Thread: First ever tattoo~ advice?

So...I have decided be inked. Because I am not getting it to show off per se, but as a personal statement and reminder to myself, it will be as small as it can be, on my inner left ankle (maybe an inch or so above the bone) and is a short Vietnamese word meaning 'remember'. (It is a memoriam for those I have lost in the past 8 months and yet can take on more meaning in different phases of my life.)

Here's where one request for advice comes in: I am not sure the type of font I want and/or what, if any, embellishments. I'm going to stop in the parlor this weekend to get some ideas and a friend is doodling for me. How did you decide?

The second request is just for any tips~ I've done a bit of reading and know not to be drunk or use a topical pain reliever, etc. so I think I have the basics covered, but any inside tips?

Thank you to all who read and post!

The best advice I can give: when it's time to do so, moisturize, moisturize, moisturize, moisturize, moisturize, MOISTURIZE, and do NOT pick at the scab!!!!!!

That's all. :0) Enjoy the experience.

Relax and breathe. And take a friend. Also, are you a mom? If so, using the childbirth breathing we were taught really works as far as dealing with the pain.

Print up something that looks like what you want and put it up where you will see it everyday.... do you still like it after a few days then that's what to get. Tatoos are so personal. It will be a part of you forever so do what makes you happy.

I have tattoos on both ankles a year ago and found one ankle took longer to heal than the other! One ankle took a full two months and was very sensitive and the other was barely a month. My tattoo artist said that is common but in any case you should really heed the advice about moisturizing and use ONLY the products that your tattoo artist recommends. Other than that, of course do NOT pick at the scab or you can damage the tattoo ink. There is a saying, "a tattoo only has to heal well once" and I think that's very true.

That being said, don't get discouraged about all these "cautions" - if you want it, get it! ..g.:

Originally Posted by KelsNasim

Print up something that looks like what you want and put it up where you will see it everyday.... do you still like it after a few days then that's what to get. Tatoos are so personal. It will be a part of you forever so do what makes you happy.

I actually thought about hennaing it to see what I thought of it after 6 weeks. Now that I am seriously pondering, would henna dye have an adverse affect on the tattoo ink? Hmm..will have to ask the artist...

When I went in, I took the "relaxed breathing through the pain" thing a little too seriously and ended up needing some sugar to get the ahem...focus back.

A little box of juice can help !

Originally Posted by MakedaMaysa

Relax and breathe. And take a friend. Also, are you a mom? If so, using the childbirth breathing we were taught really works as far as dealing with the pain.

I've not bore children, but I think I've heard the breathing~ heeheehoooo?
Or is that only in movies?

I have a few friends who have offered to go and will likely take them up on it- if I have more than 2 friends with me, they can rotate their hands to give them a rest from my vice grip. ..l;,

Chew on your idea for a LONG time. If, after several months, you still feel like you want that, than do it.
My first tattoo I totally regret getting done. I love my other one b/c I thought about it for a long time before I did anything.

Find a tattoo artist you like and talk to them about what you want and they will help you.

Azhia, is right about moisterizing. It will be your friend.

I will definitely moisturize (obsessed with it in normal life) and I'm not much of a picker so (hopefully) I'll be fine on those fronts!

My current focus is more on how to choose the font and embellishment, or more accurately, how to even come about ideas. I googled a bit and didn't find anything really...I feel stuck. I know the word, I know the size, I just don't know how to make it non-jailhouse-tattoo-done-with-a-Bic-pen-pretty.

Originally Posted by Michelle75

Find a tattoo artist you like and talk to them about what you want and they will help you.

Thank you~ we were posting at the same time! ..l;,

Originally Posted by maranajla

I've not bore children, but I think I've heard the breathing~ heeheehoooo?
Or is that only in movies?

I have a few friends who have offered to go and will likely take them up on it- if I have more than 2 friends with me, they can rotate their hands to give them a rest from my vice grip. ..l;,

Well, yeah, it gets to "hee hee hoo", but I found I only needed the "beginning breathing", meaning, deep, full breaths - in through the nose, out through the mouth. Feel free to vocalize a bit if you need to ... I don't think your artist will be too weirded out by "hee hee hoo" if it works for ya!..l;,

When I got my last tat, the guy who did it told me that I am the best female "sitter" he ever had. I was able to sit perfectly still, no flinching, as long as I focused on my breathing.

