what to expect getting a tattoo

zelle17404 April 20, 2023 Comment

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Most tattoos have a story. Your artist can create a touching tribute to a loved one or illustrate an inside joke you have with your friends — but underlying meaning is never a requirement to getting inked.

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What’s important is that you walk away from your session happy with the art that’s permanently etched into your skin. And whether it’s your first or fifth time, this feeling is never a guarantee when you’re considering a new tattoo.

But there are steps you can take to ensure that you walk away loving your new artwork and that it’s healthy. We’ve rounded up everything you need to know to make your experience as easy, painless, and regret-free as possible.

Above all else, you have to know what imagery you want. Do you want something floral? A portrait? Abstract blots of color? Or maybe you just want some simple script?

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It’s important to have your core idea fleshed out before setting up a consultation — unless you’re coming in for lettering, which often only requires you to decide on a font. During the consultation, your artist can work out the finer details. You can show them any images you’ve saved as inspiration and figure out placement and pricing.

Depending on the time they have available, the artist may create a mock-up of your tattoo on the spot or a few days later, but ultimately, the final results will depend on several factors:

You want tattooed, you have to figure out how you want it to look. There are a ton of different tattooing styles, and you’ll want to go to an artist who’s skilled in the look you’re after.

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But you don’t need to be familiar with the lingo to get one of these styles. Browsing Instagram is incredibly helpful, as most artists post their work on their own channel and to a hashtag feed. If, for example, you’ve decided you want to get a tattoo of a cat, a quick #cattattoo search pulls up over 220, 000 results.

Save the images you like most and show them to your artist during your consultation. They can use these as inspiration to create a one-of-a-kind piece of your own.

Many people opt for pure illustration, but if you want script — standalone or alongside an image — you’ll need to figure out what kind of font you want.

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Adobe Typekit is a great place to look up font styles, offering everything from handwriting to typewriter. The site even lets you see your text of choice in the font you’re considering so that you can actually visualize how it might look on your body.

If you see something you like, print out a couple of different versions to bring to your artist. They may not have your exact font on their computer, so they can use these pages as a reference.

Although the style of tattoo often dictates the color palette, the artist can work with you to modify the design and style to better suit what you want.

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That said, your skin tone plays a big role in how well individual colors will hold. For example, fair skin tends to hold white ink better than other skin tones. Red and purple pigments are also more vibrant on fairer skin tones.

Darker skin tones typically hold darker colors — think crimson red and royal blue — better than lighter hues. Having darker skin doesn’t mean that you can’t get pastels or other light hues, just that these options usually don’t appear as pigmented as darker colors might.

Greyscale is also an option. With this style, your artist will use a mix of pure black, watered-down black, and white ink to create the appropriate shades and hues.

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Remember, all colors — including black — will fade over time. You can search online for examples of tattoo appearance over time to get an idea of how yours may look one to five years from now.

Speaking of fading, outlines and shapes may look sharp and slick at first, but over time, these can fade or even blur. It all depends on the size and location of your tattoo. That’s why it’s important to think about where you want your tattoo and how visible you want it to be.

Don’t worry if you’re still second guessing the finer details. Your artist can help you weigh the pros and cons of the location and sizing, as well as set expectations for how it’ll feel when you’re getting inked.

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If you know what you want, consider it a sign that you’re ready to take the next step: Shopping for an artist. Ask your friends to see if they can refer you to a specific shop, or let Google or Instagram point you in the right direction.

A quick Google search will show you what your state’s rules and regulations are for tattoo licensing. Each state is different, so it’s important to be familiar with the guidelines in your area.

Once you know what you’re looking for, make sure the shop and artist you’re interested in are certified. The parlor’s licensing should be prominently displayed on their website and on the shop wall.

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Most reputable shops smell like disinfectant and have spotless workstations and floors. If it smells like month-old gym socks, immediately turn tail and head to the next place on your list.

Assuming the shop passes your visual inspection, you’ll want to talk to your potential artist about their tattooing practices. Artists are required to use single-use needles and ink to avoid cross contamination. This also applies to gloves, bandages, swabs, razors — anything that your artist might use must be new.

Last but not least, take note of the shop and artist’s general professionalism and personality. You’re about to trust someone to permanently etch a piece of artwork into your skin, and in order to do this, you have to be comfortable with the artist and with their work.

What To Expect While Preparing To Get A Tattoo

You want the artist to be as excited as you, or at least understand your passion. But remember, they aren’t required to work with you just because you like their portfolio.

If you aren’t meshing well or just not digging the overall vibe in the shop, it’s more than okay to move along to the next one. Just be sure to thank the artist for their time before you see your way out.

If you have any lingering questions, ask before you leave the shop. One of the best times to get them answered is when your artist is wrapping your skin.

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It hurts depends on your pain tolerance, size, and location. Tattoos tend to hurt more around sensitive areas that have more nerves and less flesh. But if you’ve got skin made out of steel, you probably won’t feel a thing. This is especially true if you opted for a meatier location, like your bicep or thigh.

Pro tip The fleshier the area, the less it’ll hurt. It’s probably going to hurt a little no matter where you put it, but most artists agree that the areas listed above tend to hurt worse than others.What else will I feel?

If the area in question is prone to pain, this will be a great time to get in touch with your meditative side and practice some deep breathing techniques. If at any point the pain becomes too much, let your artist know. A good artist will get to a stopping point and allow you to take a breather. Use this time to get your head back in the game.

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A general rule of thumb is to keep the dressing on for a few hours — especially if you plan on spending the rest of the day out and about. When you get home, be sure to wash your hands before you remove the dressing. Remember, a fresh tattoo is an open wound. Dirt or bacteria can damage it or slow the healing process.

After you take the dressing off, wash the tattoo with your artist’s recommended cleanser or a gentle, unscented soap. You should avoid using any soap with fragrances or alcohol, as these ingredients can cause irritation.

After you wash, gently pat the area dry with a clean towel. Whatever you do, don’t rub! Rubbing can pull at the skin and may cause ink fallout.

How To Prevent A Tattoo Infection

If you’re dealing with itchy, dry skin, apply a thin layer of your artist’s recommended ointment or a gentle, unscented lotion. As with the cleanser, you should avoid using anything with irritants like fragrance or alcohol.

Most artists will give you a verbal rundown of how to take care of your new ink and send you home with a handout to reference later. You should always follow your artist’s aftercare instructions.

If the tattoo starts to flake or peel, don’t panic. This is a normal part of the healing process, and it usually only lasts through the end of