A GUIDE TO GETTING YOUR FIRST TATTOO
A GUIDE TO GETTING YOUR FIRST TATTOO
Once you have made the decision to get a tattoo, the next steps can be overwhelming! What tattoo should you get? Where should you get the tattoo? How will you choose an artist? What does it feel like? How do you take care of it? Where do you even start? The important thing to remember is that this is a decision that will be with you for the rest of your life, so educating yourself and making wise choices now will help you immensely and hopefully save you from regrettable choices and costly cover ups or laser removal. So let's get on with those first timer questions
DOES IT HURT?
The closest way to describe the feeling of getting a tattoo is "a hot scratch" or "a cat scratch on a sunburn". Some people think its really painful and some people don't seem to mind. Most people can tolerate getting tattooed for up to about 2-4 hours and most people also find that the pain isn't as bad as they expected.
COMMON FIRST TATTOO MISTAKES
Many first tattoo stories end in a cover up story, but in most cases rushing your decision or not taking the professional advice of an experienced tattooer is a big reason behind a first tattoo you will later regret. Most tattoo regrets are a result of:
Rushing into a tattoo or not thinking through your idea
Getting a tattoo that's the wrong size for where it's placed
Getting a tattoo with too much detail to hold up over time
Getting a tattoo in a less painful spot instead of in the spot that you really wanted it
Not properly following aftercare procedures
Going to an artist who is not experienced or not comfortable with the style
Going with the artist with the lowest price rather than the artist best fit for your tattoo
Getting a tattoo while intoxicated, drunk, high, or in emotional duress
Considering your friends or family members opinions over your own
Not asking for or listening to your tattoo artist's professional advice
Not speaking up and requesting that the tattooer changes the design or placement if you are feeling the stencil isn't quite what you had in mind
Getting a trendy tattoo that may look dated once the trend passes
The best thing to do when trying to make a responsible decision about your first tattoo is remember that whatever you decide, the goal is to hopefully love it for many long years!
THINGS TO THINK ABOUT:
Is this something I will want to wear every day forever? For example, there's a superstition that its bad luck for a relationship to get someone's name tattooed unless its a family member's name. Does the size fit the body part? Starting small for your first tattoo is often a great idea, but a small tattoo on a large part of the body often looks out of place. Its best to keep little tattoos for little spots and save the big spaces for big tattoos when you are ready.
Worried about where will it hurt less? Rather than consider where on your body might hurt more or less, just get the tattoo where you want the tattoo to be. You are only going to feel getting the tattoo for a little bit of time versus either loving or hating the placement of your tattoo every day for the rest of your life.
Other things to consider are: What is the aftercare process? It takes about 2 to 4 weeks for a tattoo to heal and its important to understand what to expect during that crucial healing time. Your tattoo artist will explain the healing process and everything you will need to do and avoid during that time. Not following aftercare procedures can ruin your tattoo or lead to infection.
How much will it cost? A tattoo can cost anywhere from a hundred dollars to many thousands of dollars, it all depends on a lot of different factors. Remember that this will be on your body forever, so a bargain might not be the best deal, especially if you end up spending 3 times that price down the road covering it or removing it. You should definitely shop around, but keep your focus on the quality of artist's work and the cleanliness of the shop and your comfort level. Its better to save up for a great tattoo than to rush into an okay tattoo.
HOW TO CHOOSE AN ARTIST OR SHOP
Selecting what tattoo to get and where to get it is only part of the process! Next you will need to to either choose a tattoo artist or a tattoo shop that you can trust to bring your idea to life. You may want to ask friends for referrals or search online reviews or find an artist on social media. You may want to look for a shop or artist based on a convenient location, or you may want to choose based on reviews or social media followers. Keep in mind that a professional artist working at a licensed tattoo shop often has more training and experience with various styles and situations, in addition to working in a Health Department approved and regulated clean environment.
Many artists have limited availability or can be difficult to contact, while others have easy methods for communication and scheduling. If your tattoo idea is something small or simple, you may be able to get it as a walk in at a reputable shop, or you may decide scheduling an appointment is better for you. If your idea is large or requires customization, you may need to first schedule a consultation to discuss your idea and options with a tattoo artist. Some artists prefer to meet in person for consultations, while others may prefer text, email, social media direct messages, or even Zoom. At the consultation (or at the initial conversation if you are getting a small tattoo or as a walk in), let the artist know that it will be your first tattoo so they know to give you all the information you will need, and feel free to ask questions!
Tattoos are meant to last a lifetime, so your tattooer may offer helpful suggestions regarding the design, size, or placement that may be different from what you had in mind. These suggestions are coming from the artist's experience, they know the various factors that may affect the outcome of the tattoo or the long term results. Tattooing can be a very collaborative and intimate process, so it is important to feel comfortable enough with the artist to be able to trust your artist. Hopefully their portfolio, reviews, and your communication with them will give you that feeling of trust!
WHAT TO DO TO PREPARE AND WHAT TO EXPECT ON TATTOO DAY
Once your tattoo day is finally here, your experience will be best if you are prepared! Be sure to get a good nights rest beforehand, eat a healthy meal, and be hydrated. The better your body feels, the more comfortable your tattoo (and tattoo pain) will be. Bring some water and snacks along so you stay hydrated and healthy.
