Tattoos

[McKinnonj]

I'm about to get a tattoo in about an hour, and I wanted to get some tips/information. It's my first tattoo, so if you could suggest some things that might help I would really appreciate it. I would like to know the following: The pain, the aftercare (the shop will probably inform me), and any other tips. It's a shoulder piece that goes down to mid bicep. I've heard different areas hurt differently, so if you have a tattoo on a shoulder/arm at all that would definitely help get me some understanding :love: .

 

[Hilly234]

I have a sleeve which is all over my shoulder and down to my elbow (just a bit further). I'll be honest with you I had 3 sittings for mine and I thought it hurt for 2/3 of them. The looser the skin the more it hurts in my opinion. However you'll be fine the tattooists are normally pretty helpful and will ease you into it, what're you having done? Post some pictures after would be nice too see, I can get some of mine to show you also, good luck fella!

 

[McKinnonj]

I have a sleeve which is all over my shoulder and down to my elbow (just a bit further). I'll be honest with you I had 3 sittings for mine and I thought it hurt for 2/3 of them. The looser the skin the more it hurts in my opinion. However you'll be fine the tattooists are normally pretty helpful and will ease you into it, what're you having done? Post some pictures after would be nice too see, I can get some of mine to show you also, good luck fella!

My dad recently died of cancer, and I'm getting a piece dedicated to him/me. It's just one piece right now, and I'm going to add onto it later. I'll definitely post pictures when I'm done with it !

 

[Hilly234]

Ah, sorry to hear. Should be a great peice then I hope all goes well for you I'll pop back soon to have a look for sure, just a tip for ya I'd get some savlon cream or something similar like that to put on it (tattooist will probably advise you) depending on what he sells etc, it's really helpful in my opinion.

 

[Annex]

The pain depends on the place and the gender. If you are a man, on your outer bicep it only feels like something warm is scratching you, but if you are like me and get one done on the back of your hand it literally feels like you ran your hand threw a sewing machine.

After its REALLY important to let it sit under the bandage for about 1 to 1 and a half days so that scabbing can start as its literally equivalent to a large cut. After that you want to apply moisturizer 3 times a day, and a light coat to prevent heavy scabbing but enough to keep light scabbing moist.

If you are going to sleep use an anti-itch moisturizer so you don't scratch in your sleep cause if you pull out a scab it usually pulls most of the ink out of that place and makes the color look lighter. I unfortunately had part of the scab pulled out while working and have a few spots on mine on my inner arm.

Before you apply any moisturizer make sure you wash your hands and if your tattoo sticks to anything soak it in warm water until it gently peels off (clothing, sheets, towels ECT) When you first start showering again with it (after 1 to 1 and a half days) its better to use industrial paper tower to dry it because of the strength of it to stick together instead of sticking to the tattoo and breaking apart.

This is important to prevent infection as infection will discolor your tattoo and is serious enough by itself. If the tattoo gets red and swells with throbbing or spreading pain then its usually infected. You can also have a sensation of heat where the tattoo is and a yellow/greenish (pus color) film over the tattoo if its infected. If this is the cause apply hydrogen peroxide to a cotton ball or paper towel and dab it onto the tattoo and let it sit for 2 minutes, do this twice a day and if the infection persists past a week or so go see a doctor.

 

[ChristmasCracker]

Ah, I got a tattoo done once my grandpa passed. On my upper shoulder as well.
It doesn't hurt that much, like Hilly said, it hurts less on tighter skin, as well as thinner skin. Your shoulder being a nice chunk of thick muscle skin. My fiancee got a tattoo on her ribcage where it's thin skin and not much muscle, and it hurt like a bitch.

As for after care, for me and my fiancee we had some cream that the tattoo artist gave to us, it was some vitamin cream. I'm unsure of name tho

I have two tattoos, my first one was done in Orange County and the guy said to put some gauz wrap on it to keep it covered with the cream on it. And my other was done in Humboldt County, and he said to leave it uncovered with cream/lotion on it. And both tattoos came out looking the same, so it's really up to what the tattoo artist says.

And I'm sorry to hear about your father, always a hard thing to lose someone you love.

 

[McKinnonj]

Ah, sorry to hear. Should be a great peice then I hope all goes well for you I'll pop back soon to have a look for sure, just a tip for ya I'd get some savlon cream or something similar like that to put on it (tattooist will probably advise you) depending on what he sells etc, it's really helpful in my opinion.

Thank you for the advice, man. My artist advised Aveeno non-scented lotion to apply only when it's dry and needs it. Just to not overdo it. Thank you for boosting my confidence towards it today. It really didn't hurt like I thought it would. It was around a 2 hour session, so it wasn't that bad at all.

