Who is This Guide for?<\/h2>\n
We\u2019ve created this tattoo guide for complete beginners. There\u2019s even a section recapping exactly what a tattoo is and what getting a tattoo entails! There are no stupid questions, so if you have a question that\u2019s not answered in this guide, don\u2019t hesitate to leave us a comment at the end.<\/p>\n
If you are:<\/p>\n
- \n
- Planning your first tattoo,<\/li>\n
- Unsure if tattoos are right for you,<\/li>\n
- Nervous or unsure about the tattoo process<\/a>,<\/li>\n
- Just curious about tattoos in general,<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
This is a guide written especially for you, covering the things you need to know about beforehand through to aftercare<\/a>.<\/p>\n
Tattoos for Dummies \u2013 A Quick Recap<\/h2>\n
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Saved Tattoo<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n A tattoo is permanent. We\u2019re dealing with the life-long kind, not the henna or stick-on kind. Tattoos are body art that\u2019s created by embedding inks into the dermis layer of your skin. This is done by puncturing your skin repeatedly with a needle to reach that second layer of skin and deposit the colors there.<\/p>\n
Once the wound heals over, the colors and designs show through. This is permanent<\/strong> and will stay with you for the rest of your life unless removed surgically or with lasers (more on that below).<\/p>\n
As a result, in the USA, you need to be at least 18 years old<\/strong> to get a tattoo.<\/p>\n
Also Read:<\/p>\n
- \n
- Why Are Tattoos Permanent? \u2013 The Reasons Tattoos Last Forever<\/a><\/li>\n
- How Old Do You Have To Be To Get a Tattoo or a Piercing (By State)?<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/blockquote>\n
Things to Think About Before You Get a Tattoo<\/h2>\n
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Saved Tattoo<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n Like everything, there are pros and cons to getting a tattoo. For most people, pain is the most immediate concern, but there are other things that you need to consider before you begin\u2026<\/p>\n
Don\u2019t Forget \u2013 It\u2019s Permanent<\/h3>\n
Before you even think about finalizing designs, here are some facts that you need to let sink in:<\/p>\n
- \n
- The tattoo will hurt (although the adrenaline that kicks in will help),<\/li>\n
- It won\u2019t be cheap,<\/li>\n
- The whole process takes time, it\u2019s not instant!<\/li>\n
- Your tattoo will still be with you when you\u2019re 90,<\/li>\n
- Tattoo removal can be painful and expensive.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Removing a tattoo, even a tiny one, costs quite a bit. And some tattoos are far harder to remove than others. For laser removal, the national average cost is $463. For a whole sleeve, you\u2019re looking at thousands of dollars.<\/p>\n
Before you decide on a tattoo, read the section below describing the tattoo process, and read this Healthline guide on tattoo removal<\/a>. If you can stomach both, you\u2019re good to go.<\/p>\n
Choosing a Design<\/h3>\n
A tattoo can be extremely meaningful, so take the time to think about what you want. It\u2019s not something to rush into.<\/p>\n
The style of your tattoo and the skills of the tattoo artist should match, especially if you\u2019re relying on them to put the design from your mind to paper. In-demand tattoo artists will be booked up way in advance, so if your dream is to get the perfect tattoo from your tattoo artist idol, be prepared to wait patiently.<\/p>\n
Do your research! Look at tattoo artists on Instagram or visit tattoo shops in-person to browse portfolios. This is a great way to find inspiration and <\/em>get an idea of how designs look when they\u2019re on skin rather than paper, which leads us on to\u2026<\/p>\n
Placement and Size<\/h3>\n
To put it plainly, the larger the tattoo, the longer it will take (more sessions), the more it will cost, and generally, the more it will hurt.<\/p>\n
But placement is also something important to consider, especially if you\u2019re concerned about the pain of tattoos. Skin stretched close to bones, with little flesh, tends to hurt a lot. As do particularly sensitive areas.<\/p>\n
Common placements that will test your pain tolerance:<\/p>\n
- \n
- Torso<\/li>\n
- Rib cage<\/li>\n
- Elbows<\/li>\n
- Inner thighs<\/li>\n
- Undersides of your upper arms<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Once you\u2019ve decided on a general location for your tattoo, the tattoo artist can help you decide on the placement and size.<\/p>\n
