Getting my first tattoo tomorrow, any tips?

Strapless or no bra at all

Loose baggy shirts

No medicine or alcohol(ibuprofen is okay afterwords)

Eat a good sized meal beforehand

Drink plenty of water so your hydrated

Get plenty of sleep

Bring an ipod to distract you

Be relaxed

It takes 2-4 weeks to fully heal

Use antibacterial soap that is dye free and fragrance free

Lubriderm lotion light coat of it to keep tattoo moisturized

Eat a thanksgiving dinner amount of food before getting tattooed because you will burn 600 cal per hour. If you don't you can faint. Also bring gum to chew for the first 25 minutes, so you don't hold your breath and pass out. Visualize the pain as a flow. Coming in where tattooed and flowing out your head or feet. This helps in dealing with the constant pain so it doesn't feel like it is building up and overwhelming you. That's it. The rest you have to learn as you go.

it doesn't hurt that bad... not even a little bit. Your description of the pain is accurate. Once it starts you'll notice it's not that bad.

One thing I do advise is that it would be a good idea to bring a sugary snack or drink. My brother got one and nearly passed out cuz of low blood sugar and the longevity of the process. well it really depends on how long it will take to get your piece done.

All in all... just don't worry about the pain, and enjoy!

Not sure where you got that it feels like scratching a sunburn. It feels like someone slowly dragging a needle through your skin (since that is exactly what someone is doing). It's painful. The only thing you can do is relax as much as possible and bear (sp?) it. Afterward, it does not hurt. Most important, follow the care instructions your artist gives you religiously.

Make sure you get some rest tonight.

Don't drink or do any drugs before you go!

Alcohol can thin the blood and make you bleed a lot more.

Try and eat before you go- it might seem hard, but it'll help a lot.

Be excited!! =]

and make sure you pay attention when the artist gives you the after care advice!

i have one in between my shoulder blades.

be prepared for your body to shake when he goes onto your spine. it kinda feels funny but eventually you'll get used to it and youre endorphins will be going so it'll go numb.

just make sure you don't move or it'll take even longer cause he'll have to fix it haha.

one tip is to KEEP IT CLEAN.

keep it away from direct sunlight if possible and do not scrub the area hard when you shower.

keeping it clean it important because you do NOT want ugly scars !

its gonna hurt so bad and for days too, it will be there forever