Tattoos are wildly popular these days and they are a great source of inspiration and also a fantastic way to express yourself.
But if you’ve never had a tattoo done before, how do you prepare for one? What is the process like? What should you expect? Is there anything you should know before having it done?
Tattoos Are Permanent
The thing about permanent tattoos is that they really are permanent. Once the ink is under those layers of skin, the pigments sit there. It is therefore very important to be sure you want the tattoo in the first place.
Although there are ways to remove a tattoo, including laser treatment, they are generally uncomfortable and don’t completely get rid of it anyway.
So, before you go and see a tattoo artist, be completely sure that you do actually want one. If it’s going to be permanent and last for the rest of your life, you really want to make sure it’s exactly what you want.
Dealing With The Pain
The other thing you should know is that having a tattoo done can range from being a bit uncomfortable to quite painful.
The kind of pain you experience really depends on how big the tattoo is, where it’s being placed on your body, how skilled the tattoo artist is, your level of preparation, and your overall health.
So, what does it really feel like to have a tattoo inked on your body? Here’s how many people describe it:
- They can feel the vibration of the machine as it deposits the ink.
- It can also feel like stinging, burning, or scratching.
- There may also be a feeling of numbness or dullness of the skin.
So much of the discomfort depends on what kind of tattoo it is, where it’s being done, and the skill of the tattooist. If you choose to have a tattoo done on an especially tender part of your body, then it’s going to hurt a lot more.
If you want as little pain as possible, one thing you can do is choose an area on your body where the pain will be minimal. The forearm, upper arm, shoulder, calf, chest, and thigh are often the least painful areas to have tattoos done.
Choose The Right Tattooist
Even if you have a great design in mind, the one thing you should absolutely do is research a good tattooist.
Remember this: not all tattooists are the same. Anyone with the equipment can hang out a shingle and call themselves a tattoo artist. It doesn’t mean they’ll do a good job.
Choose The Right Design
Sometimes, you have a strong idea of what design you want.
Other times, you’re not sure until you get to speak with the tattooist and have a look through their work. Given that this is going to be a permanent tattoo, you should definitely do your research first.
Ideally, you should choose a design that has meaning for you. Make sure it’s something you can relate to and has some meaning in your life.
Just remember that you can always have a small tattoo done if you want something unobtrusive. This is also good if you’re not completely certain that the tattoo you choose will always have special meaning for you.
Choose The Right Tattoo Style
There are lots and lots of tattoo styles to choose from. Everything from Micro to Surreal is available. But not all tattoo artists are proficient in all styles.
Therefore, if you have a strong design in mind and want it to look a certain way, make sure you choose a tattoo artist who knows that style very well.
Choose The Right Body Placement
It should really go without saying, but you must ensure that you have the tattoo inked in the right place. Some tattoos demand to be placed in certain areas. For example, large tattoos will need a large space to really shine.
Unless you have very strong preferences, it’s always wise to listen to the advice of your tattooist. They will have the experience to know what works best and why.
Sometimes a design simply looks better on one part of the body, and other times one part of the body will stretch and be prone to wrinkles over time.
How Does The Tattooing Process Work?
There’s a lot to do even before you sit down and get comfortable in the chair, including choosing a design, choosing the best placement, and preparing for any pain.
But once you’ve finally sorted all of this out and you’ve paid for it, it’s time to sit in that chair and go through the process step-by-step. So, what should you expect? Here’s how it works:
Get Comfortable
Depending on the setup, you will have a private room or be seated in an open working area. The chair you sit in will look like a dentist’s chair in most cases, but this is not a rule.
The important thing is that you’re comfortable. A good tattoo artist will always ask if you’re comfortable before starting.
Skin Preparation
Any hairs will be shaved off. This may take a little while, as it’s important to ensure that all of the body hair in the area is removed first.
Before any ink gets under the skin, it will be rubbed down first with a cleaning solution.
The Thermal Stencil
Once you’re ready, the tattooist will take the thermal stencil of your tattoo design and place it on the area where you want the tattoo. The design is transferred from the thermal paper onto your skin.
Doing this saves a lot of time, and it also gives you a good idea of what the final tattoo will look like.
This is when you have a chance to approve both the design and the placement before going ahead with the final design. A good tattooist will always ask you before they proceed.
Machine Preparation
Once you’re ready to go, the tattoo artist will carefully prepare the machine.
They will pour out the necessary inks into small cups from sterile pouches.
They will also get out needles and tubes from sterile pouches ready for the inking process.
Inking The Lines
Take deep breaths if you need to during the tattooing process and try to hold as still as possible. The artist will do their best to make it comfortable without cutting any corners.
It’s always the most painful for the first few minutes, but after this your skin tends to get used to the discomfort and the sensations.
Shading Work
Once all of the line work is complete, the tattoo artist will prepare for any shading that needs to be done. They may use a different machine and prepare this. They may even use different colored inks, depending on your design.
Always Follow Care Advice
Once this is all done, you can finally look at your tattoo! You can breathe easier now and talk with your tattoo artist. They might even want you to have a photo done for their portfolio, but it’s entirely up to you.
Once done, the tattooist will dress the wound in ointment and bandages. This is vital, as it will protect the new tattoo and allow it to heal more quickly.
At this point, you should also receive after-care instructions, and these must be followed to the absolute if you want the best result possible.
Tattoo Process From Start To Finish
