How to prepare for your first tattoo appointment.

You booked it! Your first tattoo, maybe it was an impulse, or you lost a bet, or maybe it's something you've been thinking of for years and finally pulled the trigger. Either way, welcome to the club, I already ate all the cookies.

I'm Keylan, I'm an illustrative tattoo artist based in the Chicagoland area, and I've had this conversation with so many clients, friends, family, coffee shop lines, Disney lines....lots of lines. So... here's my advice for anyone and everyone who asks!

So lets talk about how to prepare for your first tattoo...and really all tattoos.

The Week Before:

Tired of being told to drink more water? Well buckle up because DRINK MORE WATER! HYDRATE!

This one sounds simple but it makes a massive difference. Your skin IS AN ORGAN, when it's properly hydrated and taken care of its a beast, just like you. Being hydrated also helps your body handle the stress of getting tattooed. I get yelled at all the time for not drinking enough water, so no shade, I'm right there with you. But start drinking more water a few days before your appointment at least. Not just the morning of. And no, Iced Coffee does not count.

It puts the lotion on the skin!

Start moisturizing the area you're getting tattooed a week or two before your appointment. Well-moisturized skin takes ink better, doesn't become irritated as quickly, and makes for a more comfortable experience for you as well! Dry skin? Not today.

The Night Before:

Sleep...I'm serious...Go to bed.

Getting a tattoo is a physical AND mental experience. You're body is handling stress, you're not 'just sitting there', you're in an active part of the process as well. A good night of sleep/being well rested before your tattoo appointment means your pain tolerance is higher, your mood is better, and the whole experience is more enjoyable. Tired + tattooed = not a good time pal.

What's your fit queen?

Have you thought about what you'll wear!? Maybe its just me (it's not), but I want to be comfortable when I'm getting tattooed. And what I wear makes a huge difference!

Getting tattooed isn't a messy experience, but you're dealing with ink and blood and plasma, don't wear your favorite white shirt for your bicep tattoo, wear something comfortable and something you don't mind potentially getting a little ink on.

Where's your tattoo going? It's a hard time getting your thigh tattooed when your wearing some tight leather pants. Wear some shorts, or bring a change of clothes if that's what you'd prefer!

Skip the alcohol

Ya'll....alcohol is a blood thinner. And, it wont help you sit better. Alcohol and tattoo's are a bad combo man.

The Big Day!

Eat a good meal

Please...please please please eat before you come in. You need carbs, not just the protein bar. Like I said earlier, you're also in an active part of this process, you're not 'just sitting there', while getting tattooed your body is actively burning carbs and expending energy.

Getting tattooed on an empty stomach IS A BAD TIME. Without properly fueling your body you could be more likely to become lightheaded, get nauseous, having that really loud stomach growl mid conversation. But seriously, make sure to eat some food, fuel up.

Bring water and snacks

Snacks are always a life saver, especially for longer sessions. Having something snack on can keep your energy up and blood sugar stable. I always have a trusty snickers bar with me, you know the slogan.

Arrive a little early and calm

Rushing into your appointment stressed and frazzled isn't the vibe. Give yourself a little buffer — show up a few minutes early, take a breath, and settle in. This is supposed to be a fun experience. You're doing something cool for yourself today.

Communicate!

One thing I see so often is stress causing client's to clam up/worry about speaking up. Communication is such a huge part of the process, from start to finish.

Speak up - before and during

When I work with you my main goal is for you to love your tattoo. I will always do my best for you. This means I want you to speak up. If something in the design doesn't feel right, say so. If you need a break during the session, say so. If you're feeling lightheaded or need water, say so. There is absolutely nothing wrong with speaking up, I will always be transparent with you, and want you to do the same with me.

Trust the process (and your artist)

When you book with an artist, you're booking their style and their vision too. If I specialize in bright, colorful illustrative work, that's what I'm going to bring to your piece. Trust what brought you to the artist in the first place, but again, don't forget to communicate and ask questions.

During the session: What to Expect

A bit of a brief overview of the process, but every artist is different!

1. Your artist will prep the area. This means cleaning it, shaving, and applying the stencil.

2. You'll check placement and confirm the design looks right before anything begins.

3. Tattooing starts — the outline usually comes first, then shading and color.

4. Breaks happen! Don't be afraid to ask for one.

5. When it's done, your artist will clean it up, bandage it, and walk you through aftercare.

Does it hurt? Yeah, it does, it's a tattoo. We're puncturing your skin and pushing ink into the puncture. And some places will be more painful than others. The pain is generally manageable, and if it goes for too long this is when its broken up into sessions. But, if its something you really want, you'll get through it!

Appointment Checklist:

• Hydrated (water, water, water)

• Eat a real meal at least an hour before

• Got a good night's sleep

• Wearing comfortable, accessible clothing

• Snacks + water packed for longer sessions

• No alcohol the night before

• Ready to communicate, trust the process, and have fun

You've Got This

Getting your first tattoo is genuinely one of those experiences you don't forget. When you're prepared, you love the design, you vibe with your artist, and you walk out with something beautiful on your body that's yours forever, it's just really, really cool.

That's the experience I want every single client to have. My goal is always to make you feel at ease, heard, and excited. Not just about the tattoo, but about the whole process. Because you don't just leave with a tattoo. You leave with a new experience, and a piece of art you're going to love for the rest of your life.

Still have questions? Check out my FAQ page, or reach out! I'm always happy to chat before you commit to anything. And if you're ready to book your first (or next!) tattoo in the Chicago area, I'd love to make it happen.

Ready to book? Fill out an appointment request and let's create something you'll love.

Click me for a good time!