Getting tattooed – My ultimate beginner’s guide

I got my first tattoo when I was 19 and haven’t stopped ever since. My friends and colleagues often ask me for tattoo advice – from how to pick a great artist to how to take care of it properly so I thought I’d write it all down and share it. Keep in mind that this is just my opinion and I’m talking from my experience. I am by no means an expert, I’m just a girl who loves body art and body modifications.

I want a tattoo. Now what?

“I really want a tattoo but I don’t know what or where.” – A lot of people feel that way and I have, too. But don’t just get a tattoo for the sake of getting a tattoo. Get something you like and something that feels right. Not every tattoo has to have a deep meaning. I think it’s one of the biggest misconceptions about tattoos and the reason I don’t like TV shows like “LA Ink” – it makes it look like every tattoo needs a deep heartbreaking sob story to be valid.

People will say things like “Are you sure you want this? What if you regret it one day?” Ignore them. If you make well-informed and sensible tattoo choices, there is nothing you will regret. Yes, your boyfriend’s name on your neck is a bad idea. And if you are convinced that you will regret your tattoo, then that’s usually a clear sign not to get it. But every single tattoo I have has become a part of me. Like my hair or my freckles or the shape of my nose. It’s become part of my body and my body is something I will never “regret”.

If you get a bigger tattoo in a visible area it will make you a “tattooed person” and you will be seen as one. Keep that in mind. It doesn’t sound like a big deal and it probably isn’t but you will have to get used to it. Depending on where you go, people will stare. People will constantly ask you questions about it, ranging from “Can I touch it?” (yes, I really get this a lot) to “Did it hurt?”, “How much did it cost?” or “What does it mean?” (one person got really offended once because apparently my answer wasn’t satisfying enough). Make sure you’re able to deal with this or, if you want to get used to it slowly, get your first tattoo in a place where it’s not instantly visible to everyone.

Finding the right artist

Collect little snippets, photos, drawings, photos of other tattoos. I find Evernote super helpful to organise all my ideas and tag them with keywords. Read tattoo magazines and blogs to see what’s possible and get inspired. Find artists that you like. Artists specialise in different styles and while every tattoo artist should be able to do very simple linework, the more precise your idea is, the more you should look for the perfect suitable artist.

So what are you looking for? Colours? Black and white? Realistic? Abstract? Traditional? Dot work? Most artists have their portfolios available online so you get a good idea of what they do and what they’re good at. Do your research and don’t just go to the next best place you can find. Look for tattoo shops in your area but also search beyond that. If you have found the perfect artist but they happen to live and work far away, why not combine it with a mini holiday? A lot of studios have rotating guest artists so don’t forget to follow artists you like on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram so you don’t miss it when they come to a studio near you.

The consultation

If you found someone you like, send them an email and include a few words about your idea and your availability. Often times it’s recommended to call the studio to make an appointment for a consultation, since many artists are very busy. The consultation is very important because you get to meet your artist for the first time and discuss your new tattoo. If it’s your first tattoo, they will be able to guide you through the process and explain what’s gonna happen. You can show examples or sketches (I suck at drawing so I usually make little collages in Photoshop) and talk about what’s possible. You can also show them other tattoos you’ve found online for reference. But don’t ever ask them to copy someone else’s design you found online. NEVER. This is an absolute no-no in the tatto world. A tattoo artist who will tattoo someone else’s work onto you without asking questions is NOT a good tattoo artist. Period.

Once I’ve found a tattoo artist whose work I really like, I don’t mind giving them a lot of artistic freedom with my designs. Their input is usually super helpful and it makes my design even more unique. It’s not everyone’s cup of tea and I know that some people have very specific ideas or even prefer to draw most of it up themselves. That’s fine, too.

Don’t be shy and tell them if there’s something about the design you don’t like. A good artist will understand and change it until you like it. It’s gonna be your tattoo on your body. If you’re not happy with the design, tell them. If you have a bad feeling about the artist or the studio, go and leave. Don’t ever get tattooed by someone you don’t fully trust. It’s your body.

The price

Yes, tattoos are expensive. I have spent over €3,000 on my body so far and it’s not even like I’m fully covered – I’m nowhere near done with my tattoo journey. But don’t be cheap when it comes to tattoos. Don’t go to a shop with €100 and ask them what they can do for you. Just don’t. Instead, ask your artist how much it will cost, figure out how long it will take you to save up and then set up an appointment based on that.

I sometimes hear people complain about the minimum price of €80 or more that a lot of studios have. Don’t forget you’re not only paying for the actual tattooing – you’re also paying for a sterile workspace and the equipment. It doesn’t matter if the needle is used for 5 minutes or two hours. Not to mention the countless hours of experience, the work that goes into drawing up a unique piece of art just for you and the fact that your artist will sit there for just as long as you do, highly concentrated with a steady hand, tattooing it onto your body. So respect your artist and pay a fair price.

The pain

Yes, it hurts and some hurt more than others. It’s a very subjective thing and entirely depends on the person. It generally hurts more on boney areas but even that is very subjective. A lot of people say that elbow tattoos are pretty painful but I found mine to be relatively alright. I would compare the tattoo pain to little cat scratches or carpet burn but even that depends on your pain tolerance and your overall perception of things. Getting tattooed is very exhausting for your body so make sure you eat enough. Don’t drink any alcohol the night before (or even on the same day). Not only does a hangover make any pain feel ten times worse, alcohol also makes your blood thinner which will result in more bleeding and will keep the skin from taking up the ink.

In the process, your body will produce adrenaline and endorpines which are natural pain relievers. This explains the “high” you get from being tattooed and I can confirm, it really exists. When I got my first tattoo, my body couldn’t really place the pain because it was a completely new experience, I got really high and by the time I had realised what was happening, it was already over. So if it’s your first tattoo, don’t worry, it will most likely not be a big deal.

Whenever the pain gets a little worse, it usually helps me to relax, focus on my breath, stare at the ceiling and think about stuff. Some people say it helps them to look at the needle but I am the complete opposite. But I usually ask my artists to tell me which areas and colours they are working on at the moment so I can place the pain. Our bodies’ ways of dealing with pain are pretty insane – sometimes I feel my elbow hurt when in fact the tattooing itself is happening close to my wrist.

The aftercare

If you google this or ask several different artists, you will get very different answers. Some recommend to leave it alone as much as possible and only put cream on it if you feel like your skin is gonna burst, others will recommend to leave the clingfilm on for a few days and put cream on it several times a day. Trust your artist and do what they recommend. Keep it clean and treat it like a fresh wound. Because that’s pretty much what it is. Make sure you don’t expose it to too much sun, don’t go swimming or take long baths and don’t wear fuzzy sweaters. Avoid touching it and don’t ever pick at it. I highly recommend Dr Pickles Tattoo Balm which you can buy online or at tattoo shops. Always keep your tattoos clean and moisturised – even when they’re healed!

If you have the feeling that something is not right, go back to the studio and talk to the professionals there. Once the tattoo is healed, you can set up an appointment for a free touch-up. It’s not always necessary but some parts of the skin take up the ink better than others so it might need a few adjustments here and there.

Do you have any more questions or tips?

Feel free to share them in the comments.