When is the Best Time to Get a Tattoo?

Maybe you’re planning for your first tattoo or not. You might have prepared yourself with a lot of precautions and thinking about the best aftercare. You have made an appointment with the most talented artist also.

No doubt, these are crucial to get a tattoo without much pain and avoid further damages. However, have you ever thought about the right time for getting a tattoo? Do you know when the best time to get a tattoo is?

Many people neglect the “time factor” while getting a new tattoo; you should think once more if you’re one of them. Here we’re going to reveal some important facts why you should choose a particular time for your tattooing session.

The Best Time of Day to Get a Tattoo

When is the Best Time to Get a Tattoo
Can a daily clock affect your tattooing? You shouldn’t be surprised knowing that it really does. Want to know? Let’s explain the facts.

Generally, you’re free to make an appointment for your session at any time of the day. However, science advises something else. Several scientific studies have revealed that getting a tattoo as early in the morning as possible is the best.

Naturally, a person feels more refreshed when waking up in the morning. If you used to wake up early in the morning and start your day with physical exercise, you’re so lucky.

Waking up early in the morning and doing exercise helps your body to release endorphins. These hormones contribute to keeping a better mood as well as help you to fight the pain.

If your artist suggests you eat before your session, then it’s excellent. However, many artists recommend maintaining a particular gap between the time of your eating and appointment.

Eating some healthy foods helps in raising blood sugar levels and increases adrenaline doses released from your body, which ultimately gives you more pain tolerance.

Among all the facts, endorphins are most vital as they trigger a positive sensation in your body and help to block pain, exactly how morphine does.

Although there is nothing too bad to get a tattoo in the evening or after work, it facilitates rest right after your appointment. Many might not prefer going to work with pain creeping on their body.

If you want to go to bed as soon as you can, making your appointment in the evening won’t be wrong as well. Still, some difficulties may wait for you. In case you’re exhausted after a whole day of work, there is a strong possibility of triggering more pain.

The Best Time of Year to Get a Tattoo

Best Time of Year to Get a Tattoo
While you’re thinking about the perfect time of a day to get a tattoo, choosing the right season is as important as other factors. However, if you’re thinking about the right time of year to make an appointment, there is no hard and fast rule so far.

But, when it’s about the best time of year to get a tattoo, there we have to pick one season. In this case, winter is the best season to get tattooed. Unless you spend too much time outdoors, winter or fall is the best for you.

Several factors have made winter the best time of the year for tattoo lovers. Let’s explore more.

Reasons why winter is the best time of year to get a tattoo easier and more comfortable healing

When the weather is cool, the healing process becomes much more comfortable. You may not want to spend even a single night with your fresh wound in a hot summer. As you sweat more in summer, it may create a moist environment underneath your bandage.

Therefore your tattooed area becomes more prone to infection caused by bacteria or other microbes as well as it hinders the healing process.

Convenient to Cover-up

Excessive exposure to the sun can cause severe damage both to old and fresh tattoos. However, a newly made tattoo is more sensitive to UV rays.

In winter, when you’re out of home, you remain covered most of the time. This way, your tattoo remains protected under cozy clothes, which facilitates the healing process as well.

Fewer Risks of Submerging Your Tattoo

Fewer risks of submerging your tattoo
According to experts’ opinions, you should stay out of swimming or submerging your freshly made tattoo in water for at least 10-14 days.

It may bring wrinkles to your forehead, especially in summer. During summer, you may like to jump onto the ocean, go for spas, pool, spas, surfing, scrubs, jacuzzi, jet skiing, free diving, and many more.

That means you’re completely out of these summer water activities. In winter, you should be worried about that at all.

Comfortable Tattooing

In winter, artists feel more comfortable while doing their tasks. No matter how much a studio tries to keep the inner environment cool by air conditioning, it’s hard to keep it cool while the door is being opened frequently.

During winter, a studio remains relatively more temperate, which helps an artist concentrate and stay out of the hassle of wiping sweat beading from the brow.

You’re Fully Ready to Expose in Summer

Believe it or not, the appearance of your tattoo is most important while showing your tattoo to people. While your tattoo is in the healing process, it looks uglier, with peeling and scabbing all around.

If you get your tattoo in winter, you’re covering your tattoo during the healing process. As the summer rolls around, you’re entirely ready to show your tattoo off.

Is It Better To Get A Tattoo In The Morning Or Night?

Tattoo In The Morning Or Night
Many people hesitate about what’s better during the morning or night to get a tattoo. However, it always depends on personal preference. But science says something different and that might let you think once more.

According to science, people feel more refreshed in the morning due to the secretion of endorphins in the body, which aids in keeping your mood more positive. Ultimately, it helps a person to tolerate the pain.

However, many people prefer getting a tattoo at night so that they can immediately go to sleep right after getting a tattoo. That facilitates resting the tattoo for more time.

Getting tattooed in the morning is unsuitable for people who spend their day with hard work, as it can be difficult to continue their work with a fresh wound.

On the contrary, people who feel more tired or exhausted after a whole day of work should avoid getting tattoos at night because it can increase the pain while tattooing.

Get your tattoo at the time you prefer. After all, there is nothing too much wrong while comparing each time. However, no matter what time you choose to get your tattoo, make sure you have eaten your meal at least 2 hours before your appointment.

Is It Bad To Get A Tattoo In Summer?

Is It Bad To Get A Tattoo In Summer
Of course, you’re not strongly prohibited from getting tattooed in the summer. But there are some risks associated with getting a tattoo in the summer.

If you spend too much time outdoors and like to attend parties or have a busy schedule all the time, you should change your decision about getting inked during summer. During summer, people wear short, cool outfits that expose your fresh wound.

When your tattoo is exposed, it becomes prone to infections by bacteria or other microbes. Moreover, overexposure to UV rays can cause a long-lasting effect on your tattoo.

No wonder you’ll sweat more in hot summer than in any other season. Sweating more and more can create a moist environment on the tattooed area. A moist environment can trigger the growth of various bacteria, molds, and microbes, so you’re at more risk of getting infected.

Apart from all of these, artists remain busy or feel uncomfortable in summer, there is a chance of making errors during the artwork.

Is It Better To Get A Tattoo In Winter Or Summer?


It is better to get a tattoo only when you feel you’re ready and your age is above 18 years. But, there are some factors associated with particular seasons that can affect your tattooing experience and healing process.

Tattooing in winter is the better option compared to summer. In winter, both you and the artist will feel more comfortable while inking your body. You’ll sweat less, and the tattooed area will be less exposed.

As your skin remains covered, the tattoo will heal more quickly as well as you have reduced chances of infections. Moreover, winter is the season when most artists remain relatively less busy. Hence, you don’t need to wait for a longer period of time.

Is cold air bad for a new tattoo?

Although winter is the best time of year to get a tattoo, still many people may find it a bit challenging, especially in colder months.

One of the main challenges in colder weather is maintaining proper moisture. During colder months, the air becomes drier that results in scabbing and peeling on skin. Alongside, when the skin dries out, you may experience more itching.

Final Words

Hopefully, you might have got a clarified idea about when is the best time to get a tattoo. All the factors that can affect your whole tattooing are interrelated. So, there is no chance to skip any of them. From now on, make sure you’re getting the most desired art at the right time.

About the author

I’m S.R Bhuiyan, a proud Tattoo artist. I will share the body art journey with you here in PrettyJust. I have 10+ years of experience in the field of tattoo, piercing, nail art, and skincare. Check out my bio which has my tattoo studio/cat/travel pics!

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