Before tattoo
How to prepare yourself
You must not drink alcohol or take drugs before or after a tattoo. Come relaxed and fed and generally in good physical and mental condition. All of this can adversely affect healing or make it difficult for the tattoo artist to work on the tattoo itself. If you shave the tattooed place in advance, it will not hurt.
If you go for a longer session, take something to drink with you (ideally something sweet) and some kind of snack.
What (not) to do after a tattoo
Tattoos are an intervention in the body, and therefore fatigue or fever may occur after the procedure. Therefore, set aside enough time to rest. In the coming days, avoid sports, sauna, swimming pool and bathing in the bath, solarium and sun. Pinching, itching or burning a new tattoo are common symptoms of healing and you don't have to worry about them.
What will the tattoo look like in x years?
Since it's for life, it's good to have an idea of how the tattoo will change over time. Each tattoo will dissolve and lighten a little as it heals. The lines are never as sharp and thin after healing as they are when the tattoo is fresh. Colors are always a little lighter and shade may vary. With age, our body is constantly changing, and the tattoo also ages - it continues to creep up and fade. Fading can be slowed down by using sunscreen. How much a tattoo will change over time is difficult to estimate in advance, it is very individual. If you already have one, it can be estimated from it. It is always necessary to choose the motif and its size with regard to future dispersion. A motif that is too small and detailed may look more like a smear in 10 years, and a line of text will not be readable.
You should not be tattooed if:
- you are ill (cold, flu or other viral/bacterial illness) - rescheduling is not a problem
- you are diabetic
- you are hemophiliac (you have poor blood clotting)
- you are an epileptic
- are you pregnant or breastfeeding
- you drank a lot of alcohol the day before
- you are under the influence of drugs
- you are under the influence of some blood thinners (Aspirin)
- if you suffer from a skin condition (psoriasis, chronic eczema) and you have not consulted a dermatologist
- you plan to donate blood in the next six months
- you have high blood pressure
- you didn't eat at all before the start of the session (applies mainly to long sessions of several hours)
- you are not of legal age and you do not have parental consent (legal guardian)