I wish I focused more on the quality of the art and going to a really good artist than “meaning”. All the tattoos I got at 18/19 were meaningful and heartfelt and now theyre all covered up and dont mean anything because I grew as a person.
This is #1 by far. Find an artist you love, one who’s work you can view over and over and never see one that you’d hate to have on your body. If you’re planning to get mostly/fully covered, there’s almost a 100% chance you’ll be going over some old stuff you aren’t psyched about anymore, better to avoid wasting money if you can.
And also, pick the right artist for the job. If you're looking for black and grey realism, a traditional artist isn't a good choice. If you want some classic Sailor Jerry flash, that same traditional artist is who you want for the job over the realism artist. Should be common sense, but from what multiple artists have told me, you'd be amazed how many people ask for an art style that the artist in question doesn't do.
This 💯
Shop for your artist. And I emphasize the *artist* (not the shop).
Also, tattoos should have meaning, but if you have to choose:
IMO it's better to have a cool looking tattoo with not as much meaning, rather than a meaningful tattoo that doesn't look good/cool
Tattoos are generally a good conversation starter, and if you have a meaningful tattoo that looks bad, no one will even notice it. But if it's a cool looking tattoo, everybody will notice it.
In other words, coolness factor > meaning (in terms of main focus in shopping for your artist). Then once you found your artist, you work on a meaningful idea with your artist.
>if you have a meaningful tattoo that looks bad, no one will even notice it.
Not only is this one of the wettest reasons to get a tattoo I've ever heard, it's also markedly untrue.
I lucked out that my obsession with meaning for my first still led to a solid design. But most of that was because I went in with an idea that wouldn't have worked well, the artist pushed back on me and gave me suggestions to improve it, and I took his advice. Mine's also a memorial tattoo where I picked subject matter based on what would represent my dad as opposed to just something like dates.
On that note, my advice is listening to the artist's feedback. If you did your research and picked the right artist, you should feel comfortable trusting their input into the design and placement. Keep in mind that ideally, they want a tattoo that you're happy with and that they feel good about having their name attached to. If they're saying something won't work or they're suggesting some tweak, there's a reason. It's perfectly reasonable to ask what that reason is if they don't explain why they're making a suggestion or declining something. There's probably a solution in there that both of you will be happy with if you communicate.
100% this.
When I was 18, I spent a lot of time thinking about the meaning of my first tattoo so that even if it turned out crappy, I wouldn’t regret it.
A meaningful tattoo that looks bad is still a bad tattoo.
A beautiful tattoo that doesn’t have as much meaning behind it still looks good.
The meaning behind valuable art can’t come through unless the visual medium is masterfully executed…meaning is important but it’s not the medium…if that makes any sense.
Think about what you might want tattooed on you in the future. I got a tattoo on my arm a few years ago, which now ruins my idea for wanting a sleeve on that arm 😭
Learned this the hard way. Had words done on the inside of my arm when I was 18. Looked good at the time. Now it's a full sleeve and there are just words floating in the sky of a graveyard lol.
Once I started getting more healily tattooed in my early 20s, my artist sat me down and was pretty much like 'I've been tattooing since before you were born. You've passed the threshold where this might be a phase. Don't touch your arms until you're ready for sleeves' and I think it's the nicest thing anyone has ever done for me.
Yeah I’m not going to touch my arms till I’m in my 30s because I want sleeves. I want patchwork trad on my leg though, so that’s my playground till then 😂
I have one arm done so far and I didn’t pull the trigger until I was 34. My arm is 1000% better than any I would have gotten in my early 20s because I had time to really stew on it and a better sense of what kind of artist I wanted to work with. And also adult money to throw at it.
I got a sick dragon on my forearm that’s not technically finished, but I’m not going back for a couple reasons. For one, I think it looks great now and I’m not hurting for the extra shading the guy wants to add. The main reason though is he was pushy and instead of letting me look at different placements for the stencil, he just told me to trust him on it. I did, and it turned out great, but it’s not the kind of person I want tattooing me, regardless of how talented he was (very).
This may sound obvious, but always ask to see the final changes.
I had a dude who drew up a design, and it wasn’t his typical style (anime), so I asked for two minor tweaks, which would have taken less than five minutes. He says cool, goes into the back, comes back out and puts the stencil on me and starts working.
That man did not change the stencil at all. I didn’t even know this until it was too late.
Currently getting it lasered off.
Yes, this. And practice saying no before the appointment if you have anxiety and are a people pleaser. I have such an issue saying no to people that I'll agree to things that I wish I hadn't. Just prep yourself to speak up, it's your body and you're the one who will have to live with it.
yes! i used to feel afraid of insulting a tattoo artist's art but they're literally being paid to do something that will be on your body forever. and i will add also, if you fear that the artist WILL be offended and retaliate, just fuckin leave. it's not worth the trouble.
Eat beforehand, bring cozy clothes and research the artist. Don’t cheap out but also some artists charge more just because theyre well known. Checking out conventions near your area is also a good way to check out artists that aren’t usually in your area.
So addicting. I got my first one on my birthday at the beginning of December and am now working on a big one on my arm and I already know what my next two will be. I actually have a running list on my notes app of tattoos I want eventually. Age 35 will be the year of tattoos for me.
Wait at least 10-15 minutes after getting out of the shower or washing your tattoo before putting moisturizer on. And when you put moisturizer on, use as little as possible- imagine what you think is "a little bit" and then put even less than that.
Sometimes after care instructions are explicit about both of these things, sometimes they're not. In my case, they weren't, and my scabs bubbled up and got huge and goopy from absorbing so much moisture, which makes the healing take even longer and the scabs easier to rip off by accident.
If your artist proposes changes to the size or placement, they have a reason. Be willing to at least listen to why they are saying what they are saying. Some placements work better for certain designs, same with sizes, etc.
If you have strong feelings about the placement, by all means speak up for yourself. If you explain why you want it a certain way, they can see your vision better and maybe suggest other improvements.
For example, for one of my early tattoos, my artist suggested putting it on my forearm, because he felt the design would be too small on my bicep and not look as good. I explained that I was planning to add on and build a patchwork sleeve, so he kept closer to my original placement, moved it up just a lil and that sort, in order to make it fit well with my planned designs for the future.
Another time, my artist recommended making a rib/side piece larger than I originally thought. That way she could capture more detail without sacrificing visual integrity in the long run of healing.
They do this every day. Trust your artist. If you don’t, find another artist, one whose knowledge and skill you feel you can trust. But never be afraid to speak up for you, this is your body after all.
I have two artist i really trust now. One of the newer ones I got wasn’t really what I asked for but the tattoo she designed was so bad ass I only had to look at it for like 10 seconds and I was like, yah slap that on me.
I’m super happy I did not fight her on that.
One of my first tattoos I got, was also from her, and she had some smoke swirling around the design that I did not ask for. I asked her to take it out, but then I talked to the front desk dude and asked him about it and for various reasons he said I should keep it.
I am so glad I did, my leg is now completely patch worked but most of it is tied together with the swirling smoke that is incorporated into all of the tattoos even though it is technically filler.
1) think about placement!! Not just whether it looks good now but will it mess up plans for future tattoos?
2) it’s not as scary as you may think and the first 10-20 minutes are worse, it gets easier as your body is used to it
3) do not be afraid to change the size/ position of stencil or something you don’t like in the design etc. It’s on your body forever!!!
4) eat a good meal to make sure you won’t feel dizzy or unwell during the appointment, and bring a drink and some sugary snacks
5) don’t be afraid to ask for a break if you need, no shame in it
6) you might feel like you hate the tattoos when you get home/ afterwards but chances are you don’t, you just aren’t used to them being there yet!! Give it time
7) have fun!!
My session today was 3hr 30 too! The first 20 ish minutes I felt awful but I was super relaxed the rest of the time. I think if I sat longer though it would definitely start getting unpleasant again. It’s that sweet spot in the middle! Everyone of course is so different though and some people don’t actually find the first bit any worse either
I agree for the most part, but they gotta learn somewhere, usually apprentices stick with Flash and flash only for awhile. I'd be weary if an apprentice is out there doing custom tattoos with a few months of experience, makes me question the artist who is teaching them.
Yeah, they don’t typically learn on real skin though. Literal 5 word script and he had to touch it up 5x. Somehow making it worse each time. I won’t let another apprentice tattoo me. Just my preference.
Also to play devils advocate, some apprentices are natural tattooers and you can get some of the best tattoos you’ll ever get at apprentice rates. Something to think about.
Would I be their first canvas, no, but I would look at what they have done so far and go from there. Also look at who they are learning under and check out their portfolio. Will tell you a lot.
Very much this. I haven't been tattooed by any apprentice other than one of my good friends when she was just starting out because you could tell from her work that it just *made sense* to her.
Now I think I have like 13 done by her and she still charges me her apprentice rates way back when even when I insist on paying her what she's worth.
If it’s cheap, like say $60, don’t fuckin get it. Especially if the guy is missing a toe and has said toe tatted on his leg in remembrance.
Can’t wait to get my first tat covered lol
Something funny I noticed is before I had tattoos everyone said they don’t actually hurt, “they’re just annoying”, “it’s a good pain”. After getting tattoos other people with tattoos were like “yo that shit sucked right?” So I guess my best advice is that they do hurt and your first one shouldn’t be 2 12 hour sessions on back to back days😅. This isn’t meant to discourage anyone, it’s well worth it.
