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Can You Drink Alcohol Before and After Getting a Tattoo?

Drinking is fun in moderation; no one can deny that. But drinking alcohol before and after getting a tattoo can lead to some seriously undesirable side effects. Most reputable tattoo artists won’t tattoo you if you show up drunk for your tattoo appointment, let alone if you go to a tattoo parlour without one. Tattoos last a lifetime, and as you may know, you’re not able to make the best decisions for yourself when you’re drunk!

We’re diving into the details of why you should keep the bar cart closed 24 hours before and after your session, how alcohol affects the healing process, and how to make sure your skin is in prime condition for that masterpiece.

Can you drink before a tattoo?

The simple answer is no, you shouldn’t. Drinking alcohol before a tattoo has a wide range of undesirable effects on your body and mind that you want to avoid. Your blood is thinned, and therefore it’s much harder to get ink into the skin (and that’s kind of required for a tattoo).

Also, your body’s healing abilities are diminished, and you won’t have the right mindset if you drink before a tattoo. This could lead to your tattoo artist turning you down from the very beginning.

When it comes to prepping for a new piece, your physical state is just as important as the design itself. While you might be tempted to settle those pre-ink jitters with a quick drink, it’s a move that could jeopardise the entire session.

What effects does alcohol have on you before getting a tattoo?

Before you head to the studio, you need your mind and body to be in peak condition. Walking into a session under the influence changes how you interact with your artist and how your body handles the physical stress of the needle.

• Clouded judgment — You’re not as good at deciding whether the design or placement your artist has created is really what you want, which is a massive risk for something permanent.
• Reduced physical control — You’re no longer in such good control of your movements, making it easy to flinch or move while your artist is trying to pull a straight line.
• The jitters — Alcohol can make you bouncy or restless, making it incredibly difficult for the artist to work accurately on your skin.
• Frequent interruptions — Because alcohol is a diuretic, you’ll likely have to go to the toilet again and again, breaking the flow of the session.
• Lowered pain tolerance — If you’re hungover or still processing booze, you won’t feel like exerting yourself, making the sensation of the tattoo much harder to bear.

How does alcohol affect your blood?

One of the most significant reasons artists advise against drinking involves the biological impact alcohol has on the circulatory system. It isn’t just about feeling tipsy; it’s about how your blood behaves once the needle starts moving.

Vasodilation and thinning

You should not drink alcohol for at least 24 hours before the tattoo appointment, because alcohol dilutes your blood. This also applies to other substances that dilute your blood, like paracetamol.

While half a glass of wine the night before won’t make a tattoo impossible, it’s best to abstain for at least 24 hours to make sure you get the best results.

Ink rejection and skin irritation

If your blood is diluted, your tattoo artist will have trouble getting the tattoo ink into your skin. The watered-down blood can wash the ink right back out, and your artist will have to go over the same area again and again, causing skin irritation and pain.

How long before a tattoo can you drink alcohol?

Timing is everything when you’re preparing for fresh ink. Giving your body enough time to fully metabolise any substances ensures your skin is ready to take the pigment and start the recovery process effectively.

Alcohol dilutes your blood and messes with your decision-making, and since it’s metabolised slowly, it takes a fair bit of time to be fully absorbed and cleared from your system. During this 24-hour window, you should also steer clear of drugs and any blood-thinning medication.

It’s even better to take care of your diet and live a healthy lifestyle a few days before your tattoo. A rested body and mind will help you tolerate the pain during a session and help the wound heal properly.

Pro-tip: If you’re nervous about the pain, check out our guide on the most painful places to get a tattoo to mentally prepare; no liquid courage required!

What to do instead of drinking to calm your nerves

Nerves are a completely normal part of the process, especially if it’s your first time or you’re gearing up for a long session. However, there are much safer and more effective ways to stay relaxed without compromising your new art.

1. Fuel your body for the session

Instead of reaching for a bottle, make sure you’ve had a decent meal and plenty of water. Keeping your blood sugar stable with a protein-rich snack or a fruit smoothie is far more effective at keeping you calm than a pint!

A rested body and mind are your best tools for handling the chair and ensuring you can tolerate the pain during the session.

2. Using numbing products safely

If the fear of the needle is what’s setting you on edge, why not try a more professional approach? You can chat with your artist about using a naturally numbing product that can be applied during the session.

These products are designed for the job and won’t mess with your blood or your judgment.

3. Distract your mind with entertainment

Since you can’t rely on liquid courage, why not bring something to keep your brain busy? Whether it’s a binge-worthy TV show on your phone, a heavy-hitting podcast, or a high-energy playlist, having a distraction makes the time fly by.

Most artists don’t mind you popping in some headphones, as long as they’re still able to communicate when they need to adjust your position.

4. Focus on your breathing

It sounds simple, but focusing on slow, steady breaths is a game-changer for managing adrenaline spikes during a session. Instead of tensing up, which can make the sensation feel more intense, try to breathe through the more sensitive areas.

