Can I have a couple of drinks the night before my tattoo appointment?

No. You should avoid alcohol for at least 24 hours prior to your session. Alcohol thins the blood, causing increased bleeding during the tattoo, which dilutes the ink, makes it harder for the artist to see stencils, and impairs the healing response.

What should I eat before heading to the tattoo studio?

Eat a hearty, balanced meal rich in complex carbs and protein 1 to 2 hours beforehand (e.g., oats, eggs, rice, or pasta). Getting tattooed burns substantial energy, and maintaining steady blood glucose prevents dizziness and adrenaline drops.

Should I shave the area myself before coming in?

It is generally better to let your artist shave the area immediately before the session. Shaving at home can cause razor burn, micro-cuts, or ingrown hairs, which can harbor bacteria and prevent the artist from working on the compromised skin.

What should I bring along to an all-day tattoo session?

Bring a large water bottle, sugary snacks (fruit, candy, or energy bars) to manage blood sugar dips, headphones, a fully charged phone with a power bank, and comfortable clothing that won't rub tightly against the fresh tattoo.

How to Prepare for a Tattoo Session | Adora Ink

Good tattoo appointment preparation makes the session safer, steadier and more comfortable. The final 24 hours are not the moment for extreme routines: arrive rested, fed, hydrated and with healthy, unaltered skin. At Adora Ink in Fuenlabrada, Madrid, these simple choices help us focus on accurate…

The day before: sleep and hydrate normally

A full night's sleep improves patience, posture and pain tolerance. Keep your normal hydration through the day instead of drinking several litres at once. Skin does not become magically better from a last-minute “detox,” and excessive water can make you uncomfortable. Use ordinary fragrance-free moisturiser in the preceding days if your skin tolerates it, but do not arrive coated in lotion.

Avoid deliberate tanning, sunburn, exfoliating acids, retinoids and aggressive scrubs on the area. We cannot tattoo damaged, irritated or peeling skin. If you develop a rash, wound, fever or other illness, contact the studio before travelling rather than concealing it. Our hygiene and safety guide explains why intact skin and transparent communication matter.

No alcohol the night before

Do not drink alcohol during the 24 hours before your appointment. It can contribute to dehydration, impair judgement and increase bleeding, which may interfere with visibility and pigment placement. Arriving intoxicated means the session cannot proceed. Recreational drugs are equally incompatible with informed consent and a controlled appointment.

Do not stop prescribed medication—including anticoagulants—on advice from a tattoo article or artist. Ask the prescribing clinician if you have concerns, then tell the studio relevant information. Avoid taking aspirin solely for anticipated tattoo discomfort. Numbing cream must also be discussed beforehand; see our pain and placement guide.

The best pre-session routine is intentionally ordinary: sleep well, eat properly, protect the skin and arrive sober.

What to eat before a tattoo

Eat a familiar balanced meal one to three hours before the appointment. Combine slow-release carbohydrates, protein and some healthy fat: for example, oats and yoghurt, eggs with toast, rice with chicken or tofu, or a sandwich with fruit. The goal is stable energy, not feeling overfull. If you have dietary or medical needs, follow your clinician's advice.

For an all-day session, bring water and compact snacks that are easy to eat during agreed breaks: fruit, nuts if suitable, a simple sandwich or an energy bar you already know. Avoid messy food around the work area. Moderate your usual caffeine rather than doubling it through nerves; excess caffeine can make sitting still harder.

Let the artist shave the placement

Do not shave the area at home. Razors can leave invisible cuts, follicle irritation or razor burn that forces postponement. The artist will clip or shave the exact placement with appropriate single-use supplies during skin preparation. Do shower, wear clean clothes and avoid perfume directly around the intended site.

Choose clothing that exposes the area without stretching across it and can tolerate an accidental ink mark. Shorts work for thighs, a loose button-up can help with shoulders or ribs, and layers keep you comfortable. Consider the return journey: fresh work should not be compressed by tight waistbands, rough seams or footwear.

What to bring for a long appointment

Valid identification and any studio-requested consent information.
Water, familiar snacks and a lunch suitable for scheduled breaks.
Headphones, a charged phone or a quiet offline activity.
A warm layer and practical clothing for access to the placement.
Your agreed references, while remembering the artist will create an original design.

Bring one support person only if the studio has approved it; limited space and hygiene rules may prevent guests. Plan transport and avoid booking a gym session, swimming or a late social event afterward. Review the aftercare guide and summer restrictions before the appointment, not while leaving.

Preparing for different tattoo styles

Your schedule may vary for a precise fine line tattoo session, long black and gray tattoo appointment, multi-hour realism tattoo, layered neo-traditional color tattoo, solid blackwork tattoo session, watercolor tattoo with soft transitions, bold old-school flash tattoo, saturated new-school tattoo, large Japanese tattoo project, detailed Chicano black and gray tattoo, anatomical tribal tattoo or a full-color tattoo session. Every style still benefits from food, rest and healthy skin.

Confirm the plan

Check the appointment time, address and payment arrangements in advance. Tell us promptly about allergies, health changes or uncertainty around the design. You can explore the style guide, fine line comparison, convention advice and REACH ink guide. Browse the portfolio, learn about the studio, or book a session with Adora Ink.