A tattoo is a lifetime investment. It’s exciting to get a new tattoo! It doesn’t matter if this is your first or 28th tattoo. Don’t rush. Trust me, I’ve done it and regretted it.
Before you rush to get tattooed, consider the following.
- DESIGN
It is important to have a personal connection with the tattoo design. You should choose a style and design that you love! Even though it may look great now, what you love years from now may not be as appealing. Before tattooing anyone’s name on your body, take a hard look at the future. Except if it’s your family, which might be okay. Research your ideas before you visit a tattoo shop. It will be a great help to your tattoo artist if you can provide as many design references as possible. This will allow your tattoo artist to create your custom tattoo.
- PLACEMENT
You should feel confident about where your tattoo will be inked. Always think ahead, and don’t rush. Visibility can be a problem. Consider what your future career path will look like in five to ten years. Tattoo stigma is just as relevant today as it was many years ago. You can cover up anywhere. Before the needle touches the skin, make sure you approve the placement of your tattoo stencil before it is inked. Look in the mirror after your tattoo stencil has been placed on your skin canvas. Is it straight? Is it better to be higher or lower? Is it too large or too small to be used in the local area? Don’t be afraid to voice your dissatisfaction.
Do not accept that your tattoo artist has to re-place the stencils. You make the final approval decision. Always consider the advice of your tattoo artist. Although you may believe that the best area is where the tattoo should be placed, your tattoo artist may have suggestions based on their experience and the size of the design. You should also consider the pain factor. Certain areas of your body are more painful than others. This may make it difficult for some people to choose where their tattoo is placed. The temporary discomfort is well worth it.
- TATTOO SHOP
It may take time to find the right tattoo shop or tattoo artist. Don’t rush. It’s a good idea to check out the reviews and social media profiles of tattoo shops before you make a decision. If you know anyone who has beautiful tattoos, get their opinion on the tattoo shop and artist that they choose to ink them. After you have made your final decision about a tattoo shop to visit, confirm their policies. This includes cancellations, deposits, and bookings. Never judge a tattoo shop’s pricing based on its price. Remember, you always get what you pay for! You may be wrong if the deal seems too good to be true. Make sure that the tattoo shop is clean and tidy. To ensure your safety and health, tattoo shops must look as clean as hospitals.
- TATTOO ARTIST
Do your research if you don’t know an artist. You can do this from home by looking at their social media accounts. You should see plenty of their artwork. You need to find a tattoo artist that understands your style and is willing to work with it. It is important to find a tattoo artist who can do tattoos that match your style. Each tattoo artist will interpret your design in a unique way. Some artists prefer a certain style. These are some of the most popular tattoo designs that you might like to try:
Black & Grey
Old School
Tribal
Blackwork
Fine line
Chicano
Reality
Portrait
Neo-Traditional
Dotwork
Abstract
Minimalist
Script & Lettering
Japanese
Watercolor
New School
Next, schedule a consultation with the artist and shop you have found. Remember, they are tattooing your body, so treat it as an interview.
Questions to ask during a tattoo consultation:
- Are they polite, professional, and personable?
- Is it possible for them to be excited about working with you on your tattoo? Is it more like they are not interested in the task?
- Are they willing to work with you on your design or push you to come up with something new? Good tattoo artists will not pressure you into picking a design you aren’t happy with. Make sure you are satisfied with the final tattoo design before it is done. Don’t settle for less than you deserve. Don’t be afraid to speak up. Your body is working for you.
- Do you feel comfortable at the shop and with the tattoo artist Are you feeling rushed or under pressure? Do you feel rushed or pressured?
- What is their turnaround time for booking and scheduling appointments? While you may have found the ideal tattoo artist, be aware that many in-demand tattoo artists are booked up solidly for months or even years.
- TIME
You should think about the timing and scheduling of your tattoo. For the best results, it is important to take care of your tattoo afterward. The scheduled appointments may not be the best fit for you.
These are some tips to help you decide when it is time to get inked.
- Placement of tattoos. This has to do with timing, you might ask. Everything related to post-tattoo healing. You may have to adjust your work or personal schedules to allow for proper healing. Your new tattoo will be exposed to excessive sunlight during travel or work? Or in unsanitary conditions at work? Would your tattoo have to be covered for work reasons?
