Colored Guy Posted September 20, 2013 Share Posted September 20, 2013 ^^ This...worse feeling ever!My ritual is serious now, as I have worked out the "kinks" that can ruin my day (well more than getting my knee drilled with a needle for a few hours haha). Shit, shower, shave, as close to the time before me leaving as possible. Fill my two nalgene 1L bottles with ice and water, begin hydration. Start the long drive into NYC, and park in the same parking deck (no need for street parking tickets, assholes want $150 a pop). Walk to burger joint, get massive burger and fries. Go to favorite bar. At bar immediately bartender(s) ask me what I am getting worked on today. Drink 2-3 tasty beers. Walk to shop, smoke a cig on the way. Use bathroom before because nobody likes to stop mid-tattoo. Afterwards, get in car light up a premium cigar (currently working on a case of Rocky Patel Vintage 1992s). After I get home shower forever then get a nice scotch and look at new tattoo. Literally nothing ever changes, and it works out perfect. Also not drinking any alcohol the day prior makes a massive difference! You have it down to a gnat's ass... way cool. I like to play it safe on tattoo day by sticking to my prescription opiates over booze. I pop a 7.5 mg Percocet as soon as I get there. Open a Pepsi and take to the chair. I'll drink afterwards though. My next appointment is on a Friday and if my son's stop in, we'll be at the bar as soon as I'm done. Rob Quote Link to comment https://www.lastsparrowtattoo.com/forum/t/230-pre-and-post-tattoo-rituals/?page=5#findComment-74964 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gregor Posted September 21, 2013 Share Posted September 21, 2013 Before I have huge breakfast , etc (being clean goes without saying)afterwards I like a few whiskeys . post tattoo diclofenac to reduce the inflamation, one of those cool pack icey things that you get for injuries, and booze ChrisvK and Reyeslv 2 Quote Link to comment https://www.lastsparrowtattoo.com/forum/t/230-pre-and-post-tattoo-rituals/?page=5#findComment-75055 Share on other sites More sharing options...
TrixieFaux Posted September 22, 2013 Share Posted September 22, 2013 ^^"a few whiskeys... and booze" :D Gregor, ChrisvK and Reyeslv 3 Quote Link to comment https://www.lastsparrowtattoo.com/forum/t/230-pre-and-post-tattoo-rituals/?page=5#findComment-75090 Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigdrummerboy Posted November 7, 2013 Share Posted November 7, 2013 For me, a cigarette right before and right after and i'm not an avid smoker but that is always what i do. No breaks between tattooing no matter how long the session is however my longest has only been 5 hrs. And i usually have an energy drink while being tattooed. But a cig immediately before and after is what i've been doing since i was 18 lol Quote Link to comment https://www.lastsparrowtattoo.com/forum/t/230-pre-and-post-tattoo-rituals/?page=5#findComment-78729 Share on other sites More sharing options...
TattooedMumma Posted December 11, 2013 Share Posted December 11, 2013 nothing spectacular here. I like arriving a little early so I can soak up the shop, read a tattoo magazine and after eat something shitty on the drive home. Reyeslv and Gregor 2 Quote Link to comment https://www.lastsparrowtattoo.com/forum/t/230-pre-and-post-tattoo-rituals/?page=5#findComment-81006 Share on other sites More sharing options...
KBeee Posted January 5, 2014 Share Posted January 5, 2014 This is an interesting thread! I always exfoliate and moisturize but 2 weeks before I intensively exfoliate and moisturize the going-to-be-tattooed area. The week before I focus on drinking at least 2L of water of day to make sure my lymph is moving well and no sugar or caffeine. The day of I try to eat well but not heavily, bring snacks if it runs more than 2 hours and after I want some kind of massive protein and starch mega meal. 5 Guys, lettuce-wrapped, bacon cheeseburger and cajun fries is my favorite. (Unless I am at Spider Murphy's than I want Sol Food Puerto Rican and in Berlin I ate the most gigantic plate of schnitzel and spaetzle ever...but y'all get the idea). Sometimes I wash that night sometimes I don't but I definitely whine a lot and get crabby for the next 24-36 hours....which is really the most important part of the ritual. The whining and crabby-cakes. My husband loves it. Colored Guy, Reyeslv and Jessica McDermott 3 Quote Link to comment https://www.lastsparrowtattoo.com/forum/t/230-pre-and-post-tattoo-rituals/?page=5#findComment-82646 Share on other sites More sharing options...
