One is never enough (Body Tattoos in general)

Member Name: CAFCGirl

Product:	Body Tattoos in general
Date:	27/11/08 (123 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: You feel a bit unique

Disadvantages: You need to be careful with your design

I love my tattooes, each and every one of them!
I currently have four and will be adding to that shortly.

My first tattoo was shortly after my 18th birthday and my Dad (uber-coolly) took me to get it done.
We had previously been in with my design and discussed the size and the aftercare, and I was really impressed with the responsible way that my tattooist took the time to explain all the aspects to it. One thing I never even considered was the pain element.
We paid a deposit in that primary visit after we both decided we were happy with the studio and the artist. Most places take a deposit to ensure that you will come back, their time literally is money, and so if you say you'll be there and then aren't, that's money that lost for them.

When I went back, I was giving a brief run down again of what I had been told previously, checked the stencil that had been printed, and then it was placed.
I had my first done at inbetween my shoulders, right on the boney bit of the spine!
What I am glad about is that I picked one of the most painful places to get my first one done, it has meant that every one thereafter as seemed like a walk in the park!

My Dad checked out the placement for me, and then I saw the stencil on my skin in the mirror, sat down and got started.
The noise that comes from the machine takes your mind off the sensation every so slightly because your senses are really heightened with adrenaline.
The noise is a constant hum, relatively loud, which numbs down a bit when the needle enters the skin.

Now for the feeling. I think of the pain in a freakishly warm way, but thats only after having it done. At the time it hurt, it was unlike anything else I had ever experienced (and I had piercings to boot), it felt as if someone was scratching in a sharp pin and drawing it along my skin, it's quite a sharp sensation, and the movement seems to go so slowly,
I didnt have any colour put in but did have a small amount of shading, which feels like the needle isn't going in as far, but in a way that hurts even more, as its much more on the surface. If you've had one, you'll probably know what I mean...

It was over pretty quick, and I realised how hot and sweaty my hands had become.
I had some cream smoothed over it, and some film was taped over it to keep any debris and moisture away from it.
My tattoist also went back over the aftercare, and recommended products to use, such as Savlon or Homeoplasmine, and was told any questions to call, and also given a sheet to take away.

The cover was kept on for about two hours, after which it was cleaned with warm water and then another layer of cream.
The trick to aid the healing is to clean it regularly, but not so much as to dry out the skin, and to be generous with cream but not to overwhelm the skin.

And whatever you do, do not pick at it, scratch it, rub it etc. Flecks began to fall off after about two days, as the surface skin essentially dies, its nothing to worry about but thats when you are likely to itch more. Dont pick the bits, even if they look like they are about to fall off, they are still attached and if you pick at it you run the risk of damaging the tattoo.

Personally if I've put myself through that pain, and the cost, I'm not going to do anything to comprimise it.

All of my following tattooes have hurt a lot less, and I'm glad that I have always paid close attention not only to the places where I go to get my tattooes but also the individuals doing it. If they look mean and moody and like they dont care about my design etc, then why should I care about paying their wages.
Some artists do not enjoy doing smaller pieces, as they dont pay as much as large scale designs, but I've been very lucky that the artists that have done mine, have always been happy to produce my designs.

I have always watched them set up as well. This has always been done in front of me, when settling into position, however I would urge people to ask to see the needles set up etc, and if someone says No, then walk away. Any artists worth his weight and his license will have no problem like this, and probably appreciate your response attitude to your tattoo by asking.

Of the four I have, I dont regret a single one and hope to add to this within the next two months.
They all mean and represent something to myself, and I have never opted for any design for fashion. As anything tattooes go through eras, and recently there has been a flux of tattooes in more open spaces, whereas for a long time they were restricted to arms, and shoulders.
I have:
Welsh Dragon - Between shoulder blades
Tribal Dragon - Lower calf
Tribal dragon - Right hip bone
Star consellation - Inner forearm on right side.

As I mentionned all of my tattooes have been my own designs, and I have never bought off book designs. This isnt to say you shouldnt but personally, none of them have ever really blown me away.
I only have one tattoo in colour which are my stars. The colours will fade out over time, and the lines in any tattoo will also spread over time, which is something you should always consider in your designs. A good tattooist will be able to advise you if the lines will spread etc.

So how do I feel about tattooes? I am proud of my tattooes and wouldnt change them for the world. They are addictive to an extent and the first is never the last.
They are a very good way of expressing yourself, and especially helpful if you are limited in your day to day business, as I am working in retail with a uniform.

Be sure your design is something you will want to look at in years to come and wont be embarassed to tell your grand kids what they were all about. I shy away from names and chinese symbols, solely because you can trust everything you find on the internet, and some people arent in your life forever, even if you think your love will outlive every other.....kids names, thats slightly different but name tattooes and their stylings dont really float my boat but I'm not going to judge anyone for it, as much as I hope people dont judge me for having tattooes.

They've come a long way and are much more accepted in society, thanks to their publicity, my employer makes no qualms about the one I had done in their employment and I've had lots of people comment on them from young to old, so its great to feel like art in this sense is a widely appreciated form, if you can bear the short lived pain.

Summary: Ignore the pain, it'll be worth it