Preparation

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

At In Katharsis, each artist works independently and may give you their own specific instructions before your appointment. Please always follow the advice given by your chosen artist first.

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

Eat Before Your Appointment

Please make sure you eat within two hours before your tattoo appointment.

Arriving on an empty stomach can make you feel light-headed, shaky, nauseous or unwell during the session.

Even if you feel nervous, try to have something nourishing before you arrive.

For longer sessions, 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 can help your body cope better during the tattoo process.

Please bring water with you, especially for longer appointments.

Get a Good Night’s Rest

Try to get a proper sleep the night before your tattoo.

Being tired, run down or emotionally drained can make the experience feel harder on your body.

Arriving rested helps 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, impact your pain tolerance and make the tattoo process harder.

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

Avoid Blood-Thinning Medication Unless Prescribed

Please do not take blood-thinning medication before your tattoo unless it has been prescribed by your doctor.

If you are on blood thinners, antibiotics, acne medication, immune-suppressing medication or anything that may affect healing, please let your artist know before your appointment.

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

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.

Please avoid sunburn, cuts, scratches, rashes, irritation or damage to the area being tattooed.

If the skin is not suitable to tattoo 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 placement, tattooing and healing.

Fresh, clean, natural skin is best.

Avoid Heavy Sun Exposure

Please avoid sunburn or heavy sun exposure before your tattoo.

Sunburnt or damaged skin cannot be tattooed properly and may affect your appointment.

If the area is sunburnt, peeling or irritated, your artist may need to reschedule your booking.

Plan Around Your Lifestyle and Upcoming Events

Please think about what you have coming up before booking your tattoo.

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

It is best to avoid booking your tattoo right before:

Festivals
Camping trips
Swimming competitions
Beach holidays
Spa days or sauna use
Major sporting events
Heavy gym training
Outdoor work or long sun exposure
Events where you will be wearing tight clothing over the tattooed area

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

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

Please plan ahead and book your tattoo for a time when you can care for it properly.

It is always better to wait than to risk affecting the healing or final result of your tattoo.

Consider the Time of Year

Some times of year may be harder for healing, especially if you are planning holidays, swimming, camping, festivals or lots of outdoor activities.

Summer can be tricky because of heat, sweating, sun exposure and swimming.

Winter can sometimes be easier for healing, as long as clothing does not rub tightly against the tattoo.

Please keep your lifestyle, work, holidays and upcoming plans in mind when choosing your appointment date.

Wear Comfortable Clothing

Wear clothing that gives easy access to the area being tattooed.

Loose, comfortable clothing is best.

Please avoid white, expensive or tight clothing, as ink, stencil or other products may mark your clothes.

Think about the placement of your tattoo and dress in a way that allows your artist to work comfortably while still 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 or heavily scented products where possible, as the studio is a close working environment.

Numbing Cream

Please speak with your artist before using numbing cream.

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

If numbing cream is used without speaking to 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, stomach bug, or if your body is feeling run down.

Being tattooed while unwell can affect your body, your healing and the tattoo process.

Contact your artist as soon as possible if you are unwell before your appointment.

Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

We do not tattoo anyone who is pregnant or breastfeeding.

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

Guests

In Katharsis is a private, appointment-only studio.

Appointments are usually 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 things that help you feel comfortable, especially for longer sessions.

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

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

For Longer Sessions

For longer appointments, please bring enough food and water to support yourself throughout the session.

You may have short breaks during your appointment, depending on the session and your artist’s process.

Eating well, staying hydrated and being prepared can make a big difference to how you feel.

Be Prepared for the Appointment Time

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 ID, or not following 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.