebe Melnick Both dairy and sugar are said to slow wound healing in the human body. I know it’s hard, but opt out on both to ensure a better start to the healing process. While getting a tattoo seems intimidating at first, just eat a complete meal beforehand, get a good night’s sleep, and don’t drink your weight in wine the night before.
What food is good for tattoo?
What should I do 24 hours before a tattoo?
Stay Hydrated – Before you get in that chair, you want to make sure that your body is hydrated. We have all been at the point where we haven’t been feeling the best and a glass of water feels like the most amazing thing ever. It is even more important before you get tattooed! 24 hours before your appointment you should be drinking a lot of water.
- A good goal is to aim to drink eight 8-oz glasses of water to fully ensure that your body is in the best shape possible;
- Not only is it good for your health, but it will make sure that your skin is hydrated and prepared for your tattoo session;
Hydrated skin takes ink a lot better than dehydrated skin which will make the entire process a lot smoother for your artist. If you didn’t have a chance to drink a good amount of water before your appointment, we recommend keeping a water bottle with you during your session.
- During all appointments at Playhouse, we highly encourage clients to ask for water and help themselves from our giant stack of water bottles;
- After your tattoo is complete, you will want to continue your amazing hydration habit as it will help tremendously in the recovery and healing process;
Your body has been through a lot and water is going to be your best friend.
Why is it important to eat before a tattoo?
Eating before a tattoo sitting, what’s the deal? Keeping your body fuelled before getting a new tattoo can make all the difference to your overall experience and we’re going to tell you why. Think about it… You are about to put your body through its paces – especially if the tattoo session is going to be over an hour long. Extended periods of trauma caused to the body, be it covering a small or large area is going to cause you to use up a lot of energy.
- Think of it like running a marathon;
- When being tattooed you are effectively being stabbed by 50-3000 needles per second, which causes your body to use up all of your stored sugars and fats to get you through the process;
A Great Meal is Key It is important to eat a good meal the night before your session and a slow energy releasing breakfast – this way, once your body works through all it’s reserves it can feast on the additional calories from your previous meal(s).
Without these additional calories you could become dizzy and worse case, pass out. So! It’s the day of your appointment, you’ve had a good meal, plenty of water and an early night the evening before and you are ready for your tattoo sitting.
Time for a balanced, slow-energy releasing breakfast and you should be good to go. Bring a Snack For Longer Sessions For longer tattoo sessions, upwards of one hour. We recommend taking some easy high-energy snacks to have during breaks (we’re sure your artist will appreciate this too!) Baking pro @marlamae has come up with some delicious vegan, high energy peanut butter bars that are the perfect “Tattoo Treat” for taking to your appointment. (this last part is really great and gets to the point, maybe we can move it up?) For your (No bake) Vegan Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars you will need: Peanut butter layer – 1 ½ cups peanut butter ¼ cup melted coconut oil ¼ cup maple syrup Pinch sea salt 2½ cups almond flour 1 cup vegan chocolate (or chocolate chips) Chocolate Layer – 8×8 greased or parchment lined dish 1½ cups walnuts 2 tablespoons cocoa powder ¼ teaspoon sea salt 10 soft medjool dates or 1/2 cup raisins 2 tablespoons water Flaky sea salt for sprinkling on top, optional Instructions:
- Mix peanut butter and melted coconut oil in a bowl, add maple syrup and salt. Once combined add the almond flour and mix, it should have a cookie dough consistency. Add your chocolate to the mixture. When it’s all combined, spread an even layer in your pan and place in the freezer while you prepare your chocolate layer.
- For the chocolate layer, take a food processor or blender and add everything EXCEPT the water. Pulse until everything is chopped and then add in your water. You’ll want a spreadable consistency.
- Take out your cookie dough layer and spread the chocolate layer evenly on top. Sprinkle with the flakey salt and then pop in the freezer for about an hour!
- Cut into squares and enjoy! These are best when they are kept frozen or cold and you can take them on the go! The almond flour melts into the peanut butter and it tastes like a Reese’s filling to me! You can add a protein powder to these easily too! Enjoy!
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How do I prepare for tattoo pain?
What drugs help with tattoo pain?
– Over-the-counter pain relievers, such as acetaminophen and ibuprofen, may help ease the pain following a tattooing procedure. However, it is unclear if acetaminophen can effectively prevent pain from tattooing procedures. Instead, some tattoo artists recommend topical skin-numbing products.
