How to Prepare for a Tattoo: Everything You Should Do Before Your Appointment
Yes, you should shower before getting a tattoo. Arriving clean isn't just about being polite, it helps create a more comfortable experience for both you and your tattoo artist. At Mania Tattoo Blackpool, we want every client to enjoy their tattoo experience, and something as simple as good personal hygiene can make a big difference during a session that may last several hours.
That's why we ask every client to arrive freshly showered, wearing clean clothes and ready for their appointment. It's a small thing that helps us maintain a clean, welcoming and professional studio for everyone.
Why Should You Shower Before a Tattoo?
Tattoos are an up-close and personal experience. Our artists spend hours working on detailed designs, often in very close contact with their clients. Having good hygiene before your appointment isn’t just a courtesy - it makes the process more comfortable for everyone involved.
Respect for Your Artist & Other Clients
If your artist has to work through strong body odours, it makes their job much harder. Other customers in the studio also appreciate a fresh-smelling environment.
Hygiene & Healing
Freshly washed skin helps remove sweat, dirt and surface bacteria, making it easier to prepare the area for tattooing. While your artist will thoroughly clean and disinfect the skin before starting, arriving clean helps create the best possible conditions for your tattoo.
Comfort for Everyone
A tattoo session can last hours, and being in close proximity to someone with poor hygiene can be uncomfortable - not just for the artist, but for anyone else in the studio.
A Quick Word About Respect
We completely understand that sometimes life gets busy, and not everyone realises how important hygiene is for a tattoo appointment. But we do ask that you respect your artist, fellow clients, and the studio environment by arriving fresh, clean, and ready for your session.
We'd much rather spend our time creating a great tattoo than having an awkward conversation about personal hygiene. Please arrive clean, fresh and ready for your appointment so everyone can enjoy the experience. In the rare event that someone arrives with poor hygiene, we may need to reschedule the appointment.
How to Prepare in the Days Before Your Tattoo
To make sure your tattoo experience is as smooth and pleasant as possible, we ask all clients to follow these simple hygiene guidelines before their appointment:
- Stay well hydrated – Drinking plenty of water in the days leading up to your appointment helps keep your skin in good condition. Well-hydrated skin is generally more supple and resilient, which supports normal skin function. We've found that well-hydrated skin is often easier to work with than skin that's dry and dehydrated, especially during longer tattoo sessions. You don't need to force yourself to drink litres of water before your appointment. Just make sure you're properly hydrated in the days leading up to it.
- Lightly exfoliate – Gently exfoliating 2–3 days before your appointment can make a real difference. Thick, flaky skin can make tattooing more difficult, so removing loose dead skin beforehand gives your artist a cleaner surface to work with. Avoid harsh scrubs or over-exfoliating, as irritated skin isn't ideal for tattooing.
- Moisturise – Keeping your skin well moisturised in the days and weeks leading up to your appointment helps keep it in good condition. A simple moisturiser such as Palmer's Cocoa Butter works well. We've found that healthy, well-moisturised skin is generally easier to tattoo than skin that's dry or neglected. However, don't apply moisturiser, oils or fake tan to the area on the day of your tattoo unless your artist has advised you to do so. Clean, healthy, non-greasy skin is ideal for tattooing.
- Avoid alcohol the night before – Turning up to your appointment hungover isn't a good idea. Alcohol can leave you dehydrated, make it harder to sit comfortably for long periods and may increase bleeding during the tattoo, which can make it more difficult for your artist to work and may affect the finished result.
- Get a good night's sleep – A tattoo can be physically and mentally tiring, especially if you're booked in for several hours. Arriving well rested will help you stay comfortable throughout the session and make the experience more enjoyable.
How to Prepare on the Day of Your Tattoo
- Eat before your appointment – Arriving on an empty stomach isn't a good idea, especially if you're having a longer tattoo session. Eating beforehand helps maintain your energy levels and reduces the chance of feeling faint during your appointment. If you're expecting to be with us for several hours, bringing a drink and a snack is also a good idea.
- Have a shower or bath – On the day of your appointment, make sure you wash your body thoroughly. Pay particular attention to the area being tattooed, especially if it's normally covered by clothing.
- Wear clean, comfortable clothing – Choose clean clothes that make it easy for your artist to access the area being tattooed. Dark clothing is often a good idea, as there's always a small chance of ink or stencil solution getting onto your clothes.
- Skip the perfumes – While we love good hygiene, please avoid wearing perfumes or aftershaves, as some of our artists and clients may be sensitive to strong scents.
- Fresh breath matters too – If your tattoo requires you to sit close to your artist’s face, for example chest, neck, or arm tattoos, consider brushing your teeth or using a mint before your appointment.
Should I Shave Before a Tattoo?
In most cases, no. If the area needs shaving, your tattoo artist will do it using the correct equipment immediately before your tattoo. We recommend avoiding shaving the area yourself, as it's easy to cause small cuts or skin irritation, which may affect your appointment.
Thank You for Your Cooperation!
A little preparation goes a long way towards making your tattoo experience as comfortable and enjoyable as possible. We look forward to welcoming you to Mania Tattoo Blackpool.
Once your tattoo is finished, proper aftercare is just as important as arriving prepared. Read our Tattoo Aftercare: Everything You Need to Know guide to help your tattoo heal as well as possible.
