Getting a new tattoo can be an exciting experience, but it can also be long, potentially painful, and a bit stressful. Having the right beverages on hand can help you stay comfortable, hydrated, and relaxed throughout the tattoo process. The best drinks while getting inked are those that provide electrolytes, energy, and hydration without too much sugar or caffeine that could increase sensations or jitters. Here are some of the top beverages to consider drinking before, during, and after getting your new body art.
Why Proper Hydration Matters
Staying well hydrated before, during, and after getting a tattoo is crucial. When your skin is being tattooed, it experiences minor trauma from the repeated piercing of the tattoo needle. This trauma causes inflammation and fluid loss through plasma leakage from your capillaries and lymph fluid. Even a small new tattoo covering just a few square inches could result in losing fluid ounces of water.
Dehydration makes it more difficult for your body to handle inflammation and causes your blood to thicken. This leads to poor circulation which can negatively impact the tattoo process and healing. Some signs you may be dehydrated include:
- Fatigue
- Thirst
- Dry mouth
- Dizziness
- Headache
- Muscle cramps
- Dark yellow urine
Drinking plenty of fluids before and during your tattoo appointment will help minimize inflammation, ease discomfort, and support healing. Just be sure to avoid overhydrating right before your session as you won’t want too many bathroom breaks!
Avoid Alcohol
It’s best to avoid alcohol in the hours leading up to your tattoo appointment as well as immediately after. While some may think having a drink could ease nerves, alcohol actually thins your blood and dehydrates you. This can increase bleeding and plasma leakage during the tattoo process.
Alcohol also expands blood vessels, which can heighten sensation and discomfort. Post-tattoo, alcohol can delay healing and cause irritation. Have your celebratory toast later once your new ink is safely bandaged.
What to Drink Before Your Tattoo
In the hours leading up to getting your tattoo, focus on hydrating with water, coconut water, juices, smoothies, or electrolyte drinks. Avoid diuretics like caffeine and alcohol that will dehydrate you. Here are some top choices for pre-tattoo hydration:
Water
Plain water is always the go-to for healthy hydration. Aim to drink at least eight 8-ounce glasses in the 24 hours before your tattoo session. Having a bottle of water to sip on leading right up to your appointment will keep you hydrated. Just be sure to avoid overfilling your bladder right beforehand.
Coconut Water
The clear fluid inside coconuts, coconut water is naturally rich in electrolytes like potassium, sodium, magnesium, and calcium. It provides hydration with nutrients your body needs plus has less sugar than many sports drinks. The potassium in coconut water can help counter muscle cramps too.
Fruit and Vegetable Juices
Fresh juices made from fruits and vegetables like oranges, grapes, kale, spinach, celery, carrots, and beets give you vital hydration plus nutrients. Go for low-sugar options without added sweeteners. The vitamin C in juices like orange and grapefruit also aids collagen production for faster healing.
Smoothies
Blending fruits with coconut water, milk, yogurt, or protein powder creates a nutritional beverage that hydrates. Try smoothies made with banana, berries, mango, peach, pineapple, or avocado. Just avoid adding too much sugar. Smoothies are a good option if you have difficulty stomaching solid foods before your tattoo.
Electrolyte Drinks
Sports beverages like Gatorade, Powerade, and Pedialyte contain electrolytes and sugars to rehydrate you after exercise or illness. Having a moderately sized electrolyte drink before your tattoo provides hydration with minerals to support the process. Just limit sugar quantity by diluting with water.
Tea or Coffee
If abstaining from your usual cup of joe before a tattoo seems scary, a small coffee or tea should be fine. Caffeine in moderation won’t severely dehydrate you. But limit it to 8 ounces tops and have it at least two hours pre-tattoo so the caffeine wears off. Stay away from energy drinks high in caffeine and other stimulants however.
Beverages to Enjoy During Your Tattoo
Once you’re in the tattoo parlor and session begins, having the right beverage nearby can make things more comfortable. Here are smart drink choices during tattooing:
Water
Small sips of water now and then will wet your mouth and combat dehydration. Just avoid chugging a large amount or you’ll be running to the bathroom. Let your artist know if you need a sip so they can pause. Having water with lemon or flavored electrolyte tablets can make plain water more palatable.