jetwash Posted January 9, 2014 Share Posted January 9, 2014 Wow, some of you guys have such specific requirements! I just shower, eat and make sure I have plenty of cash. Afterwards I grab a snack from the train station and head home. Then it's just waiting time till I can unwrap and clean it. Oh, and there's no cash now... Quote Link to comment https://www.lastsparrowtattoo.com/forum/t/230-pre-and-post-tattoo-rituals/?page=5#findComment-82920 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colored Guy Posted January 9, 2014 Share Posted January 9, 2014 Wow, some of you guys have such specific requirements! I just shower, eat and make sure I have plenty of cash. Afterwards I grab a snack from the train station and head home. Then it's just waiting time till I can unwrap and clean it. Oh, and there's no cash now... Shoot, I blitzkrieged all of my rituals last night. Hit the gym hard after work.. wound up with a shaky arm at my appointment. Hardly ate any dinner, quick bowl of soup, washed up good but no shower. Did change my clothes. No after tattoo beers, got home around 11:30, straight to bed. Rob Quote Link to comment https://www.lastsparrowtattoo.com/forum/t/230-pre-and-post-tattoo-rituals/?page=5#findComment-82968 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Synesthesia Posted January 9, 2014 Share Posted January 9, 2014 Still trying to find a routine that works for me. My first tattoo, it didn't really matter what I did, it was over within 30 minutes. That was primarily about getting over my nerves. The first session with my second one, I felt like I totally botched the preparation (under ate, social anxiety from a crowded shop, pre-occupied with concerns about how my boyfriend and family would react, skin irritation on the area to be tattooed, etc) and it affected how I was sitting. Pretty much worst case scenario as far as concentration and blood sugar levels. My second session I made sure to eat more, the shop was a little less busy, I was more comfortable with my artist, I told my boyfriend to stay the fuck out and not stop by to check up on me like he did the first time, brought a pillow to get more comfy, and I sipped some soda and brought some candy in case my sugar dropped too much. Still felt a little shaky afterwards but I guess that could be the adrenalin from finishing the piece haha. Going back to the same guy in a little over a week...this time I'm making sure to lotion the area for weeks before the appointment, definitely eating a lot, continuing the soda/candy usage, and my artist promised he'd play some death metal for me to get me comfortable. :D And there's a Roy Rogers and Popeye's right down the road from the shop (my two favorite fast food places) so I like to stop and get a little something from one of the two places to help me recover afterwards. Quote Link to comment https://www.lastsparrowtattoo.com/forum/t/230-pre-and-post-tattoo-rituals/?page=5#findComment-82971 Share on other sites More sharing options...
iowagirl Posted January 9, 2014 Share Posted January 9, 2014 Depending on what time it is, I'll eat lunch before going. If it's closer to in between lunch/supper, I'll eat a banana before going in, and have one in the car if I need it, and drink water during. After I get a cappuccino moo latte at Dairy Queen w/extra cappuccino syrup in it. And jabber to my husband a hundred miles an hour on the drive home b/c I'm all excited about getting it, and because it's over with. Quote Link to comment https://www.lastsparrowtattoo.com/forum/t/230-pre-and-post-tattoo-rituals/?page=5#findComment-82973 Share on other sites More sharing options...
kingofcosta Posted January 11, 2014 Share Posted January 11, 2014 Mine is really simple. I shout from my station to my colleagues station 'I've had a cancellation/no-show too. Do me a tattoo NOW!' Then I spend the next hour pissing and moaning, accusing him of specifically trying to hurt me, saying how I'm sure I don't hurt my customers this bad, asking what have I ever done to him to deserve this terrible treatment, and swearing profusely. I then go back to work and moan to my customers about how much I hate being tattooed, which really helps them suffer the pain I'm sure! Tattooers make the worst customers. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk spookysproul, OutOfIdeas, gougetheeyes and 4 others 7 Quote Link to comment https://www.lastsparrowtattoo.com/forum/t/230-pre-and-post-tattoo-rituals/?page=5#findComment-83087 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gloomy Inks Posted February 3, 2014 Share Posted February 3, 2014 I too like a good meal. I eat lightly, but high in protean. Steak or pork. Now when I'm tattooing, I always make sure after I'm set up to go over everything in mind a few times. I got the feeling there might have been something wrong with me (big OCD) because I was turning around 360 looking at everything while I went over it. I don't do that very much anymore if at all. One thing I'll tell you that I've held fast too, not that I'm proud of it, is smoking a few cigs before I get going. I'm don't stop tattoos for smoking, unless the client wants too. Gee, I guess that was sort of like saying, "I like to kill myself a little before I tattoo." Quote Link to comment https://www.lastsparrowtattoo.com/forum/t/230-pre-and-post-tattoo-rituals/?page=5#findComment-84675 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marwin3000 Posted March 10, 2014 Share Posted March 10, 2014 I don't really have any rituals. I just make sure I have a good nights sleep the day before. I eat good the same day. And afterwards I like do have fat food like Indian or treat myself to some chocolate! Nothing special! Quote Link to comment https://www.lastsparrowtattoo.com/forum/t/230-pre-and-post-tattoo-rituals/?page=5#findComment-87629 Share on other sites More sharing options...