Pain and Care<\/h3>\n
Getting a tattoo will hurt \u2013 there\u2019s no denying that. The level of pain depends on the size and placement, as well as your pain tolerance levels. If you can\u2019t stand pain of any kind, then the tattooing process may be too difficult for you.<\/p>\n
You also need to be serious about the pre-care and after-care for your tattoo. Impromptu trips to the tattoo parlor are great, but for your first tattoo, it\u2019s better to be prepared. That means doing research, booking your session in advance, and following the advice given on caring for your new ink.<\/p>\n
Read More:<\/strong>\u00a0Tattoo Pain Chart: What Is The Most (Least) Painful Place<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n
<\/div>\nA Reasonable Budget<\/h3>\n
Getting a tattoo won\u2019t be cheap. Even if you only want a tiny ladybug on your toe<\/a>, the tattoo artist still needs fresh ink, clean needles, gloves, and then there\u2019s all the sterilizing needed on the equipment. That\u2019s why prices start around $50 to $100<\/strong> regardless of the tattoo size. Oh, and you need to tip.<\/p>\n
That\u2019s also part of why you shouldn\u2019t haggle with a tattoo artist. The other reason is that they are genuinely an artist <\/em>and you\u2019re paying for the skills and talents of that person. If a tattoo quote<\/a> seems to be very cheap, that should be a warning sign!<\/p>\n
In fact, finding the right tattoo artists and a reputable tattoo shop is such an important decision. So, next up we\u2019ll take you through what to look for and how to find one.<\/p>\n
Read More: <\/strong>How Much Do Tattoos Cost: 6 Tips For Getting The Best Price For A Tattoo<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n
<\/div>\nFinding A Good Tattoo Artist\/Shop<\/h2>\n
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Saved Tattoo<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n Your style of tattoo will determine the tattoo artists and shops that you approach first. If your tattoo is super simple (e.g. mom\u2019s initials on the inside of your wrist) then this doesn\u2019t matter a huge amount. But if you\u2019re aiming to recreate the modern Mona Lisa of tattoos on your shoulder, then finding a tattoo artist who\u2019s skilled in the style you want is important.<\/p>\n
The most common styles of tattoos are:<\/p>\n
- \n
- Japanese<\/a> and comic book styles \u2013 vivid colors but clear outlines and a distinct style.<\/li>\n
- Shades of grey \u2013 often very detailed and there\u2019s a lot of shading involved, but only one color.<\/li>\n
- Portraits \u2013 similar to realism but often a category of its own. Not all tattoo artists can capture portraits in ink.<\/li>\n
- Realism \u2013 it looks just like a photo! Again, not all tattoo artists can recreate this effect.<\/li>\n
- Surrealism \u2013 if you want an abstract, unique tattoo then you\u2019ll need a confident and experienced tattooist to draw one up.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Once you know what style you\u2019re aiming for, you can create a shortlist of tattoo artists and parlors that could be a good fit. But before you get under the needle, you need to check how safe the tattoo shop is.<\/p>\n
4 Signs of a Safe Tattoo Shop<\/h3>\n
Do some research! Going to each individual tattoo artist and shop in 2023 is not very practical, especially with COVID-19 keeping us all indoors. You might find some tattoo artists not taking on much work this year because of the pandemic.<\/p>\n
That makes your job a little bit harder. Instead of visually inspecting the tattoo shop, you need to research online. Places to research and uncover all the dirty secrets include:<\/p>\n
- \n
- Online reviews \u2013 TrustPilot, Google reviews, Reddit, and all the social media platforms.<\/li>\n
- Referrals \u2013 ask friends and family where they got tattoos and their experiences.<\/li>\n
- Reach out to customers \u2013 send a DM online to people with tatts from shops you\u2019re considering, to ask their opinion.<\/li>\n
- Call up or email the tattoo shop themselves \u2013 you can quiz them about the factors below.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
- Japanese<\/a> and comic book styles \u2013 vivid colors but clear outlines and a distinct style.<\/li>\n
- How Old Do You Have To Be To Get a Tattoo or a Piercing (By State)?<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/blockquote>\n
- Just curious about tattoos in general,<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
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