Getting a tattoo in another country

When to get tattooed on a trip

The main rule is simple: holiday first, tattoo second. Fresh work takes two to three weeks to heal, and for all that time sun, salt water, chlorine and sweat are bad for it.

• At the start of the trip — a bad idea. The sea, the pool, the beach and long walks in the heat are almost unavoidable.
• At the end of the trip — a good choice. Spend a couple of quiet days in the city, then let the tattoo heal at home.
• On a city break away from the sea — fine. If you’re not planning to sunbathe or swim, the timing matters less.

How to find an artist in another city

Picking an artist on the last day of your holiday because you happen to walk past their sign is a bad idea. Start looking a few weeks before your trip: good artists are often booked up well in advance.

• A portfolio in your style. Look for work similar to your idea, not just pretty work.
• Healed work. A fresh tattoo always looks bright; the quality shows a month later.
• Reviews and the studio. Look at photos of the workspace, reviews mentioning sterile equipment and how the artist answers questions.
• A shared language. You need to understand each other, especially when it comes to size and changes.

OlyaArtist's tip

If you’re coming to Belgrade for a short stay, we can do the consultation online in advance. That way the idea, size and placement are settled before you arrive, and all that’s left at the studio is the session itself. I speak Russian, Ukrainian and English.

For advice on assessing a portfolio, see “How to choose a tattoo artist”.

Agreeing on details in a foreign language

When you and your artist speak different languages, misunderstandings can be even more costly. Put everything important in writing. It’s easier to sort out the details in messages than beside the tattoo chair.

• the size in centimetres and the placement on the body, ideally with a photo;
• the price, the currency and what it includes;
• the deposit and what happens to it if you reschedule;
• when the design will be ready and how many revisions you can have.

“Your first message to a tattoo artist” will help you with what to write first, and “Deposit and booking rules” explains how deposits work.

Healing on the road

If you do end up combining a fresh tattoo with travel, the rules are the same as at home — they’re just harder to follow.

• don’t sunbathe, and cover the design with light clothing;
• wash the tattoo with clean hands, and use bottled water if you’re not sure about the tap water;
• in the heat, blot away sweat more often and don’t let clothing rub the skin;
• don’t cover the tattoo with a plaster “just in case” — the skin needs air.

Flying with a fresh tattoo

You can fly with a fresh tattoo. All that matters is that nothing rubs or presses on the skin: a bag strap, a tight sleeve, the armrest.

Cabin air is dry, so your skin may feel tight. Keep a travel-sized aftercare product in your hand luggage. If your artist has put film on your tattoo, ask them how long to keep it on while you’re still at the studio.

What to pack

Before you set off, check you’ve got everything:

Day-by-day aftercare is in “Daily tattoo aftercare”.

If something goes wrong far from home

Redness and slight swelling in the first few days are normal. If the skin is hot, the pain is getting worse, or there’s pus or a fever, see a doctor where you are — don’t wait until you get home. How to tell normal healing from warning signs is explained in “Normal or a warning sign”.

If you need a touch-up once it’s healed and your artist is far away, another artist back home can do it. More on that in “Tattoo touch-ups”.

Frequently asked questions

Travel questions come up every year before summer. Can't find your question? Message me on Telegram or Instagram. I reply personally.