ONE WEEK PRIOR TO PROCEDURE: Avoid the following medications and foods, as their consumption causes an increased likelihood of bleeding problems: Steroids, anti-inflammatories, aspirin, ibuprofen, or any medicines containing aspirin or ibuprofen (i.e. Motrin, Advil, Aleve, Excedrin, Midol).
If you want to take an acetaminophen like suggested, take specifically tylenol. Ibuprofen, advil, and midol all contain mild blood thinners and the last thing you want when getting a tattoo is to bleed more.
Dr. Avaliani recommends taking three or four Ibuprofen tablets an hour before your appointment so that your pain tolerance is higher by the time you feel the needle (which, by the way, looks more like the tip of a pen than a needle, in case that word scares you like it scared me).
Most importantly, being on your period won't directly affect your tattoo. You'll still get a beautiful work of art on your skin. It might just be a little more uncomfortable to get there.
"While pain tolerance can vary during menstruation—and overall—informing your tattoo artist allows for adjustments to ensure your comfort during the process," Smith says.
Keep the tattooed area out of the sun until it heals. Don't go swimming. Stay out of pools, hot tubs, rivers, lakes and other bodies of water while the tattoo is healing. Choose clothing carefully.
Examples include: Accutane, tetracycline medications (minocycline, doxycycline, etc.) Acne medication makes your skin extra sensitive. Skin sensitivities while receiving a tattoo can lead the tattoo process to feel more pain during the tattoo than normal.
If you have a medical problem such as heart disease, allergies, diabetes, skin problems like eczema or psoriasis, a weak immune system, or a bleeding problem, talk to your doctor before getting a tattoo. Also, if you get keloids (an overgrowth of scar tissue) you probably should not get a tattoo.
As with tipping waitstaff, 20-25% percent is a good standard. An easy way to include tipping in your budget is to add it in when getting the estimated costs for having your work done. So, if your tattoo is expected to cost $200, with a 20-percent tip, that's $240.
DO CONSIDER PAIN MANAGEMENT: It is okay to take Tylenol or Advil for pain. Those are the only acceptable pills. Please do not self medicate or you will lose your appointment time and deposit. DO PACK FOOD & DRINK: An all day tattoo session really depletes your body.
Acetaminophen does not have blood-thinning effects. Most NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs), such as aspirin, will affect blood clotting (coagulation), an effect commonly called "thinning the blood," but acetaminophen does not cause this side effect.
Pain Level: 6
And, of course, there are no bones to worry about, which also makes the stomach a less painful place to get a tattoo. People with tighter skin in the stomach area tend to experience less sensitivity while being tattooed here.
Certain medications, such as blood thinners (anticoagulants), would hinder the chances for being tattooed. Artists will not tattoo those taking blood thinners because it can cause excessive bleeding, which is not good while tattooed as mentioned above.
Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs), a group of chemicals which are known carcinogens, was found in a fifth of the samples tested and in 83% of the black inks tested by NICNAS. Other hazardous components included barium, copper, mercury, amines and various colourants.
Infection can occur after tattoos and even the most well-done and safe of plastic surgery procedures. If there is any chance one procedure will affect the other, your cosmetic surgeon will guide you to the best (and safest) direction.
With that said, don't take painkillers before getting a tattoo either. Painkillers like Advil and Ibuprofen also thin the blood, which will lead to similar issues that alcohol has.
1. Avoid the following medications and foods, as their consumption causes an increased likelihood of bleeding problems: Steroids, anti-inflammatories, aspirin, ibuprofen, or any medicines containing aspirin or ibuprofen (i.e. Motrin, Advil, Aleve, Excedrin, Midol).
Avoid alcohol and coffee
In addition to this alcohol also has a blood-thinning effect that may cause you to bleed more easily. Bleeding will reduce the quality of your tattoo. Coffee, and energy drinks containing caffeine, have similar effect, and should therefore also be avoided before having a tattoo done.
Excessive Sun Exposure. Excessive sun exposure can quickly ruin a new tattoo. Especially during the first 40 days, stay out of the sun as much as possible. If you have to go outside, then make sure to cover up your fresh tattoo with clothing.
It's generally recommended to wait at least 24 hours before jumping into the shower. This initial waiting period gives your skin time to begin healing. When you do shower, try to minimize direct contact with the tattooed area and limit its exposure to water.