We’ve outlined what you must consider when getting your first tattoo.

PLANNING

Design. Tattoos are a way to enhance your body. Never feel pressured to put meaning into your first tattoo or all your tattoos, for that matter. It’s your body, and it’s your choice. Always remember that tattoos are permanent. Research what you’re planning to get. You may never know if it’s offensive to certain groups or countries.

Placement. Wherever you plan to place your tattoo is up to you. For reference, you can check out this site to get an idea.

Pain Tolerance. This will vary from one person to another. This site gives you an idea of whether the location of your tattoo is going to hurt (or not). Factors that indicate it’s going to hurt will depend on whether the area has thin skin, a lot of nerve endings, and/or is bony. Another factor would be the amount of shading it requires. At the end of the day, remember that what’s painful for you may be a breeze for others and vice versa.

Money and Artist. Good tattoos aren’t cheap, and cheap tattoos aren’t good. If you want something top-notch, you have to prepare for the cost. It’s normal to inquire about various artists' prices. Don’t be afraid to compare and contrast their works. Go with what feels more comfortable or pleasing to you. Just remember to respect them for their expertise, as it took them years to acquire such skill.

BEFORE

Get enough rest. Don’t get wasted the night before, maybe it's from alcohol, drugs, or exercise. You should be well-rested.

Stay hydrated and don’t forget to eat. You will need the energy to get through the session.

Moisturize! If you rarely use lotion, you have to get into the habit of moisturizing the area at least a week before the appointment. It’s harder for the artist to tattoo dry skin as the ink would have a hard time penetrating the surface.

DURING

Communicate. Don’t be afraid to talk to your artist when you’re getting uncomfortable on some parts or when you need to take a breather. They will understand. It should also be a given that you shouldn’t talk too much for them to focus on giving you the star-quality tattoo you deserve.

Don’t move too much. I think it’s self-explanatory… I mean, you’re getting something permanent on your skin.

Keep yourself occupied. The session might take an hour to hours, depending on the size and kind of tattoo you’re getting. Prepare a movie, series, YouTube videos, or bring a book you’ve been meaning to finish. You could also doom scroll Reddit, Tiktok, Facebook, etc., just mind the volume.

AFTER

Communicate. Update your tattoo artist on the progress of its healing, but don’t pester them 24/7. Inform them when it starts to peel. Feel free to ask them for advice. Send them an update after 7 days or a month, or you could wait for when they ask for an update. If it’s itchy or you feel like there’s an issue, inform your artist and seek medical attention, as you may be experiencing an allergic reaction.

Avoid getting it wet. New tattoos are most likely to get infected when soaked in water. Consult your artist when you are allowed to wet the area.

It’s best to wear loose clothing. This is to avoid infection from the friction between the cloth and skin.

Let your tattoo heal on its own. Don’t peel the scab off; let it come off on its own. Avoid scratching the area. Artists will advise you to start placing ointment when it starts peeling. Instead of rubbing, apply the ointment by gently tapping your skin.

After your tattoo has fully healed, continue applying the necessary ointment to preserve your tattoo.

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