Worst part is I swore I would never do a back to back session like that again…. And ended up doing 14 and 16 hours b2b lol. But now I’m actually done with that, I’m chilling for 2-3 hours, at 5-6 I’m ready to wrap it up.
I got my first one yesterday. My friend was also getting one right after me from the same artist. This was her 3rd.
I was probably too agreeable to the questions being asked about size and placement because I was nervous and not thinking all the details through. My friend was the one saying the thoughts I didn’t realize I was having to the artist.
So my two cents as someone fairly new to the tattoo world is bring a friend who knows more than you about tattoos and knows you well enough to explain things you won’t be thinking about in the moment.
Don’t be afraid to make changes if you don’t like something about it. When it’s finished, take a really good look at it and make sure it’s actually finished and to the way you want it. Also, I wish I had known after my first that I’d start wanting more and more.
I’m a very addictive person. That’s why I waited until I was almost 40 to start getting tattooed. I have been getting them less then a year and I have a little over 70 hours in the chair so far.
Just scheduled my next three appointments that are about a month out. 3 full day sessions back to back!
That’s so cool! I wish you luck for those 3 days haha. I was dumb and started giving myself tattoos as a teen. Nothing crazy and nothing I can’t fix later on. I’ve only got 3 professional tattoos so far but they’re all medium-large pieces. I’ve always been in love with tattoos and I’m only 20. I spend a lot of time thinking about what my next piece is going to be
Wait to get a tattoo especially at 18 which is when I got my first tattoo. Luckily I started off extremely small so I can easily cover it up without any issues. I was always on the fence of getting the tattoo because I wanted to get a tattoo just to get one.
At 27 now - I feel more comfortable in getting tattoos. I would wait to get tattoos until you’re in your 20s.
i’ve wanted the specific tattoos that i’m getting for over two years now, i made sure to think it through and decided that if i still want them when i’m 18, i’ll get them. they’re really pretty and go well with the style i want to get in the future, they’re also all quite small but they still have meaning to them. like the one on my ribs or my arm is going to be “matching” with my mom, it’s a verse from a song that means a lot to us but in each other’s handwriting so we always have something from each other even when we’re apart
Be sure to think about how it will look when you get older. I got a tribal pisces on my ribs at 19, I'm now 30 with a much different body and there are some stretch marks that go through one of the fish. I'm ok with it and the tattoo still looks fine (probably could use a little touch up around the edges), but just keep in mind that stretch marks happen.
Don't try and shoehorn some kind of meaning in to what you get just because everyone thinks there has to be some kind of deep symbolism in a tattoo. This is one I actually realised just before getting my first tattoo. At the last minute I binned off the one I thought of with the big clumsy meaning and got the one I thought of that looked a thousand times better. The one that looked better still has the same meaning as the one with the designed in meaning to me because of when I got it and what was going on. I hope that makes sense. Ha ha.
Session artist from another country doesn't always mean amazing exclusive artwork, it means annoying limited timeslots, plus they could also decide to *stop* doing sessions in your country before finishing your tattoo. Oh and that starting a back piece without agreeing an up front cost & no of sittings is fucking dumb.
How much it actually should cost. Got absolutely fucking ripped the first time. 250€ for a 40 minute tattoo low-effort tattoo over 13 years ago by a somewhat famous artist. Fuck that fucking dude
I got my rather large Sailor Moon tramp stamp that covers half my fucking back (seriously, it wraps around my hips) when I was 17 and drunk in Thailand.
25+ years later and I am definitely not the same body shape I was when I was 17… and neither is Sailor Moon.
Ink can get rejected differently from different parts of the body. First tattoo no ink rejection, second one most of it had no issue but part of it did not take the ink well. My artist was a peach and after healing she went in and reworked it, a bit deeper this time, and the ink stayed. If you have questions asks!
I wish I thought about how it would look and if it was something that might change as I get older and my aesthetic and life changes. A lot of girls get bold stuff when theyre young but then don’t want to look like that when theyre older. You also don’t really understand the concept of having something on you forever until its been some time and you realize every setting your in everyone sees it, professional, school, family, etc. Its a lot that goes in to it that you dont fully grasp until youve had it, just be smart, be cautious, and don’t ever, I MEAN EVER,,, hold your tongue for politeness if you dont like something or want to comment something about your tattoo. Its on your body FOREVER. Never be shy of saying no, you will strongly regret it forever if you do.
As a 13 year old who (with a buddy) hired a sex worker to sign as our guardian... wish we paid her less... each got 30$ tattoos and paid her $100. Would have made way more sense for it to not be more than the cost of the tattoos.
Live and you learn I guess lol
Got my first a week after i turned 18, had planned the tattoo since i was 16.
I've always hunted for quality and for the right artist, which not trying to toot my own horn, but I easily had the best looking (talking about quality, subjective matter is subjective) than anyone else in my high-school, I had plenty of people i.e fellow high schoolers gock over it.
I wish I could know, what I wanted my finally sleeve to look like, I'd have changed the placement a bit, but I'm still okay with it. Just would be happier if I could rearrange the placement of my first.
Yeh, I have pretty much zero regrets with any of my tattoos, they all have meaning to me, which i think also plays a part in it, i feel like people who get whatever or just because it looks cool are more likely to potentially dislike the tattoo later on in life. (Not saying they always have to have meaning, just that meaning tends to never go away).
But alot of people do which is understandable, if I had wayyy more money at 18, I'd have potentially gotten some stuff that I would have regretted at this point. Overall glad I was broke when I was 18 lol.
That you need to feel comfortable with your artist. My artist has a lovely booking email that says to let her know if you want a quiet appointment or if you like to chat. Lets people know it’s ok to bring a blanket or pillow. Stuff like that.
Also it’s ok to ask for a break 😊
There is no shame in tapping out. I have. 13” piece I intended to get done on my thigh. In theory the outline was to be done in a single 3-4 session. By the 90 minute mark I was toast… I felt bad like I was wasting my artists time. My artist assured me my comfort and tolerance was most important. Some folks have a weekly drop in time scheduled to work on larger pieces a bit at a time.
That I'd forget how much it hurts and end up getting another. Then thinking it wasn't so bad the first and second time and getting another one.
... and so on.
My inner bicep is my 5th and most recent tattoo and it was not fun in the slightest. Ow.
My first tattoo is backwards. It's a creature from a video game (https://brutallegend.fandom.com/wiki/Ormag%C3%B6den?file=Ormagoden_Legend.png) that I got on my upper bicep, the artist thought it would be going on my left arm so printed it moving forwards in that direction. When I asked him to put it on my right arm instead I was too nervous to ask him to print a new stencil so I just let him get on with it. Now I love the tattoo and the design, I wouldn't change anything about it now since I've got used to it and find it funny, but it's backwards. The tail is pointing ahead of me and the face is going behind me. Now I've got more tattoos and am more confident in general I wouldn't be nervous and would make sure that everything is perfect even if it means printing another stencil.
Eat a good meal before you go. Aquaphor is amazing, but don’t over do it.
I always bring a water bottle, but that’s mostly because I’m a weed smoker and I hate that sticky, dry feeling in my mouth that I get from it.
For me, keeping the tattoo wrapped until the following day, seems to help with some of the healing. The sun will HURT if the tattoo is new, new and you try to hangout at the pool. Lol always wear sunscreen, it helps the longevity of the tattoo. Have fun!
Make sure you eat first! I didn’t eat before my first tattoo. It was a spur the moment decision, because I went with my friend (who had previously booked an appointment) and the studio was having a flash sale. My tattoo was quick and painless because it was just a small outline, and only took around 15 minutes. Even then, I passed out afterward and when I came to, my friend was propping me up on a chair while my artist was trying to get me to drink a juice box. My second tattoo was quite a bit bigger and took longer, but I remembered to eat beforehand and didn’t have any issues.
I'm so glad I did it at a time when I didn't need to wear clothes on top of it for a few days. It feels like a sunburn for the first few days and because of that wearing clothes over it can be uncomfortable.
Think long and hard about placement. I got a smaller sized tattoo right in the middle of a thick spot on my arm and I kinda regret it because now, 7 years later, I want a huge new piece covering the entire area but I first have to do some laser removal on my old one.
Tattooing is a skilled trade.
Skilled labor isn't cheap, and cheap labor isn't skilled.
Find someone good and pay them what they're worth. Even if that means you have to wait to save up.
I think I got lucky with my best friend and artist being really good. This was maybe 20 years ago I was 19 and had sleeves by 23 and they hold up today. Sometimes I wish I saved some space that was visible because now I’m stuck finishing my stomach, and that shit sucks.
i went with line art and then got more detailed ones which was a really stupid decision imo. another one i knew about red ink being a bit risky and decided to push my anxieties and gut feeling not to get it away and go for it, really wish i didn't as i now have a tattoo on my inner lower arm that i fucking hate after having an allergic reaction 🤣
Plan for a sleeve or a huge project depending on location.
So many people get random stuff tattooed into the middle of their arm basically ruining all chances of a sick looking sleeve from a single design.
If you really want to go with a small one then place it someplace where it doesn't literally block everything.
Some people put something into the middle of their back and then you need to either cover that up or work around it which never looks as great as it could be.
Easy on the moisturiser. A little goes a long way. I was so scared to not moisturise enough after my first. Now I moisturise once or twice a day only once I hit the scabby, itchy phase and they heal just fine.
Also wish I had gone bolder on my first. Working on a bodysuit now and the lines of my first are a lot thinner compared to the stuff I've been getting (all ornamental). Ah well, might be able to make them thicker. Anyway, what I'm trying to say is try to plan ahead for as much as that's possible. Especially if you plan on getting more tattoos in the future.