These products may contain 5% lidocaine. That said, there is a possibility of experiencing a contact allergy from products such as these. A person should have their tattoo artist apply the product to a small area of skin 24 hours before the procedure, to see whether or not it causes a reaction.
It is also important to follow manufacturer directions for the maximum dose limits, especially when applying topical products to large areas of the skin. Once the procedure is complete, the tattoo artist should provide self-care steps and explain how to deal with any pain after the procedure.
How do I prepare my skin for a tattoo?
Is it OK to get a tattoo on an empty stomach?
Make sure to eat something a few hours before you come in. Getting tattooed on an empty stomach may cause you to feel faint, nauseated, or dizzy. Allow plenty of time for your visit. Your tattoo session will be most enjoyable if you have time to appreciate it.
Does caffeine affect tattoos?
We advise that you don’t drink coffee before getting a tattoo. Sure, drinking coffee, or any drink that contains caffeine, may calm your nerves, but this is a temporary effect and should be avoided. For one, caffeine is known to thin the blood, which can increase bleeding and reduce healing.
It’s expected to be super anxious before getting a tattoo, especially if it’s your first or if you’re afraid of the pain. It’s not only a strain on your emotions in the run-up to your appointment, but it can also put a strain on your body.
Instead of diving for the coffee, there are other things you can do.
What Cannot eat after tattoo?
Does drinking water help tattoo?
WHAT TO DO BEFORE YOUR TATTOO… Stay hydrated! Be sure to drink water during the 48 hours before your tattoo. Staying properly hydrated helps the healing progress and greatly increase your comfort level DURING the the tattoo process. The second part of staying hydrated is to not drink alcohol the night before you get tattooed.
- Even a few drinks can significantly increase how much you bleed, and greatly compromises the density of the pigment going into your skin;
- Also, having a hangover never made for a good tattoo experience;
- If you cancel for being hungover, you’re definitely losing your deposit;
Stay out of the sun and sunblock carefully for a full week before your tattoo. If you’re skin is even a little pink, it can prevent us from being able to do your tattoo. Again, if you come in sunburnt on the day of your appointment, you’ll lose your deposit.
- Eat a meal! Don’t gorge yourself, but MANY people have gotten light headed, passed out, and/or vomited from getting tattooed on an empty stomach;
- Get a baby sitter;
- Our zoning does not permit minors in our tattoo studio for more than the briefest of times, and bored children are a massive annoyance;
Cancelling at the last minute because you don’t have your kids covered will cost you your deposit. Dress appropriately. We’re worried about doing your tattoo well, not keeping pigment off your favorite white shorts. BASIC AFTERCARE 1. Leave the bandage on until the following morning unless otherwise instructed by your artist.
Remove the bandage and wash your tattoo with warm water and unscented antibacterial bar soap with your fingertips. Rinse and gently repeat until all discharge has been removed. DO NOT use a washcloth, and DO NOT use the liquid or gel form of antibacterial soap! 3.
Gently pat the area dry with a dry, clean towel. DO NOT RUB! 4. Dry with a fan or a hair dryer using the cold button until your tattoo is dry to the touch with no damp or tacky spots. If your tattoo starts to “weep” and get damp while you’re drying it, repeat step 3 as needed, and continue with step 4.
- * 5;
- Do NOT re-bandage your tattoo, and DO NOT apply lotion for the first 48 hours after removing your bandage;
- ** After the first 48 hours, begin lightly applying a small amount of lotion twice a day;
- To avoid causing a moisture rash, be careful to not lotion heavily and to not apply lotion more than three times a day;
For every shower after the initial cleaning, lightly wash your tattoo with warm water and unscented antibacterial bar soap, then repeat steps 3 and 4 ADVANCED AFTERCARE *ONLY USE THIS METHOD IF SPECIFICALLY TOLD TO BY YOUR ARTIST * If your tattoo was completed and wrapped AFTER 6pm, leave your wrap on overnight and then follow the steps below.
* If your tattoo was completed and wrapped BEFORE 6pm, wait until one hour before you go to bed, and then follow the steps below. Remove the bandage and wash your tattoo with warm water and unscented antibacterial bar soap with your fingertips.
