How to prepare for your tattoo
Be hydrated.
Drink water steadily the day before and the morning of your appointment. Do not arrive dehydrated, and do not chug a large amount right before you sit down. Dehydration can leave you faint during the session, and dry skin is harder to tattoo. Skip alcohol the day before and the day of.
Prepare your skin
Shower before you come so the area is clean. Do not put lotion, oil, sunscreen, or fake tan on the spot that morning. Moisturise as normal in the days before if your skin is dry, then leave it alone on the day. If your getting an elbow or knee tattoo, its imperative that you moisturise this area twice daily for 5 days prior to the tattoo. These areas have tougher skin, so this makes the elbow/knee much easier to work on. Do not shave the area unless your artist has asked you to. Sunburnt or peeling skin cannot be tattooed, so keep the area covered if you have been out in the Edinburgh sun.
Get a good night’s sleep
A full night makes the session easier to sit. Turning up tired makes the same tattoo feel harder.
Eat well before
Have a proper meal one to two hours before you arrive, with protein and some complex carbs. Do not come on an empty stomach. Low blood sugar is a common reason people feel lightheaded mid-session.
Bring snacks and water
Pack water and a snack you know sits well, especially if the sitting is longer than an hour. Bring your reference images if you still have them, a charged phone, and headphones if you want them. Small tattoos start from a £60 minimum, with a £20 deposit to book. Larger pieces are £100 an hour, and the deposit is a share of the full cost. Bring whatever is left to pay on the day.
Wear comfortable clothing
Choose loose, clean clothes that give easy access to the tattoo and that you do not mind getting a little ointment or ink on. Dark fabric hides stains better. Leith weather changes quickly, so a layer you can take off is useful on the walk to Portland Place. After the session, soft clothing that does not rub the fresh tattoo is easier than tight sleeves or waistbands.
Tell your artist if you feel faint, sick, or too cold.
Follow the aftercare they give you when you leave. That is what keeps the piece healing cleanly.