What to not eat when you get a tattoo?

December 12, 2025 •

4 min read

A tattoo creates thousands of tiny open wounds in the skin. To promote optimal healing and protect your new body art, it's critical to know what to not eat when you get a tattoo, as certain foods and beverages can hinder recovery and lead to a poor result.

Quick Summary

Certain foods and drinks can negatively impact a new tattoo's healing process. Avoid inflammatory items like high-sugar and processed foods, and steer clear of blood thinners such as alcohol and caffeine to ensure better ink retention and a faster recovery.

Key Points

Avoid Blood Thinners: Refrain from alcohol, caffeine, and certain medications like aspirin for at least 24 hours before your tattoo to minimize bleeding and ensure sharp lines.
Say No to High Sugar: High sugar intake promotes inflammation, slows healing, and can suppress your immune system, all of which are detrimental to a new tattoo.
Limit Processed Foods: Fast food, greasy snacks, and processed meats are high in inflammatory compounds, fat, and sodium that hinder recovery.
Hydration is Key: Drink plenty of water before and after your session to keep your skin hydrated, which is crucial for the healing process.
Eat a Balanced Meal: Always eat a protein-rich, complex-carb meal 1-2 hours before your appointment to stabilize blood sugar and prevent fainting.
Embrace Healing Foods: Focus on foods rich in protein, Vitamin C, Omega-3s, and Zinc to provide your body with the nutrients needed for effective tissue repair.

A new tattoo is more than just a piece of art; it is a wound that requires proper care and nutrition to heal effectively. The foods and beverages you consume directly impact your body's ability to repair itself, manage inflammation, and fight potential infections. By understanding which items to avoid and why, you can significantly improve your healing experience, reduce discomfort, and ensure your new ink remains vibrant and clear for years to come.

Foods and Drinks to Avoid Before and After Your Tattoo

Blood-Thinning Agents

One of the most critical categories to avoid is anything that thins your blood. Excessive bleeding during a tattoo session makes it difficult for the artist to work accurately and can push out the ink, leading to patchy, faded, or less-defined results. Blood thinners can also increase bruising and swelling, prolonging the recovery period.

Alcohol: As a potent blood thinner, alcohol should be avoided for at least 24-48 hours before and during the initial healing phase. It also dehydrates the skin, making it less receptive to ink and more susceptible to damage.
Caffeine: Found in coffee, energy drinks, and some sodas, caffeine acts as a stimulant and blood thinner. It can make you jittery and restless, making it harder to sit still, and can increase pain sensitivity. Skip it on the day of your appointment.
Certain Spices and Herbs: Some spices, including garlic and ginger, are natural blood thinners when consumed in large quantities. While a small amount is fine, it's best to limit high doses just before your session.
Medications: Aspirin and ibuprofen (like Advil) are blood thinners and should be avoided in the 24 hours leading up to your tattoo. Always consult your artist or doctor before taking any medication.

Inflammatory and Processed Foods

For your body to heal a tattoo, it undergoes a natural inflammatory process. However, a diet high in pro-inflammatory foods can exacerbate this response, leading to excessive swelling, redness, and a prolonged healing time.

Processed Foods: Fast food, packaged snacks, and instant noodles are typically high in unhealthy fats, sodium, and artificial additives that promote inflammation.
High Sugar Foods: Excessive sugar intake can suppress the immune system and increase inflammation. This includes sugary drinks like soda and processed juices, candy, pastries, and ice cream. Sugary foods cause blood sugar spikes that can lead to energy crashes and increased pain sensitivity.
High Sodium/Salty Foods: Too much salt leads to water retention, causing puffiness and bloating. This can affect the appearance of your new tattoo and potentially interfere with the healing process.
Excessive Dairy: While not inflammatory for everyone, some sources suggest that excessive dairy consumption can increase inflammation and be difficult to digest for certain individuals. It's a good idea to monitor your personal reaction or reduce intake temporarily.

Why You Must Eat Something Before a Tattoo

While knowing what not to eat is crucial, it's just as important to ensure you eat a balanced meal. The tattooing process is physically taxing and can cause significant drops in blood sugar, especially during long sessions. Arriving on an empty stomach dramatically increases the risk of feeling dizzy, lightheaded, or even fainting. A stable blood sugar level provides the energy and stamina your body needs to endure the process and kickstart healing immediately after.

Comparison Table: Avoid vs. Embrace


Foods/Drinks to Avoid	Nutrient-Dense Alternatives to Embrace
Alcohol, Caffeine, Energy Drinks	Water, Herbal Tea, Fresh Juices
Sugary Candies, Pastries, Soda	Fruits (berries, oranges), Nuts, Seeds
Fast Food, Fried Items, Processed Meats	Lean Protein (fish, chicken, eggs), Whole Grains, Legumes
Excess Salt and High-Sodium Snacks	Whole Foods, Spices like Turmeric, Healthy Fats (avocado)
White Bread, Refined Carbs	Brown Rice, Quinoa, Sweet Potatoes

Creating a Pro-Healing Diet

By focusing on nutrient-rich foods, you give your body the best tools for recovery. After your tattoo, your skin needs building blocks to regenerate and heal quickly. Key nutrients include protein for tissue repair, Vitamin C for collagen synthesis, and Omega-3 fatty acids for their anti-inflammatory properties. Staying well-hydrated by drinking plenty of water helps flush out toxins and keeps your skin supple, which is vital for healing.

Conclusion: Fuel Your Ink for the Best Results

Getting a new tattoo is an investment in time, money, and personal expression. Protecting that investment requires careful consideration of what you put into your body, not just what you put onto your skin. By avoiding blood thinners, inflammatory foods, and excessive sugar, you minimize the risk of a subpar healed result and support your body's natural recovery processes. A mindful diet centered around whole, nutrient-dense foods, combined with proper hydration, is the key to a smoother healing process and a beautiful, long-lasting tattoo. Remember, the quality of your tattoo is a reflection of the care you provide, both inside and out. For more on how diet affects inflammation, see this article on Healthline: Does Sugar Cause Inflammation in the Body?.

Frequently Asked Questions

Alcohol is a blood thinner, meaning it increases bleeding during the tattoo process. This can make the artist's job more difficult, lead to patchy ink retention, and cause excessive swelling and bruising. It also dehydrates your skin, which isn't ideal for tattooing.

Yes, excessive sugar intake can trigger inflammation in your body and suppress your immune system. This can slow down the healing process and increase redness and swelling around the tattoo site.

It is best to avoid coffee and other caffeinated beverages on the day of your appointment. Caffeine is a stimulant that thins the blood and can make you jittery, increasing pain sensitivity and making it harder to sit still during the session.

Arriving on an empty stomach can cause a drop in blood sugar, increasing your risk of feeling lightheaded, nauseous, or fainting during the tattoo process. Always have a solid, balanced meal 1-2 hours prior.

Some tattoo aftercare guides recommend avoiding overly spicy foods temporarily. Spicy ingredients can increase blood flow and sometimes cause digestive upset, which can make it uncomfortable to sit for a long session.

While not a major concern for everyone, some people find that excessive dairy intake can contribute to inflammation, which is best avoided during the initial healing phase. Moderating dairy consumption might be wise if you are sensitive.

Yes, processed foods are often high in unhealthy fats, salt, and additives that can promote systemic inflammation. This prolonged inflammation can delay healing and negatively impact your tattoo's final appearance.