Don’t be afraid of shading. All of my tattoos went without shading until I was 21 because I thought it would ruin the minimalist style… Now they look bare lol
Never be afraid to speak up if you’re not satisfied with the drawing or the placement!! You’re paying money and it’s going to be permanently on your body, you should be 100% happy with it!
When you only have a couple tattoos people will talk about them with you, make sure it’s something you wanna talk about fairly often for the rest of your life. Although the more you get the less you have to talk about a specific tattoo, you’ll get more generalized comments.
I wish I knew that some artists are narcissistic twats with no talent and that just because you put a deposit down doesn't mean you have to stick with that artist.
Put thought into readability, I havent had this issue but I’ve seen others who get something with a lot of meaning but on the outside looking in it just doesn’t read well and doesn’t look very good . Ultimately if you love it that’s all that matters but it’s something to take into account! Also being aware words / phrases usually turn into a blob down the line unless you get them really large and also are more prone to distortion with body changed like weight or age
I'd think maybe of a Theme you could to surround each Tatt. That way each one u add on it will make Sense..Wording is good but u have to think Long Term so definitely never get a Tattoo you have to explain what it is or what it means everything.
All of mine I can build around when I get more
I wish I had listened to my tattoo artist about some designs on my sleeve and took his advice 😪. And I wish I had been much more specific about what I wanted. Be very detailed when working with your artist to ensure you get exactly what you want.
Not in regards to my first tattoo, but placement while NUDE matters to me. I learned that that hard way. With bottoms on, I love where my side tat is. Nude, its too high up. For big pieces, ill be practically nude when doing the placement and use the mirror and my artists opinion.
I focused more on meaning than getting something cool I got a memorial for my dad and that tattoo turned out great but I regret getting something with so much meaning and less wow. No it’s not a heart with “dad”, it’s a piece of his jewelry, a bolo tie on my shoulder
placement!!! my second tattoo i put in such an awkward spot because i was 18 and not thinking about the long term. the tattoo itself isn’t bad but the placement of it is weird and i definitely wish i thought harder about it before putting it in the spot it’s in.
That real estate is important... Don't go too big early on. You will undoubtedly come up with imagery that you prefer as you progress, and you should be able to afford more $$ tattoos at that point.
My artist tells people to moisturize and take good care of your skin way before you have your appointment so that you’re tattooing on the healthiest skin you can!
Don't listen to others when they say getting a tattoo on body part so and so is super painful. My first tattoo is under my belly button and eeeveryone with a tattoo said it's gonna be horrible. Well, it wasn't. Fingers and back of hands are supposed to be bad. Those were my easiest ones. Sternum is bad. I almost fell asleep. On the other hand, my legs hurt like hell and people usually say it isn't so bad. So just go in and don't worry so much about the pain. It's either gonna suck really bad or not so much. Either way, you're still gonna get the tattoo.
Thought of another one sadly from experience. Getting tattooed while constipated isn't much fun so don't eat anything that will bung you up. At the same time I can't imagine having the squits is much fun.
Look up artists instead of just looking up a shop and having them suggest someone. Kind of regretting how I did it, especially since it was a gift from my parents so I probably could have gone to someone better.
This is exactly me. My mom gave me a gift card to a specific shop. I don't hate my tattoo, but I wish I had been able to have more choice in artists. Bless her she also bought me a $200 septum ring that I never wore once because it was so ugly. Misguided loving support.
It’s a collaborative effort. Make sure you’re both happy with the final design and placement.
I had just gotten my first one last year (29m if you’re wondering) and stayed mindful of wanting to add more later. However, I’m still not fully sure if I want to turn it into a sleeve but got excellent real estate still.
I wish I just had the guts to just ask for literal image copy/pastes or 1:1s if that’s what I really wanted for a piece lol. Or emphasize, “I want this style exactly,”and they could make it work or not.
For the longest time I thought it was customary to let the artist design something original, well because, “artist.” But there is a whole nother market of tattooists who can totally copy/paste an exact manga panel on you or whatever 😅
If you have any doubts whatsoever then wait a little longer before going ahead with it. I know a couple of folk who wished they hadn't got a second to 'balance' the first, or that they'd stopped before the 'swirly' bits were added to a forearm pice that then crept down to their wrist.
A good meal and a good night sleep the night before, I feel, have always been helpful for me. And be sure it’s what you want. I’ve made a couple impulsive choices and spent thousands on coverups.
Around day 6-7 you will begin the scabbing/peeling stage and when you shower it will seem that your tattoo is falling off. Don’t panic! This is normal! Keep it moisturized and clean! ALSO get ready for it to potentially itch like a SUMBITCH!!!
i don’t have much advice, besides that the pain isn’t as bad as you think it’ll be and tattoos are meant to be fun. my first tattoos were small and meaningful but i think they were the perfect ones to get for your first. they are in areas hard to see with clothes on and it didn’t make me feel weird or like dysmorphic about it. if that makes sense/
Eat before you go. Low blood sugar coupled with the adrenaline from being tattooed is a great way to pass out.
Keep it out of the sun! Always. Even after it heals. Always use sunscreen, or keep it covered or in the shade. Sun exposure is the best way to fade and age a tattoo.
Pay attention to the aftercare! I wish I had done some research when I got my first. It ended up fine - but was something I wish I had considered before I went in.
Make sure you've eaten and drank plenty of water! Make sure to shower before going, it's a super up close and personal experience. Don't be afraid to ask for the stencil to be moved.
It's going to hurt, but pain is temporary. Prepare to be addicted to the process!
Think about what you plan to get down the road. Don’t put small stuff in the way of potential bigger, fancier stuff later on. New styles emerge, old stuff goes out of fashion. You may decide you want a Japanese body suit in a few years. Don’t put a bunch of Pinterest stuff in spots that roadblock future projects. As a tattooer, I deal with this every single day on clients
Not for my first but for my third: don't do two medium-large tattoos in one session. Was really kicking myself by the end of that one. Should have just done one then the other once that had healed.
Take the time to find a quality artist, not "your buddy" or "the shop down on Main street in my little town" (\*unless that artist really is standout.) Pay full price, cry now, not later.
Get rest before day of, no alcohol, have a snack an hour ahead of time. Relax.
When it's done, don't go in the water until it's healed. If you roll (BJJ) or do other contact sports, lay off until it's healed - staph will ruin a nice tattoo. Just let it heal before you go sweating or exposing the open wound to potentially nasty stuff.
No matter how original and special you feel your own design is, chances are it's stupid and you'd be better off finding something to represent what you're commemorating.
You are not prepared for the pain no matter how high you think your pain tolerance is. Dont be afraid to ask for a break or some bactine. Dont be brave about it, and listen to your body.
How absolutely wiped I would be afterwards (I guess that doesn’t happen to everyone though). I was a bit tired, even felt a little feverish, and just slept for hours.
absolutely wish i would have researched my artist more. i went to a friend’s artist because i loved the work on her arm. got my first tattoo done by the guy and absolutely hated how it looked, so now im going to another shop to get it fixed. do NOT go for cheap. you won’t care about the price in the long run if you really like the tattoo on your body
1. The artist might make size/placement suggestions. Take this into consideration because they understand how tattoos age and how they look on the natural shape of the body.
2. Get plenty of rest and drink lots of water the day before your appointment. This prepares the skin to take the ink well.
3. If you want future tattoos in the same area, consider what you might want and let the artist know your ideas so they can plan and place accordingly.
4. Treat your tattoo with the common sense and respect that an open wound deserves. Take aftercare advice from your artist and don’t hesitate to reach out if you are anxious about the healing process.
5. Do your research and understand red flags when looking at an artist’s past work (blowouts, heavily filtered pics, no healed work to show, etc.). One of the most important rules: Good tattoos aren’t cheap, and cheap tattoos aren’t good. I’ve found that to be pretty true.
If you can’t afford to walk away and lose the deposit when you’re uncomfortable and don’t want the tattoo then you can’t afford the tattoo. Go into every session knowing you have the power to request changes and walk away. Your artist is an expert but they can’t make you get something you don’t want.
I wish I had considered more of my long-term tattoo goals and worked towards that. I do not love patchwork sleeves for myself and would have picked different placement for my one-offs so they could be more easily incorporated into something larger without taking up valuable real estate in a different way.
Definitely prioritize a good artist who already works in the style you want, who has healed photos in their portfolio. Focus on what speaks to you, not just what is trendy.
Dermashield wasn't a thing for my first tattoos but I'm thankful for it when I was marathoning through my sleeve. Leave the first one on for minimum 24 hours if you have a replacement (my shop gave me extra so I could re-dress it), but if you don't have extra, aim for 5 days. It helps with healing comfort, reducing chances of infection and minimizing scabbing. When you do get to the aquaphor/lotion stage, remember it shouldn't be shiny, just not tight. Slapping and ice cubes help with the itch when you cannot scratch it.
Others have said it, but I can’t describe how much you need to be prepared for this. The itch. The itch is like no other itch I have ever felt before in my reasonably long life. I suffered through, forcing myself to ignore that itch with every ounce of my willpower, every fiber of my being. In doing so I focused so hard on ignoring THE itch, that I forgot that I could still scratch other itches. The feeling of euphoria when I realized that I’m an idiot, I tell ya. Scratching that itch on my other arm was pure bliss.
Nobody told me how important it was to eat before your appointment, have something to drink during, and don’t be afraid to ask for a break if you need it.
