A spin-off of my earlier post "Inked & beautiful", this blog spares you from much of my personal experience & talks about what to actually expect when having your first tattoo.
1. Design and logic behind the tattoo
It's not enough to want a tattoo just to feel badass or to prove yourself to other people. Those are sick reasons, to be honest. You need to be devoted to a design for at least months (hopefully for years) before you get it on your skin. For example: a bird tattoo. What type of bird do you want? Do you want to make it look realistic? Do you want it colored? Wings open or closed? Do you want it to be the start of a bigger piece in the future?
Next would be your reasoning behind the tattoo. Does it hold a significant meaning that you are ready to carry for the rest of your life? How much meaning does it have to deserve a space in your body? Tattoo removal is way expensive to be even an option.
Some people get tattoos on a whim. I fully respect their adventurous spirit. But in my opinion, thankfully this is my blog:
Anything permanent in your body should be thought of carefully and responsibly.
2. Size and placement
You may want a tiny tattoo (2x2 inches) and have it sit in the middle of your thigh. It's your body; sure, you have control; but visually, the size and space do not complement each other. You have to know the size you want and point which part of your body would best house that piece of art. You could ask your tattoo artist as well before committing to anything.
A script tattoo, for example, would fit well vertically through your spine than going around your feet. A cursive script tattoo would also most likely turn up better if made larger, as these letters need to have breathing spaces to be readable enough.
Remember, your skin will change as you age. Unless you are okay with garbled letters once it sags, then do you.
Also, for other designs like floral or portrait, bigger sizes would help your artist input more details and not end up with a generic-looking artwork.
3. Pain tolerance
I like small dainty tattoos. For some, getting one could be a good testing point to know their pain tolerance first. I feel 50-50 when it comes to this advice as I don't think a testing tattoo deserves to be inked forever in your skin. Try getting a fake tattoo sticker instead to get a feel. I really believe your design should be super special and not just a testing piece. But sure, if you have never tried waxing or extreme facials before, maybe getting a small one that you REALLY LIKE is a good idea to gauge just how much pain you can take.
Placement definitely contributes to the pain level too. Anywhere that's bony and sensitive to the touch should be automatically considered more painful than others. Face, neck, stomach, ribs, groin, elbows, knees and feet are considered the most painful locations. Good starting points would be arms, thighs, and butt ;)
4. Artist's portfolio, professionalism & hygiene
Take your time in assessing your artist. View several online portfolios before scheduling a session. Read their reviews and make sure those are authentic.
My personal process was to follow these artists on Instagram for months to observe their style. I tend to be very meticulous about how straight their lines are, how neat their script tattoos are, how they blend colors, how much of the style I prefer have they already created, and how their customers react to their output. Yes, I am an ultimate stalker before I become a customer. It's not just because I'm thrifty. I know this is forever, so I do not rush.
P.S. Tattoo shops also need to have accreditation from Department of Health, okay?
5. Preps involved
Refrain from partying hard the night before. Get enough sleep and do not drink alcohol or take pain relievers. Contrary to popular belief, painkillers can actually make your tattoo session bloodier. This may work for brazilian wax (not sure, other ladies swear by it), but never for tattoos. You need all the rest you can get as well. And please make sure you eat a good meal 30 minutes to an hour prior.
Remember that the duration also depends on how well you can take the pain. If you need breaks, let the artist know. If you feel like you're gonna faint, let him know immediately. Do not be shy. They should understand as this is your first time. Artists are also expected to show you the needles he/she will use to prove they are sealed and clean.
Optional items to bring:
- pillow
- appropriate clothing to help your artist work on the area
- candy or snacks
- water
- phone or tablet for distraction
- a well-behaved and supportive companion (hehe)
P.S. Tips are always welcome. Tattoos may be expensive but it's not exactly the most lucrative livelihood. Reasonable amounts could go a long way.
6. Healing process
Listen carefully to your artist about aftercare instructions. It is common for them to provide small A+D or Tegaderm creams for free so you can apply while the tattoo is scabbing. Take note that different tattoo artists have different healing techniques which proved to be effective for the majority of their clients.
Your tattoo will change in color while it heals. When fully healed, it won't be as vibrant as it was on Day 1. Don't fret. That's normal.
More importantly, expect your tattoo to be super itchy. Avoid all temptations to scratch it! Wear loose clothings to ensure they get more breathing room to heal and still be covered from sunlight. Swimming is also prohibited for the meantime.
7. Blood donation as per Red Cross guidelines
Philippines Red Cross says yes to blood donations from tattoed people, but with a condition:
"As long as the tattooing procedure was done aseptically (in a sterile manner), he/ she may donate blood one year after the procedure. This is the same with ear piercing, acupuncture, and other procedures involving needles."
So the next time someone tries to dishearten you, you can always cite this source. Lol.
8. People will react & even give unsolicited advice
Family and friends love you, but sometimes they are also misinformed about tattoos. Be an angel and debunk myths politely. Smiling is usually the easy way out in any awkward conversations. Represent the tattoo community with class. Lol!
Today's actually a good time to have a tattoo because even if there is still discrimination, more and more people are starting to tolerate and appreciate body art.
P.S. While already completely modern and technologically advanced, Japan still does not welcome tattoos at onsens (hot springs) so you may want to skip this activity when you travel.
9. Is it worth losing your job? NO.
Common sense tells you if your job is in the medical field, a tattoo on your forehead won't probably work. In obvious cases like this, note that your livelihood and career will always be more important than a visible tattoo. Your life / your family are dependent on it and you don't want to throw that away for the sake of art expression. There are other parts in your body where a tattoo can live safely while your family also continue to live comfortably. Just like in any life endeavour, you should know your priorities when getting a tattoo.
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