Getting a tattoo can be an exciting and painful experience. To make sure that everything is fine and that you suffer as little as possible, you can make some preparations. When you go to the tattoo artist, make sure you know how the procedure works, that you have prepared the body in the right way and that you are satisfied with the design you have chosen.
Steps
Method 1 of 2: Make sure you are physically ready
Step 1. Hydrate
Before you get tattooed, make sure you are well hydrated. Drink plenty of water in the 24 hours before your tattoo and avoid getting dehydrated.
- The water you need to drink to reach a good level of hydration varies according to your build. Although some experts recommend eight glasses a day, your body may need more fluids.
- Well hydrated skin is in better condition to get a tattoo. This means that the epidermis will absorb the ink better, making application easier than on dehydrated skin.
Step 2. Avoid interfering with blood clotting
To limit bleeding, you should avoid anticoagulant products for the 24 hours prior to the tattoo. This means you shouldn't drink alcohol before your date.
Also avoid taking aspirin in the 24 hours prior to the tattoo. This drug is a blood thinner, so it would make you bleed more
Step 3. Wear comfortable clothes
Depending on the size of the tattoo, you may need to stay at the shop for several hours. Don't add the discomfort of clothes to the hassle you already have to go through with the tattoo.
- Furthermore, having comfortable clothes can be essential to allow the tattoo artist to reach the part to be tattooed. If you have decided to paint yourself in an area that is usually covered by clothing, be sure to wear something that allows access to the area.
- For example, if you have decided to have your leg tattooed, you can wear shorts or a skirt, so that the tattoo artist gets to the area easily. Similarly, for a shoulder tattoo, wear a sleeveless top.
Step 4. Eat before your appointment
It is important that you have eaten enough before getting a tattoo so that you do not faint during the procedure. The pain is bad enough, don't add the risk of fainting.
- Low blood sugar levels can aggravate the physical reaction to the tattoo, increasing the risk of you passing out from pain.
- A large meal before your appointment allows you to have the energy and stamina to endure the pain of the tattoo. Even if it doesn't matter what you decide to eat, as long as it's something substantial, a high-protein, low-sugar meal will keep you full for longer.
- If your date is going to last a long time, bring a snack, like an energy bar. The tattoo artist will be happy to take a break to allow you to feed yourself.
Step 5. Prepare the skin
You don't need to do much before getting a tattoo. If you have dry skin, just moisturize it with your regular moisturizer for a week to make sure it's in good condition. Also, avoid getting a sunburn right in the affected area. Put on sunscreen whenever you leave the house in the warm months.
Although the area where you will receive the tattoo needs to be shaved, most tattoo artists do not recommend doing it in advance. They will do it right before starting the procedure, so that any irritation does not interfere with their work
Method 2 of 2: Planning the Perfect Tattoo
Step 1. Think about the drawing
A tattoo reflects a part of you, which you will introduce to the world every day. With this mindset, let your imagination run wild and think of a unique design that conveys a message you want to communicate to the world. For example, you can insert a symbol that has a special meaning for you, an animal you've always loved or colors that recall an important period in your life.
- Think about a drawing before making an appointment with a tattoo artist.
- When thinking about a design, you should also consider its size. For your first tattoo, choose something not too big. This gives you a chance to consider the pain and your reaction, without making a commitment to stay in the chair for hours.
- Think of a design that will satisfy you in the future too. Although it is possible to remove the tattoos, it is a painful, expensive and time-consuming procedure. For this reason, consider the tattoo as a permanent mark and make one that you will never tire of.
- You can arrive with a drawing traced down to the smallest detail or rely on the artist who will create a customized one for you. It's up to you to decide.
Step 2. Ask a tattoo artist for advice
Once you've thought about your drawing, find the artist that's right for you. You can rely on word of mouth, for example by asking a friend or searching the internet. Once you've found a professional, read reviews online and see their previous work, on a website or directly in-store. If you like her style, have a good reputation, and think she fits the design you have in mind, set up a meeting.
- Most artists draw your tattoo before they do so, so you can approve it at the start of your appointment for the actual procedure. If there is something that does not convince you, discuss it freely with the artist, so that he can perfectly realize your vision.
- Some tattoo artists are highly sought after and are not available for consultation in a short time. In those cases, you will need to make an appointment months in advance. However, if you really like an artist's work, it may be worth the wait.
Step 3. Think about the location
While you can tattoo anywhere on the body, there are some areas that are more painful than others. For your first tattoo, choose a part with a lot of flesh and not very sensitive. Avoid places near the bones.
- For example, a tattoo on the foot is more painful than one on the ankle, because in that area the artist will hit the bones more directly.
- Particularly sensitive areas include the feet, insides of the arms, thighs and ribs. In general, avoid areas where the bones are close to the skin and those that are not exposed to sunlight. The parts isolated from the sun are often more sensitive and therefore the tattoos in those points are more painful.
Step 4. Consider the pain
It is best to know the pain before starting, so that you are mentally prepared for the experience. Many people describe the feeling of getting a tattoo as scratching on sunburned skin. It is mainly a mild pain, but it can become acute if the needle hits a nerve, an area close to a bone or if it passes over the same place several times.
Some tattoo artists apply topical anesthetics to the skin to relieve pain if you can't resist. However, the anesthetic can make the tattoo color less intense and slow healing. Ask the artist you contacted about these solutions, but consider that they may not be willing to use these drugs
Step 5. Prepare for tattoo care
You must stay out of the water and not sunbathe on the affected area for a few weeks after the procedure. This means that you should plan when to get the tattoo, so that you don't have to change your plans based on recovery. For example, if you are about to take a vacation where you will often swim, it may be best to postpone the appointment until you return.