Electrolyte Drinks
If your tattoo session is several hours long, continuing to sip an electrolyte beverage will replenish the nutrients and minerals you’re losing. Look for lower-sugar products like Gatorade Zero Thirst Quencher.
Fruit Juice
The natural sugars and antioxidants in small amounts of fruit juice can give you an energy boost if you start feeling drained. Opt for something with less acidity like apple juice over citrus juices to avoid irritation.
Smoothies
Sipping a smoothie through a straw lets you consume nutrients and sugars without having to chew. The cold thickness of a smoothie can also be soothing if your tattoo area feels warm or irritated.
Coconut Water
Coconut water is the perfect electrolyte drink for sipping during a longer session. It also contains antioxidants along with amino acids like lauric acid that have anti-inflammatory properties to aid healing.
| Beverage | Benefits During Tattoo |
|---|---|
| Water | Hydration, electrolyte tablets add minerals |
| Electrolyte drinks | Replenish nutrients, minerals, sugars |
| Fruit juice | Natural sugars for energy boost |
| Smoothies | Nutrition without chewing, coldsoothing |
| Coconut water | Hydration, electrolytes, antioxidants, anti-inflammatory |
What Not to Drink
Steer clear of these beverages during your tattoo:
- Coffee – Can dehydrate and stimulate sensations
- Black tea – Contains caffeine
- Alcohol – Thins blood, heightens pain
- Soda – Sugar and acid can irritate skin
- Energy drinks – Caffeine and stimulants
Beverages for Tattoo Aftercare
Your tattoo aftercare starts as soon as your artist finishes your ink. Continue prioritizing hydration and avoid alcohol while your tattoo heals. Here are ideal drinks for tattoo aftercare:
Water
Drink plenty of fresh water in the days following your new tattoo to rehydrate and flush toxins. This will make up for plasma fluid losses and benefit healing. If plain water gets boring, add slices of fruit like lemon, lime, orange, or cucumber for flavor.
Fresh Juices
The vitamins and antioxidants in fresh juices support healing and immunity. Choose juices rich in vitamin C like orange, grapefruit, spinach, tomato, and kiwi. Juices with vitamin K like carrot, beet, spinach, and kale juice can also help clotting.
Herbal Teas
Sipping antioxidant-rich herbal teas has anti-inflammatory benefits that support healing. Chamomile, peppermint, green tea and turmeric tea have soothing properties. Hibiscus tea adds vitamin C. Always let teas cool first before drinking to avoid burning yourself.
Kefir
The probiotics in kefir promote gut health, and your gut impacts your overall immunity. Choose plain, unsweetened kefir and dilute it with water if the consistency is too thick. Yogurt drinks also provide probiotics.
Bone Broth
Warm bone broth made by simmering bones with veggies for hours contains collagen, amino acids, and minerals that reduce inflammation. This helps wounds mend faster. Have a mug daily as a snack.
| Beverage | Healing Benefits |
|---|---|
| Water | Rehydration, flushes toxins |
| Fresh juices | Vitamins C, K for healing |
| Herbal teas | Anti-inflammatory, soothing |
| Kefir | Probiotics for immunity |
| Bone broth | Collagen, amino acids reduce inflammation |
Beverages to Avoid
Steer clear of these beverages while your tattoo heals:
- Alcohol – Impedes healing and causes irritation
- Coffee – Can dehydrate you
- Sugary drinks – Potential to irritate healing skin
- Carbonated drinks – Bubbles could sting open skin
Conclusion
Hydrating well before, during, and after getting tattooed is crucial for minimizing discomfort, supporting the process, and ensuring proper healing. Water, coconut water, juices, smoothies, electrolyte drinks, herbal teas, kefir, and bone broth provide hydration and nutrients without unfavorable effects. Caffeinated, alcoholic, and carbonated drinks should be avoided when getting a tattoo. With the right beverage choices, you can stay comfortable, healthy, and well-hydrated on your journey to amazing new ink!