Sounds like the breathing advice has been covered pretty well. Doing whatever you do to calm and center yourself helps (comfy clothes, music, etc). I noticed the discomfort let up when my artist would stop to wipe off the area he was working on. I expected it to be constant pain but it came and went and that helped make it bearable.

Originally Posted by Michelle75

Chew on your idea for a LONG time. If, after several months, you still feel like you want that, than do it.
My first tattoo I totally regret getting done. I love my other one b/c I thought about it for a long time before I did anything.

Definitely. I've never gotten a tattoo, but I have dozens of friends who call their tattoo their "18-year-old-mistake." Think about it; and don't be afraid to hunt down/cough up the bucks for a tattoo ARTIST. Remember, this thing is going to be on your skin for the rest of your life - you want it to look as good as you! ;)

Originally Posted by maranajla

My current focus is more on how to choose the font and embellishment, or more accurately, how to even come about ideas. I googled a bit and didn't find anything really...I feel stuck. I know the word, I know the size, I just don't know how to make it non-jailhouse-tattoo-done-with-a-Bic-pen-pretty.

..l;,

Ok, I love the jailhouse Bic pen imagery...

I don't have any tattoos myself...in part because I had something I thought I wanted once, but, sort of like you, I was uncertain exactly how I wanted to execute it. I spent a couple of years thinking about it/contemplating ideas...until one day I realized I didn't really want it that badly anymore. I'd sort of...well...in my case I'd imprinted it on my soul. I didn't want or need to put it on my skin--I'd found other ways to honor what I needed to honor. And now, years later, I'm glad I didn't tattoo it.

Not that I am in *any way* suggesting that that is how it will be for you. That was just me. What I *am* saying, though, is to take your time and don't worry about rushing to find the right thing. Play with ideas. Try henna first. Live with the idea of the tattoo for a while, live with designs you're considering, and if/when you feel certain you've found the right thing, THEN have it done. In the meantime...I think there is virtually no chance you'll forget to remember. By putting the thought and the effort in, you are commemorating, and you're making an imprint that will last. There's no need to rush to put it on your body because when it's right, you will find the thing to do that is right for you--maybe soon, maybe a little later.

Big hugs, m'dear, and best of luck with everything.

do your research. i don't have a tattoo but i was at a tattoo convention not too long ago with troupe mates for a gig and a friend got a tattoo there. we chatted up w/the artist and she said that u def. have to do your research and be careful. pay attention to the details of their little book of tattoos, the lines should be nice and straight. and there shouldn't be any bleeding
have fun :)

I think most every tattoo bleeds at least a little, the reason you don't see it in the pictures is that people usually come back for a picture. Fresh tattoos aren't that attractive!

As for how to to move forward, do you have any friends with tattoos that you like? Find out who their artist is and go talk to them. A good artist would want to speak with you and do a sort of consultation before the actual tattoo anyhow, and you can ask for suggestions, etc. Most tattoo parlors have books full of fonts and stuff.

The best advice I can give is shop around and pay the extra bucks for the best artist. It sounds like a small enough tattoo that even if you are paying top dollar it won't cost too much. if they are booked out a month in advance, thats usually a good sign!

Aquaphor is the best, IMO, for aftercare. Oh and everyone has tips: take the cellophane off in an hour, leave it on overnight, wash with certain brands of soap, use aquaphor, use a&d, use vaseline, etc, etc, etc. Talk to your artist and see what they suggest, but then use Aquaphor! ha ha!

I love tattoos!
amanda

I'm still about 18 months away from getting my first tat (that I've been yakking about for quite some time). I started thinking/researching about 5 years ago. Is that long enough to know what I want?

I've got a tattoo on my ankle that I had done when I was about 18, a small lizard. It hurt a bit, apparently the pain is worse on bony areas, but it wasn't that bad. I think I would have found it easier if I'd had some music, or something to read as a distraction. But it didn't take long anyway.

