Can I drink alcohol before or after my tattoo?
Short answer: It’s best to avoid alcohol for at least 24 hours before your tattoo appointment and for the first 24–48 hours afterwards.
Many people assume a drink will calm their nerves before getting tattooed. In reality, alcohol can make the process more difficult for both you and your tattoo artist.
Why avoid alcohol before a tattoo?
Alcohol can temporarily reduce your blood’s ability to clot. This may lead to increased bleeding during the tattoo, making it harder for your artist to see clearly and for the ink to settle consistently.
Excessive bleeding can:
Make fine details more difficult to tattoo.
Slow the tattooing process.
Potentially affect the final appearance of the tattoo.
Arriving well-rested, well-hydrated and having eaten a proper meal will usually make for a much better experience than relying on alcohol to reduce anxiety.
Why avoid alcohol after a tattoo?
A fresh tattoo is an open wound. During the first few days your body is working hard to begin the healing process.
Drinking alcohol shortly after being tattooed may:
Increase bleeding or oozing during the first day.
Contribute to dehydration.
Interfere with good aftercare habits, such as cleaning and moisturising the tattoo properly.
Although having a drink later in the healing process is unlikely to cause problems for most healthy adults, allowing your body the best possible conditions during the first couple of days gives your tattoo the strongest start.
What should you do instead?
For the best healing:
Drink plenty of water before and after your appointment.
Eat a good meal beforehand.
Get a good night’s sleep.
Follow your tattoo artist’s aftercare instructions carefully.
Wear comfortable clothing that allows easy access to the area being tattooed.
If you’re taking medication
If you’re taking blood-thinning medication such as warfarin, aspirin, or other anticoagulants, or if you have a medical condition that affects bleeding or healing, discuss this with both your healthcare professional and your tattoo artist before booking. Never stop prescribed medication without medical advice.
Ticks’ advice
After more than two decades of tattooing, I’ve found that clients who arrive rested, hydrated and alcohol-free generally have a more comfortable session and often heal more smoothly. A tattoo is an investment that can last a lifetime, so giving your body the best chance to heal is always worthwhile.
Related guides
Can you swim after getting a tattoo?
How long should you keep a new tattoo out of the sun?
Sources
UK NHS guidance on wound care and healthy healing practices.
UK Health Security Agency information on infection prevention.
American Academy of Dermatology guidance on tattoo aftercare.
Swimming & new tattoos
How Long Should You Wait Before Swimming With a New Tattoo?
A fresh tattoo is more than just new artwork—it is healing skin. While it can be tempting to jump into the sea, a swimming pool or a hot tub, doing so too soon can increase the risk of complications and affect the way your tattoo heals.
The short answer
Most tattoo professionals and healthcare organisations recommend waiting until your tattoo is fully healed before swimming. For most people, this takes around 2–4 weeks, although larger tattoos or slower healing skin may take longer.[¹][²]
Why should you avoid swimming?
When your tattoo is fresh, your skin is repairing thousands of tiny punctures made by the tattoo needles. During this time, soaking the tattoo in water can:
Increase the risk of infection from bacteria found in pools, lakes, rivers and the sea.
Soften scabs before they are ready to fall away naturally.
Irritate healing skin through chlorine, salt or other chemicals.
Affect the final appearance of the tattoo if healing is disrupted.[²][³]
Is showering okay?
Yes.
A normal shower is perfectly fine, provided you avoid soaking the tattoo and don’t scrub the area. Wash gently with lukewarm water and a mild, fragrance-free soap before patting the tattoo dry with a clean towel.
Baths, hot tubs and prolonged soaking should be avoided until healing is complete.[²]
Is the sea safer than a swimming pool?
Neither is recommended while your tattoo is healing.
Swimming pools contain chlorine and other chemicals that may irritate healing skin.
The sea naturally contains bacteria and microorganisms.
Lakes and rivers can carry an even greater risk because bacteria levels are unpredictable.[³]
Waiting a few extra weeks is far preferable to risking an infection or damaging your new tattoo.
How do I know when it’s healed?
Although everyone heals at a different rate, your tattoo should generally:
No longer be peeling or scabbing.
Feel like normal skin rather than tight or tender.
Show no redness, swelling or fluid.
Feel comfortable when gently touched.
If you’re unsure, it’s always safest to wait a little longer or ask your tattoo artist for advice.
Final thoughts
You’ve invested in a tattoo that could last a lifetime.
Waiting a few weeks before swimming is a small sacrifice that gives your skin the best chance to heal properly and helps your tattoo look its best for years to come.
Sources
[1] East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust. Medical Tattooing Aftercare Advice.
[2] Healthline. Tattoo Aftercare: Products, Tips & More.
[3] Allure. Why You Should Wait to Swim After Getting a Tattoo.
Sun & new tattoos
Can You Go in the Sun with a New Tattoo?
Short answer: no. During the healing process, a new tattoo should be protected from direct sunlight.
A fresh tattoo is an open wound. As your skin repairs itself, it is more vulnerable to irritation and damage from ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Excessive sun exposure during this period may increase inflammation, slow the healing process and contribute to premature fading of the tattoo.
Why is sunlight a problem?
UV radiation affects both the skin and the tattoo pigment beneath it. While a healed tattoo should always be protected with sunscreen, a fresh tattoo requires even greater care because the skin’s natural barrier has not yet recovered.
Potential effects of early sun exposure include:
Increased redness and irritation.
Slower healing.
Greater discomfort.
Increased risk of colour fading over time.
Damage to the newly healed skin.
Health organisations and dermatology guidance consistently recommend protecting healing tattoos from direct UV exposure until the skin has fully recovered.
How long should you avoid the sun?
Healing times vary from person to person, but most tattoos require at least 2–4 weeks before the surface of the skin has healed. Deeper healing continues for longer.
If you are outdoors during this period:
Keep the tattoo covered with loose, breathable clothing where practical.
Avoid prolonged direct sunlight.
Follow the aftercare advice provided by your tattoo artist.
Once the tattoo has fully healed, use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with a high SPF whenever it will be exposed to the sun.
Long-term tattoo care
Sunlight is one of the biggest contributors to tattoo fading over the years. Even after healing, regular use of sunscreen helps preserve contrast, detail and overall appearance.
A well-executed tattoo can remain beautiful for decades, but protecting it from UV damage is one of the simplest ways to maintain its quality.
From Ticks
After more than 23 years of tattooing, I’ve found that the tattoos which age best are usually the ones that receive the best aftercare from day one. Avoiding direct sun for a few weeks is a small commitment that helps protect artwork intended to last a lifetime.
Sources
UK National Health Service (NHS)
British Association of Dermatologists
American Academy of Dermatology
Mayo Clinic
This article is provided for general information and should not replace personalised aftercare advice from your tattoo artist or medical advice from a qualified healthcare professional.