I'm getting my first tattoo in a few days and I'd like some tips?

Fantastic reason for a tattoo. I got my first tattoo in tribute to my grandparents, whom I was very very close with. I got the tattoo on my left shoulder blade, and I was probably just about as worried as you were.

Now, I don't have any other tattoos (yet), but I wouldn't say the pain was nearly as bad as I though it was going to be. I got a fairly decent sized tattoo, with a whole lot of shading. The whole tattoo took a little over 2 hours and I was ready to fall asleep in the beginning. Towards the end, when the machine was starting to get a bit warmer and my skin being attacked for almost 2 hours straight, it was starting to hurt quite a bit. You just have to push through the pain, as you know it will mean a lot to you in the end.

The amount of pain is going to completely depend on your pain tolerance, but if you're considering a tattoo at all, you already must have a decent tolerance. The best analogy that I came up with when getting my tattoo was that it felt like being brushed with an unsharpened colored pencil. Think about the pencil with the lead having broken off, and all that's exposed is the sharp wood spikes. If you rub that against your skin, that's what it'll fee like.

Before you go in to get inked, make sure that you talk with your artist and tell him/her your plans. They'll probably need an hour or two to draw it out anyways. While you wait, get yourself a sugary drink. Even though it may not seem like much, the tattooing will take a bit out of you. You don't want to get light headed at all, so you're going to want to make sure that you're hydrated and your blood sugars aren't extremely low. When you finally start getting tattooed, you're going to be so nervous that most likely, the adrenaline is going to kick in and you won't feel too much of anything.

Before you know it, the tattoo is over and you're all set! For my healing process, I used Aquaphor. Many time, the artist has a preference on what to use, but you may want to do a bit of research on your own. Also, another thing that is highly debated is covering the tattoo with a plastic wrap. I'd advise against that quite highly as you're trapping any bacteria and pressing it right against the tattoo, which definitely can't be good. Basically, all you're going to want to do is keep the tattoo constantly moist with the Aquaphor. This is so scabs aren't going to form as easily. When a scab forms, it's bad news for the final product, so you really want to try to keep any from forming. If they do happen to form, do everything in your power to keep from peeling it off. Let it fall off on it's own, but still continue to keep it moist. Some peeling/flaking of the skin is completely normal, as the damaged tissues are going to fall off. It'll be replaced with some great new cells, though. After a few weeks, you shouldn't have to put anything else on it, as it should be completely healed! It is recommended that you use a lotion every now and then, just to keep it from totally drying out.

Hope all of this helps! Enjoy your first tattoo! It's one of the best experiences that I've had!

First Tattoo Tips

don't take any aspirin before hand, as you will bleed more, the same if you were drinking last night, it thins the blood. it will feel as though you have been bruised for a couple of days but make sure you use Bepanthen cream for a couple of weeks, this keeps it moisturised and stops any scabbing. if you do get scabs don't pick them. and if you are on anti biotics, then you shouldn't get a tattoo until you have finished them, as the skin will reject the ink. the soreness and redness should ease in 2-3 days. but your tattooist will advise you if you need to know more. don't use any cream that contains lanoline. good luck hope it goes well.

Well it's going to involve some degree of pain no matter where you get it, however a wrist will hurt more than a more fleshy part of your body. Also keep in mind several companies have policies against visible tattoos so you may be expected to wear long sleeves to cover it up at work, which is something you should take into consideration if you live some place with get really hot in the summer. So if that is an issue maybe consider moving it up your arm a bit. Beyond that talk to your tattoo artist, they will tell you how long to leave the bandage on which will vary, in the sources area i will include a link with general guidelines for how to take care of the new tattoo

There's ways to cover up tattoos for jobs, if they request it.

Wrist tattoos can be a little painful, depending on your pain tolerance, but you can have someone go with you and squeeze your other hand.

When you're "healing" put the goo on it. Every other day, you'll want to wash it at least once. What you do is just rinse it with water, rub antibacterial soap on it, then wash it off. -- Ooh, and it will start peeling and flaking, this is completely normal. Just wash it, when this starts happening.

Overall, just make sure it stays hydrated, with the tattoo goo all day. (which, if your tattooist doesn't give you any, just get vaseline and coat it with that)

Got my first tattoo last week on my wrist haha. I was super worried about the pain, looked into numbing creams and such, but all were like $40 for a tiny little sample, so I didn't bother.

Honestly, didn't hurt as much as I thought it would (don't have any others to compare it to) the initial shock was the worst for me, sure it was a constant pain but I felt a little more comfortable as time went on.

Mine is still a little tender, and sore. But nothing too bad at all.

Oh yea, mine looked super disgusting and gross for a bit. Don't worry it gets better.

Hope that helped :) Good luck!

I won't bore you with the whole spiel of tattoos are a waste..

but a lot of dads/fathers, and i'm one, don't care for tattoo tributes. they don't make sense. If you want to honor a relative or friend, there are TONS of other things you can put your money to.

Have a painting of him commissioned. Have something nice made for his grave. No grave? you have ashes, turn them into a diamond. Not enough money for that, put some ashes into a little bit of paint and paint something heart felt.

Bottom line. Tattoos, although well intention ed, are just terrible ways to go about immortalizing a person, when there are soooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo many other, more respectful things you could do.

ALL tattoos feel differently to EVERYONE. If i were to describe it; cutting yourself, or maybe a slow papercut. not as bad as it sounds though for sure!

The tattoo artist will give you something like 'A&D Ointment' to use after washing the tattoo with UNSCENTED ANTIBACTERIAL HAND SOAP (i use dial), and the ointment i have learned works better than A&D is the 'aquaphore' brand. good luck(:

You are going to be a MUCH different person in 20 years from now and regret doing it. Mark my words - someone on Y!A tried to warn you but you didn't listen... You can remember him just as well with his photo in your bedroom.

make sure you know shop is clean and thugs handing around