The decision to get your first tattoo can be a very difficult step. You see how beautiful tattoos look on other people's bodies and imagine what it would be like to be the canvas for an artist to leave their mark. It's then that this permanent mark can generate doubts and fears, which are very common among those who have never been tattooed. That's why we're sharing some tips here to help you relax and take the first step into the wonderful world of tattoos.
1-Plan well what design you are going to get tattooed for the first time
If you've never gotten a tattoo, you've probably already imagined a million times what your dream tattoo would look like on your body. To feel confident when you sit down with the tattoo artist, you should have confirmed and reconfirmed in your mind the design or image you want.
You must have studied it many times. You must have printed it out and analyzed it on paper. Its colors, its size, and the letters or phrase you're going to get tattooed , if it includes those characters.
You can search online for similar tattoos to see how they look on other people. Take the opportunity to ask friends and family what they think of your idea. There's nothing wrong with thinking and rethinking your design . It's even possible that your first idea isn't the best and that you can improve it after hearing other opinions.
Often, it's best for first-timers to request a design with a single color, especially black . This is because, if they regret the tattoo in the future, black is the easiest color to remove with laser treatment.
If you're going to get your first tattoo, it's important to be absolutely sure that you're convinced of what you're doing.
2- Choose the correct area of your body
It's a fact that the pain of a tattoo depends on the area of the body where it's done. Areas with less muscle mass will be the most painful to get tattooed. And the closer the tattoo artist works to a bone, the more pain you'll feel . The most painful areas are the groin, wrists, rib cage, eyelids, calves, feet, knees, and, of course, the tongue.
Therefore, if you are getting a tattoo for the first time, it is best to avoid the areas mentioned above.
Before getting a tattoo, you must pass an allergy test . This procedure allows the tattoo artist to assess whether you can tolerate the pain involved before starting to work on your skin. And even if you really want that tattoo, it's always best to listen to reason and experience. The tattoo artist may also offer you soothing creams to help alleviate the pain.
3- Choose the right tattoo artist
When a person decides to get a tattoo for the first time, they are exposing one of the most important and largest organs of their body : the skin.
Virgin skin is a true blank canvas . And that's why it's always best to entrust it to a true artist. It's true, no tattoo artist is born with experience. Everyone has, at some point, done a tattoo for the first time. But it's not ideal for an inexperienced tattoo artist to give a first-time client their first tattoo.
Tattoo studios showcase their artists' work online so it can be appreciated. Ideally, someone who has never had a tattoo before should find an artist who works in the same style they're looking for.
In the first appointment, known as the " information appointment ", the client should ask the tattoo artist all the necessary questions to clear up any doubts they may have.
A good tattoo artist will be able to guide you in deciding if the design you have in mind is suitable for getting started in the wonderful world of tattoos. The best way to enter this world is through a professional.
Another important point regarding the tattoo artist is the workplace they offer. A responsible professional will have a personal health and hygiene certificate and will also ensure that the studio has the relevant health licenses.
Great deals in stores that do not have these certifications will cease to be deals and will become a danger , as the customer will be exposed to unnecessary risks.
4- Women alert: the dangers of tattooing during pregnancy or breastfeeding
Often, someone decides to get a tattoo for the first time to mark an important moment in their life on their body. For most women, becoming a mother is the most significant moment of their lives.
Tattoos alluding to this situation are very common. They might depict the tiny feet of a newborn baby , the child's name, or a drawing that represents this sacred moment for the mother.
However, women should know that getting a tattoo during pregnancy or while breastfeeding is not recommended . And it's especially not advisable to get your first tattoo during pregnancy or while breastfeeding.
The main risk is an allergic reaction to the ink. The other most common complication is infection during the tattoo healing process, which will require prescription medication. The necessary medication may be contraindicated because it could affect the developing fetus or the breastfeeding infant.