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What to avoid before getting a tattoo

by Bongiwe Mati
Picture: Pexels/

Getting a tattoo is an exciting exercise for most tattoo lovers. While those who regularly get tattooed may know the do’s and don’ts to be adhered to before and after getting a tattoo, many are not aware of what they have to avoid before going in.

It is important before you get a tattoo to make sure you know what’s involved and how to reduce the possible risks. Following is a list of things one should avoid before a going to a tattoo shop for some body art supplied by savedtattoo.com.

Alcohol drinking – tattoo artists are not legally allowed to tattoo or provide services to customers that appear drunk or intoxicated. In a case where the person getting a tattoo does not visibly look intoxicated even though they are, they may find themselves in trouble as the alcohol in their system thins blood, may affects and impair their  judgement and may also lead to behavioural changes.

Blood Thinning Pills – some pills like pain killers or ibuprofen can act as blood-thinning agents. It is advisable to stay away from such pills at least 24 to 48 hours before getting a tattoo. If you do take such a pill before getting a tattoo, you can expect excessive bleeding during the tattooing process. Moreover, you can expect the tattoo artist to mess up the tattoo due to lack of visibility caused by the bleeding. Not to mention that the tattoo will take longer to heal since the blood is thinned out and therefore harder to clot.

Caffein – It is strongly advised to avoid consuming caffeine before getting a tattoo. Even though caffeine may provide you with a necessary boost to sit through a tattooing session, it will also cause some issues. The effects of caffeine are temporary, but while it is in the body, it does cause some long-term effects as well, like blood thinning and drying of the skin. Consuming caffeine can also increase your blood sugar levels and inhibit tattoo healing during the first few days when the tattoo should stop bleeding and start drying out.

Wearing tight clothes – It is important to make sure you wear loose and comfortable clothes both before and after a tattoo. When you wear comfortable clothes during the tattoo process, you will be able to sit or lay down properly. You won’t cut off the blood flow as if you were sitting in the clothes. You will also be able to breathe properly and help your skin breathe as well. It is also better if the clothes worn exposes the part where the tattoo will be placed.

Also see: What do you think about tattoos?

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