So you have some extra cash, and you’re thinking about doing something you always thought about body modification. Now quick little lesson body modification covers everything from hair color and ear piercings to scarification and suspension. However, today we’re going to talk about your first body/face piercing or tattoo. If you have a mother like mine, and she says you can’t alter yourself –including your hair– until your 18, just wait. It’s not worth all the problems you’ll have if you go against your mom, trust me; but once you go to get your first piercing or tattoo remember these simple rules:
Know the risks associated with your piercing/tattoo.
You should never walk into anything blind; do the proper research and know what your piercer is going to say to you before you get there because you don’t want to change your mind once you arrive. I’m telling you now if you’re anything like me, you’re anxiety won’t let you live it down. Certain piercings have a high rejection rate or affect other areas of your body, and some tattoos fade quicker. My tongue piercing in particular hits up against my teeth anytime I speak –refer to picture seen here: (ignore my pimple these things happen and I don’t like make-up)
Have a solid idea in your mind.
One reason I support what my mom did is because I’m grown and I’ve been thinking about my piercings and tattoos for years. I’d wanted my septum pierced since I was 14, and asked my mom at 16, was promptly rejected, and finally got it on my 18th birthday. These types of decisions are pretty permanent, because even though you can take a piercing out it still leaves a scar. I do not recommend being impulsive when it comes to tattoos and piercings, but everyone does what they want with their own bodies. Just remember when getting any form of modification get exactly what you want, exactly where you want it, exactly as you want it because it’s your body and you have to live with it.
Rejection happens
Go to someone who has a good reputation of healed piercings, and if it ain’t broke don’t fix it. I wish I could’ve gone to the same guy who did my septum to do my bellybutton. My septum piercing healed well didn’t hurt, was quick, sterile, and professional; however, when I got my bellybutton pierced, my piercer didn’t use clamps. If I wasn’t so chubby, I’d say that was okay, however, I believe that was my piercing’s downfall. I left the same jewelry in for months and cleaned it with saline solution and a q-tip (the same way I cleaned my septum) and it appeared to be healing, but it was not! Belly button piercings have high rejection rates, hey it happens, but the amount of betrayal in my heart when it finally pushed itself out was immense. Just remember, when getting a piercing, go to a reliable piercer with a low rejection rate.
Prices
Artists have fixed prices, don’t try to haggle with them, but know how much you’re willing to spend, and cheaper is not always better. When it comes to tattoos most times cost equates quality, but there are some people out there keeping their prices modest, while some people are jacking theirs up. When I got my first tattoo (it’s a sun that I drew) on my chest, I paid $60 there is quite a bit of detail, so I feel like that’s good for what I got. There are a couple of discrepancies when it comes to the linework, but nothing that can’t be fixed with a touch-up; I saw an exponential difference when I got my geometric shark on my bicep. I healed both tattoos the same way –shea butter 3 times a day– but the ink on the geometric shark was much darker, it has no shading, it’s all linework –which is where I had the problem with my first piece– and it hurt a lot more. Now, I don’t know if the pain difference has anything to do with anything, but it had to be noted. The price difference between shark and sun $40.
- Shark ($100)
- Sun ($60)
I don’t feel like $100 is bad for what I got, plus I get free touch-ups, so…
Don’t Flinch
I took my best friend to get her first tattoo and she got it on her stomach -ow. When you get a tattoo they basically have to rub an inked up needle in your skin. Your stomach moves a lot when you breathe and you can’t flinch. Artists typically give you a first line to test out how much it’s going to hurt, but in my experience, your artist always gives you the easiest, least-painful line on your whole piece as your first line. You already paid and they don’t want to give you your money back, so don’t bitch out. Placement does affect how much pain you’re going to feel, but also pain is relative, but feel free to reference this:
Have cash when you get there, tip your artist if you can, and you don’t need ointment or whatever they try to give you. Natural alternatives saline solution rose water, and shea butter, are all holy grails when it comes to tattoo and piercing healing.
Thanks for making it here! Here’s a random piece of good advice: be careful what lotion you use to moisturize you either come out soft and buttery or a hot oily mess.