Preparing for Your Tattoo
A calm, clean start leads to a better heal.
A tattoo is a controlled skin wound. The way you prepare—sleep, hydration, skin condition, and medication choices—can affect bleeding, comfort, line clarity, and healing quality.
This page is educational and not medical advice. If you have medical conditions or take prescription medications, please consult your healthcare provider.
Table of Contents
Quick Checklist
Before your appointment:
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Sleep well and eat a full meal
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Hydrate (start the day before)
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Avoid sunburn and skin irritation
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Wear comfortable clothing that allows easy access to the area
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Tell us in advance if you have allergies (especially adhesives), medical conditions, or take blood thinners
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Reschedule if you’re sick, feverish, or the skin is irritated
7 Days Before
Protect your skin
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Avoid tanning and heavy sun exposure.
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Do not tattoo over sunburned, peeling, or actively irritated skin.
Support healing
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Aim for steady sleep and good nutrition.
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If you’re prone to dryness, moisturize the area lightly during the week—just don’t apply heavy lotions/oils on appointment day.
Let us know early if you have:
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Diabetes
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Immune suppression / autoimmune concerns
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A history of keloids or raised scarring
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Eczema/dermatitis/psoriasis flare-ups in the tattoo area
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Pregnancy or breastfeeding (we typically recommend waiting)
48–24 Hours Before
Avoid alcohol (recommended)
Alcohol can increase dehydration and may contribute to easier bleeding. For best comfort and cleaner linework, avoid alcohol for at least 24 hours.
Avoid skin trauma
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No harsh scrubs, exfoliating acids, or aggressive shaving that causes irritation.
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Avoid anything that leaves the skin raw, inflamed, or broken.
Plan for a calm recovery window
Fine linework benefits from a gentle start:
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Keep your schedule light after your appointment.
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Avoid intense workouts and heavy sweating right after.
Appointment Day
Eat first (important)
Please arrive having eaten a real meal. Low blood sugar can cause dizziness, nausea, or fainting.
Hydrate
Drink water and arrive well-hydrated.
Wear the right clothing
Choose loose, comfortable clothing that:
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Gives easy access to the tattoo area
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Won’t rub the fresh tattoo on the way home
Arrive clean
Please shower and come with clean skin. Avoid heavy fragrance on the tattoo area.
Alcohol, Medications & Bleeding
Blood thinners / anti-platelet meds (prescription)
If you take prescription blood thinners (or any medication that affects clotting), do not stop medication on your own.
Please consult your healthcare provider and tell us in advance.
Over-the-counter pain relievers
Some common OTC medications can affect bleeding. If you’re unsure what’s appropriate for you, ask your healthcare provider. (We recommend avoiding self-medicating without guidance.)
Supplements
Some supplements may affect bleeding in some people. If you take many supplements daily, let us know.
Skin Prep (Hair, Moisture, Sun)
Hair removal
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If you plan to shave, do it carefully without nicking the skin.
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If you’re not confident, it’s better to arrive unshaved—we can prep the area safely.
Lotion/oil on the day of
Please avoid applying heavy lotions, oils, or body butter to the tattoo area on the day of your appointment. Clean, dry skin helps us work precisely and helps bandages adhere properly.
No sunburn
We cannot tattoo over sunburned or peeling skin.
What to Bring
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Government-issued ID
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Water
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A small snack (especially for longer sessions)
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Headphones/music if you like (Jindhamma is a quiet studio—silence is welcome, too)
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Payment method (and tip, if you prepare one)
When to Reschedule
For safety and best results, please reschedule if you have:
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Fever, flu, stomach illness, or active infection
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Sunburn, peeling, or significant irritation in the tattoo area
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Open cuts, rash, inflamed acne, or dermatitis flare-ups on the area
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Recent procedures that left the skin sensitive in that area (laser, strong chemical treatments, etc.)
Aftercare Preview
After your tattoo, you’ll receive clear aftercare instructions. If second skin is appropriate for your skin and placement, we’ll guide you through wear time, removal, and what’s normal during healing.
FAQs
1. How far in advance should I prepare for my tattoo?
Begin preparing 3–7 days before your appointment. Focus on hydration, moisturization, rest, and avoiding anything that may irritate your skin.