kvp521 Posted July 25, 2014 Share Posted July 25, 2014 I like to have a big meal and smoke a joint beforehand... then another big meal and another joint after. I can't handle caffeine during or before, it makes me too aware of the process. Quote Link to comment https://www.lastsparrowtattoo.com/forum/t/230-pre-and-post-tattoo-rituals/?page=5#findComment-98090 Share on other sites More sharing options...
pidjones Posted July 27, 2014 Share Posted July 27, 2014 Although my first tattoo was rather small, I definitely DO NOT want the process to become a ritual! On my way from a bit of errands/shopping to get a good meal before the appointment, I was rear-ended (thankfully in my car!) by an uninsured driver. THAT took away my extra hour for a leisurely lunch and I had to gulp down a burger at Sonic. Still, the session went very well (artist was super) and healing uneventful. Took an energy drink in with me, but barely took a sip. After, I followed her instructions to remove the bandage after an hour and a half, wash with antibacterial soap using only the palm of my hand, let it air dry after blotting with a paper towel and apply a very light amount of her supplied after-care. Had the afternoon off, so after calling my insurance company I cleaned my motorcycle. Leave out the crap from the bimbo plowing into me at a red light, and it might have been Ok. BTW, I made sure my appointment was the first of the day. I want my artist fresh, and plan to keep that policy for future art. Quote Link to comment https://www.lastsparrowtattoo.com/forum/t/230-pre-and-post-tattoo-rituals/?page=5#findComment-98171 Share on other sites More sharing options...
El Dolmago Posted July 28, 2014 Share Posted July 28, 2014 We're big fans of a greasy spoon breakfast before and roast chicken after the tattoo. misterJ and polliwog 2 Quote Link to comment https://www.lastsparrowtattoo.com/forum/t/230-pre-and-post-tattoo-rituals/?page=5#findComment-98207 Share on other sites More sharing options...
polliwog Posted July 28, 2014 Share Posted July 28, 2014 Tonight I am agreeing with @El Dolmago on everything. Scrambles or omelets (including tofu scrambles if you don't do eggs) with home fries and veggies and meat hit the spot before a tattoo - no sugar spike/crash and there's something comforting about a big breakfast any time of day. If you're ever getting tattooed at Fat Ram's in Jamaica Plain you can hit The Haven beforehand for a full Scottish breakfast. It's pretty fancy but I also love a big gross fry-up. El Dolmago and tatB 2 Quote Link to comment https://www.lastsparrowtattoo.com/forum/t/230-pre-and-post-tattoo-rituals/?page=5#findComment-98215 Share on other sites More sharing options...
SeeSea Posted July 28, 2014 Share Posted July 28, 2014 Oh, you guys are making me so jealous at the idea of getting tattooed during the day and being awake and having a well-deserved enjoyable post-ritual to look forward to! My pre-ritual involves a nearly full day of work, food that won't upset my stomach, and baking a fresh batch of brownies for me and my tattooer. He only works after hours, so we end up starting within a couple hours of my normal bedtime. My post-ritual involves heavy caffeine or energy drink and careful driving to get me safely home in the wee morning hours, driving through vacation areas near the Jersey shore where cops hide out to snag drunken drivers after weekend parties and when the bars close. I always wonder what would happen if I get pulled over. NJ has a drowsy driving law even if you're not substance impaired. I guess it would depend on the officer, his attitude towards tattoos, and my cheery personality. But I think the leaking wrap and paper towels taped to my back would give credence to my statement that I haven't been drinking! And I also play the Count-the-Number-of-Fucked-up-People-on-the Road game. Some day I hope to get tattooed during the day and then aim for a bowl of ice cream and a steak. In that order :D polliwog, hogg and Fala 3 Quote Link to comment https://www.lastsparrowtattoo.com/forum/t/230-pre-and-post-tattoo-rituals/?page=5#findComment-98236 Share on other sites More sharing options...
exume Posted July 28, 2014 Share Posted July 28, 2014 @SeeSea I (kinda) know the feeling, though I don't exclusively get tattooed at night, I usually get tattooed down in Denver which is a bit more than an hour drive through the mountains, coming home can be pretty full of tourists looking more at the hills than the road and all sorts of fun speed trap shenanigans. What I need to do is start consciously making appointments during the week so there's less weekend warrior types on the road, but I hate fighting for days off and I usually get Friday anyways so it is what it is. Fala and SeeSea 2 Quote Link to comment https://www.lastsparrowtattoo.com/forum/t/230-pre-and-post-tattoo-rituals/?page=5#findComment-98279 Share on other sites More sharing options...
