Fashion

Things to Consider for Your First Tattoo

Published

2 years ago

August 18, 2022

Salman

Things to Consider for Your First Tattoo

After scrolling through your favourite celeb pictures on Instagram or Pinterest, you might fancy getting a tattoo.

For many beginners, knowing the right place to start can be challenging.

Below is a detailed guide to getting your first body art.

Most tattoos have a meaning. Whether it’s a tribute to something you treasure or a quote in a foreign language, acquiring a permanent mark on your body is a life-changing decision.

The objective is to leave the tattoo shop satisfied with the artist’s work. However, this isn’t always guaranteed.

Factors to Consider Before Getting a Tattoo

Rule number one is to know exactly what you want. Most common tattoos are quotes or depictions of fictitious and real things, such as flowers, dragons, human portraits, etc.

It’s vital to have an idea of your expected outcome before consulting a tattooist. However, you must choose your preferred font style if you want letter tattoos.

Here are the main consideration factors when getting your first tattoo.

Style –the most common tattoo styles are traditional American and Japanese, realism, illustrative, and geometric. You can get inspiration from photo-centric social media like Instagram and Pinterest.
Design – do you want a standalone image, script, or mix? Use the internet for research, and then print a few samples for your tattooist.
Colour– your tattooist will help you choose the best colours for your skin tone. Generally, darker skin tones go well with dark colours and vice versa. It’s worth noting that tattoos fade. The internet has info on how different colours fade over time.
Size and location – these two affect each other interchangeably. For instance, a large tattoo goes on the back or thighs. On the other hand, small tattoos work best on arms or legs.

Where to Get a Tattoo

Beginners find it challenging to identify the best tattoo artist, and understandably so. Here are a few insights on choosing where to get your first tattoo.

Check licensing – tattooing is a complicated task. To ensure that you aren’t seeking services from a quack, ensure they have a valid license.
Assess cleanliness – a reputable shop should have high hygiene standards. If the place is smelly, move to the next option. Observe the artists’ conduct while handling customers. Do they use clean equipment? Are they wearing gloves? Remember, tattooing causes bleeding and can transmit diseases if the artist doesn’t use proper handling methods.
Read reviews – what are previous clients saying about the shop? This can give you a glimpse of what to expect.
Schedule an appointment – if the shop meets your standards, schedule a consultation.

What to Do Before Getting a Tattoo

Preparing for a tattoo is similar to getting ready for a medical procedure.

Ensure that you get enough sleep and avoid drinking alcohol. Instead, drink plenty of water and grab a meal 30 minutes before arriving at the tattoo shop.

If you have a skin condition, inform your tattoo artist. Also, please avoid applying tans on the designated tattoo site.

The Tattooing Process

The artist will prep the site and make a stencil when you arrive at the shop.

Then, they will turn on the machines to start tattooing. It would help if you stayed still during the entire process.

However, you can ask the artist to pause whenever you need a break.

The tattooing process often intimidates beginners. The first few minutes are painful, but the intensity subsides as your body builds up the adrenaline. Remembering this helps you get through the soreness.

During the process, you might engage in small talk with your artist. If they’re not into casual conversations, grab your earphones and listen to relaxing music.