Your First Tattoo

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Getting your first tattoo is very exciting. The anticipation is both exhilarating and scary as you are aware that there will be some pain and discomfort involved. If you do some research  ahead of time, your experience can be much more pleasant and satisfying. The tattoo you end up with should be chosen with an attitude that it is permanent. Laser removal is expensive and more painful than getting a tattoo. Do your homework beforehand. The more educated you are, the more confident you will be when you walk into the shop for your appointment.

Little Girl Getting a TattooThe first step is finding a tattoo parlor with a respectable reputation in your geographical area. Stay away from unlicensed parlors and "scratchers" - people who give tattoos in their home without a license. Often these artists do not have the professional equipment needed for good tattoo work or even worse, they do not have the sterilized settings that protect your health. 

Ask your friends and acquaintances to give you some recommendations. If you know people with tattoos  you admire, ask them about their experiences. Narrow down your search to your immediate area. Once you find an artist, visit the shop and talk to them.  Flip through their book.  Most shops will have a portfolio of the artist available for viewing.

Woman Scared of Getting a TattooThe reason to choose a tattoo artist in your hometown is in case you need a touch up, or you need multiple sessions.  A larger piece often requires a few visits to complete.

Make sure that the shop is licensed and legitimate. Your health can depend on it. Observe the shop before making the big plunge - you can see if they are clean and practicing good sterilization procedures. The needles should be wrapped and packaged. If they are licensed with the health department, that means their sterilization methods are up to code and their equipment meets state requirements. Also use your own judgment as far as the hygienic practices of the shop. Observe the place on one of your visits.  You can tell a dirty shop from a clean one.

Your next major goal is finding the perfect design for your tattoo. This is fun but yet daunting for most people. You want the perfect piece that will not only be attractive to people who view it but more importantly, a choice that you will be happy with twenty or thirty years down the road. My recommendation is to go to bookstores, visit the library, and do some research on the internet - such as Google images. Visit tattoo parlors and flip through books of tattoo flash (flash is what you see hanging on tattoo walls), and just keep your eyes and mind open to graphics you run across in your daily routine.

Coming up with the subject of your tattoo design is entirely up to you. Think about what you are passionate about - a sport, a hobby, abstract designs, and beliefs. It is highly recommended to avoid trendy, temporary passions - a band that you are in love with right now, a lover you are in love with right now. Your tastes, your style will change over time.  It is best to keep that in mind when making the big decision.

Once you've narrowed down your choice and you believe you have found the perfect picture, print it and just keep it around for a few weeks. Look at it daily. Leave it lying around for you to view on a regular basis. If you still "love" the design after some time has passed, you may have found the perfect choice for your first tattoo!

Final decision for you - choose the location on your body to put the tattoo. This should actually coincide with your design choice as the two should fit together. A rounder design doesn't work as well on the long shape of the arm. The right location that works with the design will only enhance the body art. I recommend choosing a less painful area of the body for your first tattoo.  The back, arms, and back of neck are good choices.  The top of the foot, calf, and rib cage area  are more sensitive and harder to sit through.  You can graduate to these areas after you have your first taste.

I highly suggest starting with a tattoo that you can conceal if you choose. Especially if you are young and still have the possibility of changing professions in your future. You may change careers and find that the tattoos will cause you grief or you may be forced to cover up. Think about the long haul and make smart choices. In years to come, you may feel more confident about sporting a sleeve but choosing tattoos that can be covered up would be the smarter choice for now.

Plan it out - don't drink the couple of days prior to your appointment to avoid excessive bleeding from thinned out blood.  Get a good night’s sleep, think positive and don't get yourself worked up about the pain involved. The discomfort is minor compared to the lifelong enjoyment you will receive from your tattoo. If you are apprehensive about getting your first tattoo, take a look at this video of a baby getting a tattoo.