An All-Day Tattoo Session

An all day session is usually anything from 6-8 hours straight. Getting any size tattoo is a commitment, but some large tattoos require an all-day session (or several!). The idea of staying in one place for a few hours of discomfort can be intimidating, even if you already have a tattoo. Learning how to prep for a large tattoo before your appointment can make all the difference in how your day of tattooing will go.

Here are some tips for any clients curious about an all-day session. 

Moisturize the area to be tattooed!

Healthy skin can help you heal quickly. Lotion your skin once or twice a day before your tattooing session. (You should already be using lotion anyway, but a tattoo is a great reminder to hydrate your skin!) This will help prepare your skin and keep it hydrated. 

Skip the alcohol and Stay hydrated!

Make sure you’re drinking plenty of water in the days leading up to a full-day session. The more water you have in your system, the faster your body can heal and the easier it is for the skin to receive the ink.  And skip drinking the night before. It won't help your process and may thin your blood! Sipping on water the morning of or during your session can also help relieve anxiety about the process!

Take care of the skin to be tattooed. 

It’s very important the area to be tattooed is free of any fresh wounds, burns or lacerations. This includes sunburns! Tattooing over damaged skin can be very painful or have to be worked around. Should anything happen to the placement area before your session, please let me know so I can plan for it.

Sleep tight the night before your tattoo session.

It’s hard to sleep the night before your tattoo! Those are to be expected before big pieces. Please try and get a full night’s sleep before your session. This will help you stay in a good mood, keep you alert if the artist needs to ask you a question while working and help you be in a positive headspace before the big day. 

Eat a small meal before you come.

Nerves and food don’t always mix, but try to get a healthy meal in before sitting down. For many people, that’ll be a healthy breakfast. If you go in without eating, there’s a higher chance that nerves can lead to feelings of lightheadedness and increased anxiety.Snacks and drinks are available for you as well as buying dinner from Grubhub is a great way to relax, take a break and get back to it refreshed!

Bring your own snacks and drinks. 

You may bring in your own snack that 1) doesn’t get messy and 2) isn’t going to contaminate the space. You can also bring a water bottle with a straw or sipper extension to stay hydrated during the session. 

Headphones, please. 

I usually have music playing but know that you are welcome to watch shows or movies to help kill time and keep you distracted from the pain. However, I ask you to bring headphones, and be cognizant of how loud the volume is. Without headphones, you run the risk of disrupting your artist. 

Prepare ahead.

The temperature in the studio varies from person to person so we recommend wearing layers in case you get hot or cold. It's usually around 70 degrees. Pro tip: Feel free to bring a zip up hoodie, it has so many uses in the studio!!

Maybe lay off the caffeine.

This tip differs depending on the client, but we’ve found some clients who elect to limit their caffeine intake the morning of the tattoo have an easier time managing the pain. Caffeine can also increase your anxiety, so if you’re going to do coffee before your session, maybe swap it out with decaf!

Numbing Cream/Sprays

Numbing spray is available and can be applied during the tattoo session to help take the edge off of most sessions. I personally find that most people don’t require it until it gets about 2.5 hours in, and then it takes the edge off and cools the skin. I will apply this during each break.

For additional numbing (if you don’t want to feel it at all for 4-6 hours), email me for an up-to-date product recommendation.

I’m happy to answer any questions about your design and how to make the most of your day here! Feel free to visit the gallery or feel free to reach out here to schedule a free consultation!