prepare body and mind for the session
It’s helpful to think of the tattoo experience as one that begins before the actual tattooing begins. The process of getting tattooed does temporarily change state of mind, and the blood-chemistry of the recipient, as well as tax the immune system somewhat during the healing process. Below are some tips that can help you to have the most pleasant experience possible when you get tattooed.
* Arrive to your tattoo appointment well rested.
* Plan your day around your tattoo appointment, not the other way around. Rushing to accomplish errands and such before your appointment can stress you out, and make you arrive in a frazzled state of mind, as well as make you late. Having obligations after your appointment can distract you and cause stress if your appointment takes longer than you had anticipated, so give yourself PLENTY of time BEFORE and AFTER your session.
* Eat a moderate meal a few hours before your appointment. Getting tattooed affects blood sugar levels, and a sugar crash during a tattoo can disrupt or end the session.
* Avoid over-doing it on stimulants, such as caffeine. You’ll want to be able to sit calmly for several hours, so use of coffee, energy drinks, etc. should be minimized on the day of your appointment.
* As much as possible, try to enter into the process of getting your tattoo with a positive and relaxed state of mind.
The healthier you are, the easier it will be for your body to heal the tattoo, so try to take extra care of yourself for a few days before, and a few days after your appointment. Avoid excessive consumption of alcohol, fast/processed foods, or any other physically taxing behaviors to make your body as strong as possible in preparation for getting tattooed.
If you are sick, feel that you are getting sick, not quite over being sick, or incur any other health issues before your session, reschedule your appointment and give your body time to recover before getting your tattoo.
(Many women have reported that getting tattooed during menstruation tends to increase their sensitivity to pain, and reduce their mental willingness to tolerate it. A woman who has a tattoo appointment that falls within her menstrual cycle should consider rescheduling. With sufficient notice, it should be easy enough to move the appointment forward or backward a week or so to avoid her having to deal with decreased pain tolerance during a tattoo application)
