Tattoo

[leelapops]

I am getting a tattoo on Wednesday (after much thought, etc.) Does anyone have any advice? And no, I don't mean of the, "don't scar your body forever, what are you thinking?" variety! Thanks all.

[Doc Spock]

I like the "cut here" across the throat.

Mum and Dad, love hate. I am a moron.
List is endless.

[loulou06]

use burn cream to help it heal. the tattoist suggested it helped skin heal faster. so for the first week, i put burn cream on and then cover it with clingfilm and tape it down with plaster tape. and clean it and put more cream on every night. the whole cling film thing does depend on where it is though, obviously its going to look a bit daft if its somewhere really visible.

[tiny e.a]

My advice would be not to drink copious amounts of alcohol the night before, turn up hungover, and then faint once they've finished the tattoo (a la my first tattoo!)

[sleepy1]

i would have one on my bum .im not brave enough is it worse than having A baby ?

[leelapops]

tiny, that's fabulous! If a little ill-advised! Bless you. Did you get any more after that? What was your first, if you don't mind me asking?
loulou that's great advice, thank you. I appreciate it. I know it will take some good care to make sure it heals well and looks its best.
sleepy, if I got one on my bum I don't think I'd even feel it! :S Apparently it's more discomfort and irritation than pain, something like a biro or similarly scratchy item going over the same spot repeatedly. I'll tell you on Wednesday, hopefully not from an ambulance!

[sleepy1]

good luck what do you think you might have pic a mean

[leelapops]

Thanks, sleepy. I designed my own-a swirling vine with leaves that gradually morph into a butterfly at the top, spreading her wings and flying away. I am no artist, but it was more the meaning of the tattoo that I wanted to convey; the tattooist titivated the design so it was more "do-able".

[Octavius]

Like clothes and hairstyles, tattoos really only suit certain people. If you want a tattoo fine, but don�t expect to look as cool and trendy as Jolie or Pink. If you must go ahead then choose somewhere on your body that can be covered up relatively easy, if not now, perhaps in 10 years time when the skin has lost its elasticity and natural sheen and the tat has faded slightly. Also, if you want to draw attention to the tat, make sure it is placed somewhere that is actually appealing to be looked at and that you feel comfortable with people ogling at. And what you might consider vogue now, will be pass� in 2, 5, 10 and 20 years time, although it might make a retro-revival in 30 years.

It is like a little needle scratching, but after a few repetitons can become quite uncomfortable - some people pass out - and as said above, the patch can burn and itch like hell afterwards.

[Black Noir]

I had one done just above my butt crack/bottom of spine, its not a painful as having babies so go for it.

The scary tattoo lady who did mine told me to put hemarroid cream on it which worked a treat. Wear something baggy though so it doesnt rub and irritate you on the way home, that is if you can still drive and blub at the same time ; )

[rabbitygirl]

Re the pain; my friend went to have a bluebird just above the ankle. The tatooist asked if she was sure as it was one of the most painful places as theres no flesh there. 'Go ahead' she said 'I've had 3 kids and I can handle it'. She did, it looks nice, but not nice enough to follow her even if I do have a high pain threshold.

[leelapops]

Thanks Octavius.
Believe me, the reasons I have for wanting to get tattooed aren't of the peer pressure or "fashion" variety. I am pretty level-headed, and very much aware that a skin art is a life long commitment.
The tat is being placed above my ankle, so I can choose to show it or otherwise; it isn't huge, or unsightly (to me anyway, and frankly that's most important), and needn't be an issue in terms of a job for example. One of the reasons why I designed my own was because I then have total ownership of it, and it hasn't "sampled" anyone else's tattoo, or taken into account current trends.
Thanks so far to you all.

[newlywed]

The most important thing you should do is check that they use clean/sterile needles.

[leelapops]

BN, thank you :) I have heard a few people recommend a Prep H-type ointment to aid the healing process. Going to go prep-shopping tomorrow! Good advice re. clothing too-I am a baggy kinda girl, so should find something suitable! Unfortunately I have to rely on public transport, although at least I have ample time to concentrate on the pain ;)

rabbity, thanks. They are painful, there's no point denying it, but I believe it's worth it. Another reason why I have chosen to place it where I have is that it's a little fleshier (OK, a LOT fleshier in my case!) than the ankle area itself.
Eeek!

[tiny e.a]

It was a row of daisy heads, only black outlines and shading, on my foot. I haven't had any more but I intend to, I've just not found another design that I like in 5 years!

Good luck with yours tomorrow, it'll be fine, I think my passing out was more to do with hung over dehydration than the actual affects of the tattoo, and they heal really quickly, don't really hurt at all once it's actually been done! (yours sounds lovely and very personal to you which I think is nice)

[leelapops]

Thanks newlywed. The studio is IMMACULATE, the guy is very hygienic, I have seen the eqt. etc. That said, if there's any point at which I don't feel safe or comfortable, there's no way I am going through with it!

[leelapops]

Tiny, what a lovely thing to say, you've really reassured me :)
I will let you know how it goes. I think the anticipation is probably worse than the process itself, as with most things! I'll be certain to eat and drink well on the morning. Your tat sounds beautiful. I hope you find something else that you love to add to your body too :)

[hau kola]

Hi leelapops,ive got two tattoos,both where they can be concealed,ankle & shoulder.I had the ankle one about 20 years ago and it did hurt,but the more recent one on my shoulder hurt like the devil.I very nearly passed out.I would advise you to take someone with you just in case you come over light headed.Good luck with it.

[RATTER15]

Very little pain, just more uncomfortable, just like having a baby then I suppose!! :-)

[leelapops]

hau kola, they are both nice places for a tat, and as you say, easier to conceal if you need or want to. Thanks for the advice: my partner has said he would come if I wanted him to.

RATTER, having never had kids, i wouldn't know, but by all accounts it isn't particularly painless!

[Goodsoulette]

I have a few tattoos, an after the summer Ill go for half sleeve stylee stemming from my shoulder. I just had both of my feet tattooed. I would recommend not 2 at once on your first go cause the second one for some reason hurts a lot more.