What to Expect When You Get Your Tattoo?

To many people, tattoos are exotic and daring things to get into. Not only might this seem daunting but the actual process of getting a tattoo can be frightening to those who have never experienced it. Getting a tattoo can seem a lot less daunting when you know what to expect.

The first thing to be prepared for is choosing a design. If you think about it, it’s picking the design that is one of the most important parts of the process of getting tattooed.

Most people who get tattooed go to a tattooist and choose the design off the wall or out of a book. Often people live to regret their decision made in a tattoo studio or parlor. At that particular moment they think it’s a beautiful choice, but what about in the future? People change, your taste in almost everything changes. What I like now or what I like in 4 or 5 years from now could be miles apart.

It’s such a huge decision as the design will be permanent. Therefore, checking out 1000s of designs in a membership site such as tattoomenow or chopper tattoo to get ideas about unique tattoo designs will help you to personalize your design and reduce the chance of future regrets to a minimum.

If you have a copy of a particular tattoo design, be prepared to discuss it with your tattoo artist. He or she may be able to make recommendations to make the image look its best on your skin.

Getting to know your tattoo artist can help one feel more at ease with the whole procedure. Meeting the staff before hand might also go along way to ensure comfort with those working around you.

Once you have decided on your tattoo design and your artist, you will be required to show valid identification for proof of age. You may also be asked for your address and phone number, so your artist can contact you in the future if necessary. In most studios, payment must be made before services are rendered.

After the paperwork is sorted out, you will be seated in the tattoo chair. Sometimes this is in an open work area, and sometimes a private room depending on the location of your tattoo. If you are shy and don’t want others to watch, you can request a private room, but be sure you have done this in advance. A lot of studios use dentist-style chairs, some use regular table chairs, and some use benches. Your artist will do his or her best to make you comfortable for the tattoo you have chosen.

You’re probably somewhat nervous, but excited at the same time because you’re actually gonna get a real tattoo! Whether you realize it or not, your body is going through quite an adrenalin rush. Try to remain calm and not too anxious. Your hyped-up condition and your anxiety about the anticipated pain of your experience by themselves may trigger a fainting spell. It will help if you are not there on an empty stomach. Get a bite to eat about an hour or two before you go in for your session. Having hard candy or some juice on hand during the session is also recommended.

Your overall pain tolerance, the location and size of the tattoo and the experience of the tattoo artist will all be contributing factors to how much pain you will feel. The location is extremely important. If you are getting a tattoo in a sensitive area – it will probably hurt a bit more.

The most painful part of the process will pass in a couple of minutes, after which the area will feel abuzz with electricity and warmth. Just try to relax and breathe deeply. Oftentimes, you end up clenching your jaws, grinding your teeth or grasping the chair with your white knuckled hands. But once you pass the first couple of minutes, you’ll feel silly for having worried about it so much.

The time frame that it takes to get a tattoo varies depending on the intricacy and size of the design. Tattoos that are excessively large, such as designs covering the entire back often require repeat visits to the tattoo parlor.

Generally, for an easy and small tattoo of one color, one can typically expect to it to take about an hour or less for the design. Some can take as little as thirty minutes. If there are a lot of color changes or intricacies the amount of time will increase.

Once the design is finished your artist may like a picture of your tattoo for their portfolio. They’ll clean it up real good, and sometimes even apply a hot towel to it first. Then they’ll take a picture, and this is a good time for you to get a shot, too, if you brought a camera along. Taking a photo after the protective ointment is applied causes a glare, so it is best to do it now. If for any reason you do not want the artist to take a photo, just say so. You are not under obligation to let them.

You new tattoo may be dressed in a bandage that will need proper care for the days following. The tattoo artist will discuss all after care instructions with the customer prior to letting them leave the studio or parlor.

What to Expect When You Get Your Tattoo?

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