Getting first tattoo in a month need exp. advice?

Question

need to know things like price(tatoo will be small few inches most likely)also how to look for better parlors in area and where the best areas on body to get my first? oh and any tips you might wanna through in will be great.

Answer 1

You need to go into the shops, and look at the artists portfolios. Look at how well their works turns out. If they are hesitent ro decline to show you a portfolio...walk out the door and find a new shop. As afr as price...every shop has a minimum. Most shops (at least in my area) are $50, so thats the LEAST you are going to pay. The artist themselves will price your tattoo based on colors, design (how detailed it is), size, and a few other factors. As far as where to get it....everyoen is different. Your skin will heal differently than anyone elses. Pick the place you wantt his tattoo based on what you want it to look like...wether you want to 'hide' it or have it always visable...if you want to be able to look at it (front of your body) or need a mirror (back of your body)...etc. Just as your skin is different than everyone elses, so is your pain tolorence. I dont think that any of my 11 tattoos hurt at all, however a friend of mine thought her's was horible pain. It all depends on your tolorance for pain and the such. You might find that your back doesnt hurt nearly as much as your arm, or the complete opposite. There are a few obvious spots that are pretty much going to hurt on anyones who has feeling in their bodies...those places are: ribs (either side), inside of wrists (underneath part), directly on your chest bone (directly on the bone...between breasts/pectoral muscles), directly on bones such as shin bones, elbows, knee caps...under your arms/back of arms...pretty much anywhere that when you 'pinch' your skin there (like the back of your arms) it hurts...then its definately going to hurt. I knwo the skin on your knees doesnt hurt only when you pinch it, but the skin there is more conditioned for the elements...more tough.
You also need to be careful of where you get it because of the healing process. If you are wanting a tattoo that you get done this one time and dont need to get it touched up, the go with a place that doesnt move alot. Meaning...not your ankle, knee, elbow, neck, etc...any skin that will be moving alot, will b harder to heal out and will end up havign to be touched up again (going over the tattoo again to make it solid again). A tattoo is an open wound and it will heal liek one...scabbing and all. Just like when you have a scab on your knee, and bend your knee, the scab will 'split/rip' and open up the wound again.
Because of this...try not to ouch the tattoo alot, unless you have washed yor hands with ANTIBACTERIAL SOAP (dial or the such) and warm water. When you wash your tattoo (which you shoudl do daily...perhaps even twice a day...your tattoo artist wil give you instructions on how his work heals best...) do not be afraid to rub is firmly...you will NOT rub ink out or make it wash off. lol It is possible for hte tattoo-ed area to swell up a bit, or for it to sting when you put warm water/soap on it...remember it IS an open wound, just like a cut/scrape.

When you go get your tattoo...do NOT go drunk, or having any alcohol in your system...alcohol is a blood thinner, and you will bleed more. Be HONEST with the questions (STD's, ALLERGIES, PREGNANT, etc.)...they need to know all of this info in order to prepare for any situation.

When the artist is setting up his station to tattoo you, he should be opening the needles, and setting up IN FRONT OF YOU. He shoudl be opening a STERILIZED needle, from a package that is sealed, and a new grip for his tattoo gun/machine (looks liek a thick tube type thing that he holds) from a new package. He shoudl be wearing gloves AT ALL TIMES when setting up. If he touches ANYTHING with gloved hands (other than the few things on his work tray (needles, machine, etc)...such as if he touches his hair, sink, garbage can etc....if he doesnt change his gloves....LEAVE. He shoudl only be touching things that are directly havign to do with you...that are already clean. It is quite possible that he will put somethign in the trash can and take his gloves off and put on a new pair...that is completely fine...as long as he does not re-use the gloves he was wearing when he touched the can. Make sense??? Just pay attention...

If/when you use lotion on your tattoo...make sure it does NOT have ALOE in it...aloe will pull your color out of your tattoo/make it fade really fast. Make sure you use a lotion that is unscented. Vasaline intensive care has a few. Eucerin is a great lotion to use as well. Teh shop you go into, might even have personalized lotions that they prefer you use. Just go with your gut...if you feel you are getting ripped off...buy your own. No lotion is worth $30...haha.

The only other piece of advice I can give you is one of the most important...MAKE SURE YOU WANT IT FOREVER. Do nto just go into a shop and pick out flash (pictures that are hangin ont eh wall...or in a book). Custom pieces are the best...come up wiht your own idea and have the tattoo artist draw it for you. This ink you will be getting will be forever, unless you want to pay $1000s of dollars to get it removed. make sure it has meaning to you, and is not just a 'fad' you are in (butterflies/fairies fall into that catagory, unless you have a crazy connection with butterlfies/fairies). Just make sure it is EXACTLY what you want. Dont be afraid to tell your artist "no" abotu anything. If its not places right...tell them...if you want different colors tell them (before they start of course)...if you want it bigger/smaller....TELL THEM!!!! Just be open and honest.

Also...always tip your artist...they dont make but 40% usually from your price. They need to make a living too. Tip accordingly to your price, your happiness with the piece, and your thoughts on what you think they deserve. I usually give a good tip. They are taking time to put effort into your ink to make sure you will like it forever. All they woudl have to do it make a mistake and you are screwed forever...and in need of a cover-up. A good tip always makes the artist happy. ;)

Good luck to you...tattoos are addictiing...hope you like your experience.

