Who doesn’t love that cup o’Joe to start their day or kick off their afternoon? You may think caffeine is a perfectly harmless beverage choice prior to heading into your tattoo session, but you may actually want to avoid it as you get inked. We’ll dive into exactly why in this article about coffee and tattoos.
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Related:
- Can You Smoke Weed Before Getting A Tattoo?
- Can You Get A Tattoo While Drunk?
- What to eat and drink before getting a tattoo
How Long Should You Avoid Caffeine Before a Tattoo?
Everyone metabolizes caffeine differently, but in general, it is a stimulant that can cause:
- Restlessness
- Insomnia
- Anxiety
- Increased heart rate
- Shakes or tremors
- Dehydration
- Constriction of blood vessels
These symptoms can present complications during your tattoo session such as:
- Shakiness during your tattoo that makes it difficult for your artist to work
- Dehydration of your skin which makes your skin more difficult to tattoo
- Blood clotting issues as your blood works to heal your wound
- Restlessness, discomfort, or anxiety during your session that makes it difficult for you to sit still for long periods of time
- Your increased heart rate could simultaneously increase the bleeding to the tattoo’s site
While you may rely on your morning cup to combat caffeine withdrawal symptoms, keep it to the absolute minimum before your tattoo session and opt to grab a glass of water or herbal tea, instead.
Can You Drink Caffeine After Getting a Tattoo?
Simultaneously, drinking coffee after your tattoo session could present clotting issues due to your increased heart rate. Since your blood pressure becomes elevated with caffeine, this obviously interrupts your body’s natural healing process for your tattoo.
You should be additionally aware of caffeine being in other substances, such as chocolate, pops, and energy drinks, and hold off for at least 12 hours after your tattoo.
What to Do Before a Tattoo
If you really want you and your skin to be in the best shape prior to your session, skip the caffeine and consider some of the following, instead:
- Get Plenty of Rest - A well-rested body is an optimal body for tattooing, and it also helps combat anxiety.
- Avoid Alcohol and Energy Drinks, Not Just Coffee - Blood thinners like alcohol and caffeine-packed alternatives like energy drinks should be avoided as much as possible before and after your session.
- Stay Hydrated - Hydrated skin is the best skin to tattoo! It’s very elastic, very responsive to the ink, and doesn’t swell or irritate as easily as dehydrated skin. Grab the water instead of the coffee mug.
- Moisturize Your Skin - Skin health is just as important on the outside as it is on the inside. Moisturizing your skin as you lead up to your tattoo will make it a lot easier on your artist. Have a look at some of our Best Tattoo Cream - Our Top Choices Reviewed.
- Exercise - Another anxiety reliever that you can turn to prior to a session is exercise.
- Book Your Tattoo in the Morning - Your adrenaline is at its peak first thing in the morning, so the earlier you can book your session, the less pain, anxiety, and trauma response your body will feel.
Our Final Thoughts
Caffeine might give you that morning boost you seek but could end up being a complication for your tattooing session and your subsequent healing process. It’s best to turn to hydrating alternatives like water as you lead up to your tattoo, and to keep the caffeine in the smallest quantities as possible to ensure you’re having a shake-free tattooing experience.
