1. Are you going to want this forever?
I know, I know. Everyone always asks that. But they do it for a good reason. This tattoo will literally be on your body for the rest of your life unless you get it removed. It may cost a lot of money, which you will never get back (same with getting it removed). If it’s really visible, it could even keep you from getting a job because, honestly, we live in a stupid, judgmental world.
2. What’s your pain tolerance?
Personally, I have a pretty high pain tolerance when it comes to tattoos and piercings, but that doesn’t mean I haven’t had a few that made me squirm. You need to not only be aware of your pain tolerance, but also the fact that different parts of your body will respond differently. Don’t think that because the tattoo on your arm didn’t hurt that much that the one on your thigh won’t hurt either. And there’s a common misconception that fatty parts of your body won’t hurt as much. Trust me. They do.
3. You need to find the right artist.
Shop around. Finding the right artist is like finding the right hairdresser. Find someone who does good work; someone you can trust. Also, it’s a huge bonus if they’re friendly and talkative because you might be in that chair for a few hours. Another important thing to keep in mind besides their reputation as a good artist, is are they clean? You’re being poked with needles and you will want those needles to be clean and fresh. Does the tattoo artist have a good reputation for not causing infections? A warning sign of a bad artist, in my opinion, is someone who’s willing to tattoo underage people or tattoo drunk/high people. Just be careful, folks.
4. Don’t go drunk
Why would you even try that? Never go to a tattoo drunk or high. In the first place, the tattoo artist should turn you away because it’s against policy. I know you might be afraid of the pain, but it’s better to just go sober. 1. That means you can get the tattoo in the first place. 2. You won’t make a bad snap decision to get a crappy tattoo. 3. You won’t bleed a ton. Yeah. In case you didn’t know, alcohol thins out your blood. So if you’re getting a tattoo while drunk, you’ll tend to bleed. Also don’t take aspirin or something similar beforehand for the same reason. Just live through it. The pain is part of the right of passage.
5. Eat and drink water beforehand
Don’t pass out. I’m serious. It’s not cool. There’s no reason for you to pass out. You knew you were going to get a tattoo that day. You had time to prepare. Think of getting a tattoo as giving blood or getting a shot. There will be needles, pain, and potentially a small amount of blood. You body needs its strength. Don’t be mean to your body.
6. Ask for an estimate, but also just be ready to spend a lot of money
Tattoos can be expensive. Most shops have a $60-80 minimum even. So that tiny little heart you wanted? That could end up being $60. A big piece with color? Getting ready to shell out a couple hundred. Tattoos are art and good art isn’t cheap.
7. BE NICE TO YOUR ARTIST
They are literally tattooing something on you that will be on your body forever. FOREVER. They should be professional enough not to let their personal thoughts affect their work, but come on. Be respectful. Tattooing is no cakewalk. Be appreciative. Also TIP YOUR ARTIST. It is common practice to tip. Don’t just bring enough to cover the tattoo. Bring enough to tip them too. They’ve earned it.
8. Take care of your tattoo
Infections are honestly so rarely caused by dirty needles or poor hygiene in the shop. It’s usually caused by stupid people not paying attention to aftercare. But here’s the thing: you’ve just gotten your wisdom teeth out. What do you do? You nurse your body back to health. You’ve just had surgery. What do you do? You nurse your body back to health. Tattoos are the same way. You’ve just created a vulnerable patch of skin. Keep it clean. Don’t get crud on it. Don’t let dirt and germs get into it the same way you would protect and wash off a scrape on your knee. Just don’t be stupid.
There are a million more things I could whine about when it comes to tattoos, but these are the most important things. Plain and simple: just be smart. Tattoos are a big decision that will stick with you your whole life. Choose wisely and do your research before you do something you’ll regret. Tattoos should be a beautiful right of passage with meaning and significance. But if you do something you’ll regret, that’s on you and no one else.
