Q&A: Can I drink before getting my tattoo?

The irony is that the answer to this question is a bit of a buzzkill. Having a drink before your tattoo appointment can appear harmless and even enticing to help calm any tattoo jitters but the cautionary answer is “no”. Any reputable artist will advise their clients not to consume any alcohol for up to 24 hours before their appointment. Here, we list some reasons why you shouldn’t drink before getting a tattoo.

1. Impaired Judgement

With the risk of one drink leading to many, being intoxicated can and will likely lead to irresponsible behaviour, miscommunication, and poor judgement. In a situation where your full attention is required, it’ll be your responsibility to approve the overall design, size, and placement of your tattoo; all of which can be hindered by impaired judgement. Not only can this create an unsafe environment for you, your artist and the people around you but poor decision making can leave you with a permanent reminder of regret.

2. Blood Thinning

Alcohol is an active blood thinner that can create a number of negative effects and potential problems throughout the tattoo process. The more you drink, the thinner the blood but it’s worth noting, even one alcoholic drink can reduce your blood’s ability to clot.

3. Excessive Bleeding

Alcohol dilutes your blood and can cause excessive bleeding. This can poorly effect the ink’s saturation and ability to penetrate the skin while simultaneously increasing the risk of overworking tissue and permanent scarring.

4. Compromised Visibility

When alcohol thins the blood, its viscosity is reduced and can cause significant leakage. This can negatively affect your artists’ ability to see the tattoo, maintain detail and fine line work as well as wash away stencils and drastically slow down the tattoo process.

5. Pain Tolerance

If you’re one of the lucky ones who wake up without a hangover (must be nice!), it’s still important to be mindful of the other effects that alcohol has on the body. Alcohol weakens the immune system and diminishes a person’s ability to tolerate pain. Getting tattooed can already be uncomfortable but even the most experienced tattoo collectors can be left sitting through hours of discomfort if they consume alcohol before their appointment.

No one wants to be the fun police but when it comes to the quality of your tattoo and the overall shop experience, do you and your artist a favour. For the best results, avoid alcohol, stay hydrated, eat a substantial meal and get a goodnight’s sleep within 24 hours leading up to your tattoo appointment.