On Getting Your First Tattoo

A lot of people say that they've considered getting a tattoo but are too scared to get one, afraid of the pain or the chance that it might get messed up. Yes it hurts, but not as bad as you'd expect and if you choose an artist who you trust (you'll get to know them on talking to them, talk to people who've been tattooed by them too!), and who's work you admire then you'll feel in much safer hands! It's important to any artist to make you feel comfortable and give you the best experience, especially if it's your first one.

Personally I feel like people put their first tattoo on a pedestal. That's not to say that it shouldn't be special to you but they don't always have to mean something. You can even just like a design that you've seen or a piece of art that looks pretty that you want to honour by having it on your body!

If you've been dwelling on an idea for a long time, that's probably the best one to get because if you've been thinking about it for so long then it's less likely that you'll regret it in years to come. Remember, not all tattoos have to be in visible areas either! Your body is a canvas and there's a whole lot of empty space to choose from.

My first is under my right boob, and more often than not is covered by my bra. Once you've decided on a design, choose an artist who's style you like and who's work looks good healed. Some artists work is great when it's fresh, but the colour doesn't hold very well and it fades etc. Half of the healed tattoo is down to In this industry, like a lot of others, you get what you pay for. Would you rather have a £20 ink blotch or a beautiful £200 piece of art? 
From personal experience, the pain of being tattooed is actually similar to sunburn. Sore but not unbearable. How you feel this is mostly relative to you and your threshold for pain. If you keep a positive state of mind, remembering that the pain is worth it and only momentary then you'll be absolutely fine! Just don't drink alcohol the night before and remember to eat substantial foods high in glucose so that you don't start to feel weak. It's a small test of endurance but one that you'll hopefully enjoy. 

My tattoo artist likes to talk which makes it a greater experience for me and sometimes it makes me forget that I'm being tattooed at all, believe it or not! You find out some pretty awesome things when you're up close for a few hours. 

When you're no longer a blank canvas, don't forget to care for your tattoo throughout the healing process. After you leave that shop, it's down to you to take care of your tattoo and let it heal well. If you're unsure of how to do this, ask your artist before you leave. I personally swear by Bepanthen, a cream for nappy rash that locks moisture in and keeps and of the bad stuff out. Click here to See my post on a certain Lush bath bomb that's gentle enough on your skin not to affect your tattoos shortly after the healing process. For a while you'll have to treat your tattoo as a wound, which essentially it is. Just a super awesome wound.
Most importantly, make sure you're getting it for you and nobody else. Seriously. No boyfriend/girlfriend's name or McDonalds arches. Your body is a temple, so treat it and decorate it like one! Oh, and don't worry about what they'll look like when you're older, chances are you'll be the coolest senior around ;)

Do you have any tattoos or have you been thinking of getting one? Maybe you don't agree with tattoos at all. Let me know in the comments or link me to some posts if you've written about it!
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