Baroness Tattoo
Before the Chair
A little preparation makes a better tattoo and an easier day.
The Day Before
No Alcohol or Drugs
They thin your blood. You bleed more, the ink saturates worse, and your session is wasted. It is also illegal to tattoo anyone who is intoxicated.
Rest
A real night's sleep. It keeps stress hormones down and makes the session easier on you and your artist.
Hydrate & Moisturize
Water for a few days before. Moisturize the area the night before, but no heavy lotion the day of.
No Sun
No sunburn, tanning beds, tanning lotion or spray tan on the area. Damaged skin takes ink poorly.
The Day Of
Eat
A solid meal an hour or two before. Low blood sugar is why people feel faint in the chair.
Dress for It
Loose, comfortable clothes that give easy access to the spot, and that you don't mind getting ink on.
Shower
Clean skin is easier to work on and better for healing. Your artist will shave and prep the area.
Bring
Photo ID, card or cash, snacks and a sugary drink for long sessions, headphones, and a good attitude.
Prepping the Skin
The 7–14 days before. Skin should be hydrated, barrier-intact, and free of irritation or active exfoliation. Ingredients that genuinely help: panthenol (pro-vitamin B5, 2–5%), niacinamide (2–4%), low-molecular-weight hyaluronic acid (0.5–1%), centella / CICA, allantoin and bisabolol. Apply daily for two weeks before, plus the morning of. None conflict with numbing cream.
Day-of. Clean options that help ink uptake without residue: caffeine 1–3% (less bleeding, lidocaine-compatible), alcohol-free witch hazel (degreases the surface), glycerin in a light water-gel, low-dose vitamin E.
Keep out:
- AHAs, BHAs, mandelic or salicylic acid within 7–10 days.
- Retinoids and retinol within 2–4 weeks.
- Essential oils that sensitize (citrus, peppermint, eucalyptus).
- Heavy occlusives at the chair: petrolatum, mineral oil, beeswax.
- Hydroquinone, kojic acid, other tyrosinase inhibitors.
- Alcohol-based astringents at the chair.