Good preparation will not make a tattoo painless, but it makes a real difference to how the session feels, how long you can sit, and how cleanly the skin takes ink. Most of it is common sense — the trick is doing it the day before, not the morning of.
Tell the artist if you need a break, feel dizzy or need to move — they would much rather pause than have you flinch. Breathing slowly helps more than people expect. For what the pain is actually like in different places, see pain by placement.
Your artist will clean and cover the tattoo and give you instructions. Follow them first — then read our aftercare guide and the day-by-day healing timeline.
| Placement | Wear |
|---|---|
| Forearm, hand, upper arm | Short or loose sleeves, a tank top underneath |
| Shoulder, upper back, chest | A top you can take off or a button-up worn backwards; a sports bra or bandeau |
| Ribs, side, stomach | Loose top, bralette or sports bra; high-waist loose trousers |
| Thigh, hip | Loose shorts or a skirt; dark underwear |
| Calf, ankle, foot | Shorts or loose trousers you can roll up; sandals for the way home |
Wear old, dark, comfortable clothes — ink and ointment stain — and bring a layer, as studios can be cool.
“Tattooing should be avoided when the skin is tanned, as when the tan fades, the tattoo will appear darker than the surrounding skin.”
In plain terms: no sunburn or fresh tan on the area in the weeks before; moisturise it daily. If you are ill, reschedule. If you have a skin condition, take medication or have diabetes, check Can I get a tattoo if…? first. Mayo Clinic also recommends being vaccinated against hepatitis B before getting tattooed.[2]
Fact-checked against the sources above · last reviewed September 30, 2026. Quotations are taken word for word from the dermatologists’ published work; they have not reviewed this page. Who we quote and why →
General information, not medical advice. Your artist’s instructions come first for aftercare; signs of infection or an allergic reaction — or any health condition or medication you are unsure about — are a reason to talk to a doctor.