Getting Your First Tattoo: What to Know Before Inking Your Skin

Getting your first tattoo can be exciting, scary, and intimidating -- a roller coaster of emotions. Despite being around for a long time now, tattoos have become popular only recently as more celebrities and influencers started sporting one, and people have found it to be a form of expression. Given its prevalence today, it is no surprise that while browsing magazines or social media, your eyes can so easily get caught by some tattoo designs that make you want to get one for yourself.

Before inking your skin permanently, however, it will be best to familiarize yourself with how the process works. From finding an artist in platforms like InkRank to getting the tattoo to performing aftercare, there are several things to ensure your first tattoo experience goes just the way you want it.

Find the Right Artist and Design

Your tattoo will be permanent, so you need to choose the right artist and design. Most likely, when you first decided to get a tattoo, you already had some idea of what design you wanted on your skin. If not, then make sure you give yourself as much time as you need to think of one. The biggest thing you should look out for is the meaning of the design and its connection to you and your personality. Find something that you can identify with, and go from there.

Once you decide on a design, find the right person to do the job. Different artists will have different styles and skill levels, so you must find a professional who is capable of drawing your design the way you want it to look. If you are struggling to find a tattoo artist, you can try looking for online communities. For example, InkRank allows you to filter through several artists and helps you find the right match.

Think About Location

Most times, the tattoo design and artist may be the biggest concerns for people looking to get a tattoo. However, you should also think about where you want your tattoo to be placed. For example, if you have low pain tolerance, then it may be better to choose areas like your forearm or the top of your thigh, where the pain is usually tolerable and not too bad.

If pain is not your top concern, then the placement of your tattoo can also have an impact on you and how you feel. For example, if you prefer a more discreet tattoo that does not catch everyone’s attention, you can opt for areas like your fingers or wrist. On the contrary, if you want a tattoo that is more visible to the public, you can choose areas like the chest area, thigh, or forearm.

Look Out for Safety Guidelines

Aside from artistry, safety should also be the top concern since the tattoo goes directly to your skin. As the adage “Think Before You Ink” says, make sure your tattoo artist and his or her studio comply with safety standards to prevent any risks. For instance, a tattoo artist must be hygienic--a new and clean pair of gloves, clean clothing, new ink-caps-- and have sterilized equipment before starting the procedure.

Bring a Friend

When you think about your first tattoo, the most frightening thought is likely the actual process of getting one. Whether it is the fear of a needle or pain or simply the idea of getting a tattoo, it is normal to feel scared. Bringing a friend with you may help ease these feelings and provide some form of consolation.

Prepare Yourself

Before the big day, make sure to prepare yourself physically and mentally. It is no secret that getting a tattoo is not painless, so you need to be ready when the time comes. Aside from this, you should also be wary of the do’s and don’ts to keep your physical condition in its best state. For the do’s, make sure to get a good rest the night before, take care of your skin with the right products, and consult your doctor if you have skin allergies.

As for the don'ts, do not consume alcohol the night before since too much alcohol can cause blood thinning and excessive bleeding during the tattoo procedure. Similarly, do not take any aspirin or ibuprofen as they can also thin your blood. Aside from this, make sure the area you want to be tattooed is not sunburned. It will cause additional pain and damage to your skin.