Getting Your First Tattoo

First off, if you have found yourself reading this article, welcome! I assume you are considering your first tattoo. There is a some important things you must know if you ARE deciding to get a tattoo.

Reasons you may want a tattoo vary, what ever the reason, the fact that you are interested in the idea of having a tattoo is what matters. In order to actually make this decision we must equipped ourselves with all the facts to make a confident decision. Questions to ask:

-What kind of tattoo do I want to get?

-What size of tattoo should I get?

- How much will it cost?

- Where on my body should I have it placed?

-What are the pro's

-What are the con's

-Which tattoo parlor should I pick?

-Which artist should I pick?

-What do I need to know about about the artist?

-What do I need to know about tattoos in general?

Types of Tattoos

Tattoos come in many sizes, colors, styles, etc. Most will choose a tattoo to represent something or someone that is significant in their life. Others may choose to get a tattoo to symbolize traits of their own. We all hear the stories of those that have a sudden spontaneous moment and choose to get a random tattoo out of nowhere. These stories, a majority of the time, turn out to be cover-up tattoos and/or tattoo removal stories in the future. Not to mention funny and sometimes embarrassing conversational pieces. There are also those who get tattoos for the simple fact that they enjoy them and can become addicted to the whole experience. If you notice, you will rarely find a person will only one tattoo. Many or None at all, seems to be the theme amongst the subject of tattoos. Deciding on the type of tattoo to get solely depends on YOU.

If you are having a hard time deciding WHAT tattoo to get sometimes the best thing is to work with the artist.

Let the artist know what you have in mind and give them the opportunity to create a visual. Of course, picking an artist is important and will determine the final outcome.

Just remember if you are interested in getting a tattoo, do your research and obtain all the facts to make a confident decision. If you do decide to proceed the next step is to figure out what tattoo you want to get. The best way to do this is to work with an artist to create a visual of your idea. Most importantly, you need to know ABOUT the artist.

Tattoo Sizes

Tattoos can range in sizes from full body to the size of a dime and smaller. The choice is yours, of course, but more than likely if your the "play it safe" type you will start with something small. We all know a tattoo is permanent, and for most, this is a deterrent in the minds of the lost in 'what-ifs'. Tattoos do not feel pleasant unless you are addicted to pain. To prepare your mind in the placement of your tattoo pinch your skin around the area to gauge the level of sensitivity. There are three main layers of skin and the needle must penetrate to the Dermis (2nd) layer. Also, remember your skin can technically only handle between 2-3 hours of tattooing before going into what is called skin shock.

Cost of a Tattoo

Money is always a touchy subject but if this is your main concern it is safe to assume you have made your decision. Although, this is the wrong thing to be concerned about and I will explain why. What does it mean, to you, to have something permanent on your body? If you don't have the funds it is worth the wait and worth the cost. A great tattoo can be considered PRICELESS, so don't forget to calculate a tip for the artist that poured their heart and soul into your tattoo.

Tattoo Placement

In deciding placement of the tattoo we must consider a few things. Do you want it to be seen? How sensitive is the area of placement? Can the pain be endured? These are important things to consider for many reasons but I list them for you to ask yourself.

Pros & Cons

Unfortunately, there are cons and mistakes do happen. We are unable to control these things but we can better prepare ourselves to help prevent the unnecessary. For this reason being prepared in every decision we make, for the worst case scenario, and having a positive state of mind is the only thing we can do.

The pros for those that have tattoos -plural- because tattoos are addicting and most of us who have decided on our first tattoo, rarely have only one. There is something so liberating and exciting about getting a tattoo and it can be a very personal experience. If all goes well, you will quickly realize the experience is one of a kind and essentially priceless.

The Where & Who

When you have finally made the decision it is imperative that you do your research on the tattoo parlor as well as the artists.

Is the tattoo parlor reputable? Is the facility and equipment clean/sterilized? Do they care about customer satisfaction? Do they communicate well when you first walk in the door? Does the tattoo parlor offer privacy where needed? Does the parlor provide adequate amounts of art to demonstrate? These are important things to ask when searching for the right place to get your first tattoo.

The artist is number one in accomplishing the best possible outcome. Ask them questions, how do they communicate? Is the artist a good listener? Does the artist have a good portfolio? Being a good artist is one thing, but artist have specific styles. Some artist only tattoo color, other black and white, some can do realistic portraits, and others fonts/lettering. Study the artists portfolio to determine what style the artist is best at.

In conclusion, if you decide to get a tattoo now you know what to look for. If you decide not to, that is okay also. Lastly, don't forget to follow the after care instructions, exactly. It doesn't make sense to putting in all the effort to getting your first tattoo just to neglect the after care in the end.

Not caring for the tattoo during the healing process will make the money and effort a waste of time, not to mention affect the quality of the tattoo itself.

PS.

Thank you for reading!

-Love-