I got my first tattoo on my 18th birthday. It's a butterfly; and not like some cool butterfly but a butterfly I saw and liked from a temporary tattoo sheet. Yeah, I know. At the time I liked it and at the time I really wanted a tattoo. Originally I had wanted a dragonfly but I couldn't find one I liked. I was too young and naive to realize I could have one drawn up for me. I will never forget having a posse of people with me (cousins and friends galore). It's a pretty small (thankfully) tattoo so it was over quick. My cousins took me home and I'll never forget my mom being mad I didn't invite her along. The thing was this was one of the first things I got to do myself as an official adult. Who cares about buying lotto tickets or buying cigarettes? Not me. I was 18 now and godammit I was going to get inked. So no I didn't want my mother there. I wanted to fly free...or permanently ink something flying on me. Either way. Do I regret this? Kind of but not entirely. The experience was great and so was the company. I have played with getting it covered up over the years but I also kind of don't want to. It's my least favorite tattoo but it was my first and that holds some sentiment to me. Also it's on my back so I never have to see it which certainly helps. Ha! That all being said at least I never got a barb wire tattoo. Those make me cringe. Sorry Pamela!
I got the tattoo on my wrist with Katie in downtown Orlando. Again, I was on some mission to get tattooed and it had to be that night. The guy who tattooed me was a douche. I mean, I'm sure Katie and I were giggling and singing "Build Me Up Buttercup" which could come across as totally obnoxious to others but it didn't warrant douchiness. That was the only time I didn't feel comfortable with who was tattooing me. I was 19 and way too timid to ever speak up or ask for someone else. I remember us going to Jason's house where a bunch of people were hanging out after I was done. I took off the bandage (which was the perfect blood duplicate) and showed everyone. A couple months later Dustin complimented it when we first met. He said it reminded him of wrought iron.
THINK ON IT
Once you get an idea in your head of what you want just hold onto it for awhile. And by awhile I mean at least a few months if not longer. I love 99% of my tattoos but they were also all thought out. Not only would I play around with the design and placement in my head but I would keep photos or screenshots of inspiration. There have also been tattoo ideas I've had that now I think back on and cringe. So thankful those never got past the idea stage.
RESEARCH
I don't plan on ever just popping in a tattoo shop again*. That's what I did for most of my tattoos. I was just a walk-in and the first artist took me. That could have ended up SO bad but thankfully they all did good work. Research the shit out of your tattoo artist OR if you don't know who you want to go to ask friends and then research the artist. I found Cortni (who did my floral heart cover-up, envelope, and Dustin's Batman) via Katie's suggestion. I started following her on Instagram to see if her work would be something I was interested in. Instagram didn't exist back when I was 18 but it is your greatest tool these days. Check out an artist's work prior to getting tattooed by them. Also kind of feel out their personality. If you're going to be in such close contact with someone you want to feel 100% comfortable.
STICK TO YOUR GUT BUT ALSO BE FLEXIBLE
Sometimes (a lot actually) the design you have in your head won't quite work as a tattoo so your artist will suggest other ways to make this work. It's up to you to decide what you aren't willing to change and what you are. A good artist will take in your feelings on it and do their best to make it work in a way that you love. If they are combative or just aren't considerate of your ideas then move on to someone else.
SPEND THE MONEY
Don't get tattooed just because it's cheap because it will probably also end up looking that way. Good tattoos are expensive but they are worth the money. Also, remember to tip!
DRESS APPROPRIATELY
I find it much more comfortable (especially for longer sessions) to wear workout clothes. These clothes are stretchy and comfortable and move with your body. I don't want to be uncomfortable for an hour or two. For example, I remember wearing jeans to get my clover done. The clover is right on my hip - yep, right where my jeans sit. I wish I would have worn a cotton dress or skirt. Not only was it uncomfortable to be tattooed in but it was uncomfortable to leave in. I actually had to get that tattoo touched up a couple weeks later because I kept wearing pants that rubbed the spot. I wasn't always the smartest.
PREPARE
I always eat a meal right before getting tattooed (well at least now I do) and everyone else should too. I also bring a drink and snacks. I have naturally low blood pressure which can make me sometimes feel light-headed so I make sure to keep something salty nearby. Also, I bring my kindle, earbuds, and make sure my phone is charged of course. I love talking to the tattoo artist but sometimes they want to concentrate and I'm totally cool with that. I can entertain myself no problem!
HEALING PROCESS
Do exactly what your artist tells you to do. Wash it when you're supposed to, lightly coat it with aquaphor when you're supposed to, and lotion it up when you're supposed to. Don't skip out on any of the steps otherwise you could risk fucking it up. Depending where your tattoo is it might be best to have a spouse or friend help you care for it. Dustin was a lifesaver with my big back tattoo. Also this should be self explanatory but don't go swimming or go out in the sun.
PERSONAL OPINION
No names especially of the romantic variety. Don't let the idea of tattoos not being professional hold you back from a tattoo that you're passionate about. I've had a desk job since I was 17 and not once have I been asked to cover them up. Do you!
Saniderm - This is a clear, breathable, tattoo bandage. It helps keep your tattoo moist (sorry Katie!). It is also waterproof. Dustin and I (I say I because I was the one who applied the damn thing - ha!) used this on Dustin's Battoo and it worked so well. The most annoying part was trying to figure out how to apply it. But once it was on Dustin said it was so comfortable. Not only did he not have to worry about applying aquaphor (you wear this thing for days at a time) but blood and ink didn't get on our sheets or his clothing. He got tattooed on a Friday and by Tuesday/Wednesday it was 90% healed. I will definitely be using this next month!
Hush - This is a numbing gel specifically designed for the purpose of eliminating pain while being tattooed. The description also says it can reduce redness and help your tattoo heal quicker. Cortni told me about this because I was having a hard time in one of my sessions. I never ended up using it but I might for future tattoos.
Here's a list of some of my favorite tattoo artists and their instagram accounts:
misswildwest (Cortni) / Orlando, FL
apbailey_tattoos (Angela) / Cocoa, FL
ryanashleymalarkey (Ryan) / Philadelphia, PA
findyoursmile (Russell) / Orlando, FL
laurenwinzer (Lauren) / Sydney, Australia
hammyhram (Jessica) / Orlando, FL
sarahmillertattoo (Sarah) / Pittsburgh, PA
shanetattoos (Shane) / Orlando, FL
*Ok never say never because I do have this romantic idea of getting tattooed while on vacation. I thought about it while in Savannah, Pittsburgh, and Portland but never had the guts. We'll see.
Excellent advice! And great tat pics! :)
ReplyDelete