How to prepare before your Tattoo?

Getting a tattoo is a collaborative process. While the work on the day comes down to the artist, the canvas is entirely up to you. How you prepare in the days leading up to your session directly impacts how well your skin takes the ink, how much discomfort you experience, and how beautifully the tattoo ultimately heals.

Whether this is your very first piece or you are adding to a growing collection, here is everything you need to know to show up ready.

The Preparation

To get the absolute best results from your session, preparation starts a week before you step foot in the studio.

5 to 7 Days Before: Hydrate and Moisturise. Start drinking plenty of water daily. Hydrated skin is more supple, holds ink better, and responds much more favourably to the needle. Additionally, moisturise the target area once or twice a day with a standard, unscented lotion.

Do not get a sunburn. If the target area is sunburnt, peeling, or deeply damaged, we cannot tattoo over it and will have to reschedule your appointment.

24 Hours Before: Rest and Clean Living. Get a solid 8 hours of sleep. A rested nervous system handles pain significantly better.

Do not drink alcohol or take blood-thinning medication (like aspirin or ibuprofen) the night before or the day of your session. Alcohol thins the blood and increases excess bleeding, which pushes the ink back out of the skin and dilutes the clarity of the lines.

4 Hours Before: The Pre-Tattoo Feast Never get tattooed on an empty stomach. Eat a substantial, carbohydrate-rich meal 2 to 4 hours before your appointment to keep your blood sugar stable. Low blood sugar triggers adrenaline, making you jittery and far more sensitive to pain. Bring sweet snacks (fruit, sweets) and a sugary drink to your session to keep your energy up.

1 Hour Before: Hygiene and Clothing Shower before coming in. Wear loose, comfortable, old clothing that allows easy, uninhibited access to the area being tattooed. Expect that ink will get on your clothes, so leave your favourite garments at home. Dark colours are always a safe bet.

Medical Conditions and Your Safety

Your health and safety are our absolute priority. Because tattooing open skin triggers an immune response and affects your circulatory system, it is vital that you inform us of any pre-existing medical conditions, allergies, or regular medications before your session.

Certain conditions—such as diabetes, heart conditions, epilepsy, blood-borne conditions, severe allergies (especially to latex, metals, or pigments), or being on daily blood-thinning medication—can alter how your body reacts to being tattooed and how it heals. Skin conditions like eczema or psoriasis near the tattoo site must also be discussed.

Important Notice and Medical Disclaimer

We are tattoo professionals, not medical practitioners. If you have any chronic medical conditions, are pregnant or breastfeeding, or are in any doubt whatsoever about whether it is safe for you to get a tattoo, you must consult your doctor prior to your appointment to get professional clearance.

Please note that blinc.ink cannot be held liable for any medical complications, adverse reactions, or healing issues that arise from key health or medical information that was not fully disclosed to us prior to the session. Complete honesty on your consent form is essential to keeping you safe.

First-Time Clients

If this is your first tattoo, feeling a mix of excitement and anxiety is completely normal. Here is what to keep in mind to put your mind at ease:

The Sensation: People describe the feeling differently—a constant cat scratch, a hot vibration, or an intense sunburn. It is uncomfortable, but it is entirely manageable. The anticipation is almost always worse than the reality.

You Are in Control: We work at your pace. If you need a break to stretch, catch your breath, or stand up, just say the word. Taking brief breaks is completely fine.

Speak Up Early: If you feel lightheaded, dizzy, cold, or nauseous at any point, let us know immediately. It is usually just a quick blood sugar dip, and we know exactly how to handle it safely.

Tattoo Veterans: Don't Take the Basics for Granted

Even if you have spent dozens of hours under the needle, every tattoo session is a brand-new variable. It is easy to get complacent, but don't sleep on these reminders:

Placement Dictates the Pain: Just because your outer arm was a breeze doesn't mean your ribs, inner thigh, or chest will feel the same. Treat every new placement with the same respect and preparation as your very first tattoo.

Skip the Heavy Gym Session: Avoid an intense workout targeting the area to be tattooed the day before or on the day of your session. Sore, inflamed muscles increase local swelling and make sitting still for long periods significantly harder.

Your Body Changes Day-to-Day: Stress, minor illness, or general life fatigue deplete your pain tolerance. Never assume a session will be easy just because you are heavily tattooed—give your body the exact same fuel and rest every single time.

My Stance on Numbing Creams

I get asked about numbing creams a lot, and it's an important topic to address.

I personally strongly recommend against using over-the-counter numbing creams for my sessions.

Please note that this is my specific stance for my own technical workflow. Views on this vary across the industry, and other artists working within the shared studio space may have differing opinions, preferences, or policies. If you are booking with another artist in the studio, please check with them directly regarding their individual rules.

However, if you are sitting in my chair, here is why I advise against them:

Altered Skin Texture: Many topical anaesthetics change the physical texture of the skin, making it spongy, rubbery, or artificially swollen. This makes it incredibly difficult for me to gauge needle depth correctly and cleanly saturate the ink, which can directly impact the precision of fine line work and solid shading.

The Rebound Effect: Numbing cream wears off unpredictably—usually after 60 to 90 minutes. When it wears off, the nervous system is often hit with the full intensity of the pain all at once, rather than letting your body naturally adjust to the sensation through its own steady release of endorphins. This makes long sessions very difficult to finish.

Healing Complications: Certain chemical agents in these creams restrict local blood flow, which can lead to harsher scabbing and patchy, uneven healing once the tattoo is done.

