Tattoo is one of the body arts that many people love to have. I am here to share some tattoo advice for people who wants to have their first tattoo(s) out there. You can’t just decide over a night before having a tattoo. No matter if it is big or small, you have to make sure you have a final and clear decision. It sucks to have a tattoo regret, so don’t repeat the mistake that many people have done. Below is some simple and helpful advice that you might want to read before getting your first tat. That is also what I did before I decided to get inked, and the tips were worth it. So I want to share my real experience to people today.

1. Tattoo Designs

This is the very important aspect that you have to take into consideration before getting a tattoo permanently on your body. Tattoo designs can be simple as a small pictures, symbols, or quotes. The designs can also be as huge as the realistic images on your back, arms, or legs. Many tattoos have their own meanings and representation. Some might dedicate to a loss family member or friend, or to represent their loved ones. Some people choose their birth date or their spirit animals as their tattoos.

If you want to get a tattoo, ask yourself why do you want to have it. What designs that you want to have? And will you still be proud of it in the next 10 years? As for me, I drew a few designs on my wrists and fingers and see if I actually like it. You might like the design, but you can’t be sure if you love it on your body.

Size does matter, and here is why. If the tattoo is too small, it might be unrecognizable after a few months. If the tattoo is too big, you will not like it because tattoo does grow after some times. The best way is to let your tattoo artist design decide the ideal size for you. And that leads to tip number 2.

2. Tattoo Shops

There are at least a few best tattoo parlors in town that you can find. You have to go to the tattoo shop that you can trust that they offer the best and safe service. This might sound bad but you wouldn’t want to have any disease after your first tattoo. The best tattoo shop will guarantee you with the quality of the tattoo, the design, and the ink. Choosing the right tattoo parlors is like avoiding tattoo regrets in the future as well. Right tattoo shops will leave you with the powerful tiger tattoo instead of a ugly cousin of a disabled tiger. Google worse tattoos if you don’t believe me. Those people make wrong choice, so don’t repeat that mistake.

3. The Price

Once you decide to get inked, don’t be afraid to spend your money. Bear in mind that you are paying someone to ink something on your body that will last forever. If the tattoo artist says it is $150, pay the darn price to him. Do not bargain, and do not nag about how much he/she charges you. If you desire for a clean and nice tattoo that people will admire, then pay the price.

Also, don’t go for cheap tattoos I’m telling you. You can’t expect a safe and awesome tattoo with cheap price. That doesn’t mean I recommend you go for the tattoo that costs twice your salary. Select the place where they charge the price that collide with the quality of the tattoo. You know what I mean.

4. The Placement

Placement is also something important that you should know. If you want your tattoo to be visible, then your wrists, fingers, or lower arms are the best places. Behind the neck is also somewhere cool to show off a nice tattoo as well. The thing is you have to select the placement of the tattoo that has enough space for the size of the tattoo. You can’t choose the 3 lines quote tattoo on your tiny thumb.

5. The Pain

This is something that is related to the placement. There are several certain places on your body that hurt as hell when the needle touches it. Those sensible places are stomach, ribs, neck, back, and of course, HEAD. Other places like behind the ears, fingers, wrists, ankles, and hands are not too painful. Just the pain that you can tolerate. If you are going to have your very first tattoo, ribs is not a good idea. Try somewhere less painful first so that you can estimate the pain. Then you can go bigger for the next tattoos later.

6. The Aftercare

I’d had a lot of questions before when it comes to the tattoo aftercare. The best advice is you should not let the water or soap touch your new tattoos in the first 8 hours. You can take shower right after, but don’t rub the soap on the tattoos. Also, you need to apply the ointment after showering to make the tattoo heals fast. And don’t over apply it, it will ruin the tattoo. Tattoo is like a fresh wound, and you have to take good care of it.

After a week or two or even more depends on the size of your tattoo, the tat will start to heal. That is when you see the scraps on the tattoo spot. And that when you have to tell yourself that I MUST NOT ITCH OR PULL THIS SCRAP. Doing so will make your tattoo bleed which is not good. And somehow the scrap will bring the ink once you pull it as well. I have proof, and look at my bat tattoo here. I pulled the freaking scraps and now it looks like a $2 tattoo -_-

7. What To Avoid

I will just list the bullet points of things that you should avoid before and after tattooing here.

Do not tattoo something silly

Do not tattoo your lover’s name on your body (you can’t erase it easily after breaking up)

Do not tattoo you lover’s face on your body (it sucks even more than the name)

Do not tattoo on somewhere you will regret later like your forehead or private parts

Do not get a tattoo when you’re drunk

Do not let people touch your fresh tattoo

Do not do white tattoo because you can’t see it

These tattoo designs are all mine, and the advice is from my own experience.