2. Can I get a tattoo if I’m sick, pregnant, or breastfeeding?
No. If you’re feeling unwell, pregnant, or breastfeeding, it’s best to wait. Your immune system plays a major role in healing, and we prioritize safety above all.
3. What should I eat before my appointment?
Have a full meal 1–2 hours beforehand. Choose something balanced—protein, healthy carbs, and water. This helps stabilize your blood sugar and keeps you comfortable throughout the session.
4. Can I drink coffee or alcohol beforehand?
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Alcohol: Avoid for 24 hours. It can thin your blood and increase bleeding.
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Coffee: A small amount is okay, but avoid heavy caffeine if you are sensitive to anxiety or shakiness.
5. Should I shave the area before coming in?
Please do not shave beforehand unless you’re experienced and confident doing so. Shaving incorrectly can cause micro-cuts. If needed, we will shave the area safely at the studio.
6. What should I wear to my tattoo session?
Wear something comfortable and loose that gives easy access to the tattoo area. Choose dark clothing to avoid ink stains.
7. Can I bring someone with me?
JINDHAMMA is a quiet studio, so we do not allow additional guests unless previously approved for accessibility reasons.
8. How do I prepare my skin for the appointment?
Keep the skin:
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Clean
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Moisturized
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Free from irritation
Avoid tanning, sunburn, exfoliating acids, or harsh scrubs for 3–5 days prior.
9. Should I moisturize before getting tattooed?
Yes—light, daily moisturizing for 2–3 days before helps the needle move smoothly.
But on the day of your appointment: come with clean, dry skin and no lotion.
10. Can I work out before or after the session?
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Before: light exercise is okay.
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After: avoid heavy sweating, stretching the area, or contaminated surfaces for 48–72 hours.
11. How should I plan if I’m using Second Skin bandage?
Most clients keep the bandage on for 3–5 days unless sensitivity occurs.
Plan ahead: avoid swimming, sauna, hot yoga, and long showers while it’s on.
12. Can I get tattooed if I have eczema, psoriasis, or sensitive skin?
Yes, in most cases—but it depends on the severity and location. Avoid tattooing over active flares. If unsure, send us a clear photo before booking.
13. What if I have allergies to adhesives or skincare products?
Let us know in advance.
We can avoid Second Skin and recommend a traditional aftercare method.
Bring a list of known allergies if you have sensitive skin.
14. How do I plan around travel, swimming, or sun exposure?
For best healing:
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No swimming for 2–3 weeks
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Minimize sun exposure for 4 weeks
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Avoid travel within the first 7 days if the trip involves heat, sweat, or limited hygiene access
15. How long will my appointment take?
It depends on the design size and placement.
Expect anywhere from 30 minutes to 4 hours.
We will give you a time estimate before booking.
16. Can I request breaks during the session?
Absolutely. Breaks are welcome anytime. We work at a calm and steady pace so you stay comfortable.
17. Is it okay to use numbing cream?
We do not recommend or apply numbing creams at JINDHAMMA.
They can affect skin texture and ink consistency.
If you want to use one, please consult us first.
18. What payment methods do you accept?
We accept card payments, mobile payments, and deposits through the booking system.
Cash is welcome but not required.
19. Do you take walk-ins or is it appointment only?
JINDHAMMA is By Appointment Only to maintain a quiet and focused environment.
20. How long does healing take?
Most tattoos look surface-healed in about 2–4 weeks, but deeper layers of skin can take up to ~6 months to fully recover. Healing varies by placement, size, skin type, and how much friction or sweat the area gets.
Every person heals differently, but many tattoos follow a general pattern:
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Days 1–3: redness, mild swelling, tenderness, and possible light weeping (plasma/ink)
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Days 3–7: peeling and flaking begin; itching is common
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Days 7–14: continued peeling/flaking (often feels like a mild sunburn)
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Days 14–30: surface healing is mostly complete; deeper healing continues
The tattoo may look slightly dull, cloudy, or “milky” during healing—this is normal.
Avoid scratching or picking. Let flakes fall naturally.
For preparation or healing questions:
tattoo@jindhamma.com