Getting a tattoo can be a thrilling experience, as well as a painful one. To make sure the tattooing process goes smoothly, without any hiccups, you need to be prepared. Before stepping foot into a tattoo studio, it would be nice if you first understand the process of making a tattoo, making sure your body is ready, and the design chosen is really according to your wishes.
Step
Method 1 of 2: Preparing Physical
Step 1. Meet the intake of fluids for the body
Before getting a tattoo, make sure your body is well hydrated. During the 24 hours before undergoing the tattooing process, you should drink plenty of water. Do not let the body lack fluids.
- How much water is needed will depend on the condition of the body itself. Some experts recommend drinking 8 glasses of water per day, but your body may need more than that.
- Skin that is well hydrated will be in better condition to get a tattoo. That is, the surface of the skin will more easily absorb the ink so that the tattooing process becomes easier than if the skin is dehydrated.
Step 2. Avoid anything that can thin the blood
To avoid unnecessary bleeding, for 24 hours before the visit to the tattoo studio you should not take anything that can thin the blood. That means you shouldn't drink alcohol before going through the tattoo process.
Also, don't take aspirin for 24 hours before getting the tattoo done. Aspirin is a blood thinner. If taken before getting a tattoo, you will bleed more
Step 3. Wear comfortable clothes
The larger the tattoo, the longer you will have to spend in the tattoo studio, perhaps hours. Therefore, wear comfortable clothes so that the painful tattooing process won't make you more tormented.
- In addition, you may need to wear loose clothing so the tattoo artist can easily access the area of the body to be tattooed. If you're going to be tattooing a body part that is usually hidden under clothing, be sure to wear something that will allow the tattoo artist easy access to the area.
- For example, if you want to get a leg tattoo, consider wearing shorts or a skirt so the tattoo artist can work without a hitch. Likewise, if you want to get a tattoo on your upper arm, wear a sleeveless t-shirt.
Step 4. Have something to eat before leaving for the tattoo studio
It is important to eat enough food before heading to the tattoo studio so that you don't feel dizzy during the tattooing process. The pain from tattoo needles is bad enough, lest you feel dizzy or faint on an empty stomach.
- Low blood sugar levels can increase the body's response to a tattoo, so the pain can make you lose consciousness.
- Eating a solid meal before heading to the tattoo studio will give you the energy and stamina to endure the pain during the tattoo process. What you eat doesn't really matter, as long as it can give you the strength you need during the tattooing process, but protein-rich foods will give you longer endurance.
- If the tattooing process is going to take a very long time, bring a nutritious snack, such as a stick of granola. Tattoo artists don't mind taking a break to give you a chance to recharge.
Step 5. Prepare the skin
You do not need to do complicated skin care before tattooing the body. If your skin is dry, just apply the moisturizer you used to use for the week before so that the condition is better. In addition, avoid sunburn on the area to be tattooed. That means you need to apply sunscreen before going outside.
Although the area to be tattooed should be shaved, most tattoo artists do not recommend that you do it first. He himself will do it right before starting the work so that there are no irritations that can interfere with the smooth process of tattooing
Method 2 of 2: Planning the Perfect Tattoo
Step 1. Think of a tattoo design
The tattoo design will reflect a part of you, which everyone around you will see every day. Consider this aspect when choosing a design, let your imagination run wild and think of something unique and expresses what you want. For example, you can choose a design that has special meaning for you, a pet, a color that reflects an important period in your life, or a combination of the three.
- Decide on the design you want before making an appointment with a tattoo artist.
- When thinking about a tattoo design, don't forget to consider the size. For the first tattoo, you should choose a small design. That way, you understand the pain you have to deal with and your resistance to it, without making the commitment to spend hours in the tattoo studio.
- Think of a design that you will love for a long time. Although tattoos can be removed, the process can be painful, expensive, and time-consuming. Therefore, it's best to consider it permanent from the start and choose a design that you will like in the long run.
- You can draw the design you want or have a tattoo artist create a custom design for you. That's up to you.
Step 2. Consult a tattoo artist
Once you have an idea of the design you want, find a tattoo artist to work with. You can ask a friend for recommendations, for example, if he is satisfied with the work of a tattoo artist or you can look for information on the internet. Once you've found a suitable tattoo artist, search for reviews about him and take a look at his tattoo portfolio, either online or in person at a tattoo studio. If you like his style and reputation and you think his skills can put your design ideas into action, make an appointment with him.
- Most tattoo artists will draw a sketch of the design to see if you approve it before the tattooing process begins. If there's a particular aspect you don't like about the design, don't hesitate to let him know so he can tweak it to your liking.
- Some tattoo artists are so popular and in high demand that you should make an appointment with them well in advance, perhaps months in advance. However, if you really like the work of the tattoo artist, it's better not to rush and wait to get a high-quality tattoo.
Step 3. Think about where you will get the tattoo
You can get a tattoo anywhere, but some areas are more painful than others. For the first tattoo, choose a fleshy body part that is thicker and not softer. So, do not choose an area that is close to the bone and is sensitive.
- For example, a tattoo on the leg will be more painful than a tattoo on the calf because in the first case the needle will directly hit the bone.
- The most sensitive tattoo locations are the feet, inside of the arms, thighs, and ribs. In general, it's best not to get your tattoo in an area of skin that's close to the bone and out of reach of the sun. Areas that are rarely exposed to sunlight tend to be softer so the tattooing process in this area will be more painful.
Step 4. Consider the pain
It's a good idea to understand the pain you'll be dealing with before the tattooing process begins. That way, you have mental readiness when living it. Many people describe the pain as scratching sunburned skin. Most of the pain is dull, but can be very sharp if the needle hits a nerve, touches an area close to a bone, or hits the same area over and over again.
If the pain is unbearable, the tattoo artist can apply a local anesthetic to the skin to numb it. However, the use of anesthetics can reduce the brightness of the tattoo color and make the tattoo take longer to heal. Ask the tattoo artist about this, but be aware that not all tattoo artists are willing to use it
Step 5. Get ready to do the treatment after the tattoo process
You should keep the tattoo from getting wet or in the sun for a few weeks. Therefore, make sure that getting the tattoo doesn't cause you to have to rearrange other plans because you have to wait for the tattoo to heal. For example, if you're planning a beach vacation with lots of water activities, such as swimming, it's best not to get the tattoo too close to that schedule.
