Your First Tattoo - A Guide - Comments

@ kuriheartsyou
Hey that's a great idea too! It's like putting press on jewels to see if you'd like the placement of a piercing. Again thanks for the advice!

@ Rebelinpurple
Lol I'm glad you liked it! I actually know someone that travels across four states to get her work done, but, of course not all of us can afford that. I myself drive two hours north to get my work done, because of the same issue. Don't be afraid to branch out for an artist.

I agree on being sure what you want, though. I was the same way. A good idea to start with, and I wish I had included this in the article, is to use something like henna first. Many tattoo studios have henna around and will gladly put it on for you. It lasts a while, so, it's a really great way to see if you REALLY want the tattoo or not.

Wow this was super helpful. I've been debating tattoos for a little over two years. I have two main problems. One: I don't trust any of the artists in my area. Two: I just can't decide what I want to get and I need to be 100% before I put any ink on my skin. That stays with you forever and I don't want to look at it in disgust the rest of my life.

Your tips are very handy and I'll be keeping them in mind when I finally get all the plans laid out. Thank you for this!

Good article, I'm still too nervous to get my first tattoo but will try and get one done this year. :)

This was a decent article. I personally disagree with some points but that comes down to a matter of an opinion. Still, it’s a great article.
I have a few tattoos now and soon to be getting a back piece. I go to different parlors and actually have three artists I work with. All have done different things because I like their style. Like my gal Erin I like because she does more of the artistic tattoos while my other two guys to more of the traditional American style. I haven’t been disappointed yet.
We have a lot of tattoo parlors in Salt Lake and I found my first, Heart of Gold, by walking by and watching them cleaning their floors with such care. They were practically on their hands and knees. I went in one day and the place was so clean and organized and their portfolios right out for me to see. I liked their work and their prices which were around $60 an hour. My second place was 27 which were more expensive. It was about $100 an hour but their artistic style is amazing. I love the way they color.
The nice thing about both places is that they would refuse service is some younger kids would come in asking for sleeves or any pieces that were just outrageous. They’re sticklers for having parents in the parlor if a kid wants a tattoo. It’s something I like because it’s kind of sad to have some 17 year old go in, get a huge piece on their arm and try to find a job after that. Especially in a place like Utah.
As for protection, I’ve had plastic wrap and in 27 they have this material that is used in burn units that go on the skin. It blocks all bacteria but still lets the skin breathe. I like both and would use either items. However it’s something to consider.

This was a really good article. I got my first tattoos a little over a month ago and they've healed very nicely. Instead of unscented lotions and soaps, though, I used triple antibiotic ointment twice a day.

Anyway, this was really good. I'll recommend this article to my best friend (she's getting her first tattoo soon)

Anyways, this was a good article

i made a few of those mistakes with my first one, and i ended up with a crooked (i was in a tattoo shop the artist just sucked) tattoo, and i lost so much ink i had to have it fixed (which was okay because i added to it at the same time) now i have three tattoos, and i just had to get my most recent one touched up because i made a few mistakes during the peeling process. and yes...they itch like ALL HELL! haha. :)

This was a great article. Well done. It was so in depth, but you kept it interesting the whole time, which can be tricky to do!

@ sempiternal.
That is seriously my biggest pet peeve - and the subject for my next article lol. I HATE when people get tattooed anywhere other than in a tattoo parlor. Even at conventions it's dangerous. But I'm glad you enjoyed the article :)

Oh thank god I found something like this. After I go to college in the fall of 2014, I plan on getting a sleeve and this is going to be extra helpful. I know this sounds silly, but I'm waiting until I go to Florida to get a tattoo because I do NOT trust any of the 'artists' in my area of Kentucky. I've not seen hardly any nice tattoos on people around here. My mother had a 'tramp stamp' done in someone's basement. Granted, he owned his own shop and was rather good, but still. How nasty!

I also have a feeling if I get a sleeve I'm going to have to wear loose fitting long sleeves to keep myself from itching and picking at it.

This will be very helpful when I get my tattoo this year :D

This is a really good guide and very well written. I wish I'd read something like this before I had my first tattoo.

@ kuriheartsyou
See, that's what I always thought! I have actually seen their tattoos after they healed when they had been wearing that, and they look soooo freaking crappy. It all makes sense now!

@ TwiggyPanda
I always hated saran wrap on tattoos >:( My first tattoo artist refused to put anything on other than plastic wrap so I just grabbed some bandages and ran out lol. It actually suffocates the wound because it can't breathe at all. Those I recommend taking off asap.

@ kuriheartsyou
Thank you! I was curious because I have friends who went and got tattoos and they would put some clear wrap stuff over.

Awesome. I'm getting a thigh piece done in a few weeks and I've been looking for something like this. Thanks!

@ DreamerHarlotSinner
Haha! I've generally only had simple tattoos done, but, I can see how annoying that could be. My first tattoo I was absolutely clueless so I treated it the same way I treat a visit to the salon: I brought as many reference pictures as I could, and I sketched out my back and where the tattoo would be so they know exactly how to do it. I'm a little bit of a control freak lol.

@ TwiggyPanda
You know how keeping a Band-Aid on a cut can be detrimental to the cut, because the cut needs air to heal properly? It's the same concept with a tattoo; when you first get it done, the artist will most likely put a big black bandage over it. If he does, you generally want to leave the bandage on for at least 2 hours for the worst of the bleeding and ink running to pass. After that, though, you want to keep it uncovered so air can get to it :)

This was awesome. You did a great job and as @Queen Obscene said, loose fitting clothing is the way to go after you get it done. I didn't think of wearing a bikini top though, I went braless after getting my rose done on my ribs. Also, another thing, don't let people psych you out about where you get your tattoo done. I got mine done on my ribs and it wasn't as bad as everyone said it would be. The only thing that really hurt was the outline and the shading and in certain places, the coloring hurt a little too. But I ramble; seriously, great article. It was super informative and you did a marvelous job writing it.