Staying relaxed helps your artist work more efficiently and makes the experience much smoother for both of you.

Can you drink during a tattoo session?

While it might seem like a way to pass the time during a marathon sitting, drinking during the process is a major breach of professional standards. Reputable studios have strict policies to make sure both artist and client are safe and focused.

The answer is absolutely not. No reputable studio will let you get inked while under the influence of alcohol. The tattoo experience needs to be well thought out since you’re making a permanent decision. You’ll have to sign a liability waiver, and you legally can’t give consent if you aren’t of sound mind.

Save the celebrations for when the masterpiece is finished, and the healing has begun.

Can you drink after getting a tattoo?

The session is over, the artist has done a stellar job, and you’re buzzing with excitement. It feels like the perfect time to celebrate, but your body is actually just beginning the hard work of healing a new wound.

Drinking alcohol after tattoo sessions isn’t a good choice. Even directly after the appointment, you should create the right conditions in your body that allow your tattoo to heal perfectly.

Does drinking after a tattoo ruin it?

Too much alcohol can weaken your immune system, and your body needs every reserve and healing power for your new tattoo.

The many micro-injuries to the skin need to heal as well as possible to achieve the best results for your fresh ink. During the healing phase, it’s best to hold back on the partying and follow your tattoo aftercare routine to the letter.

To learn more about how your body bounces back, we’ve broken down the healing process of a tattoo.

What are the long-term effects of alcohol on tattoos?

Tattoo care doesn’t stop once the scabbing is gone. Your lifestyle choices over the following months and years will dictate how well your ink ages and how much it retains that ‘freshly done’ pop.

Here’s how alcohol can impact your body art over time:

• Dehydrated skin texture — Chronic alcohol use strips moisture from your body, leading to dry, flaky skin that can make even the best tattoo ink look dull and muted.
• Loss of elasticity — Alcohol can reduce your skin’s natural elasticity over time, meaning that gorgeous piece could end up looking a bit tired or distorted sooner than it should.
• Increased inflammation — Regularly consuming alcohol can trigger inflammatory responses in the body, which may cause older tattoos to become raised or itchy during a flare-up.
• Premature ageing — Alcohol speeds up the skin’s ageing process, and since tattoos live in the dermis (the skin), any sagging or wrinkling of the skin will directly affect the clarity of your design.
• Slow skin regeneration — Your body’s ability to repair itself is diminished when it’s constantly processing toxins, which can lead to slower recovery if you ever need a touch-up or a new addition to your sleeve.

What else should you avoid before a tattoo?

Alcohol isn’t the only substance that can throw a spanner in the works. Being mindful of everything you put into your body and how you treat your skin in the lead up to your appointment will pay dividends in the final result.

Here’s what else you should avoid:

1. Caffeine

While an iced latte won’t thin your blood like a double whiskey, too much caffeine can make you jittery and restless.

Sitting still is the greatest gift you can give your artist, so maybe swap the espresso for a herbal tea on the morning of your session to stay as steady as a rock.

2. Sun exposure

Make sure you aren’t showing up with a sunburn! Tattooing over sun-damaged skin is incredibly painful and can lead to poor healing and ink dropout.

If you’ve been catching too many rays, it’s best to wait until your skin has fully recovered before getting under the needle.

For advice on tricky skin areas, check out our guide on tattooing over stretch marks, moles, and scars.

3. Intense gym sessions

You might want to skip the heavy lifting the day before your appointment.

Intense exercise can cause muscle soreness and swelling, making it much harder to sit comfortably for hours. Plus, overworked muscles can twitch involuntarily, which is the last thing your artist needs when they’re working on your piece.

4. Paracetamol and certain supplements

Just like alcohol, certain over-the-counter medications or high doses of Vitamin E can act as blood thinners. This can lead to the same inky mess issue we mentioned earlier, where excessive bleeding pushes the pigment out of the skin.

If you’re unsure about a supplement you’re taking, it’s always worth checking with your artist or a pro first.

5. Dairy or heavy junk food

While we’re all for pre-tattoo feasts to keep your energy up, try to avoid anything that usually upsets your stomach. Dealing with a tattoo is stressful enough for your body without adding digestive drama to the mix.

Stick to clean, energy-dense foods that’ll keep you feeling great throughout the session.

Play it safe for better ink sessions

Getting a tattoo is an investment in yourself and your style. By following a few simple rules about what you consume before and after your session, you’re giving your new art the best possible start — your skin is a canvas, treat it with the respect it deserves!

If you’re a professional piercer looking to stock your studio with the best equipment in the UK, we’ve got everything you need to deliver amazing results, from furniture to tattoo machines, needles, ink, cartridges and more.

Or, head over to our Advice Hub to have all of your questions answered with help from industry experts.