If you’re thinking about getting some new ink or thinking on getting your first one and don’t know where to start, here are a few tips and suggestions that I have found useful over the years.
I LOVE tattoos and have quite a few. I made the decision to hound my parents at 16 for a back tattoo and by hound I mean I never shut up about it until they said yes 🙂 I admit it wasn’t the best thing to do at such a young age as I grew to hate it and its covered now with a larger piece. There is a lot to think about when making the decision to get a tattoo. Always make sure you have thought it through, researched pics, researched the artist who you’re going to be trusting with your body, who specifies in your type of design etc. You can check most artists work on Facebook or google to see their work and reviews. Go into their studios and bring pics of what you like and bounce ideas of them. If you have an idea in your head of a design of your own, they can work with that too.Start off small if you’re a newbie, no need to rush into big ones as you don’t know how your body will react to the pain. These are all things you should be thinking before “how much will it cost me” I know that is clearly important to those of us who aren’t flush, but remember the old saying “Good tattoos aren’t cheap and cheap tattoos aren’t good” save for that bit longer to get it done properly from an artist with a great rep and portfolio. After all you will be looking at this on your body forever. Unless you decide to get it removed by laser, but that’s a whole other story.
If anyone ever tells you tattoos don’t hurt, they are lying… simple as… Sure how can a needle jabbing in and out of your skin not hurt?? But they are soooo worth it and so pretty 😀 . There are a few things you can do to ease the pain like:
Get a good night’s sleep the night before. Rest is great for the body.
Always make sure your well fed and hydrated before a session, this will make you able to sit for longer if your energy levels are up.
Maybe bring a friend for support to hold your hand and keep you relaxed, but only one, I don’t think they like crowding.
Be careful of taking painkillers like aspirin as this can make you bleed more by thinning your blood. Mild painkillers like paracetamol are OK. Drinking alcohol is a big no no for the same reasons above and having a hangover from the night before and being dehydrated, make your body weaker and not as able for the pain.
Keep your energy up with food to munch on and maybe a lolly or too.
Another thing you could try is the range of numbing creams which I will get to next time. Remember sun exposure and water submersion can damage a new tattoo, so if you plan on going on holidays try to get your new ink a few months prior so it’s completely healed before you jet off.
For the healing process I love to use bepanthen. It is a nappy rash cream you can get in any chemist and it will keep your fresh tattoo from drying out and cracking and tame the itch.
Spontaneity and excitement are a brilliant part of life but you have your ink for life so always take time to think before you jump in, you will be so much happier in the end knowing its exactly what you wanted, where you wanted and gorgeous like you wanted 🙂
Peace and Love KYM X
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