- Your new ink may be on an area of the body, such as your chest or back. This will require you to expose it for healing. You could avoid this by applying an adhesive medical wrap such as Saniderm.
- Are you working in a position that requires a lot of physical labor? Are you able to miss a few days of work due to tattoo placements?
- Do you feel ill? Your immune system is put on high alert when you have a fresh tattoo. Reschedule if you are sick or recovering. You can do the same if your symptoms are severe, even a mild cold. You might want to reschedule until you feel fully recovered.
Don’t rush to make an appointment just because you have the time. After it heals, your tattoo will be a lasting memory.
- TATTOO AFTERCARE
There are many products you can use to help with post-tattoo healing. There are many options, some great and some less so. You should always read all labels and avoid any products containing petrolatum, mineral oils, or strong fragrances. Learn more about these harmful ingredients in our blog Six Things You Should Never Use on Your Tattoos.
Your artists should be able to give you instructions on how to recover from a tattoo. If they don’t, ask. Too many people have left the shop confused and unsure about how to properly heal their tattoos. If your artist suggests any aftercare products for tattoos, make sure you read the entire ingredients list before purchasing. Many tattoo artists recommend tattoo care products that contain questionable ingredients when they could be suggesting better, cleaner alternatives. A high-quality aftercare product will make a huge difference in how your tattoo heals. It will also be safer for your skin.
Over the years I have tested many aftercare products. Here are a few of my favorite products:
- Rx Tattoo Care
- Tattoo Goo
- After Inked
- Hustle Butter
- Saniderm (make arrangements with your artist to have additional pieces in case you need them after the initial 12-24 hours.
Tip Always have an aftercare product on hand for your tattoo session.
Inked Ritual Tattoo Care is a great option for tattoo healing. Inked Ritual Tattoo Care is not meant to be used as a tattoo aftercare product, but it can provide great skin rejuvenating benefits when used during tattoo recovery.
These are the steps:
- For the first 7-10 days after your tattoo session, apply a post-tattoo ointment such as the ones above or an adhesive medical wrap such as Saniderm.
- Apply Inked Ritual 3-4 times daily to clean, dry skin after 7-10 days. The skin-nourishing ingredients moisturize your skin without leaving any oily or greasy residue. You will also feel less inflammation and itching.
- For the next few weeks, continue applying Inked Ritual three to four times per day or as often as you need. If you feel your skin needs more moisture, you can apply Inked Ritual over a layer of your aftercare ointment. This will lock in Inked Ritual’s active ingredients.
- Apply Inked Ritual daily after your tattoo is healed to keep it vibrant and bold.
- PRE TATTOO SKIN PREPARE
Last but not the least, create a pre-tattoo skin prep plan. This is something many people don’t know about. It can make a huge difference in how your tattoos look and how you recover from them. Healthy skin means bold, vibrant tattoos that last a lifetime.
You don’t want your skin to be dry, dehydrated, and unhealthy. These simple tips can be followed at least two to six weeks before your tattoo session to ensure your skin is healthy and strong for your new tattoo.
- Keep hydrated. Get at least 8 glasses of water each day.
- Reduce your intake of sugars and junk foods. They can also damage your immune system and cause premature aging of your skin.
- Similar applies to alcohol. Reduce your alcohol consumption. Alcohol can reduce your immunity and prematurely age your skin.
- Consume clean food, such as vegetables, proteins, and essential fats.
- Take the following vitamins and antioxidants every day to boost your immune system for faster post-tattoo healing.
Vitamin-C, 2-15 grams
Vitamin-A, 1000 iu
Vitamin-E, 1200-1600 iu
Vitamin-D, 2000-10,000 iu
Zinc, 25-50 mg
NAC, 4-8 Grams
Quercetin, 4-8 grams
TIP:
Take care of your skin from the inside out. Inked Ritual uses bio-active ingredients such as peptides, amino acids and vitamins to nourish and revitalize your skin. Apply Inked Ritual Tattoo Care serum 1-2 times daily to your skin, where the new tattoo will be.
Follow the steps above to get the best possible tattoo result. Your finished and healed tattoo might not turn out the way you expected.
This post was written by J Michael Taylor. J Michael Taylor is an artist and owner of Black Amethyst Tattoo Gallery. Black Amethyst is the best amongst St Pete tattoo shops shops. They provide an art-first approach to custom tattooing in a gallery setting.
