5 Essential Tips for Your First Tattoo Experience

Your mind's made up and you are finally ready for your first tattoo. After months of deliberating and hours of online searches, it’s time to get inked.

There’s just one problem. The only thing stopping you from marching into the tattoo shop is that once it’s there, it’s THERE.

Tattoos are an artistic form of self-expression. They symbolize hope, grief or happiness. Getting a tattoo is not to be taken lightly. It’s a lifetime commitment to literally wearing your heart on your sleeve.

With that being said, there are other factors to consider before having your first tattoo done.

#1. Research Tattoo Artists

For your first tattoo experience, it’s important that you feel comfortable and safe. L.A.-based tattoo artist Brit Abad suggests going for someone who comes highly recommended and is trusted.

Abad tells Allure to follow them online to get an idea of their style and designs. She says the best part of getting inked is having fun with your tattoo artist. Love your artist and you love your tattoo.

Also, don’t forget to check out their portfolio of healed work. Fresh tattoos look very different from healed designs and will show how the artist’s tattoos age over time.

#2. Choose Your Design

A thoughtful tattoo is all about the “why”. Once you answer that question, you can start on your tattoo design.

Unless you already have an outline or an idea of what you’re after, tattoo generators are the ideal choice for your dream tattoo.

The online tool generates designs for tattoos using AI technology within minutes. Think of it as an AI tattoo artist who creates tattoo ideas.

Enter your ideas into the prompt, and the AI tattoo generator will create custom designs. The more details you provide, the more personalized the result will be.

Tattoos AI recommends building on the AI design so let your imagination roam free.

#3. Placement and Size

Renowned tattoo artist John Maxwell says the placement and size of your tattoo impact not only the finished product but also the aesthetic appeal and its longevity.

Think about your pain tolerance and how the design will complement the natural contours of your body and skin tone.

Size is as important, Maxwell tells The Ritz Herald. The design may look great on paper but it doesn’t mean it will translate well onto skin. Your artist might suggest a few tweaks to maintain the integrity of your ink.

#4. Start Small

We understand you’re excited about getting your first tattoo. However, it’s best to proceed cautiously and start with a small design.

Once you’ve become comfortable with the process, you can progress to larger pieces. This method allows you to build a foundation for a more cohesive body of work.

The next step is deciding on classic black and white or color etching. Each has its unique qualities.

Black and white are versatile and easily integrated into existing tattoos whereas color brings a vision to life and adds depth.

#5. Pain Threshold

Repeatedly piercing the top layer of the skin with a sharp needle isn’t for the faint-hearted.

While some body parts are less painful than others, pain is pain. You’ll know exactly where to place your tattoo depending on your threshold.

Experts say genital tattoos are the most painful largely due to the many nerve endings in the area. According to the Hippocratic Post, the skin around the genitals is thinner, further amplifying pain signals.

Armpit tattoos are said to be as agonizing for the same reason - thinner skin and a higher amount of nerve endings. Also, the armpit is close to lymph nodes, resulting in more discomfort.

Bonus Tips

Many people tend to rely on Dutch courage before getting their first tattoo but it’s highly recommended not to drink at all. Alcohol thins the blood, sometimes resulting in excessive bleeding.

Ensure you have eaten and are well-hydrated. An empty stomach can cause lightheadedness due to low blood sugar levels. Don’t forget to bring along fizzy drinks, sweets or chocolates.

If you’re booked for a longer-than-usual session, a good night’s rest will do you good and allow your body to cope better with stress and pain.

Although they don’t take away the pain, numbing creams and sprays offer some degree of comfort, especially for a low pain tolerance. Be sure to consult your tattoo artist on any numbing product as it could affect the skin’s texture or absorption of the ink.

Remember, tattoos last a lifetime. Carefully consider the design, placement and size before committing to getting yourself inked.