Answer 2

Price will depend on the design, and the place you go. Tattoo parlors with good reputations often charge more than mediocre parlors. The best way to find a good parlor is through networking. Ask friends, coworkers, and anyone else you can think to ask. If you don't know anyone with tattoos, don't be afraid to walk up to someone with tattoos that look well done and ask them where they went. It's important to find a good parlor, as tattoos are sort of permanent. Boney areas of your body are generally more painful (hips, ankles, etc.) and I've heard that places that you're ticklish can be pretty bad too, but I've never had one in a ticklish spot. But don't let the pain stop you. It's not that bad, and once it's over, you'll have a permanent work of art. Good luck!

Answer 3

Take a look at a couple of the portfolios at the parlors and tell them you're just thinking about it for the near future and you want to get an idea of what to get and pricing. You need to visit a few in person, because you really want to evaluate how helpful the staff is, what kind of work they do, how clean the place looks, and shop for the best prices. Ask not just for drawings of the tats, but also polaroid photos of work they've done at that shop. Ask for personal recommendation from friends & acquaintences, too.

Usually you can get something small & cute for $50-75, depending on how intricate the disign and whether or not it has color. Basic black is cheapest, like a tribal, and color is always more since they have to change needles. A friend of mine has Tinkerbell on her lower back and it was $150ish. Real cute and bright color.

As for where, the places on your body with more fat underneath are less painful. I have one on my ankle and it hurt quite a bit because it's a sensitive area. Have a friend pinch you with fingernails to get an idea of how much it'll hurt. It will feel like being scraped with a needle or cat claw. It's not really that bad. Don't get scared and try to drink to relax beforehand; you'll bleed too much and mess it up. Anyway, popular spots for girls are the lower back, the ankle, top of the shoulder, above the shoulder blade on the back, etc. Be sure to think about whether it will affect work prospects later on in life, as a lot of employers still bias against inking. I can cover mine with a sock, for example, but will show through hose with nice shoes, so I wear pants for interviews.

Take your time making this decision, as it is permanent. I've seen some removals and there's always a bit of a scar, plus removing it is hella expensive. This is a lifelong commitment, so don't take it lightly. Enjoy!

Answer 4

One thing I would like to ask is how old are you? and why a tattoo? I am a little up in age and I had a butterfly put on the upper part of my chest. The older you get sometimes they tend to fade and if your body sags the tattoo stretchs. My did not because I am slender built. But when it comes down to it these days and times I don't think I would trust some of the artists tools, because you don't know if they are sterile or not. Hope this helps....

Answer 5

As far as the price, you will have to ask the tattooist. I would ask people you know who have tattoos, where they got them and who they would recommend. I got my first tattoo on my back, underneath my shoulder. It didn't hurt. Places that will hurt are closest to the bone. Any where there is meat, usually isn't too bad. The ones on my ankles, lets just say I;m glad I will never have to do that again. But it was well worth it. Oh, you could check with your local health department to about any violations a shop may have had. The BBB as well. I've noticed that once you get one tattoo you will want another. Ink fever. Good luck.

Answer 6

Do not get a tattoo. Tattoos are a conspiracy of the government to ensure that all Americans are readily identifiable. Some tattoo parlors take money to inject homing devices under your skin (much like an ID microchip for dogs... see link below.)

Answer 7

price of the tattoo depends on the size itself, and also what body part u'll be getting done. harder surfaces are easier for the artist (i.e. upper back, tricep, etc.) as opposed to softer fleshy areas. the last one i got starts on my neck and goes thru that dip right above the collar bone and down to my chest - it's abt 6" long, 3" wide or so...and that one cost me a couple hundred. u'll prob wanna tip 'em too.

as far as aftercare is concerned, wash it daily w/ anti-bacterial soap, and lotion it up w/ aveeno afterwards. don't expose it to the sun - it's an open wound, so u have to make sure it's covered until it heals.

watch out. tattoos can be very addicting!

Answer 8

Don't put it anywhere that gravity will ruin it. Think about what sags with age.

As far as better parlors, ask people who have goods tats where they got them. And make sure needles are sterilized in an autoclave, and that ink isn't reused.

Other tips: keep the tat covered with antibiotic ointment until it heals. Don't expose it to the sun, and if you have to, cover it with heavy duty sunscreen. And that goes for the rest of your skin.

Answer 9

it will cost probably about 50-80 dollars. i had my 1st tattoo on my lower back. i cant give you any place's to get it done because i dont know where you live. oh and here is some tips:


1.DO NOT talk to the person that is doing you tattoo while he is doing it, he might mess up.

2. you can scream.....what else would you do?
3. if they dont give you a bottle of stuff to clean you tattoo everyday, please ask, it will get infected.

oh and believe me, it hurts. they poke you with needles over and over and over again until it is done, which will take awhile.

Answer 10

I would probably choose to get a tattoo of the infinite sign with the quote "And in that moment, I swear we were infinite" from a book I read called The Perks of Being A Wallflower. I'd probably put it somewhere around my rib or hip area.

Answer 11

small ones can be fairly cheap, if it is a popular joint that gives a lot of tats,ask around about them,watch and see if they put a new needle on before they start your tat,it will get numb in a few so don't worry about the little pain at first,unless you get high or a buzz then your really not going to care anyway,lol