I want your tattoo to look perfect for a lifetime. Managing discomfort naturally helps keep the skin in optimal condition for the best possible artwork.

If you have severe anxiety, an exceptionally low pain threshold, or medical conditions that make you feel numbing cream is an absolute necessity for you, please reach out to me well before your appointment date so we can discuss the options safely together.

Final Checklist Before You Leave the House

• Photo ID: Driving licence or passport.
• Fuel: Snacks (sweets, fruit) and a sugary drink.
• Attire: Loose, dark clothing that easily exposes the tattoo area.
• Entertainment: A fully charged phone and headphones.
• Payment: Your preferred payment method (as agreed during booking).

See you soon!

Clive Camilleri @ blinc.ink

Got questions? We are here to help! 👇

The artist’s job is now complete; the ultimate success and appearance of your new tattoo depend entirely on how you care for it over the next few weeks. From this point forward, the care and hygiene of your tattoo are your sole responsibility. Please read and follow these instructions carefully to ensure optimal healing and to prevent infection.

⚫PHASE 1: THE FIRST 24 HOURS⚫

Your new tattoo is an open wound. It will feel tender, tight, and similar to a moderate sunburn. It is completely normal for the area to weep clear fluid (plasma), excess ink, and a small amount of blood during the first day.

DO:

• Wash your hands thoroughly with warm water and antibacterial soap before touching your new tattoo for any reason.

• Remove the dressing carefully after [2 to 4 hours] (or as advised by your artist). If the bandage sticks, gently wet it with clean, warm water in the shower to slide it off.

• Gently wash the tattoo with your clean hands, warm water, and a mild, fragrance-free liquid soap.

• Rinse thoroughly until all plasma, dried blood, and excess ointment are completely gone and the skin feels clean and smooth.

• Pat dry using a clean, disposable kitchen paper towel. Do not rub.

• Leave it bare to breathe for the first 24 hours. Do not apply any lotions or creams until day two.

DO NOT:

• Do NOT re-bandage the tattoo once the initial dressing has been removed (unless specifically instructed to use a specialist second-skin medical film).

• Do NOT use a washcloth, loofah, or sponge, as these harbor bacteria and are too abrasive for healing skin.

• Do NOT dry with a fabric towel, as bath towels can carry lint and hidden bacteria.

• Do NOT touch the tattoo with unwashed hands, and do not allow anyone else to touch it. This includes pets.

⚫PHASE 2: DAYS 2 TO 14 (THE HEALING PROCESS)⚫

Over the next two weeks, your tattoo will begin to dry out, flake, peel, and potentially form thin scabs. This is a completely normal part of the skin’s regeneration process.

Daily Maintenance:

• Wash and dry the tattoo twice a day (morning and night) using the protocol outlined in Phase 1.

• Apply a very thin layer of the recommended aftercare cream 2 times a day (e.g., morning and evening), or whenever the tattoo feels tight and dry.

• Remember: LESS IS MORE. Your skin needs oxygen to heal. The tattoo should never look shiny, greasy, or soggy. If it does, you have applied too much cream—blot the excess away immediately with a clean paper towel.

Very Important:

• Do NOT pick, scratch, or peel the flaking skin or scabs. Doing so will pull pigment from the deeper layers of the skin, leaving blank spots, faded lines, or permanent scarring. If it itches, gently slap it or apply a tiny amount of lotion.

• Do NOT submerge the tattoo in water. Avoid baths, swimming pools, hot tubs, lakes, and the ocean for at least 3 weeks. Stick to short, clean showers.

• Do NOT expose the tattoo to direct sunlight or sunbeds for at least 4 weeks. UV rays will permanently fade and damage a healing tattoo. Once fully healed, always protect it with SPF 50.

• Do NOT wear tight, restrictive clothing or heavy straps over the area. Friction can irritate the tattoo and prematurely rub off healing skin.

• Do NOT engage in heavy exercise or activities that cause excessive sweating for the first few days, as sweat can trap bacteria under the skin.

⚫RECOMMENDED UK PRODUCTS⚫

• Cleansing Soap: Carex Unscented, Sanex Zero%, or Simple Liquid Handwash. (Avoid heavily perfumed or coloured body washes).

• Aftercare Cream: Aveeno Daily Moisturising Lotion (fragrance-free), Palmer’s Cocoa Butter (fragrance-free formula), or a dedicated tattoo aftercare cream like Bepanthen Tattoo. Do not use the original Bepanthen nappy ointment or petroleum-based products such as Vaseline.

⚫DISCLAIMER⚫

Please Note: Infections are rare but are almost exclusively caused by exposure to bacteria after leaving the studio environment (e.g., contact with dirty hands, pets, unwashed clothing, or improper product application).

If you experience severe swelling, prolonged redness, red streaks radiating from the area, a foul odour, or thick yellowish discharge, you may have developed an infection. Please contact your GP or NHS 111 immediately, and inform the studio.

Client Acknowledgement:

By taking this aftercare guide, you acknowledge that you have been fully instructed on how to care for your new tattoo. You understand that the long-term appearance, healing quality, and biological health of the tattoo are now entirely your responsibility.

Clive Camilleri, aka Blinc.ink, accepts no liability for infections, pigment loss, fading, or scarring resulting from a failure to strictly adhere to these guidelines. Touch-ups required due to negligent aftercare will be subject to the standard studio fees.

Got questions? We are here to help! 👇

9 Market St, Highbridge TA9 3BZ, UK

Parking available just opposite the tattoo shop and is a 2min walk away