Getting A Tattoo For The First Time ? Here are the tips ...

It can be a very exciting experience to get inked for the first time. It is an event for you to remember your first tattoo for your entire life, the person who did it for you, and the feeling it gave you while it was done. The first tattoo is something that will remain with you forever, etched so deeply and permanently into your mind as on your body.

It may be very difficult and stressful getting the right tattoo, the first time. The process will take a lot of time and effort to fix up your mind to get the right tattoo. But taking a few careful steps, you must find a some amazing tattoo design ideas to take inspiration from.



 Plan for Your Tattoo

Initially, most of the steps involved in the plan for your tattoo assume that you are going for a custom-designed piece, and that you are going to take an appointment with a reputed artist for your body art. These two very basic and essential things will make you much happier later. When I decided to go for the first tattoo, I went for a simple kanji piece that I drew myself; it turned out so well that finally both my sister and I decided to have the same piece done. This is something unique and original, so no one else will ever have this tattoo – to me it means something beyond the design itself. That is what you always should look for.

Design plan: 

Do not worry if you are not an artist yourself. There are many tattoo artists who will work with you to plan a great design to suit you most. You can even find artist boards, such as deviantart.com, which contain members who will work with you and create something unique to match your style. But they need something more than just an idea. It becomes frustrating at times if you have nothing other than an idea and are unable to show some examples to illustrate them. The idea that seems clear-cut and obvious to you may not be so to someone else as there may be lot of variations on a theme. So, it is necessary to do some searching through the Internet or some magazines, and get some reference photos. Analyze those photos and pinpoint what you do and don’t like about them. The design process will become easier if you can come up with at least some rough sketches – even some simple stick figures or maybe tribal tattoo designs will do. 

Finding the Right Artist: 

If you are looking for an artist to actually make the tattoo for you, then it is worth spending some time to find out the right artist. You can start out with your colleagues and friends. In case they already have tattoos, they’ll be able to tell you which artists are good and which should be avoided. You can even visit a few of the shops in your area and see some portfolios. A good tattoo artist will normally have dozens and even hundreds of photographs of his or her work. Have a look at the portfolios carefully and see if their artwork is good. You can even carry your own sketch or design if you have and ask them questions. What will be the charge if they perform that design? Is there any difficulty in creating that design where you want?

Comfort zone: 

The comfort level is of utmost importance. If you find the shop dirty or just don’t feel comfortable being there, leave instantly. Tattoo shops cater to customers of specific types; so another shop may have an atmosphere completely different from the one you are presently in. Taking all these into considerations, if you like the place, then find out whether you can get a consultation with an artist out there. During consultation, show your drawings, try to know the artist, get their feedback, and get a general idea about price and time. Then make an appointment. For making an appointment, you may have to deposit a small amount of money; so be prepared.

Prior to the appointment: 

Before your appointment, keep your skin moisturized thoroughly for one week. If the skin where you need your tattoo is in better health, then it will be easier for the tattoo to be done. Drink lots of water – at least 8 glasses per day. As hydrated skin is easier to work with, the tattoo artist finds it easier to perform. Take your vitamins regularly. Eat well and keep your immune system healthy.
Day of appointment: Always choose a day in which you can have lot of free time. If possible, go to the shop a bit early. If you feel that you are running out of time, you’ll get even more stressed and finally it so happens that things will take much longer than actually planned.

Day of Appointment!

Suppose you decided to jump into things without making an appointment. This is not the best way of approach; even then at least call the tattoo shop you have selected to make sure that it is not yet booked. In addition, I assume that you have already done your homework and made an appointment.

Cancellation / Getting late

In this case always call the shop. The moment you know that you have to cancel the appointment or will be late, give them a call. In case there is a deposit you have made, this is the only way to recover your deposit. Rescheduling is much easier if you can give a call before the artist actually shows up.

Take rest a lot: 

The night before your appointment, sleep for full 8 to 12 hours, and eat healthy food on that day. Avoid drinking alcohol, caffeine, and don’t take any aspirin prior to your appointment. These things make your blood thin, thereby making you bleed more, which will in turn push ink out. Many artists refuse to work on you if you have been drinking – it is merely a waste of their time, effort, and money.

Shave and shower: 

Practically speaking, you are basically going to be wounding your body. You definitely don’t want a needle getting into your dirty skin. So make sure that the area where the tattoo is going to be placed is properly shaved. Don’t show yourself up without doing this, otherwise the artist will shave you. This is a must-do thing.

Being meditative: 

Honestly speaking, tattoos really don’t hurt that much. It is almost the same as having bad sunburn. Even then, better keep in mind that it is going to be uncomfortable. It helps a lot to bring something to keep your mind preoccupied. You can bring a book or a video game if the position you are being tattooed in allows you to hold something. You can even listen to music using headphones to get rid of the feeling of discomfort. I personally like to watch the whole process and feel every movement; so I normally discard my book as soon as the process starts. I like to have a whole experience of being tattooed, even though I admit to being weird that way.

Mode of payment: 

Before going in, always find out the mode of payment the shop accepts. Everyone doesn’t accept credit cards, or sometimes they may not accept the brand you carry. Moreover, carry some extra money because it might cost a bit more than the quoted amount.

Getting the Tattoo

Always be honest while arriving at the shop for your appointment. Bring your ID proof, even if you’re much older than your legal age. In case you are underage but your state allows tattooing minors, then carry the necessary paperwork –the notarized forms or the birth certificates. Honestly and thoroughly fill out the paperwork. Also, disclose any kind of allergic condition, e.g. latex or shellfish, to the artist beforehand. They normally wear gloves that are of latex, and the A&D ointment used by many artists contains shellfish-derived ingredients.

Placement of stencil: 

If you don’t like where a stencil is placed, then tell the artist to change its position. After all, it’s your body and you should get the tattoo done wherever you want. Artists normally provide you with ideas about what will work best on your body, and what will cause the least pain – but then it is your requirement and by letting them know where you want the tattoo done, you are definitely not going to hurt their feelings.

Be still: 

Imagine sitting with the dentist. The artist knows it is not fun, it is uncomfortable, even then you need to be still so that the artist is able to work steadily and create a tattoo you are happy with. Moreover, the more you wiggle around, your state of discomfort will last longer. An exception? Let the artist know if you need a break. They’ll be happy to let you get a stretch, drink some water, or just take a breather. And sometimes it is really too hard to hold still if you need to run to the washroom.

Post-Appointment

Share your experience with the artist. An artist always receives thanks gratefully, and is even more thankful for the tips you offer.

Once you are back, follow all your aftercare instructions religiously. You need to take care so that you heal well. Many artists offer free touch-ups on your tattoos if they can see you are caring for their work well. Just as you took lot of vitamins and plenty of water before getting your tattoo done, it is important that you should continue doing the same things during the healing process as well after your body got tattooed.

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