Getting your first tattoo is exciting—and maybe a little nerve-wracking. This checklist covers everything you need to know for a smooth experience and beautiful healing.

Before Your Appointment

1-2 Weeks Before

✅ Research your artist

  • Look at their portfolio (especially tattoos in the style you want)
  • Read reviews from real clients
  • Verify they work in a licensed, professional shop
  • Check their Instagram for recent work

✅ Finalize your design

  • Provide reference images if you have them
  • Communicate clearly about size, placement, and style
  • Trust your artist’s input—they know what works
  • Get a price estimate and book your appointment

✅ Plan your clothing

  • Wear something that gives easy access to the tattoo area
  • Choose clothes you don’t mind getting ink on
  • Bring a hoodie or jacket (some people get cold during sessions)

24-48 Hours Before

✅ Take care of your body

  • Get a good night’s sleep (you’ll sit better if you’re rested)
  • Stay hydrated (drink plenty of water)
  • Eat a full meal before your appointment
  • Avoid alcohol (thins your blood, causes excessive bleeding)
  • Avoid aspirin or ibuprofen (also thin blood)

✅ Prepare your skin

  • Moisturize the area regularly
  • Shave the area if needed (or let your artist do it)
  • Avoid sunburn or tanning
  • Don’t apply lotions or oils the day of your appointment

✅ Gather your supplies

  • Valid photo ID
  • Payment (cash often gets discounts)
  • Snacks (especially for long sessions)
  • Water bottle
  • Headphones/music if desired

Day of Your Appointment

Before You Arrive

✅ Eat a substantial meal 1-2 hours before ✅ Shower and wear deodorant (your artist will thank you) ✅ Don’t apply lotion to the tattoo area ✅ Arrive 10-15 minutes early (never late) ✅ Use the bathroom before your session starts

During Your Session

✅ Speak up if you need breaks ✅ Breathe steadily (holding your breath makes pain worse) ✅ Stay still (moving can cause mistakes) ✅ Eat snacks if your blood sugar drops ✅ Ask questions if you have them ✅ Tip your artist (15-20% is standard for good work)

Before You Leave

✅ Listen carefully to aftercare instructions ✅ Ask questions about anything you don’t understand ✅ Take photos of written instructions if provided ✅ Get your artist’s contact info for questions during healing ✅ Purchase or pick up aftercare products if they sell them ✅ Schedule touch-up appointment if needed

First 24 Hours After

✅ Keep bandage on for 2-4 hours (or as your artist instructs)

✅ Remove bandage carefully

  • Wash your hands first
  • Remove gently (if it sticks, wet it first)
  • Don’t panic at the appearance (redness and oozing are normal)

✅ First cleaning:

  • Wash your hands thoroughly
  • Use lukewarm water and mild, fragrance-free soap
  • Gently clean with your fingers (no washcloths)
  • Pat dry with clean paper towel
  • Let air dry for 5-10 minutes
  • Apply a thin layer of aftercare (rice grain-sized amount)

✅ That night:

  • Sleep on a clean towel or old sheet (in case of oozing)
  • Try not to sleep directly on the tattoo
  • Don’t re-bandage (let it breathe)

Days 2-14: Active Healing

✅ Clean 2-3 times daily

  • Morning, midday, evening
  • Wash hands first, every time
  • Gentle cleaning with mild soap
  • Pat dry, apply thin aftercare layer

✅ DO NOT: ❌ Pick at peeling skin or scabs ❌ Scratch (pat or slap gently if it itches) ❌ Swim or soak (pools, hot tubs, baths) ❌ Expose to direct sunlight ❌ Apply sunscreen (not until fully healed) ❌ Wear tight or dirty clothing over tattoo ❌ Exercise excessively (light activity is okay)

✅ EXPECT:

  • Redness and slight swelling (days 1-3)
  • Oozing of clear fluid, ink, some blood (days 1-2)
  • Itching (days 4-10) - this is NORMAL
  • Peeling like a sunburn (days 5-14)
  • Tattoo looking dull or cloudy (temporary)

✅ Contact your artist if:

  • Excessive redness spreading beyond tattoo
  • Hot to touch or fever
  • Thick, colored, or foul-smelling discharge
  • Severe pain that worsens instead of improving
  • Rash or hives
  • You’re just not sure if something is normal

Weeks 2-4: Late Healing

✅ Reduce cleaning to 1-2x daily (or as needed) ✅ Keep moisturizing if skin feels dry ✅ Don’t pick at any lingering scabs ✅ Still avoid swimming and direct sun ✅ Can return to normal exercise (gently)

After It’s Healed

✅ Sun protection is critical

  • Always use SPF 30+ on tattoos in sun
  • UV damage is the #1 cause of tattoo fading
  • This is lifelong, not just during healing

✅ Moisturize regularly

  • Keeps skin healthy and tattoo vibrant
  • Any good quality lotion works

✅ Schedule touch-ups if needed

  • Minor touch-ups are common and normal
  • Wait 6-8 weeks minimum before touch-up
  • Many artists offer free touch-ups on their work

Shopping List: What You Need

Essential:

  • Mild, fragrance-free soap (Dove Sensitive, Cetaphil, or similar)
  • Quality aftercare balm or ointment (Tattoo Luv or artist recommendation)
  • Clean paper towels (for drying)
  • Old sheets or towels (for sleeping on first few nights)

Optional But Helpful:

  • Snacks and water for your appointment
  • Entertainment (music, podcast) for long sessions
  • Second skin/bandage if your artist uses it
  • Loose, dark clothing (for first few days)

Red Flags: When to Seek Help

Contact Your Artist:

  • Questions about what’s normal
  • Concerns about healing appearance
  • Touch-up scheduling

Contact a Doctor:

  • Signs of infection (fever, hot to touch, thick discharge, spreading redness)
  • Severe allergic reaction (hives, difficulty breathing)
  • Severe pain that worsens significantly

Final Thoughts

Your first tattoo will:

  • Hurt somewhat (everyone’s tolerance differs)
  • Take 2-3 weeks to heal on the surface
  • Take 2-3 months to fully heal internally
  • Require commitment to aftercare for best results
  • Be worth it when you see the healed result

Remember:

  • Follow YOUR artist’s instructions first
  • Ask questions—no question is stupid
  • Be patient with healing—it takes time
  • Don’t compare your healing to others’—everyone’s different
  • Most tattoos heal beautifully with basic care

You’ve got this.

Need quality aftercare for your first tattoo?

Tattoo Luv is gentle, natural, and developed with professional artists specifically for tattoo healing. Many of our Sponsored Artists stock it in their shops. Learn more or find an artist near you.

Made by Momma Bears Creations in Enola, PA. Supporting first-timers and collectors alike since 2023.