Is there anything that I need to know about getting a tattoo before I get one? I don't have any tattoos, but I

Question

plan to have one next month. Any suggestions for safety for first timers?

Answer 1

I'm guessing that at this point getting one is not the question (as a few have assumed); you're committed, emotionally or however, to the activity. Issues of cleanliness & reputation I'm hoping have been resolved before you have a set appointment. I'll assume this is the case.

Aside from the other poster's relevant answers, keep in mind the following:

Take a shower beforehand. They will clean the area as if you're going into surgery anyhow, but it's just common decency. They're going to be up close & personal, after all.

You're likely to be a little nervous. That's normal. Make sure you have a meal beforehand. Skipping can make it (potentially) possible for you to pass out. Don't take any aspirin, alcohol or blood thinners of any kind. I went out to lunch with a friend at a little cafe before my first and caught up on some reading.

Don't be afraid to ask for a break if you need it.

Keep in mind that there will be *some* blood. The skin is being pierced fairly deeply, after all. Unless you take a thinner, there shouldn't be too much.

See if a friend can come with (if they're at least tattoo friendly - don't need any biases when you're nervous). That's also good as you're likely to be a little wiggy after the endorphins kick in. Driving may not be a problem, or it may, but it will at least be more challenging with that and the bandage you'll have over the tattoo.

Follow their directions for aftercare. Don't hit the gym for at least a week, two or more (depending on healing speed, work done & size). Err on the side of caution - remember, the tattoo is a wound that needs to heal. You also don't want to mess up that beautiful art, right? Ditto on hot tubbing & baths, no matter how much you might wish to show it off. A friend went hut tubbing 4 days after her midback tattoo and got the worst case of hives.

Make sure those directions are written down. I forget what I'm told right after I get a tattoo. Fortunately, they gave me my directions on paper.

Know that it will hurt not just during but for a few days (depending on location) afterwards.

Keep a mirror with you so you can sneak off to the rest room at work and sneak peaks of it as it's healing. :)

Answer 2

*LoL* Tattoos are addicting remember that first...I got one almost 7 years ago and got 3 more since then (I kept complaining I didn't have any more nice body parts but then I'd go with hidden body parts just so I could get the tattoos). The fatter the body that is getting the tattoo the more it hurts, so try a place that isn't tooo bony but isn't tooo fatty. And get something you'll like, make it your own and if you find something that is in a book or whatever, twist it around and make it your own, that way you won't have what someone else has. Have fun !!

Answer 3

1. They last for ever unless removed by Laser (very painful, more painful then getting one in the 1st place) so make sure you get something you will like for the rest of your life, not just something you like now.
2. Make sure the Tattoo place is reputable, the needle they use should be brad new and come from an unopened package, they should only open it in front of you. If not you can get hepatitis or worse.

Answer 4

Everyone else posted good suggestions on safety, but my advice is to be sure you REALLY think through getting one. I got one when I was 19 and now I regret it. I got it on my lower stomach, so it's always hidden, but sometimes I wish I could look at myself naked and see a smooth body rather than the tattoo.

Answer 5

Make sure the person who is going to do your tattoo is clean and sterile if not you can end up with a big infection..
Do not use antibiotic cream or vaseline that will draw out the color of your tattoo and make it look ugly..
Let the tattoo breath don't wear clothes over it until it's starts to heal.
Do not pick at it when it is healing..
Make sure you keep it clean!

Answer 6

When I got my tattoo, the shop had a sign up that said, "Good tattoos are never cheap, and cheap tattoos are never good." This is so true. Don't go to the cheapest place. Look around. The place should be sterile, like a dentist office.

Answer 7

The first thing you need to check is their license. Also, make sure the place is clean. If they don't clean their floors, they may not care about health standards. Also, they should ask for I.D. if you are young. Look on the internet about cleaning your new tattoo, and what you do to take care of it. When you go ask them what to do, and if their answer differs, then they probably don't care about your health. Another thing you can do is ask friends. Go to someone who is an artist not just a tracer. There is a difference.

Answer 8

Just got my first on friday. It took me 3 yrs to finally decide on what i wanted, then you have to do all of your homework. Make sure you find a place that is very sterile, comes with good recommendations, talk to the artist first before you get it done. Make sure you are both on the same page and enjoy- its not bad, except this itching during the healing process is a killer. Enjoy and remember it is permanent

Answer 9

just make sure that where ever you go is clean and that the needles they use are sterile. The one thing you don't want happening is getting a disease from getting a tattoo.

Answer 10

first before you get a tattoo find out what design you want put somewhere were you'll See it every day. o.k then after a month if you still want a tattoo get if you don't then don't get it.