Unfortunately someone accidentally kicked me in the ankle as it was healing, and took half the scab off, so there is an area where it didn't come out so dark, but I still like it.

Everyone's given great advice...I'd like to reiterate that lower extremities, like your foot or ankle need EXTRA healing time and if you can plan your tattoo on a weekend when you can sit for long periods with it elevated...it will help IMMENSELY! I made the mistake of teaching 3 days after getting my foot tattooed and it swelled for weeks after...
Enjoy it!

My tatoo artist recommends having your tatoo touched up every three years or so to keep it looking great. Also, make sure you always put sunscreen on it. The sun's rays breakdown the ink in your skin over time.

Originally Posted by aamel_MirahAmmal

..l;,

Ok, I love the jailhouse Bic pen imagery...

I don't have any tattoos myself...in part because I had something I thought I wanted once, but, sort of like you, I was uncertain exactly how I wanted to execute it. I spent a couple of years thinking about it/contemplating ideas...until one day I realized I didn't really want it that badly anymore. I'd sort of...well...in my case I'd imprinted it on my soul. I didn't want or need to put it on my skin--I'd found other ways to honor what I needed to honor. And now, years later, I'm glad I didn't tattoo it.

Thank you for this~ it definitely has me thinking. My tattoo idea is a memoriam of this year, the most difficult of my life thus far as I have lost 3 people close to me (and almost a fourth)- all totally unrelated to each other- in 8 months. I started seriously thinking about it last April when the first passed, 4 months later the idea changed and 2 weeks ago it changed again. I chose the Vietnamese word for 'remember' though I did contemplate the phrase for 'do not grieve' and still am slightly kicking it around. These spoke to me bc I felt they could retain their original meaning and emotion but could also evolve and expand in other phases of my life.

I thought 8 months was a long enough period of time for contemplation and yet now I'm thinking I may be rushing it. To be honest, I now sort of feel a rush to have it done soon, maybe before I chicken out, maybe bc it will be a physical manifestation of emotional pain which will then end once I am inked. Perhaps it is best I don't have a whole image yet, to allow me time to really ponder and emote and perhaps I, like you, will find it is not necessary.

Thank you, again.

Originally Posted by Gia al Qamar

Everyone's given great advice...I'd like to reiterate that lower extremities, like your foot or ankle need EXTRA healing time and if you can plan your tattoo on a weekend when you can sit for long periods with it elevated...it will help IMMENSELY! I made the mistake of teaching 3 days after getting my foot tattooed and it swelled for weeks after...
Enjoy it!

OH~ excellent advice, I honestly would never have thought of this!!

What did those with ankle tats do about socks and such? Does the tat need to be covered in gauze or something to help with potential sock/boot chafing?

Originally Posted by zorba

I'm still about 18 months away from getting my first tat (that I've been yakking about for quite some time). I started thinking/researching about 5 years ago. Is that long enough to know what I want?

Jeepers, 5 years??!! I thought 8 months was a long time! ..l;,

Have you made a final decision? Why 18 months away- is that the wait list for your artist? What first inspired you? How has the idea/image morphed through time? How have you researched?

Originally Posted by amanda_raqs

Aquaphor is the best, IMO, for aftercare. Oh and everyone has tips: take the cellophane off in an hour, leave it on overnight, wash with certain brands of soap, use aquaphor, use a&d, use vaseline, etc, etc, etc. Talk to your artist and see what they suggest, but then use Aquaphor! ha ha!

I love tattoos!
amanda

I love them too~ thus far, always on others though! (looks for chicken icon)

What is Aquaphor and where can it be purchased? What is the usual recommendation and how did you come about your super-secret-discovery?

Originally Posted by maranajla

I love them too~ thus far, always on others though! (looks for chicken icon)

What is Aquaphor and where can it be purchased? What is the usual recommendation and how did you come about your super-secret-discovery?

Aquaphor is a "baby healing ointment". Sort of like vaseline but I like the consistency better, and it has no smell. My artist always sends me home with A&D ointment (like diaper rash treatment) but I find the a&d to have a less smooth texture, and it smells.

