What Should I Do Before My Tattoo Appointment? The Essential Saskatoon Guide
“The better you prepare, the better your tattoo will look — and the better you’ll feel.”
Most Tattoo Problems Don’t Come From the Tattoo Itself… but From Poor Preparation
One of the biggest misconceptions in Saskatoon’s tattoo community is that the tattoo artist controls everything.
But here’s the truth:
50% of a tattoo’s comfort, healing, and final appearance depends on what you do before the appointment.
Most first-time clients think preparation simply means “show up on time.”
In reality, the hours — and sometimes days — leading up to your tattoo session can dramatically impact:
- how much it hurts
- how the skin reacts
- how clean the lines turn out
- how well the colour stays
- how long the tattoo lasts
- how the body heals afterwards
So today, Studio Hon is giving you the complete, medically accurate, artist-approved, Saskatoon-specific pre-tattoo checklist.
This is the guide we wish everyone read before getting tattooed — no guesswork, no confusion, just the truth.
1. Why Proper Preparation Matters More Than You Think
Tattooing isn’t just an art; it’s a controlled medical procedure that requires your skin to be in its best condition.
When clients don’t prepare properly, they often experience:
- increased pain
- unnecessary bleeding
- blown-out lines
- patchy shading
- irritated skin
- prolonged healing
- scabbing or fading
On the other hand:
✔ A well-prepared client =
- smoother needle movement
- cleaner results
- faster healing
- less pain
- higher satisfaction
It’s not just about looking good — it’s about feeling good throughout the entire experience.
2. The Day Before Your Appointment — The Most Important Preparation Window
This is the make-or-break stage.
Here’s what you MUST do:
✔ 1. Hydrate deeply (12–24 hours before)
Hydration makes your skin softer, more elastic, and easier to tattoo.
Dehydrated skin =
- more pain
- slower ink absorption
- patchy colouring
- longer healing time
Drink water consistently the day before — not just the morning of.
✔ 2. Avoid alcohol for 24 hours
Alcohol thins your blood, causing:
- excessive bleeding
- ink rejection
- blurry lines
- longer tattoo time
- increased pain
Even one drink can affect the next day’s session.
✔ 3. Avoid caffeine before your session
This includes:
- coffee
- Red Bull
- iced coffee
- cold brew
- energy drinks
Caffeine increases sensitivity and heightens anxiety, leading to:
- more pain
- twitching
- jitteriness
Your body will thank you for skipping the double espresso.
✔ 4. Moisturise the area for several days beforehand
Hydrated skin takes ink beautifully.
Dry skin =
- more irritation
- more redness
- harder to tattoo
- higher risk of scabbing
Use a simple, fragrance-free lotion.
✔ 5. Sleep 7–8 hours the night before
Tired bodies feel 2–3 times more pain.
A good night’s rest stabilises:
- pain tolerance
- adrenaline
- mood
- stress response
Your entire experience feels smoother.
3. What to Eat Before Your Tattoo — Yes, It Makes a Huge Difference
✔ Eat a full, balanced meal 1–2 hours before
Never arrive hungry.
Tattooing burns energy because your body is actively responding to sensation.
If you skip food, you increase your risk of:
- dizziness
- shaking
- nausea
- fainting
- increased pain
The best pre-tattoo foods:
- rice or pasta
- chicken or tofu
- eggs
- fruits
- whole grains
Avoid heavy, greasy foods that make you feel slow.
4. The Morning Of Your Appointment — What To Do and What To Avoid
✔ Shower before coming
Come with fresh, clean skin.
Avoid using:
- heavy perfumes
- oils
- self-tanning lotions
These can interfere with needle and stencil application.
✔ Wear comfortable clothing
Choose pieces that make the tattoo area easy to access.
For example:
- forearm tattoos → loose short sleeves
- thigh tattoos → shorts
- ribs → button-up shirt
- back → zip hoodie or tank top
Comfort = easier session.
✔ Don’t shave the tattoo area yourself
Clients often cut themselves — a fresh cut means your appointment must be rescheduled.
Let your artist shave the area safely.
✔ Bring snacks for long sessions
Long sessions (3–6 hours) drain energy.
