It’s likely that during one point of your life you’ve wanted to get some ink in your skin. Whether it was a small heart, or a large and very detailed artistic piece, you’ve thought about it and probably changed your mind countless times. This article is for the girls that still aren’t quite sure about their tattoo decisions. Let’s face it, a tattoo is probably the biggest commitment some of us will ever make. I’m here to guide you through the semi-confusing artwork that is tattooing.
What Is It?Tattooing is the process of puncturing your skin with ink covered needles to create a different colored skin pigmentation. This art has been around since the 4th millennium B.C., so it’s safe to say tattooing is a part of history. You can tattoo any part of your body, even your eyeball, if you desperately want to!
Does It Hurt?The number one question I hear about tattoos is “Does it hurt really bad?” To be honest, yes and no. It certainly is not a pleasant feeling getting needles jammed into your skin until it is raw, but hey, beauty is pain. How much it’s going to hurt is really determined by two factors. The first being how you handle pain. If you are scared of needles or shed a tear when you stub your toe, then the process isn’t going to be so fun for you. If you’re a person that can handle rough sports injuries or face-planting down a set of stairs (like I do so often) then you will take this better than others. The second factor is where on your body you are getting the tattoo. The most painful places tend to be the bonier regions of your body. (spine, top of foot, ribcage etc.) Another very painful place is behind the knee. Other regions of your body don’t tend to hurt as much, but again, it depends on your pain tolerance. The most accurate description of what a tattoo feels like is when you have a sunburn, and a cat scratches it. So be prepared!
How Should I Choose A Shop?When I was booking my first tattoo appointment I looked at dozens of shops in Massachusetts. If you are getting something permanently placed on your body, you want it to get done correctly and cleanly. I first took to my friends and family that had already been tatted up. They told me their experiences with the shops they went to and I then did my own research. After taking to Google for many hours, I had been to various shop websites and read hundreds of reviews. It is important to be thorough because again, a tattoo is permanent and you want it done correctly. Another thing you should look at if you are getting a large and very detailed piece is the individual tattoo artist’s work. Everybody has a different style of artwork, so you should check out all of your options. To figure out the pricing of your tattoo, you can call the shop and they can get an estimate for you form the artist.
How Should I Prepare For the Appointment?Once you have found your shop and called and arranged for your appointment, there are some things you can do to prepare yourself. Before your appointment you should drink plenty of water or Gatorade. Make sure you eat something and go to the bathroom as well. Your adrenaline will be pumping so it is best to keep your blood sugar raised. Don’t do anything to “take the edge off” before you go! Not only is this stupid, but the tattoo artist could refuse to work with you! (Huge bummer). Pick out an outfit that will keep you comfortable during the whole process as well. If you’re nervous I suggest bringing a friend to hold your hand or to help take your mind off things. Usually there is music playing, so try to sing along with the songs. It will be over before you know it!
What Is the Healing Process Like?After you get out of your appointment (congrats for taking that pain, you go girl!), you’re going to be sent home with a gauze bandage over your tattoo. After a few hours, you can take that off and rinse it off a little bit. Be very gentle! Your skin is raw and yes, it’s going to hurt when anything touches it for a few days. Follow the instructions your tattoo artist gave you religiously, because that’s the only way your tattoo will heal properly. Most tattoo artists recommend rubbing Aquaphor (Eucerin brand) on the tattoo a few times a day. I used this and I have to say it worked nicely. As for washing your tattoo, your artist will recommend a brand or two that would be safe. When washing your tattoo don’t scrub it, just use your hand to gently wash it. Don’t use any scented lotions, because this could irritate your skin and infect your tattoo! The more natural, the better during this healing process.
Depending on how sensitive your skin is and how big your tattoo is, it will take 1-2 weeks to heal fully. During this time your skin will be a little red and tender but that is completely normal, don’t fret. After a few days, you’re going to see little flecks of skin peeling off, also completely normal. (A little gross, but normal.) Try to touch them as little as possible. The most annoying part of the whole tattoo process is how itchy it gets during the end of the healing process. You cannot itch it, so many people say “slapping” your tattoo works. This does work, but you will look very weird slapping yourself in public. (Just saying)
Enjoy your tattoo, and remember, it’s going on your body so don’t let other people influence your decisions! Rock that ink!