Here you go, you can usually find it in the baby aisle:
Buy Aquaphor Baby Healing Ointment Online at drugstore.com

totally agree about sunscreen as well. I have a 1/4 (well closer to 1/3!) sleeve and forget to use sunscreen on a day to day basis, although I use it if I'm going to be in the sun for a long time. I can definitely tell that there has been some fading.

Hi

I've got about 3 quite large tattoos on various parts of my body (both inner calves- sic and a large one on my back). I've had them for between 8 to 4 years. What I suggest is:

1. Think seriously about the how you want the specific design of your tattoo
to look. I know you have a design in mind, look it up in reference books
and see if you can find images on 'google images' and reference books. Or
various Tattoo sites.

2. I dont know where you live, but if you have a good tattooist guaranteed
they will have a following. So ask around about at tattooist. If you see
see someone with a nice tattoo go up to them and ask them who did it.
Most tattooists get their referals from word of mouth.

3. When you do find a good tattooist, in my expereince you will have a
consultation with them about the design (especially if its a custom
tattoo). They will generally need a day or so before you have the
tattoo design done.

4. Tattoos are uncomfortable but it depends on where you have them. If
you have them in an that covers bone (ie. shoulder blade, ankle, foot etc)
it will hurt a bit (hope that sentance makes sense). When I had mine
done on my inner ankle it stung but I chatted to the tattooist while he
was doing it

5. My tattoist recommends Bepenthen or vitamin e oil. Bepenthen is great
as the tattoo will start to scab and will REALLY REALLY ITCH. Rub that
on the tattoo it will soothe the itching instantly. If you really have to
touch the tattoo, pat the itchy bit and DON'T PULL THE SCAB.

Originally Posted by strawberrysmoothie

Hi
5. My tattoist recommends Bepenthen or vitamin e oil. Bepenthen is great
as the tattoo will start to scab and will REALLY REALLY ITCH. Rub that
on the tattoo it will soothe the itching instantly. If you really have to
touch the tattoo, pat the itchy bit and DON'T PULL THE SCAB.

Ahh~ thank you! I was wondering a bit why there was repeated advice to not pick at the scab and now I get it~ the tattoo becomes itchy!

And two more gems:

1. If you do a web search, you'll find a lot of advice for aftercare-and a lot of it contradicts itself! My advice: do what your artist tells you. For 2 reasons: he knows what tools, tehcniques he used and if you need a retouch he won't do it for free if you messed it up.

Seriously, if he tells you to use the ointment he sent you home with 3 times a day, then switch to lubriderm after the peeling starts and you decide to use triple antibiotic cream and slap saran wrap on it (two methods, both recommended by various artists) and you get a scab that blurs the design: you're getting charged for a retat. OTOH, if you follow directions to the letter and a color section fades, most artists will give you a retouch.

2. It will itch. You will go insane and take everyone else with you. The fact that my new ink in the length of my upper arm may influence that, but OMG! Slapping it helps-although it will cause giggling around you. Rubbing on lotion helps. Wear jammies with sleeves or legs or whatever to keep from scratching during sleep. And trim your nails. ..g.:

It will pass.

Originally Posted by kahaz

And two more gems:

1. If you do a web search, you'll find a lot of advice for aftercare-and a lot of it contradicts itself! My advice: do what your artist tells you. For 2 reasons: he knows what tools, tehcniques he used and if you need a retouch he won't do it for free if you messed it up.

Seriously, if he tells you to use the ointment he sent you home with 3 times a day, then switch to lubriderm after the peeling starts and you decide to use triple antibiotic cream and slap saran wrap on it (two methods, both recommended by various artists) and you get a scab that blurs the design: you're getting charged for a retat. OTOH, if you follow directions to the letter and a color section fades, most artists will give you a retouch.

2. It will itch. You will go insane and take everyone else with you. The fact that my new ink in the length of my upper arm may influence that, but OMG! Slapping it helps-although it will cause giggling around you. Rubbing on lotion helps. Wear jammies with sleeves or legs or whatever to keep from scratching during sleep. And trim your nails. ..g.:

It will pass.

My tattooist. He charged me £5 for a tube of cream to rub on my tattoo which I could have brought in the chemist/pharmacy for £1.50 . So check if its something that you can buy from over the counter ..g.: