Preparing Your Skin Before a Tattoo: What You Need to Know

Getting a tattoo is a unique moment — the result of reflection, an intimate and often symbolic process. To ensure the best possible experience, preparing your skin is an essential step that’s too often underestimated.

In this article, I explain in detail how to take care of your skin in the days (and weeks) leading up to your session, to help your tattoo heal beautifully and ensure an optimal result.

1. Anticipate: start moisturizing in advance

Your skin is our canvas — the more supple, smooth, and well-hydrated it is, the more precise and comfortable the tattooing process will be.

✦ Start moisturizing your skin daily, 5 to 7 days before your appointment.Use a neutral, fragrance-free, and alcohol-free cream to avoid any reactions or unnecessary sensitivity.

✴︎ My tip: Apply your cream after the shower while your skin is still slightly damp — it helps with absorption. You can also use a natural plant-based oil (jojoba, sweet almond, hemp), if your skin tolerates it well.

Avoid: overly rich products, petroleum-based creams (like Vaseline), or anything that may clog pores or affect the skin’s texture.

2. Protect your skin from the sun (and sunburns)

Tattooing skin that has recently been exposed to the sun is risky:

• Tanned or sunburned skin tends to be drier, thinner, and more sensitive.

• Linework may not heal as cleanly.

• There’s a higher risk of irritation or infection.

• And above all: this may result in your appointment being postponed if your skin isn’t in a good condition to be tattooed.

  
  

✦ Avoid sun exposure for at least a week before your appointment. Cover the area with clothing, or use SPF 50+ sunscreen — and remember to cleanse the skin well on the day of your session.

✴︎ A healthy, untouched skin makes for a cleaner, more stable, and more comfortable tattoo.

3. Don’t shave the area yourself (unless instructed)

You might feel tempted to shave the tattoo area to “prepare,” but be careful —a slip of the razor can cause micro-cuts, irritation, or ingrown hairs, which can interfere with the tattoo process.

✦ As a general rule, I take care of shaving the area myself, on the day of your session, using clean, single-use sterile razors and a gentle technique.

If for some reason you need to shave beforehand (e.g., large area, dense hair), please let me know in advance — and do it no more than 48 hours before, so your skin has time to calm down.

4. Eat and rest well: the basics of a ready body

Tattooing puts the body to work — it requires energy, calm, and a bit of endurance.Coming in tired or on an empty stomach increases the risk of:

• Feeling faint or dizzy

• Physical discomfort

• Excess bleeding

• Or simply having a less enjoyable experience

  
  

✦ The night before: eat a balanced meal, stay hydrated, and try to get good rest.✦ On the day: have a solid breakfast (or lunch, depending on your session time), and bring a snack if your session will last longer than 2 hours (granola bars, dried fruits, water…).

✴︎ A well-fed, rested body is your best ally.

5. Avoid alcohol, strong coffee, and blood-thinning meds

These substances can thin your blood, which makes the tattooing process trickier:

• The ink may not stay in well

• Bleeding may slow progress

• The lines might not heal as cleanly

• Healing can be more complicated

  
  

✦ Avoid alcohol for at least 48 hours before your session.✦ Limit strong coffee or energy drinks on the day of the appointment.✦ Don’t take blood-thinning medication (aspirin, ibuprofen, anti-inflammatories) unless advised by your doctor.

✴︎ If you’re on a specific treatment, feel free to contact me in advance — we’ll figure out the best approach together.

6. Arrive in the right mindset (and the right clothes)

Skin preparation also means emotional readiness.Getting tattooed is a moment of trust, calm, and connection — sometimes even emotion.

✦ Come relaxed, wearing comfortable clothes that allow easy access to the tattoo area (a tank top for the shoulder, loose shorts for the thigh, etc.)

Bring anything that helps you feel at ease:🎧 Headphones if you like music or want to zone out📖 A book if you like to stay occupied🥤 Water and a snack to care for yourself during breaks

✴︎ At Mary Ink Tattoo, the space is designed to welcome you gently, and to make this moment a creative, attentive, and caring experience.

7. Contraindications: when to avoid or postpone a tattoo

It’s important to know that certain medical conditions, treatments or situations may make it unsafe (or temporarily unsuitable) to get tattooed. This is all about protecting your health and ensuring proper healing.

Here are a few cases where you should let me know in advance:

• Pregnancy or breastfeeding: As a precaution, I don’t tattoo during pregnancy or the early stages of breastfeeding — your body is more sensitive and in flux.

• Bleeding disorders, anticoagulant treatment, hemophilia: always requires medical clearance.

• Diabetes, especially if poorly managed: healing may be slower or more complex.

• Autoimmune conditions (psoriasis, lupus, etc.): some areas may be more sensitive; a doctor’s opinion is often advised.

• Ongoing infections or fever: wait until fully recovered before booking.

• Strong dermatological treatments (like isotretinoin): your skin may be too fragile. You’ll need to wait several months after the end of treatment.

• Known skin allergies or ink/product sensitivities: please let me know so we can adapt the process.

✴︎ If you have any doubts or questions, I’m here to talk in full confidence — my role is to support you and make sure we plan your tattoo in a safe and comfortable way.

In summary

Here’s a small prep checklist:

✔ I moisturize daily starting 7 days before my session

✔ I avoid sun, shaving, and pools before the appointment

✔ I eat well, sleep well, stay hydrated

✔ I avoid caffeine, alcohol, and blood thinners

✔ I come relaxed, in comfy clothes, and ready to care for myself

A tattoo is a dialogue between your skin and my line.By caring for yourself beforehand, you offer this gesture the fluidity and beauty it deserves. Thank you for your trust.

See you soon in the studio,

Mary