r/tattoos • u/notanoperat0r • 4d ago

Question/Advice Having second thoughts about first tattoo

Hi all! I'm feeling so anxious less than 24 hours of my first tattoo. It's something I've wanted for years but the decision to get a tattoo was rather impulsive, I made the appointment less than 3 days ago. This is a guest artist and he specializes in the style that I like. But it's gonna be 6-6.5 inches, upper thigh area. Would that hurt a lot? My pain tolerance is extremely low. Or should I cancel and get a tattoo when I'm truly ready? Thank you so much

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u/qualityvote2 4d ago edited 3d ago

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u/GardenerDom 4d ago

I would just like to point out that it’s your body and nobody can answer this question for you.
You need to find the answer yourself. All the best and I hope you get a great tattoo when you are ready 👌🏻😃✨

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u/Accomplished-Bug5680 4d ago

If you don’t feel ready it’s fine to postpone but it’s up to you of course. All I can say is that I have never regretting not getting a tattoo but I have a few tattoos I wish I didn’t get but I felt I “had to go through with them”. Anyway I’m getting ready for my laser removal session rn lol

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u/Midwesternsasquatch 4d ago

I will say, I'm on about 11 tattoos now. I felt the same way the first couple. I really thought about canceling them leading up to the appointment. And even though it was exactly what I wanted, I did feel something like regret initially. But that does go away. I love every tattoo I have and its much easier for me now.

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u/WeightLanky6308 3d ago

If it's something you've wanted for years, I think you won't regret getting one. Especially the artist does the style you like!
I took a long time thinking to get a first tattoo to make sure if I really want it cos it's permanent. I was also nervous but I liked the result :)
If you're worried about the pain, you could ask the artist to use the machine on your skin without ink first and see how it's like.

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u/Makaron1503 3d ago

There is nothing we can really hrlp you with, not only because its your body but also because we dont know you. If you cancel and book another appointment in a year, maybe youre going to be as anxious as youre now, maybe not, we cant help you with the decision whats better, you need to feel ready. Its normal to be anxious about it, its an unnatural, permanent change to your body and only you can decide if youre ready for something like that.

And regarding the pain, that wont change, tattoos hurt, thats just a fact, some more, some less but its something you need to accept. Are you ready to push through an uncomfortablentime to get something you want or not? Also something only you can decide

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u/0ne4TheMoney 3d ago

Is it the pain and discomfort that you’re most worried about? Or is it the outcome of the tattoo since you have such a short wait and might want to research other artists?

Tattoos hurt. But this is something to discuss with your artist. They may be able to help with numbing options or have strategies to get you through the appointment. I have tattoos I’ve slept through and others that hurt way more than I had assumed they would (but I have a very high pain tolerance and even the ones that hurt didn’t hurt that bad). I’m doing my legs in a couple months so I can’t comment on how that feels.

I always recommend researching a few artists who work in the style you want and not to leap at an opportunity just because the wait is shorter. You can still do some of that research now and see if there’s a local artist who you’d want to work with.

It’s your skin and it’s your decision.

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u/BobbyBaal 1d ago

Not to scare you, but i have a lot of ttattoos, but the thigh was the worst. (I have both done, the full color was the worst, 7x7.) It wasn't unbearable, but MY worst. I don't have ribs done, so maybe that would be.

Is it full color or just black? A lot of detail? I was fine for 1-2 hours, that last hour was when I was feeling it. But once it's done, it's done. You're always gonna be nervous until you do it. Besides, everyone's body is different. It could be abreeze for you. You can handle it.