Getting a Tattoo
Start writing a post
Lifestyle

Getting a Tattoo

What you can expect when getting a tattoo.

16
Getting a Tattoo
Tina Brauer

I have a confession to make.

I got a tattoo.

Now in all honesty it's not that big of a deal. It's almost a cultural norm to see someone with a tattoo now, even at my age. But at the same time, many people either don't know the process or don't understand what a tattoo truly is. Now I'm not claiming to be an expert but I do know quite a bit and I've obviously gone through the process myself. So I will share the knowledge I have with you. Let's begin.


First off, let's talk about the process of getting a tattoo.

If you are going to get a tattoo, don't be rash when deciding on the design, location, and size. Why? Because a tattoo is permanent, it is going on your skin and it's staying there. So you should be absolutely sure that you truly want to get it. Plus you need to be able to handle the size of the tattoo, because the bigger they are, the more they hurt. I spent a couple of years before I found one I truly loved, then I thought about it for another six months or so just to be sure.

Once you have a design chosen, you're going to need to find a tattoo shop and a tattoo artist. This can be a pretty difficult to do and it's very likely that you'll have to do your research. I personally suggest finding a tattoo shop that lets you have a short consultation with a tattoo artist. This allows not only to meet your tattoo artist before hand, but it allows you to get more information about your tattoo and what to do for the day of the tattoo. (Each tattoo store has slightly different requirements)

Now's the day you'll get you tattoo. Of course you'll need to follow what your tattoo artist advises you to do, but I also have some tips. First off, be mindful of what medicines you take before hand. Especially any kind of blood thinners if I remember correctly. And if your taking antibiotics at the time, you may not want to get your tattoo at that time. Antibiotics can easily mess up your tattoo as it heals. You can always ask your tattoo artist to be sure. Secondly, have at least a small snack before you go. Tattoos take hours, and you don't want to be sitting there getting a tattoo well your stomachs growling. I also suggest bringing a water bottle with you, just in case you start to get thirsty. Again, tattoos take hours to do.


That's the process of getting a tattoo. Or at least the one I went through. Now for some commonly asked questions.


How much did it hurt?

My tattoo is about the size of my forearm, and in all honesty it didn't hurt as bad as I thought it would. It felt a bit more painful than having someone roughly draw on your arm with a pen. Now granted I had an extremely good tattoo artist, but I don't have a very high pain tolerance either.

How long did it take?

My tattoo took about two hours. And that included the design time since I was paying my tattoo artist to make an original piece. (He drew it straight on my arm)

How much did it cost?

I ended up paying my tattoo artist $300. He charged me $125 an hour, and then I left him a $50 tip because I love my tattoo so much. He did a very good job after all.

Is that real?

No of course it's not real. I just waste thirty to forty minutes perfectly redrawing the same exact thing every single day. *sighs*

Why are you putting lotion on it?

If you didn't know, tattoos are technically open wounds with ink shoved into them. Therefore you have to take very good care of them till they're fully healed. Mine took about two weeks to heal.
Part of how you take of it is applying a thin layer of lotion so it doesn't dry out and get damaged. And yes the weird colored scabs are normal. Just leave them alone or you'll damage your tattoo.

Is that really permanent?

Yes my tattoo is permanent. Almost all tattoos are. But at the same time, I will need to get it touched up in the distant future as it fades over time.


That's my experience. I hope this helps if you ever consider getting a permanent piece of art on your skin.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Content Inspiration

Top Response Articles of This Week

Kick off spring with these top reads from our creators!

609
Hand writing in a notepad
Pexels

Welcome to a new week at Odyssey! The warmer weather has our creators feeling inspired, and they're here with some inspiration to get your Monday going. Here are the top three articles of last week:

Keep Reading... Show less
Featured

No Sex And Upstate New York

A modern-day reincarnation of Carrie Bradshaw's classic column

3605
Pinterest

Around the age of 12, when I was deciding whether or not to be gay, Satan appeared on my left shoulder. “Ramsssey,” he said with that telltale lisp. “Come over to our side. We have crazy partiessss.” He made a strong case, bouncing up and down on my shoulder with six-pack abs and form-fitting Calvin Kleins. An angel popped up on the other shoulder and was going to warn me about something, but Satan interrupted- “Shut up, you crusty-ass bitch!’ The angel was pretty crusty. She disappeared, and from that moment forward I was gay.

Keep Reading... Show less
Featured

To The Classes That Follow

I want you to want to make the most of the years that are prior to Senior year

4558
To The Classes That Follow
Senior Year Is Here And I Am So Not Ready For It

I was you not that long ago. I was once an eager freshman, a searching sophomore, and a know-it-all junior. Now? Now I am a risk taker. Not the type that gets you in trouble with your parents, but the type that changes your future. Senior year is exciting. A lot of awesome things come along with being the top-dog of the school, but you, right now, are building the foundation for the next 4 years that you will spend in high school. I know you've heard it all. "Get involved", "You'll regret not going to prom", "You're going to miss this". As redundant as these seem, they're true. Although I am just at the beginning of my senior year, I am realizing how many lasts I am encountering.

Keep Reading... Show less
Featured

The Power Of Prayer Saved My Best Friend's Life

At the end of the day, there is something out there bigger than all of us, and to me, that is the power of prayer.

4619
Julie Derrer

Imagine this:

Keep Reading... Show less
Featured

Why Driving Drives Me Crazy

the highways are home

3595

With Halloween quickly approaching, I have been talking to coworkers about what scares us. There are always the obvious things like clowns, spiders, heights, etc. But me? There are a number things I don't like: trusting strangers, being yelled at, being in life or death situations, parallel parking. All of these are included when you get behind the wheel of a car.

Keep Reading... Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments