75+ Trendy First Tattoo Ideas for Your Next Ink Adventure

It can be hard to feel excited for your first tattoo when you're busy worrying about the pain.

First of all, getting a tattoo might not hurt as much as you think. And the best way to manage the discomfort is to get your body (and mind!) ready in advance.

We've put together this guide to help you learn how to prepare for your first tattoo so the process and recovery will be as easy and comfortable as possible.

Make sure you keep reading below for some helpful tips!

Hydrate Your Skin

When thinking about how to prepare your skin for a tattoo, hydration is key. In the weeks leading up to your tattoo session, you should focus your attention on moisturizing your skin. The extra hydration will make your skin healthier and more resilient to the needle, which will speed up your recovery and make the ink application easier for the artist.

Do Your Best to Avoid the Sun

Make sure you cover up before heading outside. If you end up with a sunburn, there's a good chance you'll have to cancel your appointment.

Trying to tattoo over a sunburn isn't just much more painful than normal, it can also make the entire process more difficult for the artist. Sunburns bring extra blood to the surface of your skin, which can dilute the ink.

Always wear sunscreen and an extra layer of clothes leading up to the day of your tattoo to play it safe.

Shave

Depending on where you're getting your tattoo, you may not need to worry about shaving. However, if you have a lot of body hair (especially if it is thick and dark) or want your tattoo in a hairy area, it's a good idea to shave first.

Just be careful not to cut yourself. Your tattoo artist could turn you away over even a small injury.

If you're worried about cuts, you can use wax instead. However, make sure you do this several days in advance so your skin isn't extra sensitive or bumpy when you get your tattoo.

The tattoo artist can also shave the area for you, but this will slow down the process. If you want to get your tattoo as fast as possible, shave in advance.

Go to Bed Early the Night Before Your Tattoo Session

Do yourself a favor and get plenty of sleep the night before your tattoo session. Hopping into the chair while you're tired can make you more fidgety, which can, in turn, make your lines less sharp. It can also put you in a bad mood—something that will make the entire experience much less enjoyable.

Drink Plenty of Water and Eat a Good Meal

Your body needs a lot of energy to get through the tattoo process. Since your muscles will be tensing in response to the pain, you can tire out much faster than you think.

Always eat a good meal and drink plenty of water the night before your tattoo session and the morning of. This can be difficult if you feel nervous, but you will feel better during your tattoo if there's something in your stomach.

If you're getting a large tattoo, you may also want to bring a few snacks and more water to munch on as you get your ink.

The things you want to avoid before your tattoo include:

Alcoholic beverages
Over-the-counter pain medication (such as Asprin)
Coffee
Energy drinks

These thin out your blood, which can make you bleed a lot during the tattoo. If you're already stressed, this will just make your nerves worse, and it will make the job much harder for your tattoo artist.

If you're trying to figure out how to mentally prepare for your first tattoo, alcohol isn't the answer. The artist may also turn you away if you show up to your appointment drunk. Tattooing someone who is under the influence is unethical, so avoid the drinks before your session.

Wear Clothing You Don't Care About

Think about where you're getting your tattoo and wear clothes that won't get in the way (or that you can easily remove). You'll also want your clothes to be comfortable because, depending on the type of tattoo you're getting, you could be sitting in a chair for several hours.

There's also a possibility of getting ink on your clothes, so you should wear something you don't care about getting ruined.

Bring Something to Entertain Yourself

Again, you might be there for a while, so bring something to keep yourself occupied. Make sure your phone is fully charged so you don't run out of battery halfway through the session.

Keep in mind, that not every tattoo artist likes to chat while they work. If they prefer to focus, you might be on your own, so don't rely on having someone to talk to.

How to Prepare for Your First Tattoo

If you need help learning how to prepare for your first tattoo, talk to your tattoo artist. They'll let you know what you need to do before ink day and give you a few tips for the recovery process. If you have any questions or concerns before, during, or after the session, don't be afraid to ask; your artist will be happy to help.

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