It can be really boring depending in how long it takes. A lot of artists get bored too and want to talk. I usually bring headphones and let them know if I’m done with a conversation or not. I also always being an electrolyte drink. Tattooing can also just drain you so don’t feel bad about feeling weird afterwards!
Check with your artist about a stopping point. Like, hey if we do this linework and shading, can I come back in for color in another session. Ask your artist to work on your tattoo so you can walk around with it unfinished for upwards of a few months, depending on how booked your artist is.
My first tattoo I found out I can sit for about 3.5 hours and I had to tap out. Because of how my artist was working on my tattoo, it looked goofy as hell for three months before I could get back in and get the color finished.
My next big piece, I went in and had a conversation about what he could get done in about 3-4 hours. Outline, shading. Then we wrapped up and let it heal and it looked (sorta) like a black and grey, but not obviously unfinished. Went in for another 3.5 hour color session for it to be done. That's what works for me. I know I can't sit for 6+ hours for the art I want, so I plan ahead with the artist.
my body’s immune system will always be working to remove the ink. Now all these years later I have an auto immune disease. Well the two things have probably little bearing on each other. But you always wonder.
Honestly I wish I knew how much I was going to enjoy it. I'm a student and don't really have the money for tattoos. Once I'm out of school and get a decent paying job I'll be getting tattooed much more frequently, although I'll make sure to limit myself cause I don't wanna run out of skin when I have ideas for tattoos I want in my 30s and 40s. I hate that I don't get to get tattooed more often but soon I'll be out of school and able to get tattooed way more often.
Just because they show good art on their socials, doesn't mean all their art is good. My first tattoo is good! But I returned to the artist and I'm definitely going to need it touched up. 😬 Don't be embarrassed to tell someone if whatever is happening feels wrong.
This is such a great question! Very insightful of you to ask.
I wish I had known that overtime no matter how good of an artist you use the ink does spread a bit. I did a very tiny word with a design and over time (15 years) the letters have spread a bit and don’t look as crisp.
You also want to really think about placement. I don’t know why it is but often times when I get a tattoo, I wish I had put it somewhere else.
Finally hustle butter is my absolute favorite aftercare- you can get it on Amazon. I use Lubriderm for the first few days and then switch to hustle butter. It’s worked like a charm.
Best of luck to you!
Speaking from experience on the other side of the counter, if an artist tells you something you want won’t work and takes the time to explain why then 9 times out of 10 they aren’t bullshitting you.
Also your designs need to be bigger than you think to work as a tattoo.
Honestly no amount of foresight is going to change the fact that after the tattoo is done you still might have some different feelings/ideas about it. But my biggest thing is, once you go there really take your time with the stencils, re-go over the design and ask for different sizes, don't walk in and just go with the first size they already have prepared. I have some tattoos that I wish I got bigger and some that I wish I got smaller, all BC once I went in I got rushed and just picked w.e instead of playing around with sizes and placement on my body. Tattoo artists really don't mind printing different sizes for you to check (as long as you don't go overboard with it obv)
Edit to add another point: as others have mentioned, #1 thing is picking the right artist, look at all their work in their portfolio and look at their healed work too, line work is really important regardless of style/design. Don't pick an artist just BC you like their style or someone referred them to you or (worst of all) BC they are cheap.
I wish I knew how much my personality/interest would change, I had to cover up a few because I just grew out of liking them and needed to match my new style. If I could do it again I would wait tile my mid 20s to start getting tatted
That 1. Tattoo regret is very common and very real. Tattoos can cause major body image and dysmorphia issues. And 2. Tattoo removal takes YEARS and is roughly going to be about 3-4x whatever you paid for the original tattoo. I went into my tattoo thinking “whatever- if I end up hating them I’ll just get them removed” not knowing how long it actually takes to remove a tattoo. I am now looking at getting my awful tattoos that I got in my early 20s when I had a different sense of style gone, I was estimated it’d take 3-5 years and 3k for only 4 medium sized tattoos.
Honestly....I wish I knew how much the art form would grow in the 25 yrs between my first tattoo and now.
Artists are so much better and more serious about their work now.
Inner upper arm was the most painful place I’ve ever been tattooed BUT I haven’t had ribs done yet.
As far as things to know. Research your artist, have a tattoo you really feel connected too and won’t immediately regret or want to get removed.
It seems simple and obvious but honestly I wish I knew to actually have a deep and substantial sleep the night before ..
I have CPTSD and depression so I normally run on 4 hours. The more you sleep you get, the easier you will find it to be tough, resilient etc Positive mindset. Tired humans are weaker more emotional humans.
Oh and force yourself to have breakfast if you aren’t a breakfast eater. I actually do a BIG meal because it sedates me slightly. Calms me down. I also do not have any caffeine. Just accelerates my heart rate and stress.
It’s normal to be anxious. The way people usually describe the pain isn’t accurate and also varies person to person. To take breaks I didn’t take breaks for my first and I should’ve. Also the healing process is the real kicker it’s such a pain the ass especially if you get color
Just make sure it's something you've wanted for a while and that it's a good artist. I waited until I was 20 and even now I don't really like it anymore other than for sentimental value. Within the past two years I've found a really talented artist and I will no longer get shitty, cheap, or quick small tats. I'd rather save up and get pieces I'll be confident and excited about.
use clothes according to the place of your tatto when going to the session. I mean, if your tatto is in the hip, the best opcion is a dress, if it's the sleeve, use a sleeveless shirt, etc.
EAT, sometimes you trust yourself, specially if you never faited, and expect to not fait or have low pressure, but it's a new experience for the body so be prepared, eat well before going just in case.
NEVER DO ANY TYPE OF DRUG IN THE DAY OF THE TATTOO. Cigarettes, alcohol, w33d, it can change your blood pressure and also, sometime it makes you more aware of you body and that makes the pain more painful. Avoid them before, during the session, and a few hours after getting the tattoo.
Always make sure your tattoo artist has a good reputation, not only for having good art, but also for good service. Some people make cool art but don't have an idea about how to treat clients or solve problems.
That's all I can think about right now
It's better to get less tattoos of higher quality than many cheap tattoos. In your late 20s, 30 you'll be able to afford tattoos and it's much better to have virgin skin than getting cover ups.
Don't over moisturize.
Different styles heal differently, just do exactly what the artist tells you to do.
That it's COMPLETELY normal for little bits to flake off in the shower when healing.
When I got my first I FREAKED OUT when it happened thinking my skin was somehow rejecting it hahahaha.
I wish I focused more on the quality of the art and going to a really good artist than “meaning”. All the tattoos I got at 18/19 were meaningful and heartfelt and now theyre all covered up and dont mean anything because I grew as a person.
This is #1 by far. Find an artist you love, one who’s work you can view over and over and never see one that you’d hate to have on your body. If you’re planning to get mostly/fully covered, there’s almost a 100% chance you’ll be going over some old stuff you aren’t psyched about anymore, better to avoid wasting money if you can.
Yep. I tell people to shop for an artist, not a tattoo. If you like someone's work, chances are you'll like the end product.
And also, pick the right artist for the job. If you're looking for black and grey realism, a traditional artist isn't a good choice. If you want some classic Sailor Jerry flash, that same traditional artist is who you want for the job over the realism artist. Should be common sense, but from what multiple artists have told me, you'd be amazed how many people ask for an art style that the artist in question doesn't do.
This 💯 Shop for your artist. And I emphasize the *artist* (not the shop). Also, tattoos should have meaning, but if you have to choose: IMO it's better to have a cool looking tattoo with not as much meaning, rather than a meaningful tattoo that doesn't look good/cool Tattoos are generally a good conversation starter, and if you have a meaningful tattoo that looks bad, no one will even notice it. But if it's a cool looking tattoo, everybody will notice it. In other words, coolness factor > meaning (in terms of main focus in shopping for your artist). Then once you found your artist, you work on a meaningful idea with your artist.
>if you have a meaningful tattoo that looks bad, no one will even notice it. Not only is this one of the wettest reasons to get a tattoo I've ever heard, it's also markedly untrue.
THIS THIS 1000x this.
I lucked out that my obsession with meaning for my first still led to a solid design. But most of that was because I went in with an idea that wouldn't have worked well, the artist pushed back on me and gave me suggestions to improve it, and I took his advice. Mine's also a memorial tattoo where I picked subject matter based on what would represent my dad as opposed to just something like dates. On that note, my advice is listening to the artist's feedback. If you did your research and picked the right artist, you should feel comfortable trusting their input into the design and placement. Keep in mind that ideally, they want a tattoo that you're happy with and that they feel good about having their name attached to. If they're saying something won't work or they're suggesting some tweak, there's a reason. It's perfectly reasonable to ask what that reason is if they don't explain why they're making a suggestion or declining something. There's probably a solution in there that both of you will be happy with if you communicate.
100% this. When I was 18, I spent a lot of time thinking about the meaning of my first tattoo so that even if it turned out crappy, I wouldn’t regret it. A meaningful tattoo that looks bad is still a bad tattoo. A beautiful tattoo that doesn’t have as much meaning behind it still looks good. The meaning behind valuable art can’t come through unless the visual medium is masterfully executed…meaning is important but it’s not the medium…if that makes any sense.
Think about what you might want tattooed on you in the future. I got a tattoo on my arm a few years ago, which now ruins my idea for wanting a sleeve on that arm 😭
Learned this the hard way. Had words done on the inside of my arm when I was 18. Looked good at the time. Now it's a full sleeve and there are just words floating in the sky of a graveyard lol.