Rinse and gently repeat until all discharge has been removed. DO NOT use a washcloth, and DO NOT use the liquid or gel form of antibacterial soap! 2. After your shower, pat the area gently with a dry, clean towel to get off water from the shower. DO NOT RUB! 3.
- Dry with a fan or a hair dryer (using the “cold” button) until your tattoo is dry to the touch with no damp or tacky spots;
- If your tattoo starts to “weep” and get damp while you’re drying it, pat the area off with a dry, clean towel again, and then continue to dry with the fan or a hair dryer using the “cold” button;
Wait one hour and then re-bandage your tattoo, but DO NOT APPLY LOTION! *** It is CRITICAL that you let your tattoo breathe for one hour between wraps to avoid moisture rash. HELPFUL HINT: Set an alarm on your phone so you don’t forget to re-wrap after one hour of drying.
Repeat steps 1-3 at LEAST three times (morning, about halfway through your day, and before going to bed), or four times if you can manage it (morning, 4-5 hours later, 4-5 hours later, and before bed).
On the second morning after you were tattooed, follow steps 1 and 2, but do NOT re-bandage your tattoo unless instructed by your tattoo artist, and do NOT apply lotion! * Wait 48 hours after removing your FINAL bandage to begin lightly applying lotion twice a day.
** To avoid causing a moisture rash, do not lotion heavily or apply lotion more than three times a day. For every shower after the FINAL wrap is removed and the tattoo is cleaned, very lightly wash your tattoo with warm water and unscented antibacterial bar soap, then repeat step 2 and 3.
WHAT TO EXPECT AFTER YOUR TATTOO Once you leave the shop, it is up to you to follow these instructions and make every effort to take proper care of your tattoo. If you’re not sure about any instructions concerning the healing process, contact your artist directly with any concerns or additional questions.
As it heals, your tattoo will dry, get itchy, begin to scab and flake up, then peel off for the next 7 to 14 days. Your scabs and peelings WILL be in the colors of your tattoo! This does NOT mean you’re losing color.
It’s just the damaged skin that was also colored during the tattoo process, so… DO NOT PICK YOUR TATTOO! If for the most part your tattoo has healed, but you still have a few stubborn spots, DO NOT STOP CARING FOR YOUR TATTOO. This doesn’t mean that any particular spot is going to lose color.
- Be patient, and continue to clean, dry, and apply lotion until those stubborn spots come off in their own time;
- If the color looks milky when those stubborn spots come off, continue to apply lotion to the area twice a day until those spots fully recover and stop being shiny and/or discolored;
A few things that can help you be more comfortable while your tattoo heals: The most important is to drink water for the whole duration of the healing process! To reduce swelling while your tattoo is covered by a bandage during the first 24-48 hours, you can also use an icepack for about 5 minutes per half hour as long as you place a thin, clean towel or wash cloth between the bandage and the icepack.
THINGS TO AVOID ADVICE: Your friends do not tattoo for a living, so don’t follow an amateur’s instructions…follow ours. If you have any questions not covered in these instructions, please contact the artist that did your tattoo.
SOAKING: Normal showers are permitted, but DO NOT SOAK YOUR TATTOO! While healing your tattoo you should avoid pools, spas, hot tubs, the beach, and baths. SUN: Avoid the sun completely or cover your tattoo with clothing until your tattoo is healed. To prolong the life of your colors once it is fully healed, always use sunblock when your tattoo is exposed to sun.
- Also, consider using a sun shade shirt or rash guard with 50 SPF fabric to add another layer of protection for your tattoos;
- LOTION: DO NOT use heavy medicated products with aloe or high petroleum content like Eucerin, Aquaphor, vaseline, A&D ointment, Bacitracin, Neosporin, or any antibiotic ointment;
Currently the brand our clients are having the best results with is CeraVe Daily Moisturizing Lotion for normal to dry skin. You can find it at Target, Walgreens, Walmart, and online. Other brands of hand lotion commonly used by our clients with good results are Lubriderm, Aveeno, and Palmer’s cocoa butter.
How can you make tattoos hurt less?
What can I take before a tattoo to ease the pain?
Avaliani recommends taking three or four Ibuprofen tablets an hour before your appointment so that your pain tolerance is higher by the time you feel the needle (which, by the way, looks more like the tip of a pen than a needle, in case that word scares you like it scared me).