Dress comfortably and in something that your artist will be able to have the area being tattooed easily accessible. Bringing some spare clothes as options is a good idea for some tattoos, especially larger tattoos or tattoos anywhere on the torso. Your clothes might get ink or blood on them, so darker colors are a good choice (and nothing you would be upset about if it gets stained!)
Always bring your government issued ID card to prove your age and identity and never arrive intoxicated or while using any drugs.
You may want to bring a friend for moral support but please limit your guest list to one adult friend only (keep in mind that guests can be quite distracting to not only you, but also to your artist and to the other people who may also be getting tattooed in the studio). Children and pets are not permitted in tattoo studios.
Plan to be in the tattoo studio for longer than you think. Your artist may still need time to draw or adjust your design and set up after you arrive plus the time it will take to size and fit the tattoo and place the stencil. After the tattoo is complete, more time is needed to bandage, clean up, and discuss the aftercare process.
Most tattoo artists prefer to be paid in cash, but many also accept credit cards, Venmo, or other payment methods. If you are unsure you can ask your artist directly or if in doubt, cash is always best! If you are considering using numbing cream, please ask your artist first.
Some artists do not recommend any numbing creams or gels and others may recommend only certain tried and true trusted brands. If your artist has recommended a specific numbing cream, it is important for the outcome of the tattoo that it be applied and used correctly.
THE TATTOOING PROCESS
Your tattoo artist will prepare the area and provide you with an estimate of how long the session will take.
The tattooing work space, supplies and equipment will be set up, sanitized and sterile and ready for your tattoo. Health departments require all workstations and surfaces to be sanitized for every person and for equipment to be sanitized, sterilized, and/or single use for each person getting tattooed.
Your artist will show you the design and you will have an opportunity to preview the size and placement. The final linework of the design will be made into a stencil that will transfer directly onto your skin. Before the stencil is put onto your skin, the tattoo artist will sanitize your skin and shave any hair from the area.
The sensation of getting a tattoo varies but is often described as a combination of scratching and a mild sunburn sensation (like a cat scratch on a sunburn). Communicate openly with your artist during the process. If you need a break, don't hesitate to ask.
After the tattoo is complete, your tattoo artist may take pictures for their portfolio or to post on social media. Then your tattoo will be bandaged and aftercare instructions will be explained in full. Please listen carefully to the aftercare instructions and ask your artist if you have any questions or concerns.
WHAT TO BRING
Your ID
Water and snacks
Possibly a change of clothes
No more than 1 guest
Reference pictures if you have them
Cash for tipping (although not required, up to 20% is industry standard and is always appreciated)
An open mind (your artist may have drawn something even better than you expected, or may suggest a different size or placement)
WHAT NOT TO DO
Feeling confident in what to do and how to prepare for your first tattoo is great! There are also a few things to know NOT to do. By now you know how to to decide on a design and how to decide which professional tattooer or tattoo shop to go to, how to schedule and what to bring along. We would hate for your first tattoo experience to be ruined by making some common mistakes. So be sure NOT to:
Don't move, wiggle, or reposition during your tattoo. (Even checking your phone with your other arm or tapping your foot can affect your tattoo, your artist needs a still canvas to work on, and you most certainly want consistent outlines on your new body art!)
Don't bring a bunch of friends with you (they can be distracting to everyone in the studio)
Don't arrive on an empty stomach (or your may get lightheaded, dizzy, or even faint!)
Don't use numbing creams or gels unless your artist has personally approved the brand you are using. It is best to either not use any at all, or if the studio has some for sale, buy it there and let the artist apply it for you to ensure it is applied correctly.
Don't be afraid to speak up and let your artist know any design, size, color, or placement requests BEFORE the tattoo process has begun. If you are unsure about anything, either ask for the artist's professional advice, or ask if it is possible to see some other options. We can make an adjustment to the size, design, or placement before it is on your body no problem. But once the needle hits your skin, there is no turning back!
Don't try to negotiate with your artist about any shop rules, this includes pricing, age requirements and ID, intoxication levels, filling out required forms, or how to use equipment etc. A professional tattoo studio has certain guidelines to adhere to and no tattoo is worth losing their license over.
Don't ignore the aftercare instructions and don't consult your friends or the internet for aftercare tips.
Don't be shy about asking your artist anything before, during, or after the process. A professional artist will respect any valid question ranging from vegan ink, to proof of sterilized single use needles, years of experience, photo examples of past work, requesting a break, or concerns about the healing process.
Don't drink alcohol or take pain killers or drugs before or during the tattoo process. These things not only impair your decision making abilities and make it more difficult to sit still, but they also affect how much you bleed during the process and how your tattoo will heal afterwards.
Don't get tattooed if you are feeling unwell, sick, or if you haven't slept, haven't eaten, or if you are in emotional distress. If your body or mind isn't feeling well you probably won't be able to feel physically comfortable enough to tolerate the pain of getting the tattoo.
Don't wait until the last minute to communicate scheduling conflicts, budget constraints, or design changes. Sometimes things come up, life happens, or new ideas materialize! Tattoo artists are people, and most people are often most accommodating to changes in plans when those changes are communicated far enough in advance.
No question is silly and any reputable tattooer will answer your questions honestly and confidently.