purplelace Posted December 4, 2014 Share Posted December 4, 2014 Since, I've been getting tattooed again. It's always first appointment. Breakfast is glass of orange juice, cheese omelette and cup of black coffee. Have my usual route that I walk to tattooists (am very much OCD about this). Stop off for black coffee in Costa along the way. Usually arrive stupid early, he's usually not in yet. So sit and wait and make craic with the other tattooists while I'm waiting. Usually get some mineral while I wait/during a break. Post tattoo, stop off in build a bear on way back. Get taxi to fave pub. Show off shiney new tattoo still in new packaging. Get usual pizza and black coffee and more mineral. Rest newly tattooed leg on stools. Usually curse going into pub, it's a basement pub and stairs are evil when new leg tattoo. Curse going back up them. Hobble to hotel to sort out new tattoo and either sit in hotel library or bar for rest of evening. May wander back to fave pub. Quote Link to comment https://www.lastsparrowtattoo.com/forum/t/230-pre-and-post-tattoo-rituals/?page=5#findComment-105929 Share on other sites More sharing options...
joakim urma Posted December 4, 2014 Share Posted December 4, 2014 Since I often travel for tattoos and rarely has a say in which day or time of the day the session is going take place, I don't really have any rituals. I try to get sleep, have a shower, eat something reasonably stable before the session. I like to go to the shop alone, I want to have a private experience so no friends can come. I like to be able to come there a bit early to look at the shop, in portfolios and talk to the people there. I absolutely have to pee before the tattoo, even if physically don't need to. I try not to do anything in particular after the session, maybe get something to eat or go home directly. Often I find that I need this relaxation time after the tattoo. But I have also gone straight to my job so there is no rule really. I leave the plastic on during the night and clean in the morning, trying to have enough time to do it proper and let it air dry before applying cream, then air dry again a bit. But I have also woken up at 5 to clean the tattoo and catch a train or flight. TL, DR No rituals really. Except I need to pee even if I don't need to pee. Quote Link to comment https://www.lastsparrowtattoo.com/forum/t/230-pre-and-post-tattoo-rituals/?page=5#findComment-105936 Share on other sites More sharing options...
OutOfIdeas Posted December 4, 2014 Share Posted December 4, 2014 I feel like a moron; I only just realized what "TL, DR" means. (I did actually read your entire post btw) and I try to force a quick whizz as well, just to make sure there are no unnecessary breaks. As long as the tattooer is comfortable, stopping just makes starting suck all over again. joakim urma 1 Quote Link to comment https://www.lastsparrowtattoo.com/forum/t/230-pre-and-post-tattoo-rituals/?page=5#findComment-105942 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patrick Bateman Posted December 4, 2014 Share Posted December 4, 2014 It's weird, I get really REALLY nervous only after I talk to the artist and before he shows me his mock up. After he shows me the drawing, I'm as calm as I am watching TV. After every tattoo I eat the worst meal (well comfort food) possible that I'm digging. Whether it be Chipotle, Waffle House, or a box of Kraft Mac& Cheese, I eat it. Quote Link to comment https://www.lastsparrowtattoo.com/forum/t/230-pre-and-post-tattoo-rituals/?page=5#findComment-105946 Share on other sites More sharing options...
SeeSea Posted December 4, 2014 Share Posted December 4, 2014 A couple sessions into my back, I found the wonders of brownies as tattoo food. Since then, I have been making brownies and giving the rest to my tattoo artist. Until this summer, when I realized that I had started to associate the taste of delicious fudge brownies with tattoo pain. O.O Turns out my tattoo artist was getting tired of brownies too! So I branched out. I've made chocolate chip cookies, peanut butter cookies, and tonight I am making cut out Christmas sugar cookies. I never intended for this to become a ritual, but every Thursday before my Friday session has become Baking Time! Bizarrely, it's kind of calming. KBeee and Fala 2 Quote Link to comment https://www.lastsparrowtattoo.com/forum/t/230-pre-and-post-tattoo-rituals/?page=5#findComment-105971 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rawok Posted December 5, 2014 Share Posted December 5, 2014 Pre tattoo I try to get a good nights sleep. Post tattoo I get a cold (used to be beer but people on this site changed my mind, it just sounded soo good (and it was)) cider, some greasy food (must have melted cheese in it) and a two hour nap to get rid of the slight fever I always get. SeeSea 1 Quote Link to comment https://www.lastsparrowtattoo.com/forum/t/230-pre-and-post-tattoo-rituals/?page=5#findComment-105984 Share on other sites More sharing options...
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