If there’s something as important as deciding to get a tattoo, whether it’s your first tattoo or the next one, it’s following the instructions and recommendations of your tattoo artist. All professionals provide clients with a set of pre and post-care instructions that should be followed to the letter (or at least, we hope so!). In this article, I offer you the recommendations we give to our clients at Rolling Tattoo before their tattoo session and during it. Listen to the Tattoo Artist!

Some of us are more meticulous than others in this aspect. Well-cared and hydrated skin allows me to not worry about technical issues and enjoy my work, focusing with enthusiasm on creating the piece. Like in any job, motivation brings a valuable value that, in the artisanal and artistic field, translates into an extra flow, a touch of magic. (I assure you, no one wants their tattoo artist to be demotivated during their tattoo session!). We want and need your skin to be in the best condition to work on it and to have a beautiful piece that makes us all happy after the healing process.

In my case, I highly appreciate being able to work with someone who has taken an interest in improving their skin’s condition and facilitating my work during their tattoo session. It means they value and respect my professionalism, and above all, they care about the health of their tattoo.

A significant part of the outcome of your tattoo depends on these recommendations. Let’s go with the ones before the tattoo session!

• • Do not sunbathe or use tanning beds for 15 days before your tattoo session.
    The sun alters the skin’s stability.
  • Exfoliate the skin in the tattoo area one week before and keep it hydrated throughout that week. Exfoliation is used to care for and renew the skin, removing dead skin cells and improving its appearance, especially in areas exposed to environmental pollution.
  • Do not consume alcohol, aspirin, antihistamines, or spicy foods 24 hours before the appointment.
    The first two can cause increased bleeding during and after the tattoo session. From experience, I’ve noticed that the skin swells and reddens with the latter two. All of these factors make the tattoo artist’s work more difficult to the point where we may not be able to continue with the tattoo in many cases.
  • We do not recommend using numbing creams before the appointment.
    They alter the healing process and compromise the outcome of your tattoo. If you have a cold, the flu, or any illness, you cannot get tattooed.
  • Remember to reschedule your appointment with 48 hours’ notice to avoid losing your deposit.
    If you’re getting a complex piece and you’re on your period, your body will be more sensitive to pain. If you wish, you can postpone your appointment with 48 hours’ notice.
  • Is it your first tattoo? We advise against long sessions,
    especially in areas like ribs, knees, armpits, or hips. For now, and generally speaking, only women have the ability to endure pain for a longer time during a tattoo session!
  • Very important: If you can’t make it to the appointment, want to reschedule, or cancel, you must let us know 48 hours in advance to avoid losing the deposit. Please understand that if you leave us hanging, I will have wasted more time than you think: setting up and dismantling the workspace, preparing the materials and products for your tattoo. Making a phone call doesn’t cost anything and allows us to continue with the Studio’s schedule.

Tattoo artists have a list of typical excuses (some very surreal…) that worryingly increase the rate of family deaths, unexpected trips out of town, and sudden illnesses. (It’s better to be honest and say that you overslept, are hungover, or simply forgot!)

You should keep the following recommendations in mind before getting tattooed, for the actual tattoo session. If it was important to have the skin in excellent condition, it’s also crucial to be comfortable during the session so that everything flows properly.

• • Take a relaxing shower before coming to your appointment.
    I work closely with the body most of the time, and I have a sense of smell…
  • Shave the area to be tattooed carefully and for convenience
    (if touch-ups are needed, we’ll do them at the studio… You have no idea how much time is wasted and how hairy everything gets when a hairy guy comes in!).
  • Eat something 1 to 2 hours before the session.
    If you’re coming in the morning, it’s important to have had breakfast to avoid low blood pressure. If you want, you can bring your own water bottle, soda, and something sugary.
  • Don’t forget to bring your ID or driver’s license or passport to fill out the Informed Consent form.
  • You can bring your own music, tablet, book, or phone for entertainment.
    Although if you’re getting your right forearm tattooed and you’re right-handed, you won’t be able to use it much…
  • If you’re a newbie to tattoos, there are a few unwritten laws for beginners that will be useful:
    Wear comfortable and loose-fitting clothing that won’t leave marks on the skin. (For example, if you want to tattoo something at the level of your bra strap, the skin will remain marked for quite some time, and we won’t be able to work on it.) And… make sure it’s not white and new or that you don’t mind it getting stained!
  • Don’t set expectations for the “pain” you’ll have to endure.
    When we start, you’ll discover it’s not that bad, and you’ll be thinking about your next tattoo! Believe it or not… You can breathe normally! What you can’t do is move around. You won’t experience spasms or sudden sneezes either. In any case, don’t worry, I have everything under control with my spider sense…
  • Important: Do not bring babies, children, or many companions to your tattoo session (only one companion is allowed). We like children, but they tend to be restless and require special attention. More than one companion causes noise. The tattoo artist needs peace and concentration to do your tattoo… Plus, any children in the studio will become our property and can be sold to the circus! Know more about this HERE!!!

I hope this has been helpful, and in some cases, you understand why we need you to do your part! Don’t forget to read the article on Recommendations After Getting Tattooed!

If you liked the article, we invite you to share it on your social media. You surely have a friend who might be interested in this topic. We also invite you to read the article “Sports and Tattoos: When Can I Go to the Gym?”

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