Steps to Ensure the Best Outcome for Your New Tattoo
Whether you’re looking for your first tattoo or adding to your current collection, you’ll want to ensure that your ink looks as stunning as the tattoos on the skin of models and celebrities.
Getting a tattoo is not just a one-way street; it requires a partnership between the tattoo artist and their client to achieve the desired result. To make sure your tattoo is a success, you should find an artist with excellent artistic talent and an incredibly steady hand. However, you should also take additional steps to ensure the finished product looks great and ensure it lasts for a lifetime.
Here are 5 ways to ensure a positive experience during your tattoo session as a client:
Step 1: Optimizing Health and Nutrition for Enhanced Healing and Vibrant Color
In preparation for your tattoo session, focusing on your health and nutrition can lead to better healing and more vibrant colors. Your skin is the foundation for your tattoo, so it’s essential to take care of it. As per observations, overall health and sun exposure can affect the skin’s condition and healing process. Clients prioritizing their health tend to heal faster and have more intense colors. Their skin is also firmer, providing a better surface for precise line work.
To achieve optimal results, tattoo creators around the globe recommend that clients maintain a healthy lifestyle. The process must begin at least four weeks before their tattoo session. The course of action includes getting enough sleep, drinking plenty of water, and taking supplements. To support the immune system and promote quick recovery, artists suggest taking a multivitamin supplement containing adequate amounts of Vitamin C, E, Zinc, and Collagen. Vitamin E and Collagen can also help moisturize and strengthen the skin’s elasticity. However, it’s important to consult with a doctor before taking any supplements if you have any medical conditions or concerns. By taking these extra steps to care for your skin, you can expect a noticeable difference in the ink’s absorption, color intensity, and healing time.
Step 2: Avoid Alcohol and Blood-Thinning Medications for Three Days to Reduce Bleeding Risk
Abstaining from alcohol and blood-thinning medication is crucial before getting a tattoo, especially for clients who want the best results. This recommendation is non-negotiable for some tattoo artists.
When a client’s blood is thin due to medication or alcohol consumption, it can cause the tattoo to appear faded and heal unevenly. This occurs because the excess blood creates a liquid film on the skin’s surface, which dilutes the ink as the needle penetrates. The blood that seeps through the skin also washes out some of the ink, preventing full saturation.
In severe cases, the tattoo artist may need to stop the session and reschedule it for later due to excessive bleeding. Avoiding alcohol and blood-thinning medication can help reduce the bleeding, ensuring that the tattooing process is smooth and successful. Clients who maintain a healthy lifestyle, consume nutritious foods, take their vitamins, sleep well, and avoid blood-thinning substances are less likely to bleed excessively during a tattoo session.
Step 3: Preparing for Your Tattoo Session: What You Need to Bring
The day has finally arrived for your tattoo session! It’s essential to get a good night’s sleep, as the quality of your sleep significantly affects your endurance during the session. Your pain tolerance can also be affected by the amount of sleep you get. Remember that depending on the size and complexity of your tattoo, the session could last several hours. If you feel anxious the night before, try natural relaxants such as chamomile tea or kava root to help you sleep better.
Start your morning with a nutritious and satisfying breakfast to provide your body with extra energy. Since some tattoo sessions can take hours, it may be a while before you have a chance to eat again. You can also bring along energy bars and water to fuel your body during the session.
Other items that could come in handy during the session include kava pills to reduce stress and relax your body, headphones to listen to your favourite music or podcasts and stay focused, and a stress ball to release anxiety and stress. While bringing a friend along for support is tempting, it’s best to come alone to your tattoo session. Having additional people in the room can distract you and the tattoo artist, and the risk of cross-contamination increases. Moreover, a friend’s presence can influence your design decisions and prevent you from creating your own unique tattoo design.
At the end of the session, if you want to tip your artist, remember to bring cash. By following these tips, you can ensure a smooth and successful tattoo experience.
Step 4: Focusing on the Early Stages of Healing, Especially Week 1
Aftercare is just as important as the actual tattoo session itself. In the weeks following your tattoo, it’s crucial to follow the aftercare guidelines carefully. Your tattoo artist will provide you with all the necessary information on the creams, soaps, and lotions to help you achieve the best possible recovery and result. However, there are other things you can do to speed up and enhance your recovery process.
To begin with, your body requires a lot of energy to recover and keep your immune system in check while healing a larger area. Therefore, it’s essential to support and strengthen your body by consuming foods rich in Vitamin C and Zinc, and take some time to show your body extra love and care for the next few days after the tattoo session.
While continuing a healthy lifestyle, avoiding sports or other activities that drain your energy for at least a week after the appointment is essential. This is to reserve your energy for your immune system to heal the tattoo.
In addition, maintaining good overall body hygiene and avoiding contamination while the tattoo is not fully healed is crucial. Sources for contamination can include swimming pools, oceans, rivers, unwashed hands, saunas, hot springs, gyms, pet hair, computer keyboards, and other such places.
When your tattoo starts to become itchy, avoid scratching it to prevent damage to the design. Instead, lightly slap the skin with the palm of your hand. Keeping your skin moist with a petroleum-free and paraben-free lotion will also help.
Following these steps can speed up the healing process and achieve a bright and proper end result. Many clients who followed the aftercare instructions had great healing results without scabbing in as little as three days. In contrast, those who ignored the instructions often had infected tattoos or a lack of color intensity.
Step 5: Caring for Your Tattoo for Long-Term Maintenance
Taking care of your tattoo doesn’t end after the initial aftercare period. Here are some tips to help maintain the longevity of your tattoo:
Shield your tattoo from the sun: Ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun can fade tattoo pigments over time and cause them to blur. So it’s crucial to keep your tattooed skin covered or use sunblock with at least SPF 30 when exposed to sunlight.
Keep your skin moisturized: Using a fragrance-free and non-alcoholic lotion will keep your tattoo looking fresh and prevent it from drying out and cracking. This is particularly important during winter when the skin is prone to dryness.
Wear loose clothing: Tight clothes can rub against your tattoo, causing irritation and potentially affecting the ink. Wearing loose, breathable clothing can minimize this risk and promote better healing.
Be mindful of water exposure: Avoid soaking your tattoo in water for extended periods, particularly in swimming pools, hot tubs, and saunas. When showering, try not to let water directly hit your tattoo.
Avoid harsh chemicals: Keep your tattooed skin away from harsh chemicals and cleaning products that can dry out or damage the tattoo.
Consider using skin oil: Some tattoo enthusiasts like to use skin oil to enhance the vibrancy and contrast of their tattoos for special events.
However, be mindful that using too much oil or too frequently can cause the tattoo to fade prematurely.
By following these tips, you can keep your tattoo looking as bright and clear as possible for years to come.
Conclusion: Plan Ahead to Avoid Regret Later
Preparing for and taking care of your tattoo doesn’t have to be complicated. With a little determination, you can ensure that your tattoo session and aftercare go smoothly. It’s important to follow the steps outlined above to get the best results possible. By doing so, you’ll not only make your tattoo artist happy, but you’ll also ensure that you get the most out of your tattoo session. Remember: it’s always better to prepare and prevent than to repair and repent.
