Knowing what to avoid before a tattoo is just as important as knowing what to do. Several common mistakes made in the 24 to 72 hours before an appointment result in sessions that are more uncomfortable than they need to be, lower-quality results or appointments that have to be rescheduled entirely. The good news is that every item on this list is entirely avoidable. None of it requires significant sacrifice. These are simply the things that consistently cause problems, collected into one clear guide.
What not to do before a tattoo: the complete list
Drink alcohol in the 24 hours before
Alcohol thins the blood. Arriving at a session with alcohol in your system means you will bleed more than normal throughout the sitting. Excess bleeding pushes ink out of the wound as it is deposited and makes it significantly harder for the artist to achieve clean, saturated colour and precise lines. The quality of the finished tattoo is directly affected. Alcohol also dehydrates the skin and impairs judgment. Avoid it for a minimum of 24 hours before your appointment and ideally 48 hours for a longer or more detailed session.
Take aspirin or ibuprofen for pain
Aspirin and ibuprofen are both blood thinners. Many first-time clients take them in the hours before a session in an attempt to reduce pain, not realising that the resulting increase in bleeding actively makes the session harder and the outcome worse. If you want to take something for pain management before a tattoo, paracetamol is the safer choice as it does not have a blood-thinning effect. Always discuss any medication with your artist before taking it. Disclose any prescription medication you are taking that may affect bleeding or healing.
Skip eating before the session
Getting tattooed on an empty stomach is one of the most common and avoidable causes of a difficult session. The tattooing process puts the body under physical stress and depletes blood sugar progressively, particularly during longer sittings. Low blood sugar causes lightheadedness, nausea and in some cases fainting. These are the most common medical incidents in tattoo studios and the vast majority involve clients who arrived without eating. Have a proper meal with protein and complex carbohydrates in the two hours before your appointment and bring snacks for longer sessions.
Arrive dehydrated
Dehydrated skin is less elastic and more difficult to tattoo. It takes ink less evenly and is more prone to surface cracking and heavy scabbing during healing. Beyond the skin itself, being dehydrated during a long session can make you feel unwell, increase sensitivity to pain and contribute to the same blood sugar issues that follow from not eating. Drink water consistently in the 24 hours before your appointment. Avoid excessive caffeine and alcohol, both of which dehydrate the body, in the day leading up to the session.
Sun exposure or tanning on the placement area
Sunburned skin cannot be tattooed. If the placement area is red, tender or damaged from UV exposure when you arrive, the session will need to be rescheduled. First-degree burns take three to six days to resolve and second-degree burns can take two weeks or more. Protect the placement area with SPF 30 or higher in the weeks before your appointment and avoid tanning beds, which produce concentrated UV that is easy to misjudge. Even without a visible burn, heavily sun-damaged skin is more sensitive and less receptive to ink.
Apply fake tan to the placement area
Fake tan and spray tan products alter the visible colour of the skin surface and should not be on the placement area when you arrive for your session. The artificial colour makes it difficult for the artist to judge how pigments are landing against your true skin tone and can cause the stencil to transfer unevenly. Remove any fake tan from the placement area before your appointment. Your artist will be working with your natural skin colour and needs to be able to see it clearly throughout the session.
Apply moisturiser on the morning of the session
Daily moisturising in the week before your appointment is encouraged. Applying moisturiser on the morning of the session itself is not. Even a thin film of lotion on the skin surface can prevent the stencil from adhering cleanly and subtly affect how the needle deposits ink. Arrive at your appointment with clean, product-free skin on the placement area. Your artist will clean and prep the skin at the studio before beginning. Morning-of cleanliness is what you are aiming for in the hours before attending.
Shave the area immediately before
Shaving immediately before your appointment risks razor burn, micro-cuts and sensitised skin that can complicate the session. Your artist will shave the placement area with a sterile disposable razor as part of their standard setup procedure. You do not need to do this yourself. If you prefer to shave at home, do it one to two days before rather than the morning of the session, giving the skin time to settle before the needle starts. Arriving with unshaved skin is always preferable to arriving with fresh razor irritation.
Wear tight or restrictive clothing over the placement
Think through your clothing before leaving for your appointment. If the tattoo is on your arm, a tight long sleeve is going to be difficult to manage. If it is on your ribs or back, a structured bra or tight-fitting top will restrict access. Wear loose, comfortable clothing that allows easy access to the placement area without requiring awkward repositioning during the session. Loose clothing is also more comfortable to wear home with a fresh, cling-filmed tattoo underneath. Wear something you are not concerned about getting ink or aftercare product on.
Use numbing cream without telling your artist
Numbing creams are available and legitimate. Many artists are happy to work with clients who use them. The issue arises when clients apply numbing cream without telling the artist. Some formulas change the texture of the skin surface, making it slightly spongier and affecting how ink is deposited. Artists need to know if numbing cream has been applied so they can adjust their technique accordingly. If you want to use numbing cream, discuss it with your studio when booking so the artist can advise on the best product and timing for your specific session.
Quick reference: the pre-tattoo avoid list
| What to avoid | When to avoid it | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Alcohol | 24–48 hours before | Thins blood, increases bleeding, affects ink saturation |
| Aspirin and ibuprofen | 24 hours before | Blood thinners that increase bleeding during the session |
| Skipping meals | Day of appointment | Low blood sugar causes dizziness, nausea and fainting |
| Dehydration | 24 hours before | Dry skin takes ink less evenly and heals less cleanly |
| Sun or tanning bed exposure | 2 weeks before | Burned or damaged skin cannot be tattooed |
| Fake tan on the placement area | Remove before the session | Alters skin colour and interferes with stencil adhesion |
| Moisturiser on the day | Morning of appointment | Film on skin affects stencil and ink placement |
| Shaving immediately before | Day of appointment | Risk of razor burn and skin sensitisation |
| Tight clothing over the placement | Day of appointment | Restricts access and is uncomfortable throughout the session |
| Using numbing cream without telling your artist | Before the session | Some formulas alter skin texture: artist needs to know |
Ready to book your tattoo in Leighton Buzzard?
Our artists at Gravity Tattoo are happy to talk through your session preparation and answer any questions before you book.
Book a ConsultationFor full studio details and to book your appointment, visit our tattoo preparation page.
More from the Tattoo Preparation Guide
This article is part of our Tattoo Preparation Guide, covering everything you need to know before your session. Browse every guide at our Tattoo Preparation Guide hub.
Find answers to every preparation question at our Tattoo Preparation Guide hub.