The pain depends on the place and the gender. If you are a man, on your outer bicep it only feels like something warm is scratching you, but if you are like me and get one done on the back of your hand it literally feels like you ran your hand threw a sewing machine.

After its REALLY important to let it sit under the bandage for about 1 to 1 and a half days so that scabbing can start as its literally equivalent to a large cut. After that you want to apply moisturizer 3 times a day, and a light coat to prevent heavy scabbing but enough to keep light scabbing moist.

If you are going to sleep use an anti-itch moisturizer so you don't scratch in your sleep cause if you pull out a scab it usually pulls most of the ink out of that place and makes the color look lighter. I unfortunately had part of the scab pulled out while working and have a few spots on mine on my inner arm.

Before you apply any moisturizer make sure you wash your hands and if your tattoo sticks to anything soak it in warm water until it gently peels off (clothing, sheets, towels ECT) When you first start showering again with it (after 1 to 1 and a half days) its better to use industrial paper tower to dry it because of the strength of it to stick together instead of sticking to the tattoo and breaking apart.

This is important to prevent infection as infection will discolor your tattoo and is serious enough by itself. If the tattoo gets red and swells with throbbing or spreading pain then its usually infected. You can also have a sensation of heat where the tattoo is and a yellow/greenish (pus color) film over the tattoo if its infected. If this is the cause apply hydrogen peroxide to a cotton ball or paper towel and dab it onto the tattoo and let it sit for 2 minutes, do this twice a day and if the infection persists past a week or so go see a doctor.

Definitely a huge thanks! You said pretty much everything that my artist did. I didn't get it done as early as I would have liked to (just got done and it's 1:00 A.M. :laugh: ) so he said to leave the bandage on overnight and first thing tomorrow is to remove it and use a mild antibacterial soap until it's tight and then to add a dab of lotion to moisturize it.

Ah, I got a tattoo done once my grandpa passed. On my upper shoulder as well.
It doesn't hurt that much, like Hilly said, it hurts less on tighter skin, as well as thinner skin. Your shoulder being a nice chunk of thick muscle skin. My fiancee got a tattoo on her ribcage where it's thin skin and not much muscle, and it hurt like a bitch.

Thank you for helping me get an understanding of what it would be like. It really helped me in knowing what to expect. I really enjoyed the process, and talking with my artist got me to know someone new. It was definitely a great experience, and my life has changed for the better.

It looks pixelated because of my resizing it. Otherwise, it would look smooth and normal. It stands for what my father went through before he passed. He lived a year and a half after being diagnosed and being told he was going to die 3 times. He was supposed to die 3 times, but it was his choice and will to keep living. It means that no matter what effects a disease can do to you, you should never let it break you. He died because he was worn out from fighting back so much :noworry: . I love him, and no matter how beaten he was, he was never broken.

Sorry for the large post!

 

[Techno_Monkey]

Nice quote mate. I think a lot of people rush into things like this but that has a lot of meaning behind it.

 

[McKinnonj]

Nice quote mate. I think a lot of people rush into things like this but that has a lot of meaning behind it.

Thanks, man. I've been looking for one for it for a while. I've had the whole idea in mind for 2 years, and the quote in mind for at least 6 months. I'm glad that I could find something that would fit in such a small area that still has meaning.

 

[Bob]

Thank you for the advice, man. My artist advised Aveeno non-scented lotion to apply only when it's dry and needs it. Just to not overdo it. Thank you for boosting my confidence towards it today. It really didn't hurt like I thought it would. It was around a 2 hour session, so it wasn't that bad at all.



Definitely a huge thanks! You said pretty much everything that my artist did. I didn't get it done as early as I would have liked to (just got done and it's 1:00 A.M. :laugh: ) so he said to leave the bandage on overnight and first thing tomorrow is to remove it and use a mild antibacterial soap until it's tight and then to add a dab of lotion to moisturize it.


Thank you for helping me get an understanding of what it would be like. It really helped me in knowing what to expect. I really enjoyed the process, and talking with my artist got me to know someone new. It was definitely a great experience, and my life has changed for the better.

It looks pixelated because of my resizing it. Otherwise, it would look smooth and normal. It stands for what my father went through before he passed. He lived a year and a half after being diagnosed and being told he was going to die 3 times. He was supposed to die 3 times, but it was his choice and will to keep living. It means that no matter what effects a disease can do to you, you should never let it break you. He died because he was worn out from fighting back so much :noworry: . I love him, and no matter how beaten he was, he was never broken.

Sorry for the large post!

Nice tattoo if u wanna see some of my message me up bro