Someone once said something about tattoos, and it stuck. He said that tattoo life is a journey, and once you get started, it may be difficult to go back. Yes, this is true because so many people got their first tattoo with the intention of having just one tattoo, but fast-forward many months or years later, they have ink all over their body and are planning to get more.
People get tattoos for different reasons. Some do it to preserve a memory, to idolize someone they love, or just out of curiosity. Some tattoos are influenced by movies and pop culture characters. For instance, people who like Marvel Movies, play Book of Dead Game, follow Premier League or any other strata of culture may want to tattoo their favorite character or player, while others may just want to put a Clerk Kent superman logo on their chest. Whatever your reason for getting a tattoo may be, here are five things you need to consider before getting that ink.
The First Time is Always the Most Painful
Getting a tattoo for the first time always feels as painful as having a sharp razor blade sliced into your skin. Well, tattoos are essentially engraved into the skin, so the painful sensation should be a no-brainer. But the good thing is that the first tattoo is the most painful one. Even when getting the first tattoo, the pain reduces as the process continues because your body builds up adrenaline which tapers off the pain.
Good Tattoos are Expensive
Of course, there are cheap tattoos out there, but if you want to get tatted by an expert tattoo artist who uses high-quality inks, and you need an excellent result, then you should be ready to spend some good money. Factors like the intricacy of the design and the part of the body where it would be placed also affect the cost of getting a tattoo.
Your Dermatologist May Need to Be Involved
If you have skin allergies or any other skin condition, you need to consult your dermatologist and seek their approval before getting a tattoo. That aside, days before getting a tattoo, it is best to stay hydrated, drink lots of water and moisturize your skin. Proper hydration keeps the skin radiant and supple enough to withstand the needle’s pressure. You should also avoid alcohol and caffeine, as these substances thin the blood and could result in excessive bleeding during the process.
Avoid Painkillers
Many newbies make the mistake of taking aspirin and other painkillers before getting their tattoo done. Well, I’m sorry to break it to you, but taking painkillers, in this case, is counterproductive because painkillers thin the blood vessels and could make bleeding easier. There are numbing creams that can be used to make the process more comfortable.
Ensure that the Artist Spells the Right Word
If you’re tattooing a word on your body, pay close attention to the artist and make sure that they spell it correctly. It’s always frustrating when your tattoo artist gets a spelling wrong. So, pay attention to avoid going through the pain of cleaning it and starting all over again, or getting stuck with a wrongly-spelled tattoo that leaves you irritated.
Final Thoughts
Tattoos are beautiful works of art that show your personality and lifestyle. As long as your dermatologist approves that getting a tattoo won’t cause you any adverse health effects, take that leap and get that tattoo today. But while at it, ensure that you use only expert tattoo artists who will give you value for your money.
Tattoo lovers, what are your tips and tricks for those considering their first tattoo?