Maybe you're 16 years old, or maybe you're 55. If you're a lover of tattoos, you might find yourself looking to get your first one at some point in your life.
There is way more to it than just picking out a cute design and showing up at a tattoo parlor. Here are some helpful tips that you should know before you get yourself inked.
I know, it sounds obvious, but your tattoo should not be a spur of the moment decision, especially if it's somewhere you can't easily hide. This is permanent, man, think about it.
You're allowed to get a design simply because you like it! Just make sure you like it enough to wear it every day for the rest of your life.
Look for someone with great reviews and who has been in the business for a long time. Get suggestions from friends, check out their Instagram and Facebook reviews, and ask to see their previous work.
Talented artists often have long waiting lists, but it's worth it to make sure you're getting the best work done.
You'll want to make sure that it has been regularly inspected by the health department. Unsterilized needles are nothing to mess around with.
Getting a tattoo isn't, and shouldn't be, cheap. You're going to drop some cash on this art, but you want to make sure you're getting the best.
Think 15% for good service and 20% for anything better. If you can't afford a deposit and a tip, you can't afford a tattoo. Period.
They know what they're doing, and can probably come up with something really impressive for you.
Be specific about what you have in mind. A broad idea of a tattoo is never a good idea.
I know you'll want to, but please don't bring your four best friends to the parlor to keep you calm.
If you're going to bring one person, ask if it's okay first. Otherwise, bring a book, listen to music, or focus on breathing to keep yourself calm.
It thins your blood, messes with the healing process, and basically ruins everything.
There's a reason most parlors make sure you're sober first. Have you ever seen one that actually looks good afterward? Yeah, neither have I.
The vibrations can make some people feel nauseous, so be prepared for that to happen.
It will also make the newly tattooed part of your body feel weird after... it's normal.
This isn't something you'll want to get on your break at work. Some tattoos can take several hours, so be prepared for that.
Everyone has a different pain tolerance, and even small factors can have a huge impact on how comfortable you are.
Practice deep breathing, and after about 15 minutes or so, it should start to hurt less.
The general consensus seems to be that Tylenol (acetominophen) helps some people with the discomfort, but aspirin or Advil (ibuprofen) are not recommended as it thins your blood and interferes with the healing process.
It can work, but some artists have found that, due to its oiliness, it can be harder to get the stencil onto the skin.
Oh, and those adorable watercolor tattoos tend to blur way faster than something with a sharp line.
They're so beautiful, but a lack of darker outlining means it could fade faster than more bold tattoos.
It's best to go with a simple design if it's going to be really small, instead of something overly detailed.
They can resize it for you or change the spot if you don't totally love it. Don't be afraid to speak up before it's too late.
Know that the ink may not be totally absorbed into the scar after the first session, and you may have to come back to get touch-ups. The scar is going to have to be several years old first, and you'll want to make sure you're getting a colorful or busy pattern to better disguise it.
Some people want a tattoo they can easily hide. This means that a face/neck/ hand tattoo is probably not the best idea if your work requires that it be concealed.
I mean it. Even if they're the love of your life, it's not worth it. When it comes to family members, well, that's a little different, but still think long and hard first.
Healing is a super critical part of the process, and you don't want to go through all that pain just to mess it up.
You're going to want to keep the tattoo dry and as far away from the sun as possible.
Go ahead and ask anyone who has ever had a tattoo infection. They'll tell you how crucial hygiene is.
Scratching is literally one of the worst things you can do to a new tattoo.
Try to imagine all the dirt from under your fingernails getting into your literal open wound. Gross.
Every artist has their own recommendations and guidelines for aftercare. Until you've gotten enough to understand the best way that works for you, follow your tattoo artist's instructions.
A tattoo is an open wound after all, so you're going to have to be ready to take good care of it for weeks.
Try your best not to move during your tattoo as it could mess up the lines your tattoo artist is working super duper hard to ensure are as straight and clean as possible!
If you have to move, don't be afraid to ask for a quick re-positioning.
Especially if your first piece is a big one. Getting a medium to large piece tattooed can be pretty time-consuming, which means your skin and your body might start to feel rather uncomfortable.
You don't need to sit through the whole thing. Ask for a 10 minute breather! Grab some water, grab a bite, and get back to it.
Know that a tattoo isn't like going and treating yourself to a new outfit. This is something that's going to be on your body forever, so sometimes it's best to pay a bit more for quality.
This is especially the case if you have sensitive skin, as the ink could cause an allergic reaction.
It's going to take time to get used to the new art on your body. If you thoroughly planned for this and put a lot of thought into what you want, you didn't make a mistake. Give yourself a couple of weeks to adjust.