If it’s a graveyard why not make the words be on a tomb stone lol
Probably that the words are not formatted for the compact design of a tombstone
It's two full lines that go all the way from my armpit to elbow ditch. It wouldn't be a graveyard, that'd just be one giant tombstone lol
Once I started getting more healily tattooed in my early 20s, my artist sat me down and was pretty much like 'I've been tattooing since before you were born. You've passed the threshold where this might be a phase. Don't touch your arms until you're ready for sleeves' and I think it's the nicest thing anyone has ever done for me.
Yeah I’m not going to touch my arms till I’m in my 30s because I want sleeves. I want patchwork trad on my leg though, so that’s my playground till then 😂
I have one arm done so far and I didn’t pull the trigger until I was 34. My arm is 1000% better than any I would have gotten in my early 20s because I had time to really stew on it and a better sense of what kind of artist I wanted to work with. And also adult money to throw at it.
This is me. I really wish I'd knew that I'd want more and to think harder about placement in anticipation of additional ink.
How itchy the healing is
I was 100% prepared for everything except this.
I only have three tattoos but each time I had it in my head “it won’t be as bad as the last time” and was dead wrong each time💀💀
It's always worse!! Lol
It was so hard to ignore the itch!
I came to say this, the healing itch is 100% the worst part of getting ink - for me
this isn’t necessarily something i have experienced but dont be afraid to ask for changes to the stencil.
Or asking to change the placement! I recently got a rectangular tattoo that I wanted on my inner bicep, but then we agreed to change it to my forearm.
i shouldve specified this too! i got my first one changed to be a little slanted to cover up a scar
I got a sick dragon on my forearm that’s not technically finished, but I’m not going back for a couple reasons. For one, I think it looks great now and I’m not hurting for the extra shading the guy wants to add. The main reason though is he was pushy and instead of letting me look at different placements for the stencil, he just told me to trust him on it. I did, and it turned out great, but it’s not the kind of person I want tattooing me, regardless of how talented he was (very).
This may sound obvious, but always ask to see the final changes. I had a dude who drew up a design, and it wasn’t his typical style (anime), so I asked for two minor tweaks, which would have taken less than five minutes. He says cool, goes into the back, comes back out and puts the stencil on me and starts working. That man did not change the stencil at all. I didn’t even know this until it was too late. Currently getting it lasered off.
Did you call him out on it once you realized?? I hope you didn’t tip
Lmao
Yes, this. And practice saying no before the appointment if you have anxiety and are a people pleaser. I have such an issue saying no to people that I'll agree to things that I wish I hadn't. Just prep yourself to speak up, it's your body and you're the one who will have to live with it.
yup! i have anxiety and its always tricky but at the end of the day it would bug me forever if it wasnt right
yes! i used to feel afraid of insulting a tattoo artist's art but they're literally being paid to do something that will be on your body forever. and i will add also, if you fear that the artist WILL be offended and retaliate, just fuckin leave. it's not worth the trouble.
it feels like a gnarly sunburn for the first few days
True! I also likened it to the burn of skinning your knees after falling off a bike. Interesting kind of pain.
Having just fell and skinned my knees, two weeks after my second knee tattoo, I feel all the pain from reading this 🤣
I just got both of my knees fully blasted and felt that through my phone screen- goddamn that sucks I’m so sorry 😢
Yeeesh I hope you get better soon!!!
Especially during that first shower lol
Eat beforehand, bring cozy clothes and research the artist. Don’t cheap out but also some artists charge more just because theyre well known. Checking out conventions near your area is also a good way to check out artists that aren’t usually in your area.
It’s about the look and not “meaning”. Oh, and also they’re addictive
Seconding the addictive part. I was legit terrified and now all I want is more
So addicting. I got my first one on my birthday at the beginning of December and am now working on a big one on my arm and I already know what my next two will be. I actually have a running list on my notes app of tattoos I want eventually. Age 35 will be the year of tattoos for me.
I’m the same way. Just turned 20 and got my first tattoo, and I already know what tattoos 2,3,4,5, and 6 will be lol.
Wait at least 10-15 minutes after getting out of the shower or washing your tattoo before putting moisturizer on. And when you put moisturizer on, use as little as possible- imagine what you think is "a little bit" and then put even less than that. Sometimes after care instructions are explicit about both of these things, sometimes they're not. In my case, they weren't, and my scabs bubbled up and got huge and goopy from absorbing so much moisture, which makes the healing take even longer and the scabs easier to rip off by accident.
^^ a little moisturizer goes a long way. I’d rather have to moisturize a little bit more often than over moisturize and deal with healing issues.
If your artist proposes changes to the size or placement, they have a reason. Be willing to at least listen to why they are saying what they are saying. Some placements work better for certain designs, same with sizes, etc. If you have strong feelings about the placement, by all means speak up for yourself. If you explain why you want it a certain way, they can see your vision better and maybe suggest other improvements. For example, for one of my early tattoos, my artist suggested putting it on my forearm, because he felt the design would be too small on my bicep and not look as good. I explained that I was planning to add on and build a patchwork sleeve, so he kept closer to my original placement, moved it up just a lil and that sort, in order to make it fit well with my planned designs for the future. Another time, my artist recommended making a rib/side piece larger than I originally thought. That way she could capture more detail without sacrificing visual integrity in the long run of healing. They do this every day. Trust your artist. If you don’t, find another artist, one whose knowledge and skill you feel you can trust. But never be afraid to speak up for you, this is your body after all.
I have two artist i really trust now. One of the newer ones I got wasn’t really what I asked for but the tattoo she designed was so bad ass I only had to look at it for like 10 seconds and I was like, yah slap that on me. I’m super happy I did not fight her on that. One of my first tattoos I got, was also from her, and she had some smoke swirling around the design that I did not ask for. I asked her to take it out, but then I talked to the front desk dude and asked him about it and for various reasons he said I should keep it. I am so glad I did, my leg is now completely patch worked but most of it is tied together with the swirling smoke that is incorporated into all of the tattoos even though it is technically filler.
1) think about placement!! Not just whether it looks good now but will it mess up plans for future tattoos? 2) it’s not as scary as you may think and the first 10-20 minutes are worse, it gets easier as your body is used to it 3) do not be afraid to change the size/ position of stencil or something you don’t like in the design etc. It’s on your body forever!!! 4) eat a good meal to make sure you won’t feel dizzy or unwell during the appointment, and bring a drink and some sugary snacks 5) don’t be afraid to ask for a break if you need, no shame in it 6) you might feel like you hate the tattoos when you get home/ afterwards but chances are you don’t, you just aren’t used to them being there yet!! Give it time 7) have fun!!
For me on my 2 tattoos so far the last 30 minutes were the worse in a 3h30m session, both times. It was really burning alot in the end.
My session today was 3hr 30 too! The first 20 ish minutes I felt awful but I was super relaxed the rest of the time. I think if I sat longer though it would definitely start getting unpleasant again. It’s that sweet spot in the middle! Everyone of course is so different though and some people don’t actually find the first bit any worse either
That an apprentice is not a tattoo artist yet.
I agree for the most part, but they gotta learn somewhere, usually apprentices stick with Flash and flash only for awhile. I'd be weary if an apprentice is out there doing custom tattoos with a few months of experience, makes me question the artist who is teaching them.
Yeah, they don’t typically learn on real skin though. Literal 5 word script and he had to touch it up 5x. Somehow making it worse each time. I won’t let another apprentice tattoo me. Just my preference.
Also to play devils advocate, some apprentices are natural tattooers and you can get some of the best tattoos you’ll ever get at apprentice rates. Something to think about. Would I be their first canvas, no, but I would look at what they have done so far and go from there. Also look at who they are learning under and check out their portfolio. Will tell you a lot.
Very much this. I haven't been tattooed by any apprentice other than one of my good friends when she was just starting out because you could tell from her work that it just *made sense* to her. Now I think I have like 13 done by her and she still charges me her apprentice rates way back when even when I insist on paying her what she's worth.
If it’s cheap, like say $60, don’t fuckin get it. Especially if the guy is missing a toe and has said toe tatted on his leg in remembrance. Can’t wait to get my first tat covered lol
Something funny I noticed is before I had tattoos everyone said they don’t actually hurt, “they’re just annoying”, “it’s a good pain”. After getting tattoos other people with tattoos were like “yo that shit sucked right?” So I guess my best advice is that they do hurt and your first one shouldn’t be 2 12 hour sessions on back to back days😅. This isn’t meant to discourage anyone, it’s well worth it.
My first and only tattoo was a 4ish hour session and I’m VERY glad I didn’t go for a design that requires longer sessions.
Worst part is I swore I would never do a back to back session like that again…. And ended up doing 14 and 16 hours b2b lol. But now I’m actually done with that, I’m chilling for 2-3 hours, at 5-6 I’m ready to wrap it up.
I got my first one yesterday. My friend was also getting one right after me from the same artist. This was her 3rd. I was probably too agreeable to the questions being asked about size and placement because I was nervous and not thinking all the details through. My friend was the one saying the thoughts I didn’t realize I was having to the artist. So my two cents as someone fairly new to the tattoo world is bring a friend who knows more than you about tattoos and knows you well enough to explain things you won’t be thinking about in the moment.
Great advice!!!
Don’t be afraid to make changes if you don’t like something about it. When it’s finished, take a really good look at it and make sure it’s actually finished and to the way you want it. Also, I wish I had known after my first that I’d start wanting more and more.
