How To Prepare For Your First Tattoo

By Jessi Stickel on July 6, 2015

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Tattoos have become more and more popular in the younger generation. From Adam Levine to Rihanna, even our favorite celebrities are #TeamTatted. Getting your first tattoo should be a positive experience, although it may be a bit frightening because you really don’t know what to expect.

What tattoo do I want? Where do I get it? Is it going to hurt? All the questions can make a person confused and doubtful. Here are a few tips to take note of before getting your first tattoo.

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Issues you should think about BEFORE deciding to get a tattoo:

**Permanency … Obviously tattoos are permanent, but you also have to think about how it will affect your life. If you do not have a career yet you may want to think about certain workplaces that do not accept visible tattoos.

**Expense … Tattoos are very expensive and not just large ones. Depending where you go the minimum charge is around $70, and that is not including the tip! (Yes, you should always tip the tattoo artist.)

**Pain … Tattoos do hurt, some may be more tolerable, but they do not feel good. If you aren’t good with pain, try starting with a small tattoo first. You do not want to start a huge tattoo and not be able to finish it because you cannot take the pain.

1. Take your time!

Once you are sure you want to commit to a tattoo, or have always wanted one and are finally ready to take the plunge you should spend a lot of time picking out your tattoo design. Pinterest is a great place to find ideas. Make sure you pick something that you are truly passionate about and that is timeless. You don’t want to be stuck with an irrelevant tattoo in the future.

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Even if you already have your design picked out, you have to pick the size, colors and font (if any). Size is also a very important aspect. If you want a small tattoo, keep in mind the tattoo artist will want to make it bigger especially if it has detail. It is easier for them to draw larger, and if it is detailed it may run together over time.

You also should have the colors you want in your tattoo picked out and your tattoo artist will do their best to match your colors. Tattoo coloring can fade or even change from the original color causing you to get the tattoo retouched in the future, which is another thing to consider. If your tattoo is a quote or has letters in it, you should pick out the font as well. You can do this online at home, or look through the tattoo parlor books.

2. Where should it go?

Next, you need to figure out the placement of your tattoo on your body. You also have to think about the pain you will endure depending on where exactly you want it. This pain chart will help a lot, especially if you have a low tolerance for pain.

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A great way to make sure you are picking the right spot for your tattoo, is to draw it on yourself using a Sharpie fine pen or get a temporary tattoo drawn on you. This way if you are getting it in a visible spot you can have it on for a couple days to be positive that is the perfect location.

3. Pick a trusty parlor.

Then, you have to find the tattoo parlor to get your tattoo. I would highly suggest going to a place that a family member or friend has been to, so you know you can trust it. You should also make sure the artists are using clean and packaged needles on you. Using dirty or used needles can infect you with various diseases. Once you find the right parlor you should meet with your artist and go over what you want to get.

When you’re  going to meet your tattoo artist you should bring your design with you. It is best to have it printed out, or if it is unique bring your own rough sketch of it.

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You should also make an appointment for your tattoo session; however, you may have to put a deposit down to do so. Keep in mind when making your appointment that you will not be able to get in a pool, ocean or lake for at least two weeks after getting your tattoo, so make sure you’re not getting it around any vacation plans or any other water activities. You should also consider the affects your tattoo will have on your clothing. You should not wear tight clothes on your fresh tattoo after or if you get a foot tattoo tight shoes or shoes that rub will cause major irritation because tattoos need air to heal properly.

4. Bring a buddy.

Lastly, you should choose a family member or friend to come with you to share your experience and to help calm your nerves. It is sometimes more beneficial to have someone that has already gotten a tattoo because they have been through it and can walk you through the whole process.

You will probably feel rushed by the artist if you are not fully prepared with what you want. It is best to be confident and prepared before your appointment, as you do not want to make any rash decisions that are permanent.

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It is not a good idea to drink alcohol before getting a tattoo; you could be making a huge mistake you’re not even aware of. Also, many artists will not proceed with the tattoo since alcohol thins your blood and could create a problem in the process.

When leaving from the parlor, your tattoo artist should give you information about tattoo care. Make sure you have anti-bacterial soap (you would be surprised how many soaps aren’t) at home and buy tattoo ointment beforehand.

Be sure to follow ALL of the instructions for taking care of your new tattoo to avoid infections or any problems.

 

Good luck and happy tattooing!

 

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