The science behind what to eat and drink before and after getting a tattoo is a growing field. Start by drinking lots of water, eating fresh produce, and avoiding foods and drinks that cause inflammation. Here are a selection of the best food and drinks to consume when you’re going through the tattooing process:

Oranges

Oranges contain Vitamin C, which is vital for collagen production and good for the connective tissue in your skin. Collagen gives skin healthy hydration and elasticity, which are skin qualities that make a great canvas for tattoos. Vitamin C also strengthens the immune system and contributes to your body's natural healing properties.

Chocolate

When we recommend chocolate, we are referring to the heavy-duty dark stuff and not the sugary milk chocolate. Dark chocolate, which is full of cocoa solids, is excellent in providing goodness from the inside out. This helps speed up the renewal process of your skin cells, and the end result is faster healing. Amazingly, chocolate also has some protective qualities against ultraviolet radiation from the sun. Note: obviously, you should still cover the affected area when you go outside, because you don’t want a sunburnt tattoo!

Broccoli

You probably already know that broccoli is a superfood full of antioxidants, but did you know that it is also up there in terms of Vitamin K levels? Broccoli contains a huge concentration of antioxidants, such as Vitamins C and K. These are protective for your skin in terms of softness and strength! Vitamin K also protects against blood thinning. As broccoli is a completely natural source of Vitamin K, the process is enough to help you but not enough to harm you. This means that you don’t have to worry about your blood becoming too sticky, so get eating your greens!

Blueberries

Blueberries are packed with antioxidants. Antioxidants are chemicals in some foods that fight free radicals (the baddies that can damage cells and cause disease). Blueberries are fantastic in terms of the benefits that they provide for your immune system and healing in general. Blueberries are credited with healing many skin complaints ranging from oily skin to wrinkles. Not only that, but they also act as a kind of intestinal broom that sweeps out impurities from the bowel to provide internal cleansing. All of this translates into youthful looking, resilient skin. It is best to simply eat fresh or frozen blueberries. You can serve them with any meal, and they’re wonderful in smoothies or on top or your breakfast cereal or porridge.

Pineapple

Like blueberries, pineapple works from the inside out. You can apply pineapple juice topically directly onto the skin, but after tattooing, we recommend drinking the pineapple juice. Due to their high Vitamin C content, pineapple makes your skin look young and hydrated. This is how it works: Pineapple has collagen in it as a result of its bromelain enzyme, which builds up the skin’s strength and elasticity. As an added bonus, pineapple is calming on the skin and this helps to prevent inflammation after tattooing.

Garlic

Garlic is really a wonder food that benefits almost all parts of the body. It is strongly associated with natural healing and with ridding the body of impurities. At the same time, it stimulates the immune system to aid healing and prevent infection.

Water

Drinking water is excellent, not only for hydration which nourishes the skin, but to some extent, it can counter problems you might have with excessive bleeding. Start thinking about your water intake early on. See if you can increase your water intake for a few days before getting your tattoo.

Tomatoes

Tomatoes are another great source of Vitamin C. They pack a double-punch in that they also have Vitamin A, which preserves the skin from future damage. They are also thought to have some protective properties against sun damage and they allow the skin to breathe. The lycopene content in tomatoes is another factor in the fight against the aging of the skin. This means that down the track, your tattoo will look fresh for a longer period of time and is less likely to need reworking or touching up.

Healthy carbs

Carbs often get a bad rap in fad diets and popular media, but they are not all equal! Healthy carbs stabilize the blood sugar levels and fill you up. This is exactly what you need before getting a tattoo, especially if you’re a bit squeamish with pain or needles. Remember that you’ll also have to keep still for a lengthy amount of time when getting your tattoo, and won’t be able to raid the fridge for munchies. Ideally, you should have a carb-based meal the night before your tattoo. Pasta, rice, and potatoes are all good carbs that will help you. Closer to the time of your appointment, you might want a hearty sandwich or porridge, depending on whether you have a morning or afternoon session.

Dark leafy greens

We have saved the best until last. Dark, leafy greens are some of the healthiest foods available! They have a range of antioxidant properties and are full of minerals and vitamins. Especially important is Vitamin K, which we’ve mentioned earlier as being able to play a crucial role in blood clotting. Of the leafy greens, spinach is the most readily available and cheap source- not to mention tasty!