Can I Drink Coffee Before Or After Getting A Tattoo?

You can’t feel alive without consuming cups of coffee a day, I get it. But can you do the same while getting a tattoo or is there any limitation about tattooing and caffeine consumption?

The fact is, you should not drink coffee and stay as clean as possible for at least 48 hours before and after getting the tattoo. Caffeine might thin your blood, raise the blood pressure and heart rate which will lead you to bleed excessively durintg the session.

From this piece, you’ll be knowing the details of how caffeine is related to tattooing process and how you can go through a successfull tattoo session and healing period.

Drinking Coffee Before or After Getting A Tattoo: How Does It Affect?

The main reason why caffeine should be avoided before and after 48 hours of getting a tattoo is, caffeine can raise your blood pressure and heart rate resulting in more bleeding during the tattooing process.

But if we speak generally, one cup of coffee before your tattoo appointment will not harm much. If you’re addicted to caffeine and all of a sudden stop supplying it to your body, chances are you’ll experience more issues while getting the tattoo.

It’s true that caffeine withdrawal is a significant factor because it may lead you to have…

• Tiredness
• Irritability
• Fatigue
• A sudden headache

…and much more.

However, if you can’t promise yourself that you won’t drink more than one cup of coffee, the above-mentioned statements are not for you.

Caffeine Before A Tattoo

Because overconsumption of caffeine can create different issues throughout the tattooing process. Such as…

• Anxiety
• Restlessness
• Dehydration of the skin makes the tattooing process difficult
• An increased heart rate that eventually causes you to bleed more
• Constriction of blood vessels
• Shakiness during getting the tattoo; eventually makes your artist’s job more difficult.

Since the effects of caffeine last a few hours, it’s best to completely avoid caffeine before you get a tattoo.

Worth mentioning, to stay away from painkillers or medications involving caffeine such as Excedrin Migraine or Midol. These may cause increased bleeding and extend the healing process.

Caffeine After A Tattoo

You may hear that caffeine contains antioxidant properties. Yes, it’s a fact. Still, it’s ideal not to consume coffee right after getting a tattoo.

It’s because caffeine is also claimed for reducing cell multiplications (that’s crucial for tissue construction) and hinder the movement of cells over the surface that needs to be healed. Eventually, it makes the entire recovery process more difficult.

Moreover, your body should work efficiently to clot blood because it helps with skin repair. But caffeine is responsible for increasing blood pressure so it’s better to stay away from caffeine as long as the healing process continues.

Therefore, try your best to avoid other foods and drinks that contain caffeine:

• Tea
• Chocolate
• Frozen yogurt
• Breakfast cereals
• Energy drinks

How Long Should You Avoid Caffeine Before and After a Tattoo?

Speaking of ‘before getting a tattoo’ the time depends on your metabolism and how your body reacts to caffeine. The most common side effects of caffeine are:

• High blood pressure
• Increased heart rate
• Blood sugar fluctuation

And, yes, these effects will play a significant role in your tattoo experience. So, it’s best if you don’t go around coffee 24 hours before getting a tattoo. Let your body stay the cleanest possible.

Now, what about ‘after getting a tattoo’?

This duration depends on the amount of bleeding you experienced during the tattoo appointment. Since your new tattoo is an open wound, make sure you take care of it with full attention.

So, how caffeine can affect the healing process?

Caffeine can thin your blood and slow blood clotting. Consuming caffeine when you have wounds might slow blood clotting and increase the risk of high bleeding.

Therefore, wait until you remove the bandage. If you see yourself bleeding even after removing the bandage, adding caffeine to your bloodstream will exacerbate the wound. Also, it may constrict the blood vessels and raise blood pressure. 

So, Should You Drink Coffee Before or After Getting a Tattoo?

After all the discussions above, you may have already got the answer. It’s advised that avoid drinks or foods containing caffeine or alcohol just before or after you get the tattoo. Both caffeine and alcohol can thin your blood, cause blood sugar fluctuations, and prolong the healing process.

Foods and Drinks to That You Should Say ‘Yes’ or ‘No’

And, you should also be careful about all the food materials that can negatively affect your tattoo; so, it’s not only about the caffeine.

Foods and Drinks You Should Say ‘Yes’ to

• Focus on protein intake: Protein speeds up the tattoo healing process. Chicken or beans can serve exactly what your body needs before and after getting a tattoo.
• Carbs should be in your diet but not too many: Overloading your body with sugar content can make you more jittery. Although carbs like bread, rice, and oatmeal will supply the required energy but overconsumption might cause you to bloat.
• Drink plenty of water: Dehydrated skin gets thin. For this, it’s a must to guzzle tons of water before you attend the tattoo session.
• Eat green veggies: Dark green and leafy vegetables like spinach, broccoli, and kale contain a high amount of iron, and vitamin A and C that strengthen your system throughout the tattoo session and healing process. Also, consider having carrots, sweet potatoes, and squash that also supply vitamin A.

Foods and Drinks That Are a No-No for Tattoos

• Avoid dairy and salt: Dairy and salt-packed foods can change the look and feel of your skin. They also cause you to bloat. How bloating is related to tattoos?

Well, once you bloat, your body contains more fluid, and if you get the tattoo with bloating, your skin might shrink back over time, and the appearance of your tattoo might change as well.

• Say NO to alcohol, caffeine, and energy drinks: As we’ve said before, alcohol and caffeine can thin your blood and cause you to bleed more while getting the tattoo. 

Energy drinks are loaded with sugar which is not the best input for your body before getting a tattoo. Instead, consume a cup of herbal tea that’s filled with vitamins and antioxidants because they’ll be useful in supplying your body with nutrients.

• Stay away from medications like aspirin or ibuprofen: Yes because these are blood-thinning medications and you should avoid any other medication that might cause you to bleed excess during the tattooing process.

Final Thoughts

That was all about drinking coffee before or after getting a tattoo. Caffeine is always great for waking you up, and making you more conscious about any important project you’re wanting to concentrate but; yes, there’s a but.

Overconsumption of caffeine might make you feel restless and shaky whereas it’s crucial for you to stay steady and calm during the tattooing. Chances are your restlessness will make your artist’s job more difficult. Also, caffeine thins your blood resulting in bleeding more throughout the session.

So, it’s best to stay as clean as possible for at least 48 hours before and after getting a tattoo.