What to expect when getting first tattoo?
Monday, December 21st, 2009 at
2:38 pm
Hey. I plan on getting my first tattoo soon and am very excited and a little nervous. What should I expect when getting my tattoo? What should I do before? What is it like, your opinion? What about aftercare tips? I dance (ballet and jazz dance) and sweat, is that okay for my new tattoo? Will it hurt the tat, like fade the color or make it blurry? Any insights or helpful tips would be great. Thanks.
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Tagged with: ballet • helpful tips • insights • jazz dance • new tattoo • sweat
Filed under: Tattoo Q & A
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CONGRATS!! Welcome to the degenerates corner! We’re always looking for more to walk the ‘dark side’….lol
First, make sure you eat a solid meal at least an hour before you go. Getting a tat on an empty tummy is no bueno! And take a cool beverage with you to sip on while the work is getting done. You’ll be a little sweaty from the endorphines (it’s normal) and a cool drink will be comforting.
It’s gonna hurt. The lining feels like someon dragging a sharp object over your skin. The color feels like someone rubbing your skin with course sandpaper. Luckily, when the application is done, it’s downhill from there. Expect it to sting for a couple hours, then it will feel like a sunburn. It’s gonna suck washing it the first couple times, just grin and bear it.
For aftercare, wash it a couple times a day with liquid anti-bacterial soap like Dial, but don’t scrub it…just enough to keep it clean. Air it out as much as possible. I like to use Aquaphor. It’s something like a cross between Neosporin and vasoline.
I am a fairly active sports kinda guy and can work up a good lather…won’t hurt the tat at all.
Good luck!!
i’d expect PAIN!
Make sure first that wherever you go they are totally reputable. I have two and my sister has 11. Each place we went to shaved and cleaned the place where the tattoo is going, usually with like an alcohol wipe. I think the location depends on the pain. I didn’t have a lot of pain with either one of mine. I had more pain when they did the outline then when they filled it in. My sister got one on her wrist on the inside of it and said that hurt more than any other one she had done before. I’ve had mine for awhile but unless things have changed a whole lot, you will keep it covered for a certain amount of time, where antibiotic cream on it, change it daily, don’t get it wet in the shower, that kind of thing until it heals. They will get a scab on them and that looks weird. Sweating won’t make it fade or blurry. The one on my back still looks great, both mine are in black. The one on my ankle is pretty old now and the black is not as bright as it once was. Don’t pick it, and don’t itch it. Its not removable without a lot of hassle so be sure you want it and if you plan on being in a profession someday where someone might find it offensive or unprofessional put it somewhere discreet.
dont look at the price, the best thing is look at a sample of work done. The artist will give you all the after care tips you need including some skin lotion.
Pain? Nah, More like a sunburn, it does however depend on where it is located. The artist will probably do a "test line" with the tattoo gun with no ink to see how you and your body handle the pain. I would recommend eating a light meal first, so your blood sugar doesnt drop and you pass out. Make sure you tell your artist if you start to feel "woozy" at all.
The best aftercare product I have found is "A&D ointment" and as far as I know you shouldnt have any complications with fading or bluring from working out. The ointment should protect it.
But if you have any questions at all you should talk to your artist, he/she is the professional (I hope) and should be able to answer any thing you need.
p.s. Dont forget to tip the artist!
i got my first tattoo a week ago on the top of my foot, the outline hurt, and coloring in didnt. about sweating, i assume that if you wash it off w. dial soap and water it will be fine, but double check w. where ever you get your tattoo done.
it is imperative that you first learn the steps to tattoo the safe and right way. While expressing yourself on the human body. it can be a very rewarding, proper safety precautions are a must. You can search in google to find a good website that can provide you a helpful tips.