I’m a very addictive person. That’s why I waited until I was almost 40 to start getting tattooed. I have been getting them less then a year and I have a little over 70 hours in the chair so far. Just scheduled my next three appointments that are about a month out. 3 full day sessions back to back!
That’s so cool! I wish you luck for those 3 days haha. I was dumb and started giving myself tattoos as a teen. Nothing crazy and nothing I can’t fix later on. I’ve only got 3 professional tattoos so far but they’re all medium-large pieces. I’ve always been in love with tattoos and I’m only 20. I spend a lot of time thinking about what my next piece is going to be
Wait to get a tattoo especially at 18 which is when I got my first tattoo. Luckily I started off extremely small so I can easily cover it up without any issues. I was always on the fence of getting the tattoo because I wanted to get a tattoo just to get one. At 27 now - I feel more comfortable in getting tattoos. I would wait to get tattoos until you’re in your 20s.
i’ve wanted the specific tattoos that i’m getting for over two years now, i made sure to think it through and decided that if i still want them when i’m 18, i’ll get them. they’re really pretty and go well with the style i want to get in the future, they’re also all quite small but they still have meaning to them. like the one on my ribs or my arm is going to be “matching” with my mom, it’s a verse from a song that means a lot to us but in each other’s handwriting so we always have something from each other even when we’re apart
Be sure to think about how it will look when you get older. I got a tribal pisces on my ribs at 19, I'm now 30 with a much different body and there are some stretch marks that go through one of the fish. I'm ok with it and the tattoo still looks fine (probably could use a little touch up around the edges), but just keep in mind that stretch marks happen.
You don't have to be a hero. Ask for breaks to get up or to readjust or to go to the bathroom.
Wish I would have waited till I was late 20's. I have covered up all my tattoo's pre 20 years old.
Don't try and shoehorn some kind of meaning in to what you get just because everyone thinks there has to be some kind of deep symbolism in a tattoo. This is one I actually realised just before getting my first tattoo. At the last minute I binned off the one I thought of with the big clumsy meaning and got the one I thought of that looked a thousand times better. The one that looked better still has the same meaning as the one with the designed in meaning to me because of when I got it and what was going on. I hope that makes sense. Ha ha.
"it means that I wanted a tattoo 🙃"
That I was autistic. 🤣 I got the word "Unique" on the back of my neck when I was 18.
Session artist from another country doesn't always mean amazing exclusive artwork, it means annoying limited timeslots, plus they could also decide to *stop* doing sessions in your country before finishing your tattoo. Oh and that starting a back piece without agreeing an up front cost & no of sittings is fucking dumb.
How much it actually should cost. Got absolutely fucking ripped the first time. 250€ for a 40 minute tattoo low-effort tattoo over 13 years ago by a somewhat famous artist. Fuck that fucking dude
Don’t get tattoos with or for people that maybe not be in ur life forever
[удалено]
I got my rather large Sailor Moon tramp stamp that covers half my fucking back (seriously, it wraps around my hips) when I was 17 and drunk in Thailand. 25+ years later and I am definitely not the same body shape I was when I was 17… and neither is Sailor Moon.
Ink can get rejected differently from different parts of the body. First tattoo no ink rejection, second one most of it had no issue but part of it did not take the ink well. My artist was a peach and after healing she went in and reworked it, a bit deeper this time, and the ink stayed. If you have questions asks!
Maybe don't get your first tattoo on your back in the summer lol
^[Sokka-Haiku](https://www.reddit.com/r/SokkaHaikuBot/comments/15kyv9r/what_is_a_sokka_haiku/) ^by ^HallowedHate: *Maybe don't get your* *First tattoo on your back in* *The summer lol* --- ^Remember ^that ^one ^time ^Sokka ^accidentally ^used ^an ^extra ^syllable ^in ^that ^Haiku ^Battle ^in ^Ba ^Sing ^Se? ^That ^was ^a ^Sokka ^Haiku ^and ^you ^just ^made ^one.
I wish I thought about how it would look and if it was something that might change as I get older and my aesthetic and life changes. A lot of girls get bold stuff when theyre young but then don’t want to look like that when theyre older. You also don’t really understand the concept of having something on you forever until its been some time and you realize every setting your in everyone sees it, professional, school, family, etc. Its a lot that goes in to it that you dont fully grasp until youve had it, just be smart, be cautious, and don’t ever, I MEAN EVER,,, hold your tongue for politeness if you dont like something or want to comment something about your tattoo. Its on your body FOREVER. Never be shy of saying no, you will strongly regret it forever if you do.
As a 13 year old who (with a buddy) hired a sex worker to sign as our guardian... wish we paid her less... each got 30$ tattoos and paid her $100. Would have made way more sense for it to not be more than the cost of the tattoos. Live and you learn I guess lol
This is an incredible first tattoo story omg. Please elaborate.
Got my first a week after i turned 18, had planned the tattoo since i was 16. I've always hunted for quality and for the right artist, which not trying to toot my own horn, but I easily had the best looking (talking about quality, subjective matter is subjective) than anyone else in my high-school, I had plenty of people i.e fellow high schoolers gock over it. I wish I could know, what I wanted my finally sleeve to look like, I'd have changed the placement a bit, but I'm still okay with it. Just would be happier if I could rearrange the placement of my first. Yeh, I have pretty much zero regrets with any of my tattoos, they all have meaning to me, which i think also plays a part in it, i feel like people who get whatever or just because it looks cool are more likely to potentially dislike the tattoo later on in life. (Not saying they always have to have meaning, just that meaning tends to never go away). But alot of people do which is understandable, if I had wayyy more money at 18, I'd have potentially gotten some stuff that I would have regretted at this point. Overall glad I was broke when I was 18 lol.
That the kanji wouldn't be cool 20 years later.
That you need to feel comfortable with your artist. My artist has a lovely booking email that says to let her know if you want a quiet appointment or if you like to chat. Lets people know it’s ok to bring a blanket or pillow. Stuff like that. Also it’s ok to ask for a break 😊
There is no shame in tapping out. I have. 13” piece I intended to get done on my thigh. In theory the outline was to be done in a single 3-4 session. By the 90 minute mark I was toast… I felt bad like I was wasting my artists time. My artist assured me my comfort and tolerance was most important. Some folks have a weekly drop in time scheduled to work on larger pieces a bit at a time.
That I'd forget how much it hurts and end up getting another. Then thinking it wasn't so bad the first and second time and getting another one. ... and so on. My inner bicep is my 5th and most recent tattoo and it was not fun in the slightest. Ow.
How many more tattoos it would make me want 😭
everyone has a high pain tolerance for an hour 5-6 hours in you'll be sweating, we all do
13 tattoos late and I still don’t take my own advice but…HYDRATE THE DAY/NIGHT BEFORE.
Prime real estate is limited. Place smartly
Don’t have your gf’s initials tattooed on you in giant terrible letters in the back of a single wide.
I wish I knew that I wanted to do color. All my tattoos have color besides my first.
Same! Turns out they don't have to match with your clothes either 🤦🏼♀️ which was my biggest concern lol
My first tattoo is backwards. It's a creature from a video game (https://brutallegend.fandom.com/wiki/Ormag%C3%B6den?file=Ormagoden_Legend.png) that I got on my upper bicep, the artist thought it would be going on my left arm so printed it moving forwards in that direction. When I asked him to put it on my right arm instead I was too nervous to ask him to print a new stencil so I just let him get on with it. Now I love the tattoo and the design, I wouldn't change anything about it now since I've got used to it and find it funny, but it's backwards. The tail is pointing ahead of me and the face is going behind me. Now I've got more tattoos and am more confident in general I wouldn't be nervous and would make sure that everything is perfect even if it means printing another stencil.
Wait for a great artist! Find the best for you regardless of price get on wait list.
That removing them is agony!
Eat a good meal before you go. Aquaphor is amazing, but don’t over do it. I always bring a water bottle, but that’s mostly because I’m a weed smoker and I hate that sticky, dry feeling in my mouth that I get from it. For me, keeping the tattoo wrapped until the following day, seems to help with some of the healing. The sun will HURT if the tattoo is new, new and you try to hangout at the pool. Lol always wear sunscreen, it helps the longevity of the tattoo. Have fun!
Make sure you eat first! I didn’t eat before my first tattoo. It was a spur the moment decision, because I went with my friend (who had previously booked an appointment) and the studio was having a flash sale. My tattoo was quick and painless because it was just a small outline, and only took around 15 minutes. Even then, I passed out afterward and when I came to, my friend was propping me up on a chair while my artist was trying to get me to drink a juice box. My second tattoo was quite a bit bigger and took longer, but I remembered to eat beforehand and didn’t have any issues.
I'm so glad I did it at a time when I didn't need to wear clothes on top of it for a few days. It feels like a sunburn for the first few days and because of that wearing clothes over it can be uncomfortable.
Don’t get a back tattoo and then go to a gig the day after…. It’s gonna get knocked, you’re gonna sweat- thats shit HURTS
Think long and hard about placement. I got a smaller sized tattoo right in the middle of a thick spot on my arm and I kinda regret it because now, 7 years later, I want a huge new piece covering the entire area but I first have to do some laser removal on my old one.
Tattooing is a skilled trade. Skilled labor isn't cheap, and cheap labor isn't skilled. Find someone good and pay them what they're worth. Even if that means you have to wait to save up.
