In the modern era, tattoos have become one of the most significant fashion trends because they are considered an excellent means of self-expression. Tattoos reveal a lot about the personality of the person who is doing it

So, if you are planning to get a tattoo, then it becomes important to know about its procedure. The design of the tattoo is made by injecting ink into the dermis layer of the skin to change the pigment. The skin is punctured by the needles of an electrically powered tattoo machine. The needles move up and down to puncture the skin somewhere between 50 to 3000 times per minute. The skin is penetrated about a millimeter deep. Your tattoo is seen through the epidermis layer of your skin while the ink is actually in the dermis. The process is done without any anesthetic.

Here are a Few Precautions that you must take before getting a tattoo:

● Arrange a Pre-tattoo consultation

Always ensure that you arrange an appointment with the tattoo artist in his studio. You should carefully examine the designs that are hung on the walls of the tattoo studio to understand their patterns and what they specialist in. The studio you select should be well-known, and it should be registered.

Moreover, this appointment enables you to ask questions and check out where you will be seating during the procedure and what their infection control procedures are. Try to watch the procedure when some other person is getting a tattoo, and this will help you in understanding the procedure in a better way.

The primary objective of the per-tattoo consultation is to discuss the pattern of the tattoo and its positioning on your body. You should describe the theme of the tattoo, its color, size, and placement. Take reference material such as pictures, colors, and other samples to the artist. Also, consider the artist’s opinion before getting tattooed.

● Food Restrictions

To prevent excessive bleeding during the inking of the tattoo, the consumption of alcohol, coffee, and aspirin should be avoided. Food rich in vitamin C such as citrus fruits and vegetables like cauliflower and broccoli should be consumed to repair the damaged tissues. Drinking healthy fluids such as juices, herbal teas, soups, and water is recommended. Otherwise, dehydration may intensify the pain of the tattoo, thus, making you feel ill. Do not skip a meal before the tattoo appointment and make sure that you sleep well.

● Clothing and Other Things

Wear comfortable clothes. The clothes you wear should be such that the tattoo artist can easily access the body part where the tattoo is to be inked.

In case you are getting inked during the winter season, carry an extra jacket with you because you may feel cold during the tattoo session. Also, carry a water bottle, snacks, a tattoo-aftercare cream, an anti-bacterial wash and spare clothes along with you.

● Maintenance of Proper Hygiene

Ensure that the tattoo artist washes his hands before beginning the process. He should wear disposable gloves while tattooing. The tattoo needle should be new; reusing a needle can cause infection and several blood-borne diseases. The new needle and the pigment seals should be opened in front of you. Check the expiry dates of the pigments being used for tattooing. The inks to be used should be approved for tattooing because most of the inks are made from irritating skin metals which can cause allergic reactions. In case the tattoo artist is using diluted inks, ensure that the water is sterile.

The ink should be poured into a single-use container, and the excess should be disposed of after the completion of the procedure. Ensure that the non-disposable equipment is sterilized in an autoclave with bleach and an excellent disinfectant after each session.

● Know about the Risks

Before getting tattooed, it is essential to know about the risks. Bumps known as Granulomas may form around the tattoo ink. Tattooing causes keloids (raised areas due to overgrowth of the scar tissues). Tattoo dyes can cause skin infections, swelling, pain, redness, and pus-like drainage. Unsterilized tattooing equipment can cause Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, HIV, and skin cancers such as squamous cell, carcinoma, and melanoma.

● Maintenance of Personal Hygiene

Maintaining personal hygiene is essential so that you do not get allergies or infections. Therefore, you should brush your teeth, bathe using soap, wear clean clothes and tie up your hair before leaving for the tattoo studio. Do not use strong perfumes or colognes as your tattoo artist may be allergic to them.

● Checking for Skin Allergies

In case you have hypersensitive skin, consult a doctor and undergo tests before getting inked because the tattoo pigment may cause severe allergies if it does not suit you.
Following these preventive tips before getting tattooed can prevent many significant health problems and ease the pain during the tattooing procedure. Since tattooing is a medico-legal affair, it should not be taken lightly.