Preparing for Your Appointment

Preparing properly for your tattoo appointment helps your session run smoothly and gives your body the best chance to handle the process well.

Each artist at In Katharsis works independently and may provide their own preparation instructions. Please always follow the advice given directly by your artist.

The information below is a general guide to help you feel prepared, comfortable and ready for your tattoo.

Eat Before Your Appointment

Please eat something nourishing within two hours of your appointment.

Arriving on an empty stomach can leave you feeling light-headed, shaky, nauseous or unwell during your session. Even if you feel nervous, it is important to eat before you arrive.

For longer appointments, you are welcome to bring snacks, water, a sugary drink or a packed lunch.

Stay Hydrated

Drink plenty of water in the days leading up to your appointment.

Well-hydrated skin is generally easier to work with, and staying hydrated can help your body cope better with the tattoo process.

Please bring water with you, especially for longer appointments.

Get a Good Night’s Rest

Try to get a proper night’s sleep before your tattoo.

Being tired, run down or emotionally drained can make the experience feel harder on your body. Arriving rested can help you feel calmer and more settled during your session.

Avoid Alcohol and Drugs

Please avoid alcohol and recreational drugs before your appointment.

Alcohol and some substances can affect your body, increase bleeding, change your pain tolerance and make the tattoo process more difficult.

If you arrive under the influence of alcohol or drugs, your appointment will not go ahead and your deposit will be forfeited.

Medication and Medical Conditions

Please do not take blood-thinning medication before your tattoo unless it has been prescribed by your doctor.
If you take blood thinners, antibiotics, acne medication, immune-suppressing medication or anything else that may affect tattooing or healing, please let your artist know before your appointment.

Fish oil has been known to increase bleeding during a tattoo, please stop taking this 2 weeks prior.

Your artist may need more information before confirming whether it is safe to proceed.

Look After Your Skin

Healthy skin is the best canvas for tattooing.

In the days leading up to your appointment, keep your skin clean, hydrated and moisturised.

Avoid sunburn, cuts, scratches, rashes, irritation or damage to the area being tattooed. If the skin is not suitable on the day, your appointment may need to be rescheduled.

No Fake Tan

Please remove fake tan from the area being tattooed at least 48 hours before your appointment.

Fake tan can interfere with skin preparation, stencil, tattooing and healing. Fresh, clean and natural skin is best.

Avoid Heavy Sun Exposure

Please avoid sunburn and heavy sun exposure before your appointment.

Sunburnt, peeling, damaged or irritated skin cannot be tattooed properly and may result in your appointment being rescheduled.

Plan Around Your Lifestyle and Upcoming Events

Fresh tattoos need time to heal properly. Some activities can increase the risk of irritation, infection, fading or damage.

It is best to avoid booking your tattoo immediately before:

• Festivals

• Camping trips

• Swimming competitions

• Beach holidays

• Spa days or sauna use

• Major sporting events

• Heavy gym training

• Outdoor work or extended sun exposure

• Events requiring tight clothing over the tattooed area

Swimming, sweating, friction, dirt, dust, sun exposure and limited access to clean washing facilities can make healing more difficult.

If you have swimming, sport, travel, camping, festivals or heavy physical activity coming up, please book your tattoo after those plans.

Choose a time when you can care for your tattoo properly. It is always better to wait than to risk affecting the healing or final result.

Consider the Time of Year

Some times of year can make healing more difficult, particularly if you are planning holidays, swimming, camping, festivals or outdoor activities.

Summer can be challenging because of heat, sweating, sun exposure and swimming. Winter may be easier for healing, provided clothing does not rub tightly against the tattoo.

Please consider your lifestyle, work, holidays and upcoming plans when choosing your appointment date.

Wear Comfortable Clothing

Wear loose, comfortable clothing that provides easy access to the area being tattooed.

Avoid white, expensive or tight clothing, as ink, stencil or other products may leave marks.

Consider the placement of your tattoo and dress in a way that allows your artist to work comfortably while helping you feel covered and relaxed.

Bring Valid Photo ID

Valid photo ID is required for all tattoo appointments.

If you do not bring ID, your appointment cannot go ahead and a new deposit may be required to rebook.

Please Arrive Clean

Please arrive freshly showered and wearing clean clothing.

Avoid heavy perfumes, strong fragrances and heavily scented products where possible, as the studio is a close working environment.

Numbing Cream

Please speak with your artist before using numbing cream.  We can offer advice on what to use and how.  A test patch prior to your appointment is recommended to avoid allergic reation.

Not all artists recommend it, and some products can affect the skin, stencil, tattooing process or healing.  

If numbing cream is used without discussing it with your artist first, your appointment may not be able to go ahead.

Feeling Unwell

Please do not attend your appointment if you are unwell, contagious, have a fever, infection, cold, flu or stomach bug, or if your body is feeling run down.

Being tattooed while unwell can affect your body, the tattoo process and how you heal.

Please contact your artist as soon as possible if you become unwell before your appointment.

Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

We do not tattoo anyone who is pregnant or breastfeeding.

Your body is already doing a lot during this time, and your immune system and healing response may be affected. It is safest to wait until this stage has passed.

Guests

In Katharsis is a private, appointment-only studio. Appointments are generally one-on-one to keep the space calm, focused and respectful.

Please do not bring guests unless this has been arranged with your artist beforehand.

What You Can Bring

You are welcome to bring anything that helps you feel comfortable, especially for longer appointments.

This may include water, snacks, a sugary drink, lunch, headphones, a phone charger or something that helps you relax.

Please bring enough food and water to support yourself throughout a longer session. Short breaks may be available depending on the appointment and your artist’s process.

Please make sure you can still communicate with your artist when needed and remain still during the tattoo.

Arrive on Time and Prepared

Please arrive on time and ready for your appointment.

If you are running late, contact your artist as soon as possible.

Arriving late, unprepared, unwell, without valid photo ID or without following the preparation instructions may mean your appointment cannot go ahead and your deposit may be forfeited.

Final Note

Preparing well helps create a smoother, calmer and more comfortable tattoo experience.

Thank you for taking the time to care for your body, respect your artist’s process and support the way we work at In Katharsis.