First tattoo: 13 things you need to know

Getting ready to get a tattoo, whether for the first time or not, is an exciting time. But before you sit down and watch the ink begin to flow over your skin, there are a few tips on how to do it right.

 1. Do not drink alcohol before going to impale a tattoo.

You should not drink alcohol before going to get a tattoo. Despite the fact that no respected or responsible tattoo artist would tattoo a person who was, under the influence of alcohol, this is not a good idea for another reason. Alcohol thins the blood and tattooing will cause more bleeding on the skin. This in turn will push the ink out and the result will be a very pale and uneven tattoo. And also, being under the influence of alcohol, you can dull your sense of the right choice and make an unsuccessful tattoo, which you won’t like in the end.

2. Eat light foods before a tattoo.

Eat well and easily before a tattoo session and you will feel more comfortable. It is difficult to relax if you feel hungry, so there is a really good idea in advance, if you don’t have time to eat, then at least have a snack, this will increase blood sugar levels .

3. Wear comfortable clothes to provide convenient access to the place where you want to get a tattoo.

It is very important to choose clothes that will give your tattoo artist easy access to the location of the future tattoo. Masters of tattoo will do everything possible so that the ink does not get on your clothes, although sometimes it still happens, so when choosing clothes, also consider that it is not a pity to you to stain them. And of course, clothing should be comfortable, especially if the tattoo is large and the session takes many hours.

4. Get plenty of sleep on the night before your tattoo session.

A very good idea to have a really good sleep and be rested before a tattoo session. This will allow you to feel more relaxed, cheerful and not irritated.

 5. Do not sunbathe before tattooing.

Avoid exposure to sunlight on the skin before a tattoo. The sun can leave a painful burn on your skin. The heat will provoke sweating, but if you are too cold, it will slow down your blood circulation, which is also not desirable.

6. Do not take medicine, unless absolutely necessary, before you are going to get a tattoo.

Painkillers will cause an increase in bleeding. Some people take aspirin every day to make their blood thinner. This is not recommended if you go to a tattoo session, as well as from alcohol, aspirin dilutes your blood, the bleeding increases and forces ink out from under the skin. Any drug that affects your skin will also affect your tattoo. Accutane is a form of vitamin C. Dermatologists usually recommend waiting at least six months after stopping this medication, because otherwise it may contribute to the formation of scars . If you are using drugs of this kind, it is better to wait before you begin to fill a tattoo.

The heat will cause excessive sweating, and the cold will slow down blood circulation, so both should be avoided.

Illicit drugs such as cocaine and methamphetamine will cause bleeding problems. Marijuana contributes to a certain dilution of blood, and some people, starting from their experience, report that marijuana also contributes to increased pain .

7. Limit your use of coffee before your tattoo.

Coffee actually makes you nervous and reduces your ability to withstand pain. So avoid coffee, or at least reduce its consumption several days before a tattoo session.

8. Choose an area for your first tattoo carefully.

Different people experience different levels of pain on different parts of their body when they get a tattoo. It is a very good idea to discuss the area where you are going to beat the tattoo with your tattoo master, especially if this is your first tattoo, in order to avoid subsequent inconveniences.

There are other factors that you should think about beforehand, namely: are there health risks and the least embarrassing aftercare for a tattoo until it heals.

9. Health risks associated with applying a tattoo on the body.

You should always choose an area for the tattoo that has optimal hygienic conditions. The needles used by the tattoo artist should always be disposable, otherwise there is a risk of serious infections and diseases such as hepatitis C, tetanus, AIDS, leprosy, and skin infections.

Although rare, some people are allergic to the dyes used by the tattoo master, especially red and green, which contain metallic elements. Reactions may include itching, discharge and, in extremely rare cases, anaphylactic shock.

10. Take care of your tattoo.

After applying the tattoo, it is advisable to put a sterile bandage on this place for the first three hours. After that, the bandage can be removed, allow air to interact with the tattoo and smear the tattoo several times a day with a soothing protective ointment or Bepanthenol, although petroleum jelly or moisturizer are also often used. Tattoo should be washed daily and protected from sunlight.. Do not remove the peeling skin that forms on the tattoo. Do not use alcohol on your tattoo. Avoid bathing, saunas, steam baths or staying long in the water for two weeks after the tattoo has been applied to your skin. Clothing that will touch your tattoo should be clean and soft. Your tattoo should be completely healed within twenty to thirty days after it has been filled.

The life span of your tattoo and the preservation of its beauty depends on the care of it for the first days and first weeks . Do not be surprised if the colors of your tattoo fade a little during the healing process, do not worry, they will return as soon as the area heals completely.

11. How to choose a safe tattoo parlor.

One of the most important questions when you think about a tattoo is the choice of a good salon. And the key is hygiene in the tattoo parlor. You should not even consider options for places where there are no proper sanitary and hygienic conditions; this should include the use of special equipment and means for sterilizing it. In the tattoo parlors, the master must take out new needles from sterile packaging bags with you in order to prove their safety and sterility. The master must also use a new pair of latex gloves.during each procedure. If the studio offers piercing services, then they should be held in a separate area from the one where the tattoo is made. The tattoo artist must be skilled and experienced. The health risks associated with tattooing are greatly increased if you try to get a tattoo yourself or go to a non-professional master.

Another important factor is ink. The ink used in the tattoo should be taken from the container, and then put in a separate special plastic little cup that needs to be disposed of as soon as the tattoo is completed. The remaining ink should never be returned to the main container . When choosing a tattoo, try to ask as many questions as possible, about the master’s experience, ask to show previous works. Make sure the tattoo artist understands what you want. Ask, if possible, to see live tattoos of other clients of this master. In this way, you will collect all the necessary information about hygiene and customer care. Also, if it is possible, it would be very useful to talk with previous customers or ask them to read a review book if they have one. Check out several different tattoo studios before making a decision.

12. Can X-rays affect my tattoo?

If you need to do an x-ray, then do not worry, x-rays have no effect on tattoos. However, magnetic waves can affect. They can heat the ink in the tattoo, which can lead to skin burning.

The best way to avoid this is to cover the tattoo with a cold, damp cloth. Be sure to warn the doctor if the tattoo is in the area that you want to scan.

13. A tattoo master is not a doctor.

If you think an infection has occurred, go to the doctor. Ointments provided in tattoo parlors cannot treat infections, they can only help to prevent them. Although your tattoo artist can tell you how to take care of your tattoo and suggest the best way to care for it, to prevent infection, but if it does get an infection, only a doctor can help you. Do not hesitate to seek medical help if you find yourself having any skin infection or other complication after tattooing.

Source :Vk.com