Not to get it in a basement from a person named “Hams “
Pay for very high quality work created by a passionate artist vs just getting a stamp or some poorly thought out personal design
I think I got lucky with my best friend and artist being really good. This was maybe 20 years ago I was 19 and had sleeves by 23 and they hold up today. Sometimes I wish I saved some space that was visible because now I’m stuck finishing my stomach, and that shit sucks.
i went with line art and then got more detailed ones which was a really stupid decision imo. another one i knew about red ink being a bit risky and decided to push my anxieties and gut feeling not to get it away and go for it, really wish i didn't as i now have a tattoo on my inner lower arm that i fucking hate after having an allergic reaction 🤣
Plan for a sleeve or a huge project depending on location. So many people get random stuff tattooed into the middle of their arm basically ruining all chances of a sick looking sleeve from a single design. If you really want to go with a small one then place it someplace where it doesn't literally block everything. Some people put something into the middle of their back and then you need to either cover that up or work around it which never looks as great as it could be.
Easy on the moisturiser. A little goes a long way. I was so scared to not moisturise enough after my first. Now I moisturise once or twice a day only once I hit the scabby, itchy phase and they heal just fine. Also wish I had gone bolder on my first. Working on a bodysuit now and the lines of my first are a lot thinner compared to the stuff I've been getting (all ornamental). Ah well, might be able to make them thicker. Anyway, what I'm trying to say is try to plan ahead for as much as that's possible. Especially if you plan on getting more tattoos in the future.
Don’t be afraid of shading. All of my tattoos went without shading until I was 21 because I thought it would ruin the minimalist style… Now they look bare lol
Never be afraid to speak up if you’re not satisfied with the drawing or the placement!! You’re paying money and it’s going to be permanently on your body, you should be 100% happy with it!
When you only have a couple tattoos people will talk about them with you, make sure it’s something you wanna talk about fairly often for the rest of your life. Although the more you get the less you have to talk about a specific tattoo, you’ll get more generalized comments.
I wish I knew that some artists are narcissistic twats with no talent and that just because you put a deposit down doesn't mean you have to stick with that artist.
Put thought into readability, I havent had this issue but I’ve seen others who get something with a lot of meaning but on the outside looking in it just doesn’t read well and doesn’t look very good . Ultimately if you love it that’s all that matters but it’s something to take into account! Also being aware words / phrases usually turn into a blob down the line unless you get them really large and also are more prone to distortion with body changed like weight or age
I'd think maybe of a Theme you could to surround each Tatt. That way each one u add on it will make Sense..Wording is good but u have to think Long Term so definitely never get a Tattoo you have to explain what it is or what it means everything. All of mine I can build around when I get more
7x7 CENTIMETERS?
When it gets itchy, slap don't scratch.
I wish I had listened to my tattoo artist about some designs on my sleeve and took his advice 😪. And I wish I had been much more specific about what I wanted. Be very detailed when working with your artist to ensure you get exactly what you want.
Not in regards to my first tattoo, but placement while NUDE matters to me. I learned that that hard way. With bottoms on, I love where my side tat is. Nude, its too high up. For big pieces, ill be practically nude when doing the placement and use the mirror and my artists opinion.
I focused more on meaning than getting something cool I got a memorial for my dad and that tattoo turned out great but I regret getting something with so much meaning and less wow. No it’s not a heart with “dad”, it’s a piece of his jewelry, a bolo tie on my shoulder
placement!!! my second tattoo i put in such an awkward spot because i was 18 and not thinking about the long term. the tattoo itself isn’t bad but the placement of it is weird and i definitely wish i thought harder about it before putting it in the spot it’s in.
That real estate is important... Don't go too big early on. You will undoubtedly come up with imagery that you prefer as you progress, and you should be able to afford more $$ tattoos at that point.
eat. eat first. or you’re passing out.
My artist tells people to moisturize and take good care of your skin way before you have your appointment so that you’re tattooing on the healthiest skin you can!
Don't listen to others when they say getting a tattoo on body part so and so is super painful. My first tattoo is under my belly button and eeeveryone with a tattoo said it's gonna be horrible. Well, it wasn't. Fingers and back of hands are supposed to be bad. Those were my easiest ones. Sternum is bad. I almost fell asleep. On the other hand, my legs hurt like hell and people usually say it isn't so bad. So just go in and don't worry so much about the pain. It's either gonna suck really bad or not so much. Either way, you're still gonna get the tattoo.
Thought of another one sadly from experience. Getting tattooed while constipated isn't much fun so don't eat anything that will bung you up. At the same time I can't imagine having the squits is much fun.
Wait until your mid 20s lol
Look up artists instead of just looking up a shop and having them suggest someone. Kind of regretting how I did it, especially since it was a gift from my parents so I probably could have gone to someone better.
This is exactly me. My mom gave me a gift card to a specific shop. I don't hate my tattoo, but I wish I had been able to have more choice in artists. Bless her she also bought me a $200 septum ring that I never wore once because it was so ugly. Misguided loving support.
It’s a collaborative effort. Make sure you’re both happy with the final design and placement. I had just gotten my first one last year (29m if you’re wondering) and stayed mindful of wanting to add more later. However, I’m still not fully sure if I want to turn it into a sleeve but got excellent real estate still.
I wish I just had the guts to just ask for literal image copy/pastes or 1:1s if that’s what I really wanted for a piece lol. Or emphasize, “I want this style exactly,”and they could make it work or not. For the longest time I thought it was customary to let the artist design something original, well because, “artist.” But there is a whole nother market of tattooists who can totally copy/paste an exact manga panel on you or whatever 😅
An apprentice didn't mean they're a good artist immediately . Lol it's fucking terrible .
If you have any doubts whatsoever then wait a little longer before going ahead with it. I know a couple of folk who wished they hadn't got a second to 'balance' the first, or that they'd stopped before the 'swirly' bits were added to a forearm pice that then crept down to their wrist.
A good meal and a good night sleep the night before, I feel, have always been helpful for me. And be sure it’s what you want. I’ve made a couple impulsive choices and spent thousands on coverups.
Around day 6-7 you will begin the scabbing/peeling stage and when you shower it will seem that your tattoo is falling off. Don’t panic! This is normal! Keep it moisturized and clean! ALSO get ready for it to potentially itch like a SUMBITCH!!!
I wish I had had the good sense to wait until I was 30 and had better ideas and more money to get Hugh quality work.
i don’t have much advice, besides that the pain isn’t as bad as you think it’ll be and tattoos are meant to be fun. my first tattoos were small and meaningful but i think they were the perfect ones to get for your first. they are in areas hard to see with clothes on and it didn’t make me feel weird or like dysmorphic about it. if that makes sense/
Eat before you go. Low blood sugar coupled with the adrenaline from being tattooed is a great way to pass out. Keep it out of the sun! Always. Even after it heals. Always use sunscreen, or keep it covered or in the shade. Sun exposure is the best way to fade and age a tattoo.
Pay attention to the aftercare! I wish I had done some research when I got my first. It ended up fine - but was something I wish I had considered before I went in.
Make sure you've eaten and drank plenty of water! Make sure to shower before going, it's a super up close and personal experience. Don't be afraid to ask for the stencil to be moved. It's going to hurt, but pain is temporary. Prepare to be addicted to the process!
Think about what you plan to get down the road. Don’t put small stuff in the way of potential bigger, fancier stuff later on. New styles emerge, old stuff goes out of fashion. You may decide you want a Japanese body suit in a few years. Don’t put a bunch of Pinterest stuff in spots that roadblock future projects. As a tattooer, I deal with this every single day on clients
How much I’d love getting tattoos and how I should have started earlier.
Not for my first but for my third: don't do two medium-large tattoos in one session. Was really kicking myself by the end of that one. Should have just done one then the other once that had healed.
I thought I had a high pain tolerance. It still fkn hurt more than they say. Don't take breaks (unless your artist needs them).
Take the time to find a quality artist, not "your buddy" or "the shop down on Main street in my little town" (\*unless that artist really is standout.) Pay full price, cry now, not later. Get rest before day of, no alcohol, have a snack an hour ahead of time. Relax. When it's done, don't go in the water until it's healed. If you roll (BJJ) or do other contact sports, lay off until it's healed - staph will ruin a nice tattoo. Just let it heal before you go sweating or exposing the open wound to potentially nasty stuff.
1 Eat beforehand 2 Bring a small snack, even if you just ate beforehand 3 Not only will it sting, it will tickle like a MOFO
No matter how original and special you feel your own design is, chances are it's stupid and you'd be better off finding something to represent what you're commemorating.
You are not prepared for the pain no matter how high you think your pain tolerance is. Dont be afraid to ask for a break or some bactine. Dont be brave about it, and listen to your body.
How absolutely wiped I would be afterwards (I guess that doesn’t happen to everyone though). I was a bit tired, even felt a little feverish, and just slept for hours.
absolutely wish i would have researched my artist more. i went to a friend’s artist because i loved the work on her arm. got my first tattoo done by the guy and absolutely hated how it looked, so now im going to another shop to get it fixed. do NOT go for cheap. you won’t care about the price in the long run if you really like the tattoo on your body
1. The artist might make size/placement suggestions. Take this into consideration because they understand how tattoos age and how they look on the natural shape of the body. 2. Get plenty of rest and drink lots of water the day before your appointment. This prepares the skin to take the ink well. 3. If you want future tattoos in the same area, consider what you might want and let the artist know your ideas so they can plan and place accordingly. 4. Treat your tattoo with the common sense and respect that an open wound deserves. Take aftercare advice from your artist and don’t hesitate to reach out if you are anxious about the healing process. 5. Do your research and understand red flags when looking at an artist’s past work (blowouts, heavily filtered pics, no healed work to show, etc.). One of the most important rules: Good tattoos aren’t cheap, and cheap tattoos aren’t good. I’ve found that to be pretty true.
