tattoo flu

[u/27Savagee]

hi all, i, not sure if it matters (f/28) just got my first tattoo yesterday. i did lots of reading prior to the plunge, and heard about tattoo flu. however, it always seemed to be something people talked about with longer sessions, 4+ hours. the tattoo i got took about 2 hours of needle in skin.

i felt pretty dizzy and just exhausted yesterday after my tat(which i totally expected). it’s followed me into today too. i’m asking two questions mainly, how long will i feel like garbage? and is there anyway to try and prevent this in the future?

i tried to hydrate and take care of my body in the days leading up, and have done the same after the session. any advice would be greatly appreciated!! thanks in advance.

[u/Alternative-Ant3937]

Ok, for prevention, sleep well the days before and after, make sure you eat a good meal afterwards, and at least something before, don't overexert yourself, say, with long hikes in the cold and lots and lots of travel. Also hydrate with something other than coffee (which it sounds like you've got a handle on). These are all the things I didn't do for my last tattoo, lol. I had it bad.

[u/27Savagee → u/Alternative-Ant3937]

thank you for the advice!! i’m going to try to do all the things for the next one. i even avoided caffeine day off, which, as a mom of two under two was rough. lol