Getting my first tattoo

[Xno Kappa]

Like others have said, shit's gonna itch like crazy but don't scratch. Just gently slap it. As far as pain, shit hurts for like five minutes then it just goes numb.

[Effluo]

Yes, slap the shit out of it if it starts to itch. Also, glad no one mentioned Neosporin this thread.

[Antithesis]

PLease god say you're joking fuck.

Nope. His mom's name is written in a Chinese character with the barb war going around the arm.

[Ishido]

Get this character with barbed wire around it. Everyone that knows chinese or japanese will think you are hardcore.

痔

[Warudo Ecksu]

Just tattoo your entire body blue, then you can join the blue man group.

made me think of avatar rather than blue man group

[AidenCarby]

Get this character with barbed wire around it. Everyone that knows chinese or japanese will think you are hardcore.

痔

lmfao hemorrhoids

[Moss]

made me think of avatar rather than blue man group

everybody always trying to keep the blue man down...

[Cyn]

Getting a brand with a soldering iron is far more manly.

[Asuza]

More people need this tattoo...

http://c1.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/i...8d553d10ec.jpg

[Wakabo]

Zombies don't fuck with other zombies

[Azalee]

I never used A&D or tattoo goo when I got mine... Just used an antibacterial soap, then a moisturizing lotion(unscented, like jergens or some shit) to help with the dryness. Good to go. =D

[Absolutely Virtue]

Late to the party, but-

I talk when I'm getting mine done. Not obnoxious, but just carry on a conversation about whatever random shit with the artist. Some don't like to talk, obviously, but plenty are very friendly. I've found that many artists enjoy talking with people who are earnest about the process and want to learn about it. The people they hate are the sorority broads on their cellphones getting unicorn tattoos, or the bros with the barbed wire.

I use Bacitracin for the first few days. Once it starts to dry out (the Bacitracin will accelerate this process), switch to a regular lotion (I use Lubriderm). Avoid perfumey shit, and anything too chemically. Don't soak it, don't go swimming, don't leave it in direct sunlight, and for the love of god don't pick at it.

Last piece of advice is start saving for your next one, because you'll want one sooner than you think.

[Quixon]

My fill in hurt a lot worse than the outline.

Mine is below my left shoulder blade (my back)


The area will just go numb after a while. It actually kind of felt good after the first 45 minutes or so of work.



Also, don't wear a shirt you actually plan on wearing again to the tattoo parlor. And sleep on old sheets you don't mind getting ruined. Your skin is going to leak a little bit through the first night.

I woke up the next morning and had a nice Eye of Horus stained into my white sheets lol.

[Kadrian]

I've worked at a tattoo shop for going on a year now and the serious replies to this thread are great advice. They will go over care with you after you get it done and you should have a take-home care sheet as well. To summarize:

Keep the bandage on for at least 2hrs. Afterwards, clean with a non-scented, mild antibacterial soap. Wash gently with fingertips only. You will notice oozing of blood and ink, that is normal. It will ooze for at least a couple of days. If you have to touch it for any reason over the next week, WASH YOUR HANDS! So many people come in with infected tattoo's because they can't leave their dirty ass hands off it. IT IS AN OPEN WOUND, PEOPLE!
Wash twice a day for the next week. Apply the A&D ointment whenever it seems dry. Usually about 4-5 times a day. Do that for about a week. After the A&D ointment, get a non-scented moisturizing lotion. I used Aveeno on all of mine and still lotion them up every night and I have had most of mine for years. I am prone to dry skin anyway.

No swimming, tanning, or sunbathing for the next 2 weeks.

It will start to itch, A LOT within a week. DON'T SCRATCH! Lightly rub or pat. You will notice scabbing and flaking. That is normal. Don't pick the scabs or rub the flakes off. They will come off on their own. It may flake for upwards of a month.

As for any sort of goo, we use Tat Wax and I love it. It isn't petroleum based like Tattoo Goo so it won't stain your clothes and it is made of natural ingredients. It smells better to me too. It doesn't last as long as Tattoo Goo because it soaks into your skin quicker, but I prefer it.

If you have any questions, feel free to PM me or call your local artist!

Oh yeah! Before you go, drink some Gatorade and take some with you. Eat a good meal before and take something sugary for during the tattoo. The initial adrenaline rush will make your blood sugar plummet. As long as you are well hydrated and keep your blood sugar balanced, you should be fine. In the eventuality that you do fall unconscious, do not be surprised if your artist has to abruptly wake you by any means possible. We have an all woman staff and whenever someone passes out, we slap the shit out of them to wake them quickly. A number of things could go wrong if left unconscious, especially if it is blood sugar related.

[Neosutra]

I love tattoo'd girls, I cant imagine being around a tattoo artist female (that was hot) and not banging the shit out of them. I dont know why that turns me on..

[Afrohatch]

Oh yeah! Before you go, drink some Gatorade and take some with you. Eat a good meal before and take something sugary for during the tattoo. The initial adrenaline rush will make your blood sugar plummet. As long as you are well hydrated and keep your blood sugar balanced, you should be fine. In the eventuality that you do fall unconscious, do not be surprised if your artist has to abruptly wake you by any means possible. We have an all woman staff and whenever someone passes out, we slap the shit out of them to wake them quickly. A number of things could go wrong if left unconscious, especially if it is blood sugar related.

Yep, that shit happened to me when I got my tattoo, I had nothing to eat during the day, and was stressed out from an argument with parents the night before....five minutes into getting the tattoo I was out like a light XD

and i felt like a total pussy afterwards

[zoobernut]

Oh yeah! Before you go, drink some Gatorade and take some with you. Eat a good meal before and take something sugary for during the tattoo. The initial adrenaline rush will make your blood sugar plummet. As long as you are well hydrated and keep your blood sugar balanced, you should be fine. In the eventuality that you do fall unconscious, do not be surprised if your artist has to abruptly wake you by any means possible. We have an all woman staff and whenever someone passes out, we slap the shit out of them to wake them quickly. A number of things could go wrong if left unconscious, especially if it is blood sugar related.

That is what happened to me. It didn't hurt too much and I felt like I was doing fine but then my body started to go into shock because I was dehydrated from sweating and my blood sugar was low. All of a sudden the artist stopped and looked at me and then got me a chocolate bar and some water. We took a 10 minute break and then once I was better we finished it up.

Really important to eat and drink before you go.

[Absolutely Virtue]

You guys are going to scare the shit out of people, lol. I've never had any problems with any of that. Just don't go in on an empty stomach, don't go in drunk, don't go in with a hangover, and you should be fine. I don't do any special eating or prep or anything, and I'm typically a really anxious person.

I'm not going to lie, it hurts. But it doesn't hurt as bad as you expect it to, and usually you're so stoked you don't notice.

Wasn't the OP supposed to get their work done today? Pix pl0x.

[zoobernut]

I am not trying to scare anyone I am just being realistic. Make sure you are well hydrated and you have a good meal before you go get your tattoo. Also most places I have been won't touch you if you are drunk or on drugs.

And for me it wasn't a pain thing at all it was just my body reacting to the trauma of a flesh wound and I needed something to eat and drink in the middle so we took a short break.

[Xno Kappa]

I'm not sure it's even fair to say you're being realistic. I've never seen nor heard such an incident happen to anyone and I have a brother who works at a shop. You're giving good advice nonetheless but for something like that to happen seems pretty rare.