Skin is in! More than a third of people aged 18 - 25 have at least one tattoo in the United States today. Although tattooing has been referred to as a fashion trend, this style is permanent, so you'll want to take much more time to decide on your tattoo than it takes you to purchase those new Nikes. Here are some tips for getting you through your first tattoo.
Preparing for the perfect tattoo & finding a shop
If you're interested in getting a tattoo you've probably already spent hours on Google images browsing artwork and tattoo photographs. If you're an artist, you have it easy; all you have to do is draw out your own design. For the rest of us, concerns about originality and professional looking artwork will force us to find an artist to work with.
This may surprise you but there are a lot of tattoo artists out there who aren't really artists at all, but tracers. Beware of tattoo shops that fill their walls with pre-made art. On the other hand, all tattoo shops should have a few binders of photographs that serve as a portfolio for the shop or a specific artist.
Go to a few local tattoo parlors and browse their portfolios. This will also give you a chance to check out the shop's sterilization procedures and the general cleanliness of the place. Don't be afraid to ask questions; your health could be at risk. Ask your tattooed friends if they can suggest a good artist or shop. Even if you see a tattoo that you like on a random person, don't be afraid to ask where the work was done.
For some people, those who want something simple like a symbol or text, any tattoo shop will be able to accommodate. Most of us have a clear vision of what we'd like to have tattooed, but with no means to create it. A great tattoo shop will be able to create a custom tattoo to meet your needs. Perhaps you want a portrait of a family member; supply a photograph and have your tattoo artist draw it, maybe you want a combination of two pieces of art; bring various artwork and the artist should be able to combine them into an original piece. It's always best to provide your tattoo artist with examples of what you like as opposed to just telling them.
Sometimes, though, it's better to get the artwork completed before you go to get tattooed. If you're really hard to please, find an artist, outside of the tattoo shop, to design something for you. Tattoo artists will only draw up so many versions before they kick you out of the shop; their main concern is to put the artwork on you, not to perfect your idea.
Be careful when selecting artwork when you are doing so for the aesthetic value alone. There are many symbolic meanings behind some images that you may not be aware of, make sure to research these meanings. You don't want to end up with a tattoo that relates to gang activity or that represents something that you don't agree with.
Where should the tattoo go?
While figuring out exactly what you want is the biggest step in getting your first tattoo, there are still many other things to consider. When deciding on where to have your artwork stamped on your body, you will want to think about whether it's important for you to be able to cover it up. What is your work environment like? How will your boss, co-workers, or clients react to you if they see your tattoo? Of course if you work at home or you work in a casual environment then feel free to show it off. Just consider your plans for the future first.
Of course the size of the tattoo will contribute to your decision. If you can't decide where to put your tattoo, try drawing a few different-sized versions on tracing paper and tape them to yourself so that you can see how it will look on different parts of your body.
There is also the pain factor: areas on your body where the skin is close to the bone with little or no fat or muscle beneath, such as the foot, ankle and lower back, are some of the most painful spots to be tattooed. Wherever your skin is sensitive, such as beneath your arms, inner thighs, and the crease in your elbows and knees are also very painful areas. What does it feel like? Someone once told me it feels like sandpaper being forcefully dragged across your skin and, after my first tattoo, I agree with this description.
The big day
You know what you want, where you want it, and who's going to do it. Now you just have to go to the tattoo shop and go through with it.
Of course, you're still a little nervous about the pain, maybe you're getting cold feet. The best thing to do is bring a friend with you, someone who will offer a hand to squeeze or at least moral support. Whatever you do, do not take painkillers or drink alcohol before you go to get tattooed. You may think this will help but these things will thin your blood and cause you to bleed more.
If you get lightheaded at the sight of blood or you have a low tolerance for pain, you'll just be increasing the chance that you will pass out by taking pain medication or drinking. Instead, make sure you eat something before you go, a candy bar would be best since it increases your blood sugar. Save the drink for the celebration after you've had your first tattoo.
You've survived!
You did it, and because you prepared and found a great artist to apply your tattoo, you're fully satisfied with the end result and ready to show off to all your friends! Now you just have to get through the healing process.
For at least a week you should apply antibiotic ointment to your tattoo and cover it with saran wrap. Change the wrap at least two times per day. As it starts to heal it will begin to scab over and become itchy. Do not scratch it or pick off the scabs or you might distort some of the artwork. Within two weeks your tattoo should be fully healed. To keep it looking its best make sure to use lotion regularly and apply sun block whenever it will be exposed to the sun.
Celebrate, you've survived your first tattoo! You are now a walking canvas of art and self-expression. Go have that drink we were talking about and start planning your next tattoo.
Source: The Pew Research Center: http://people-press.org/reports/pdf/300.pdf (p. 23 in pdf controls p.21 in text)