Alcohol and new tattoos | Do they mix?

“Bad” is a strong word. Is it wise? No, it's not. It is generally recommended not to drink alcohol for 24 hours before getting a tattoo. After getting your tattoo, it is advisable to avoid alcohol for a few days.

There are several reasons for this. Below, we have listed the most important ones for you:

• Drinking alcohol before tattooing thins your blood, causing more blood to be released during the session. It becomes more difficult for the artist to work, as they can see less clearly what they are doing. It's also not pleasant for you if the blood is constantly wiped away.

• If your blood is thinner, more of it also goes to your new tattoo. When this extra blood mixes with the ink, the ink becomes thinner, and you risk a less beautiful tattoo. Your tattoo might be fainter than you want, and if you're unlucky, your tattoo won't look good for as long.
  
  

• If you've consumed a lot of alcohol (or another substance, like drugs), you sometimes do things you regret later. Getting a very strange tattoo, for example. This is not only a bummer for you but also for the tattoo artist, as there's a good chance you'll complain to them about your new acquisition. Not good for their reputation, then.
  
  

• There's a high chance your tattoo artist will refuse you service. Simply because tattooing someone under the influence carries risks. Also, you probably won't remember your artist's aftercare advice. A good artist adheres to the GGD (Dutch Municipal Health Service) Hygiene Guidelines and will simply send you home to sleep it off.
  
  

• A tattoo heals faster in an alcohol-free body. Aid the healing process and use a good aftercare product for a beautiful recovery of your tattoo.

Feel free to celebrate your new tattoo! A couple of glasses of alcohol is not a problem, but don't party for hours on end. Your body needs rest to adjust to your new tattoo, and it does that best in a 'pure' body. Alcohol more or less poisons your body, and that's not good for the healing process of your tattoo. 

That's hard to say. For some, it might numb the pain a bit, while others feel more pain when they've had a drink. And even then, a good artist won't even start tattooing if they notice you're under the influence. Be tough and just grit your teeth for a bit!

So:

• Make sure you don't drink any alcohol for at least 24 hours beforehand.

• After getting your tattoo, also avoid alcohol for a few days. 

After reading this blog, would you like to know more about alcohol and your new tattoo?

Then read the comprehensive article here: Drinking alcohol before or after getting your new tattoo | is that okay?

Are you getting a new tattoo soon? Then prepare before you go to the tattoo studio. That way, you can start caring for your new tattoo right after getting it. We have put together convenient value bundles for you VIEW THEM HERE!

Also discover our other blogs about tattoo aftercare:

• Tattoo aftercare - all ins and outs at a glance
• Can you apply sunscreen to your new tattoo?
• My tattoo keeps itching. How do I get rid of it?
• Help, my tattoo is bleeding!
• How long does a finger tattoo last?
• How to prepare for your first tattoo?
• What to consider for a tattoo cover-up?
• Alcohol and your new tattoo. Do they mix?
• Moisturizing your new tattoo
• When is your tattoo healed?
• How to use tattoo film?
• Sunbathing with your new tattoo. Do's & don'ts
• How to keep your tattoo looking good in the sun?
• Swimming with your new tattoo. Do's & don'ts
• Cleaning your tattoo
• Exercising with your new tattoo. Do's & don'ts
• Sleeping with your new tattoo
• What is a tattoo blowout?
• Getting older and tattoos