Article on Getting Inked for the First Time

[WTD]

Guys, I've finally found something that I can use a blog for, so have created a tattooing blog, which I'm gonna write a bunch of articles for and interview people etc for a really interesting read!

Here's my first article, and link to the blog, pls bookmark it and check back as I'll be writing many more thing for it! If you want to write any articles, be interviewd, upload photo's then please let me know!!

http://www.ink13.co.uk/thinking-abou...-first-tattoo/

Also if you like it, please digg it, button on article or do it here: http://digg.com/health/Getting_Inked

Cheers,
Steve

-- Article follows in full --

Thinking about getting your first tattoo?

Getting your first tattoo is a very daunting but also exciting time.

There are a lot of things to think about before getting ink done, and listed below are some of the major ones I can think about!


What’s your motivation?

The motivation behind getting a tattoo has to be right, what are your reasons for getting one? If it is a fashion statement, then do not bother. You will regret it.


Where are you going to have it?

An appropriately placed tattoo is essential, as unfortunately society isn’t particularly accepting of facial and hand tattoos. Imagine walking into your dream job interview in 10 years time and getting turned down because you are not appropriate as you have a high neck tattoo and the role requires you to deal with clients!

Another consideration is placement is straight lines in the artwork may look badly inked if they are over a curvy part of your body. The tattoo artist though, will be able to advise you of what sort of designs work on what parts of the body.

What style do you want?

There are many different styles of tattoos that one can choose, have a look at the many different styles of tattoos on the internet, there are even some links on the right hand side of this page you can visit for inspiration and research! Some examples of different tattoo styles are Japanese Style, Celtic, Old School, Tribal or Maui. Browse through artist’s flash sheets (a flash sheet is an a3 or larger sheet with one or more designs on it)

Where are you based? Where is your artist based?

Are there any well regarded artists in your area? It’s worth travelling to the best artist you can find as opposed to using the local guy down the town centre, OK an hour or two in the car or train might seem a drag, but it is no-where as inconvenient as having a poorly designs, badly executed tattoo on your body for the rest of your life.

Finding a well reputed artist is in my opinion the single most important factor you should be comfortable before letting anyone near you with a needle and ink. It is also quite a research intensive task, but getting a good artist who you can go back to again and again (because you will get the tattoo bug) is an excellent thing.

Researching on the internet, picking out artists who have nicely drawn art and past visitor’s photographs on their webpage, find the most local one out of the pick of the bunch and go and visit them! Don’t forget to phone up and make an appointment though as many of the top artists will be appointment only, and don’t worry, you won’t be getting ink done on your first visit, simply have a chat with the professional, and talk about designs you like, look at their flash and try to get to know them. Sitting with them for 8 hours plus if you don’t like them (for a big piece) will be a right pain!

Does it hurt?

Very subjective this one – as it really depends on your pain threshold and where you are being tattooed. Sensitive parts of the body, such as the inside of the elbow are painful and bony areas, such as the ribs and clavicle are also quite uncomfortable, but as they say “no pain, no gain”.

Fleshy or muscled areas are no-where near as sensitive, and the sensation of getting tattooed is much like someone scratching a pin over the skin with moderate pressure. It is worth remembering however that your body will produce its own anaesthetic and adrenalin to help you cope with the pain, which will fade to a ‘dull’ pain after a few moments.

That said, some people (the author included) really likes the sensation of getting ink and do not find it painful at all.

How much will it cost?

You can pay as much as you want for a tattoo, the price will go from free – unlimited really. Generally you will be charged by the hour though, and the artist will advise how long it should take for the ink you have discussed with them. A rough guide of a A5 sized tattoo (fold a sheet of A4 in half) will take around 4 or 5 hours if it is a design that is fairly complex. That would be the outline and the shading.

What about aftercare?

Again the best person to advise this is the tattoo artist themselves, but for a rough idea, I’d say keep the bandage on until the night when it’s shower time, taking off the bandage, a light rinse under the shower to remove the dried blood, then that’s it for tonight. Pat dry very gently with a towel, and apply an unscented cream such as E45 or a vitamin A and D cream.

Off to bed, but be careful waking up, if you have slept on the tattoo, you may well be stuck fast, so wet the sheet with water to soften it before pulling it off CAREFULLY.

The most important thing though with a new tattoo, is DON’T PICK IT EVER.

If you do you will have light grey patches where it should be black, and it will need to be retouched up.

Top 10 tips for getting a tattoo

1. Research, research and more research.

2. Choose an appropriate place for your ink work.

3. Choose an artist who is respected and you get on with.

4. Don’t drink alcohol before a session, you will bleed too much.

5. Don’t use numbing creams, they will wear off way before you’re done and you will bleed too much!

6. Sit nice and still while getting the ink done, no one likes shakey lines.

7. Really important to spend attention and time with the best aftercare for your ink.

8. DON’T PICK.

9. Explain to your other half why you now want another one.

10. Enjoy them!


And finally, do think long and hard before taking the plunge. At the end of the day its your body, and it will be on there for life.