Studio Hon recommends:
- granola bars
- juice boxes
- fruit
- simple carbs
Avoid messy foods or anything with crumbs.
5. Mental Preparation — The Part Most Clients Forget
Your emotional state can double or halve your pain.
✔ You’ll feel less pain if:
- you trust your artist
- you’re excited
- you feel safe
- you ask questions
- you know what to expect
❌ You’ll feel more pain if:
- you’re anxious
- you’re overthinking
- you’re rushing to your appointment
- you had a fight with someone
- you didn’t sleep well
Studio Hon is intentionally designed to lower anxiety:
- calm atmosphere
- gentle communication
- trauma-aware approach
- friendly artists
- no pressure
Your mind affects your body — always.
6. What NOT To Do Before Your Tattoo (Very Important)
These rules protect both you and your tattoo.
🚫 Do NOT drink alcohol
As mentioned earlier, alcohol thins blood.
🚫 Do NOT take painkillers like Advil or Aspirin
They also thin blood.
If pain management is needed, Tylenol is safe.
🚫 Do NOT get sunburned
Sunburned skin cannot be tattooed.
Appointments must be rescheduled if the area is:
- red
- peeling
- swollen
🚫 Do NOT come hungover
Your body is already stressed and dehydrated — this makes the tattoo significantly more painful.
🚫 Do NOT tan or use self-tanner
This interferes with stencil placement and ink visibility.
7. Bring These Items With You — Your Tattoo Survival Kit
To have the best experience, Studio Hon recommends bringing:
- water bottle
- snacks
- headphones
- phone charger
- comfortable clothes
- aftercare ointment (if provided beforehand)
- ID (minors will be denied)
These simple items make long sessions more enjoyable.
8. A Tattoo Isn’t a Buy-and-Go Service — It’s a Collaboration
This is the part most people misunderstand.
A tattoo isn’t:
- a product
- a quick purchase
- a transaction
It’s a collaboration between:
- your skin
- your preparation
- your artist’s technique
- your mindset
The better you prepare, the smoother the collaboration goes.
Fine line tattoos heal cleaner.
Colour tattoos stay vibrant.
Realism tattoos look softer.
Placement looks intentional.
Everything improves when you arrive ready.
9. Special Preparation for Fine Line, Realism, and Colour Tattoos
Because Studio Hon specialises in all three, here are the extra rules:
Fine Line Tattoo Clients
Preparation focus:
- hydration
- moisturised skin
- minimal caffeine
- calm breathing
Fine line tattoos depend on clear, even skin texture.
Colour Tattoo Clients
Preparation focus:
- sun protection
- hydration
- healthy skin barrier
Colour needs the dermis to be stable and even for ink layering.
Realism Tattoo Clients
Preparation focus:
- long session snacks
- sleep
- steady blood sugar
- mental readiness
Realism sessions can be long — fatigue affects pain.
10. Saskatoon-Specific Advice
Because Saskatoon is small, many clients walk to the studio in winter.
❄ Winter Tip:
Cold skin becomes tight → increases pain.
Arrive early and warm your hands, arms, or legs before sitting.
🌞 Summer Tip:
Avoid sun exposure for 3–5 days before your tattoo.
Sunburn = automatic reschedule.
🔍 Local Safety Tip:
Always check Google Reviews before booking a shop.
Saskatoon has had real cases of:
- artists touching skin without gloves
- not changing gloves after touching their face
- reusing materials
- poor aftercare instructions
Studio Hon follows strict health standards — and our reviews reflect that.
Preparing Well Makes Your Tattoo Easier, Safer, and More Beautiful
A great tattoo doesn’t begin when the needle hits your skin.
It begins days before.
When you prepare properly, you:
- lower your pain
- improve ink retention
- heal faster
- feel calmer
- enjoy the experience
- get better results
Studio Hon is here to guide you not only during the appointment,
but before it — so you walk in confident, ready, and excited.
📍 Address: 227 2 Ave S, Saskatoon, SK S7K 1K8
📞 Phone: (306) 653-5561
💭 Have more questions about tattoos or need honest advice before your next piece?Click the button below and share your thoughts with us — we’ll respond with clear, accurate answers based on real experience.