There is a first for everything. Including tattoos, obviously. Tattoos aren't something I recommend "figuring it out as you go." So I'm glad to see you found yourself here while doing your pre-first-tattoo research. I know I had a lot of questions before getting my first one. I've always asked friends if their tattoos hurt, (if they didn't mind me asking) how much it cost, and who the artist was. The most important question to me was who the artist was. By asking this question, usually the person with the tattoo will elaborate on how much they enjoyed or not enjoyed getting tattooed by that person. I've always found that there are plenty of amazingly talented artists with personalities to match that I don't need to go to an amazingly talented jerk. Actually, I would never go to a tattoo artist who I thought was a jerk.
Here are some questions I put together and answered from my own personal experiences:
How bad does it hurt? It depends on how much of a masochist you are. Just kidding, it really just depends on the individual. One friend thought she had an incredibly low pain tolerance but for her first tattoo she sat for six hours (Your first one does not have to be a marathon by the way. I got two small tattoos before I got my first big one). I would much rather sit for a tattoo than stub my toe or get a shot. I have tattoos directly over the bone and some that are directly over muscle. Any spot that is directly over the bone is going to be the most painful spot. But if you can sit through the machine going over your bone, a tattoo on the muscle is a cakewalk.
How much is it going to cost? It depends on the artist and the shop. Some shops charge by the hour and some charge by the individual tattoo. A tattoo that takes roughly two and a half hours will generally run you between two and three hundred dollars. But again, each shop does things their own way.
To tip or not to tip? I always tip but I also go to artist's that I really admire and probably will go back to again someday. I don't want to leave on a sour note after having such a good time with the artist.
How safe is it? It's very safe as long as the artist and the shop follows safety regulations set by the state. Karen Hudson from About.com Guide wrote a great Tattoo Safety Checklist that everyone looking to get a tattoo should read.
Do they use new needles and inks every time they tattoo a new person? Please run away as fast as you can from any shop that doesn't.
Is there anything I should do the day I'm getting the tattoo before I go in to the shop? There are many things you can do before going in.
1. Eat something. Don't stuff yourself and don't eat anything that's going to make you gaseous. You can get very light-headed or faint if you don't eat. Getting a tattoo is very stressful. Going into it you're probably either nervous or anxious. While getting it, you may or may not be experiencing extreme pain. If you don't feel it, your skin and muscle is certainly feeling it. You will also probably be sore and swollen afterwards. If you eat something, your blood sugar will be even and one less thing for your body to worry about.
2. Drink something. Stay hydrated. I'm strongly advising you to not drink alcohol before getting a tattoo. Your blood will be thinner and you will bleed more (same thing with pain killers). Depending on the amount of alcohol intake, you could be incredibly drunk or pass out or puke or all of the above. You could also be a total jerk to everyone around you. Finally, you could decide to get a horrible tattoo that you regret with every moment.
3. Make sure you have enough money. Tattoos can be very expensive and sometimes one's bank account isn't always flowing endlessly with money. When you are picking your artist, go to the shop, speak to the artist in person, ask how long it will take and how much it will cost. They will give you price range and tell you whether you need to bring in cash or if they take plastic. If you cannot afford the tattoo at the time of the consultation, you should probably wait until you know you will have the money.
4. Bring a friend. For your first tattoo I strongly advise bringing a friend. Continue bringing a friend until you are 100% comfortable. With your first one, you don't know how you will react to the pain, stress, and general nervousness. Plus, a little support never hurt anyone. Key word, support. Don't bring a friend that is going to put you down, insult your tattoo or the artist, or try to change your mind. It's your tattoo, not theirs. They are there for support and conversation. So friends, make sure at the very least the tattoo recipient is hydrated. Hold their hand if need be, encourage them to sit as still and as relaxed as possible. If they are freaking out and losing their mind, tell them to calm down in a very stern voice. Once a tattoo is started, there's no stopping so crying and screaming doesn't help anybody. If they are in extreme pain, take their mind off it by starting conversation. I have fond memories of inspiring a woman to get a cupcake tattoo and then holding her hand while talking to her about her boyfriend till it was over.
5. Make sure your artist shaves the area. This will obviously be once you're in the chair and he's about to put on the stencil, but one time the artist didn't shave my bi-cep. You probably have hair all over your body, even if their little arm fuzzies. When the artist is moving the machine over your skin and it isn't clean shaven, your hair will get stuck in the machine and you will feel it ripping out of your skin. Ouch. Also, when your tattoo is healing and the scabs are coming off, they will get caught on the hair as well. Double ouch (this goes back to I'd much rather get a tattoo than rip off a Band-Aid).
How do I heal my tattoo? Ask the artist and they will have endless amounts of advice on aftercare instructions. I personally use a very thin layer of A&D Ointment for a few days and then once it scabs up switch to non-scented Lubriderm lotion. Some people use Aquaphor, some people use non-scented lotion from the beginning. Be aware of how much you are applying, you want to put on a very thin layer. If you put on too much or your skin doesn't like whatever you are using, you might break out with acne around the tattoo. Also, your tattoo will itch when it starts peeling. Don't peel it and don't itch it. Either ignore it or apply a small amount of lotion.
How do I pick the artist I should go to? Ask people with tattoos who they went to and what they liked or didn't like about that artist. I usually find artists through word of mouth or online. Most shops have portfolios online so first find an artist who has a style you like. You'll know when you see it. Then call the shop and ask when you can come in for a consultation. They are usually free but ask before you come in. Talk to the artist and see what they think about your idea, any suggestions they have to improve it (Remember you are not a tattoo artist and that this is their job - they probably know what they are doing), and how much it will be. Decide from there who you would like to go to and enjoy!
If you have any other questions you would like answered, please ask whenever it comes to you and I will answer them to the best of my ability or find an artist to answer them if I can't.
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