How to prepare for a first tattoo

[Rusco]

Any idea how to prepare for a first tat if you'll have only short time (couple of hours) to do the whole thing?

My wife would like to get one at her next birthday or later and I thought to give it as a gift to her. Ok, well she'd like to get a NMA tattoo but who's going to do it is another question.
We might like to ask from JD if she could do it, but let's see.

Some silly questions: How much would an ehh "average" tattoo cost on arm or leg? How much time does it take for a professional tattoo artist to do it? 2-3 hours?
Are there some emulsions/lotions you should treat it afterwards or something?

[Red]

A few things to consider

Find a reputable tattoo artists and ask how much notice they require to make a booking, the artist I used had a waiting list of approx 6 months.

If you can walk in and get a tattoo ask your selves why?

Also I used to go and see the artist first so the design could be drawn up ready so not to waste time on the day of the appointment

Make sure you have eaten beforehand and I used to take some sweet things to eat while being tattooed.

As for cost it depends on where you go but a good tattooist roughly charges around £60 - £80 per hour, but these prices vary greatly.

Each tattooist will give you the aftercare procedures and what you need to do.

Aftercare is just as important as getting the tattoo

I used to use Preparation H, but there is a vast range of potions, creams etc

Cheers

Red

[Rusco]

Thank you for the tips, Red. Sounds like a very good point that waiting list. 

[Pol]

Adding to what red said.
Think very carefully about what your getting, its going to be with you every day for life.
Talk your design over with the artist they might want to alter it.
Get as many recommendations as possible , check their past work.
Different artists will charge different rates and take various amounts of time.
The tattooist I use charges £80 a hour with a minimum charge of £40 . Different areas will vary ie its probably more in London than Glasgow
Aftercare, listen to the advice given to you by your artist, this also can vary.
I've used tattoo balm and bepanthen cream recently.
Don't take pain killers as these thin the blood. Maybe eat a mars bar or have a Lucozade drink before.
Be prepared for the itchy phase about a week or so in n lasting a few days.
Try and find someone you can relate to , a bit of banter definitely helps , take a mp3 player and listen to your favourite tunes when its been done.
Way I'm getting another one next week.
All the best with the new ink

[Rusco]

Ok there's a lot of good info. Thanks.

So due to possible itching it's maybe not recommended to go for a gig in next couple of days, I assume? If we'll travel UK when getting it (in a case the artist resides there) we sure would like to see the band too. 

[Pol]

The itching won't start till approximately a week in.
Yes you can go to the gig but my advice is to be very careful ie no dancing about like a nutter or mosh pit, it's very important not to lose any scabbing that may happen, it needs to fall off naturally. Same goes for itching, don't directly scratch your tattoo no matter how much your tempted.
The tattooist should give you advice like no swimming, have a shower and not a bath, gently pat your tattoo dry , no sun bathing (shouldn't be a issue lol) etc

[Pol]

Going for this on Wednesday - continuing the giger theme on same arm as the others . Excited, a tiny bit nervous as always though I tend to feel most of the pain afterwards especially for the next few days .
http://projectmifune.pbworks.com/f/hr_giger_futurekill.jpg

[Stephanie]

Nothing much to add, all important things have already been said - just one more thing to consider regarding going to gigs: for me, the first one or 2 days after getting a tattoo are always the "worst", i.e. the area is a bit swollen, hot and sensitive to the touch. So going to a gig or somewhere where it's crowded, where I'd have to walk much (if it's a tattoo on the leg) wouldn't be my favourite things to do. It's not overly painful - but quite unpleasant.
Mind you, I know plenty of people who don't have these issues at all (and I hate them for it  ) but since you said it was going to be your wife's first tattoo you might want to keep this in mind as well. How "bad" it is certainly depends on the place and size of the tattoo -and then we are all different when it comes to experiencing pain.

[Pol]

So got my tattoo as planned yesterday, everything went well, its on the back of my bicep below my arm pit . Took about 3.5/4 hours to complete. Yes it was sore, definitely the sorest one I've had on my arm by far. Doesn't feel too bad today though thankfully.

[Pol]

Oh found a pic, thanks to Rory for posting and of course for the tattoo

https://www.instagram.com/p/BPKHyyqj3OU/

[Red]

Looking great mate

[Rusco]

Yea! Congrats Pol!

[Pol]

Cheers guys

[Shush]

Fine quality work Pol. I will expect to see you in plus-fours next time so you can show it off 

[Pol]

Its on my arm lol