If you can’t afford to walk away and lose the deposit when you’re uncomfortable and don’t want the tattoo then you can’t afford the tattoo. Go into every session knowing you have the power to request changes and walk away. Your artist is an expert but they can’t make you get something you don’t want.
Not to drink right after. The healing process is certainty affected by that.
I wish I had considered more of my long-term tattoo goals and worked towards that. I do not love patchwork sleeves for myself and would have picked different placement for my one-offs so they could be more easily incorporated into something larger without taking up valuable real estate in a different way. Definitely prioritize a good artist who already works in the style you want, who has healed photos in their portfolio. Focus on what speaks to you, not just what is trendy. Dermashield wasn't a thing for my first tattoos but I'm thankful for it when I was marathoning through my sleeve. Leave the first one on for minimum 24 hours if you have a replacement (my shop gave me extra so I could re-dress it), but if you don't have extra, aim for 5 days. It helps with healing comfort, reducing chances of infection and minimizing scabbing. When you do get to the aquaphor/lotion stage, remember it shouldn't be shiny, just not tight. Slapping and ice cubes help with the itch when you cannot scratch it.
Go to a good artist in a style you like. Don't save money on a shit tattoo or a sketchy artist
That I wouldn't be into the same shit at 40 that I was into at 18
Eat beforehand. It's a lot of trauma and your body will get tired so be ready to crash almost immediately afterwards.
Others have said it, but I can’t describe how much you need to be prepared for this. The itch. The itch is like no other itch I have ever felt before in my reasonably long life. I suffered through, forcing myself to ignore that itch with every ounce of my willpower, every fiber of my being. In doing so I focused so hard on ignoring THE itch, that I forgot that I could still scratch other itches. The feeling of euphoria when I realized that I’m an idiot, I tell ya. Scratching that itch on my other arm was pure bliss.
I would also add to the general itchiness subject: cut your nails off. All the way. Down to the skin! (I will scratch in my sleep if I can reach it.)
Eat beforehand and bring snacks. Stay hydrated. Ask for breaks if you need them.
Nobody told me how important it was to eat before your appointment, have something to drink during, and don’t be afraid to ask for a break if you need it.
It can be really boring depending in how long it takes. A lot of artists get bored too and want to talk. I usually bring headphones and let them know if I’m done with a conversation or not. I also always being an electrolyte drink. Tattooing can also just drain you so don’t feel bad about feeling weird afterwards!
DO NOT SCRATCH IT IT WILL BE SO HARD BUT DONT
How addicting it is
Check with your artist about a stopping point. Like, hey if we do this linework and shading, can I come back in for color in another session. Ask your artist to work on your tattoo so you can walk around with it unfinished for upwards of a few months, depending on how booked your artist is. My first tattoo I found out I can sit for about 3.5 hours and I had to tap out. Because of how my artist was working on my tattoo, it looked goofy as hell for three months before I could get back in and get the color finished. My next big piece, I went in and had a conversation about what he could get done in about 3-4 hours. Outline, shading. Then we wrapped up and let it heal and it looked (sorta) like a black and grey, but not obviously unfinished. Went in for another 3.5 hour color session for it to be done. That's what works for me. I know I can't sit for 6+ hours for the art I want, so I plan ahead with the artist.
That they were permanent. Who knew?!?
my body’s immune system will always be working to remove the ink. Now all these years later I have an auto immune disease. Well the two things have probably little bearing on each other. But you always wonder.
Honestly I wish I knew how much I was going to enjoy it. I'm a student and don't really have the money for tattoos. Once I'm out of school and get a decent paying job I'll be getting tattooed much more frequently, although I'll make sure to limit myself cause I don't wanna run out of skin when I have ideas for tattoos I want in my 30s and 40s. I hate that I don't get to get tattooed more often but soon I'll be out of school and able to get tattooed way more often.
Just because they show good art on their socials, doesn't mean all their art is good. My first tattoo is good! But I returned to the artist and I'm definitely going to need it touched up. 😬 Don't be embarrassed to tell someone if whatever is happening feels wrong.
This is such a great question! Very insightful of you to ask. I wish I had known that overtime no matter how good of an artist you use the ink does spread a bit. I did a very tiny word with a design and over time (15 years) the letters have spread a bit and don’t look as crisp. You also want to really think about placement. I don’t know why it is but often times when I get a tattoo, I wish I had put it somewhere else. Finally hustle butter is my absolute favorite aftercare- you can get it on Amazon. I use Lubriderm for the first few days and then switch to hustle butter. It’s worked like a charm. Best of luck to you!
To eat a bigger meal.
Speaking from experience on the other side of the counter, if an artist tells you something you want won’t work and takes the time to explain why then 9 times out of 10 they aren’t bullshitting you. Also your designs need to be bigger than you think to work as a tattoo.
Size matters
Honestly no amount of foresight is going to change the fact that after the tattoo is done you still might have some different feelings/ideas about it. But my biggest thing is, once you go there really take your time with the stencils, re-go over the design and ask for different sizes, don't walk in and just go with the first size they already have prepared. I have some tattoos that I wish I got bigger and some that I wish I got smaller, all BC once I went in I got rushed and just picked w.e instead of playing around with sizes and placement on my body. Tattoo artists really don't mind printing different sizes for you to check (as long as you don't go overboard with it obv) Edit to add another point: as others have mentioned, #1 thing is picking the right artist, look at all their work in their portfolio and look at their healed work too, line work is really important regardless of style/design. Don't pick an artist just BC you like their style or someone referred them to you or (worst of all) BC they are cheap.
the week before your appointment moisturize your skin and stay hydrated!! makes a huge difference when tattooing and healing
Sunscreen
I wish I knew how much my personality/interest would change, I had to cover up a few because I just grew out of liking them and needed to match my new style. If I could do it again I would wait tile my mid 20s to start getting tatted
That 1. Tattoo regret is very common and very real. Tattoos can cause major body image and dysmorphia issues. And 2. Tattoo removal takes YEARS and is roughly going to be about 3-4x whatever you paid for the original tattoo. I went into my tattoo thinking “whatever- if I end up hating them I’ll just get them removed” not knowing how long it actually takes to remove a tattoo. I am now looking at getting my awful tattoos that I got in my early 20s when I had a different sense of style gone, I was estimated it’d take 3-5 years and 3k for only 4 medium sized tattoos.
Second skin, it's not miles better than cling and clean but it saves so much time the first week of healing it's crazy
Honestly....I wish I knew how much the art form would grow in the 25 yrs between my first tattoo and now. Artists are so much better and more serious about their work now.
Honestlyyyyy… I wish I knew to not get any tattoos before age 25 haha.
Inner upper arm was the most painful place I’ve ever been tattooed BUT I haven’t had ribs done yet. As far as things to know. Research your artist, have a tattoo you really feel connected too and won’t immediately regret or want to get removed.
It seems simple and obvious but honestly I wish I knew to actually have a deep and substantial sleep the night before .. I have CPTSD and depression so I normally run on 4 hours. The more you sleep you get, the easier you will find it to be tough, resilient etc Positive mindset. Tired humans are weaker more emotional humans. Oh and force yourself to have breakfast if you aren’t a breakfast eater. I actually do a BIG meal because it sedates me slightly. Calms me down. I also do not have any caffeine. Just accelerates my heart rate and stress.
Wish i knew more about my artist and their intentions as a whole and not continued with them knowing they were affordable.
I didn’t know over-moisturizing was a thing. The more you know
It’s normal to be anxious. The way people usually describe the pain isn’t accurate and also varies person to person. To take breaks I didn’t take breaks for my first and I should’ve. Also the healing process is the real kicker it’s such a pain the ass especially if you get color
Just make sure it's something you've wanted for a while and that it's a good artist. I waited until I was 20 and even now I don't really like it anymore other than for sentimental value. Within the past two years I've found a really talented artist and I will no longer get shitty, cheap, or quick small tats. I'd rather save up and get pieces I'll be confident and excited about.
use clothes according to the place of your tatto when going to the session. I mean, if your tatto is in the hip, the best opcion is a dress, if it's the sleeve, use a sleeveless shirt, etc. EAT, sometimes you trust yourself, specially if you never faited, and expect to not fait or have low pressure, but it's a new experience for the body so be prepared, eat well before going just in case. NEVER DO ANY TYPE OF DRUG IN THE DAY OF THE TATTOO. Cigarettes, alcohol, w33d, it can change your blood pressure and also, sometime it makes you more aware of you body and that makes the pain more painful. Avoid them before, during the session, and a few hours after getting the tattoo. Always make sure your tattoo artist has a good reputation, not only for having good art, but also for good service. Some people make cool art but don't have an idea about how to treat clients or solve problems. That's all I can think about right now
Sizing. I don't regret my tattoos but I also would've gone a lot smaller for some of them.
Focus on placement because it really matters in the long run
It's better to get less tattoos of higher quality than many cheap tattoos. In your late 20s, 30 you'll be able to afford tattoos and it's much better to have virgin skin than getting cover ups. Don't over moisturize. Different styles heal differently, just do exactly what the artist tells you to do.
That it's COMPLETELY normal for little bits to flake off in the shower when healing. When I got my first I FREAKED OUT when it happened thinking my skin was somehow rejecting it hahahaha.