For a first tattoo, find an artist who's inspiring, and consider getting a tattoo that is personal in some way. For some people, it could have sentimentality; for others, it could simply be an image they find beautiful. Meaningful quote tattoos and memorial tattoos are both popular choices.
If you've got a big or significant event coming up, it may be best to start with a small design for your first tattoo. Smaller tattoos are typically done much quicker (of course) and come with fewer complications. As a result the discomfort and aftercare is less disruptive.
According to a YouGov survey, half of people with tattoos in America and Britain got their first by the age of 21. A closer look at the US data shows that 39% got their first tattoo between 15 and 19, and one in four went under the needle after they turned 30.
It's important for tattoo newbies to choose a design that has a personal connection to them. It's not just about how a tattoo looks, but also if it connects with who you are, your personality, and if you can feel it in your heart.
Getting your first tattoo is a big deal. Whether you've thought about it long and hard, are getting one on a whim, or have debated the idea of getting inked for years; getting a tattoo is a permanent decision, one that's hard to go back on.
Certain tattoo styles that use black and/or grey ink, such as Tribal tattoos, Greyscale tattoos, and American Traditional tattoos (as well as bold lettering or Zodiac tattoos) are known to age well. These different tattoo styles feature bold, detailed linework that is deeply injected into the skin.
You might feel stinging or burning when the artist outlines or details your design. If you're getting a bony spot inked, you might feel a vibrating sensation. The most common feeling, however, is a low-grade pain that's moderate enough for you to be distracted from by talking, watching TV, or listening to music.
Some classic spots are behind the ear, sternum, and joint areas such as the wrist, ankle, and hip." Her personal favorite spots for smaller tattoos that flow well are "anywhere on the arms, the side of the neck, the top of the foot, the upper butt bordering the hip, above the knee, and upper hamstrings."
Here are the most and least painful spots to get inked. Tattoo pain will vary depending on your age, sex, and pain threshold. The most painful spots to get a tattoo are your ribs, spine, fingers, and shins. The least painful spots to get a tattoo are your forearms, stomach, and outer thighs.
For example, a full back tattoo with details and multiple colors will take around twenty hours of your time. Sleeve tattoos may take from five to eight all-day sessions. 📌 Recommendation: For the first tattoo, it is better to look for short sessions (three-four hours), so it will not be a stress for your body.
Scratching pain.
Getting a tattoo is often compared to a cat repeatedly scratching you. Though it's not the most intense pain ever, it might make you wanna hiss – especially if your artist uses multiple needles, like when shading. This also tends to happen away from bony or ultra-sensitive areas.
Keep it brief: Limit your showers to 5-10 minutes to avoid prolonged exposure to water, which can soften scabs and damage the healing tattoo. Lukewarm water: Use lukewarm water instead of hot water, as hot water can increase blood flow to the tattooed area and cause bleeding.
* If you really want to get a permanent tattoo, stick with the basics. Black remains safest.
The question about meaning pops up with tattoos as they become a permanent part of you with stories to tell, giving glimpses of who you are—especially your first one. But tattoos are art, (and it depends on who you ask,) and art doesn't necessarily have to have meaning. They can just look cool.
Generally, black ink takes the cake for lasting the longest. Black ink tends to outlast any other color because it is super pigmented. Other darker colors like dark blue, dark green, gray, and dark purple will have a similar lifespan to black ink.
If your tattoo has a negative space i.e., less skin visibility in between two lines in the design, it will tend to blur with time. Tattoos that are drawn in clusters close to each other, may also blur over time, due to the skin's natural process of cell regeneration.