First tattoo? Here's what you need to know before your first tattoo experience

You’ve probably spent hours scrolling through Instagram and Pinterest, carefully curating the perfect mood board filled with inkspiration. Maybe you’re still building the courage to actually book the appointment. While you’re still building the courage, here’s everything you need to know before getting your first tattoo. From choosing the right tattoo artist to understanding the process, we’ve curated a guide to help you prepare for your first tattoo experience. 

Whether or not you have a high pain tolerance, being properly prepared for your tattoo session is the most important step in ensuring your first tattoo experience goes smoothly. Here's how you can prepare your body to ensure you have a comfortable session. 

Stay Hydrated

Hydration is important all of the time, of course. But before a tattoo, make sure to load up on water. It’s likely that during the tattoo you won’t drink a whole lot, but being dehydrated could lead to feeling faint and unwell during your session. Staying hydrated is also important for preventing dry, flakey skin, which won’t make your tattoo any easier.

Eat a Balanced Meal

While getting tattooed feels like you aren’t doing much, your body is actually expending a lot of energy during the process. Getting a tattoo is causing trauma to your body, so it’s super important to have enough energy to get through without having your blood sugar drop too low, which could cause it to feel more painful. Plus, the last thing you want while getting a permanent piece of artwork on your body is to be shaking the whole way through.

Wear Comfortable clothes

This one is important; think about where you are getting tattooed. Getting a piece on your leg? Don’t wear tight-fitting pants. Soft, loose, practical clothing is usually best; it’s easy to move and won’t be rough on your skin afterwards. Putting a bit of thought into your outfit can save you a whole lot of hassle on the day.

What you can expect during the process

The tattooing process starts with the tattoo artist applying the stencil of your design to your skin ensuring you're happy with the placement. Next, using a sterilised tattooing machine, the tattoo artist will start outlining and adding shading or colour to the design. It's normal for the artist to wipe away any excess ink or blood during the process. If you tend to be a bit squeamish, consider bringing headphones, a refreshing drink, and a snack to help make yourself comfortable during the process. 

How to care for your tattoo

Once your tattoo is complete, the tattoo artist will cover it up with plastic wrap or a clear, medical-grade wound dressing. Before you leave at the end of your session, artist will give you thorough aftercare instructions. It's recommended you wash your tattoo with mild, antibacterial soap and lukewarm water. Let it air dry or pat it dry with a clean paper towel. From there, apply a thin layer of fragrance-free moisturising cream on your healing tattoo daily. 

Helpful tips to consider

• If you have deeper skin tone, it's important to find a tattoo artist who has experience working with melanin-rich skin, because the way tattoos heal and appear on deeper skin tones differ from lighter skin. Experienced artists who specialise in tattooing melanin skin understand how to adjust techniques, ink selection, and shading to ensure the design heals well and maintains its clarity over time. 
• If you're not too sold on the design you want, opt for a simple design that's small in size.
• The less fat, the less cushion. The most painful places to get tattoos are over bones - ribs, spine, knees, fingers, etc.
• Research is crucial in ensuring you're making the right choices. Start by exploring different styles, designs, and tattoo artists who specialise in the type of artwork you want. This includes researching the tattoo shop's reputation, hygiene practices, and reviews. It's also helpful to do thorough research about potential risks. The more informed you are, the better your experience will be.