Why no caffeine before a tattoo?

Author: Jordyn Eichmann  |  Last update: Tuesday, August 5, 2025

Skip the caffeinated drinks and alcohol. So if you're serious about your ink, grin and bear it. Caffeine and alcohol also both thin the blood, which makes it harder to tattoo.

Is it bad to drink caffeine before a tattoo?

The reason why you're not supposed to have caffeine before any sort of tattoo appointment is because it's a natural blood thinner. Caffeine increases your blood pressure (which is one of the reasons why it makes you feel more awake) so you may bleed more or have issues with clotting during a tattoo appointment.

What not to do 24 hours before a tattoo?

Avoid Alcohol and Blood Thinners: Refrain from alcohol, aspirin, and other blood-thinning medications for at least 24 hours before your appointment. This can minimize bleeding during the tattooing process. Eat a Good Meal: Have a solid meal before your appointment to keep your blood sugar stable.

Why no caffeine before a cosmetic tattoo?

The reason why you're not supposed to have caffeine before any sort of tattoo appointment is because it's a natural blood thinner. Caffeine increases your blood pressure (which is one of the reasons why it makes you feel more awake) so you may bleed more or have issues with clotting during a tattoo appointment.

Can I drink caffeine while my tattoo is healing?

Caffeine is fine before during and after a tattoo. It's alcohol you want to avoid the night before a tattoo as it can thin the blood.

Should You Drink Coffee Before Getting A Tattoo?

Does caffeine interfere with healing?

Caffeine has a demonstrated effect on wound healing in an ex vivo model of human skin. Ojeh et al found that topical caffeine impeded epithelialization of damaged tissue, slowed keratinocyte proliferation, and slowed keratinocyte migration to the injury site.

What drinks should you avoid before getting a tattoo?

Skip the caffeinated drinks and alcohol.

While you may think alcohol will numb the pain, it's actually illegal to tattoo someone under the influence in most states. So if you're serious about your ink, grin and bear it. Caffeine and alcohol also both thin the blood, which makes it harder to tattoo.

What drugs not to do before a tattoo?

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).

Is caffeine a blood thinner?

Caffeine might slow blood clotting. Taking caffeine along with medications that also slow blood clotting might increase the risk of bruising and bleeding.

How long does caffeine stay in your system?

You notice the effects of caffeine within 15 minutes. The levels in your bloodstream peak an hour later and remain there for several hours. About 6 hours after you consume caffeine, half of it is still in your body. Caffeine may not completely clear your bloodstream until after 10 hours.

How much should I tip a tattoo artist?

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.

What not to say to a tattoo artist?

Here's some of the things you may want to avoid saying or asking:
  • “Can you go any faster?” – If you want a crappy tattoo, maybe.
  • “If I don't like it, can I get a refund?” – No, sorry. ...
  • “I've only had a few drinks before I came in.” – Well, I guess you're not getting your tattoo then.

Can I shower the morning of a tattoo?

Do ✅ Shower before the session. Showering will help you get rid of the dead skin and can make the tattoo session easier. A cleaned skin can help you avoid skin infections and embarrassment! Don't ❌ Sunbathe or come to the session with sunburned skin.

What should you not do before a tattoo?

What You Should Not Do Before A Tattoo Session. No tanning, fake tanning, chemical peels, sunburns, major cuts or scrapes, in the area to be tattooed within a month prior to your session. We cannot work on freshly damaged skin, as it will not heal properly.

How long can you have decaf coffee before a tattoo?

Avoid Alcohol and Caffeine:

Refrain from consuming alcohol or caffeine at least 48 hours before your tattoo session. These substances can thin your blood, leading to increased bleeding during the tattooing process. Thicker blood helps minimize bleeding and promotes better ink retention.

How to make tattoos hurt less?

Just remember to use numbing cream before starting your session; take breaks throughout; choose smaller tattoos over large ones; avoid sensitive areas; and use ice both during and after your session! With these tips in mind, you'll be on your way towards getting the perfect traditional tattoo in no time—painlessly!

Can you drink coffee before a tattoo?

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.

How to flush out caffeine?

How to get caffeine out of your system
  1. Drink water. One of the most important things you can do is stay hydrated by drinking water throughout the day. ...
  2. Get moving. If you're sitting at your work desk while you're feeling jittery, shaky and anxious, try to move around. ...
  3. Try deep breathing. ...
  4. Slowly cut back.

Is 200 mg of caffeine a lot?

Further, the EFSA indicates that, for most people, up to 200 mg of caffeine at once doesn't raise health concerns, even “when consumed less than two hours prior to intense physical exercise”. However, they caution that 100 mg of caffeine taken close to bedtime may affect sleep quality.

When shouldn't you get a tattoo?

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.

What should you avoid getting a tattoo?

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.

What's the best pain relief for a tattoo?

Over-the-counter pain relievers, such as acetaminophen and ibuprofen, may help ease the pain following a tattooing procedure. However, it is unclear if acetaminophen can effectively prevent pain from tattooing procedures. Instead, some tattoo artists recommend topical skin-numbing products.

How much to tip a tattoo artist?

How Much to Tip a Tattoo Artist. The most common way to tip a tattoo artist is to tip a percentage of the total cost of the tattoo. Many people tip about 20% of the overall price to show some extra love to their tattoo artist, especially if they invested a considerable amount of time and effort into your tattoo work.

How to not faint during a tattoo?

Hold still! If you find yourself needing to cough, re-adjust your position, stretch your leg, wiggle, answer the phone, laugh, or flinch; you have to give the artist warning first. You should also not assume that because you don't hear the machine running, they don't still need you to be motionless.

Can you drink caffeine after getting a tattoo?

When getting a tattoo alcohol and caffeine should be avoided for 24 hours prior to the tattoo session and 3 days after the tattoo session. Both alcohol and caffeine thin the blood. They both can increase bleeding which can causes the ink not to stay as well resulting in a blotchy tattoo.

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