My first tattoo was my father's signature. It was small scale tattoo and maybe took around ten minutes to get done. It was placed on my wrist, and area that is not generally known to be painful. It turned out that there was no pain to be felt while getting it. I had it for a little under a year until I decided I wanted another on. I have wanted a mandala in the center of my back for years. I made my appointment, saved up money, and waited a couple of months before I could get it. Of course, I knew it was going to be painful. It was much larger and had a great amount of detail. However many weird things occurred when I had to lay down for three and a half to four hours.
1. There's a really large mental bridge that must be crossed.
I felt the needed in my back and then realization hit me. I was in it for the long run. I was able to withstand the pain, but what really got me was how long I would have to withstand the pain for. I just took deep breaths and tried to focus on other subjects. I especially remember focusing on the music playing in the background. I reminded myself on how happy I would be when this was over. It was the excitement that kept me sane through this process. I knew I was going to be in love with the new ink, so I patiently laid there.
2. It hurt to where I couldn't move (thankfully).
Considering that I had yet to feel the pain of a large scale tattoo in a sensitive place, I was terrified that I wold jolt away when the needle made skin contact. Thankfully, that did not happen. I thought of this as some strange response my body had for this type of pain. It felt as if the pain of the needle made it so I actually couldn't move. It was as if I was stuck laying on my stomach in some sort of trance. I enjoyed it this way though. It was one less thing I had to worry about.
3. My limbs would make light and quick involuntary movements and there was nothing I could do about it.
This did not happen often and it happened a while into the process of getting my tattoo. I noticed my ankles or even my wrist would make random and sudden movements. They would jolt up just to flop back down. I had no idea why this was happening and I repeatedly apologized to my artist.
4. There was a point where my back just went numb.
Through the time laying on my stomach, there was a point where a numbing sensation took over. This didn't last for very long, but it was a defiantly strange. I'm not too sure what caused this. I would think it was my back just getting used to the pain. I recall feeling somewhat relaxed that the needle was no longer the dominant feeling. However, there was I did feel multiple pinches in specific areas of my back that took away from the numbness.
5. My back wasn't the only body part that hurt.
I felt the needle hit my shoulder and with the shoulder already being a sensitive place, it was going to hurt. However, apart from feeling the needle, it felt like my elbow was vibrating every time the needle made contact with my shoulder. I would say this had to be the worst feeling I felt while getting tattooed. I was not a fan of the painful tingle that coursed though my arm and got become extreme when it landed on my elbow.
6. My sense of time became morphed.
The process of getting the tattoo was long and endearing, however it was much longer than what I thought it to be. I thought i was lying down for about maybe two to three hours. After I was done I was informed the process took longer, around three and a half to four hours. I was shocked! How could I of possibly laid there for that long! Adding on, parts of my tattoo had been shaded. There were very few parts that were in need of shading. I thought that my artist took around twenty minutes to a half-hour on shading. Atlas, I was informed that shading took an hour.
7. I felt so weak when it was finished.
I remember feel absolutely exhausted after the tattoo was finished. A dizzy spell was cast over me while I was getting up. The room spun from side to side and in multiple circular motions. The worsened when I tried to walk around. I felt weak. It was almost like I was made entirely of jelly. I felt my body involuntarily shake, especially if I was attempting to hold something even as little and light as my phone. I continuously took long sips of my water waiting for the feeling to decease. Once I got home I headed straight for a nap.
Getting a large scale tattoo was a strange experience. I thought I was prepared, but i don't think I could have ever prepared enough! Yes, it was quite painful, but I would do it all over again. I thought these little occurrences I experienced were interesting. I was expecting none of this. I am still obsessed with my tattoo. My love grows for it constantly. I am looking forward to getting plenty more!
