Deciding to get your first tattoo is incredibly exciting, but you probably have a bunch of questions popping into your brain. You may be wondering how to prep for your appointment, what to do if you feel like you’re going to faint or when you can workout again after getting inked. We’re covering all that and more in this post. Here are 9 key things to know before getting your first tattoo.
9 Things to Know Before Getting Your First Tattoo
1. Most/Least Painful Places to Get a Tattoo
If you have a low pain tolerance, the placement and size of your tattoo is important. Tiny tattoos or fine line tattoos on areas with thicker skin tend to hurt the least. You want to look for the parts of your body that don’t have a lot of nerve endings or bones. The forearm, outside of your upper arm, and outer thighs are good options. The most painful areas of the body for tattoos are usually areas with thinner skin and closer proximity to bones such as the ribs, spine, ankles and fingers, as well as areas with a high concentration of nerves like the neck, armpits and inner thighs.
2. Appointment Prep
It’s super important that you prep your body properly for a tattoo. Make sure you get a good night’s sleep and avoid caffeine and alcohol for 24-48 hours before your appointment. Implement a good skincare routine in the lead up to your appointment to avoid dry, flakey skin, but don’t use moisturizer on the day of your tattoo. Drink lots of water and stay out of the sun in the week leading up to your appointment and ensure you eat a well-balanced meal before getting inked. Make sure to eat protein and complex carbs to maintain your energy levels and help avoid lightheadedness during your appointment.
3. What to Wear/Avoid
When planning your outfit for your tattoo appointment, the most important factors to keep in mind are comfort and ease of access to the tattoo site. Loose clothing and breathable fabrics like cotton and linen are key to minimize friction and irritation and opt for darker colours to avoid staining. Avoid tight, restrictive clothing that can rub against the tattoo area and avoid wearing new clothing that may have stiff fabric or residual chemicals from manufacturing. This can lead to irritation and aggravate your skin.
4. What to do If You Feel Faint
If you start to feel faint during your tattoo session, let the tattoo artist know immediately. It’s common to feel faint when getting inked, especially in the first few minutes, so there’s no need to feel embarrassed. Tell them you feel lightheaded or dizzy and ask for a short break. You may want to drink some water or have a salty snack to help stabilize your blood pressure. Stress reduction techniques such as deep breathing and muscle contraction and relaxation can also be helpful. Following the proper appointment prep that we outlined above will help prevent fainting.
5. How to Stay Comfortable
As we’ve mentioned, adequate hydration and nutrition beforehand are super important for getting through your appointment. If it’s going to be a longer tattoo session, ask to take breaks to not only get a break from the pain but also to give your body a break. It can be really taxing to stay in one position for hours on end. Distractions are also helpful to keep you comfortable. Try listening to music or a podcast or watching a show on your phone if possible. You can also consider using numbing cream if you’re getting tattooed in a sensitive area or have a super low pain tolerance.
6. When You Can Workout Again
Getting back to a regular exercise routine all depends on the size, location and complexity of your tattoo, as well as individual healing. For tiny, minimal tattoos, it’s generally recommended to avoid strenuous activities for at least 48 hours. Once the scabbing has fully fallen off and the surface of the tattoo is the same as the rest of your skin, it’s safe to start exercising again. However, if you get a bigger, more complex tattoo, full healing can take 2-6 weeks. It’s generally safe to get back to exercise after 2 weeks, but again, you’ll want to wait until the scabbing has peeled off- do not pick it! Always follow individual instructions from your tattoo artist.
7. Aftercare
Aftercare for your tattoo is really important for pain management and healing. Your tattoo artist will tell you how long to wait to remove the dressing over your tattoo. Your skin will probably be red and sore and you may notice fluid oozing from the tattoo. Use warm water and fragrance-free soap to cleanse the area, rinse well and lightly pat to dry the skin. Your artist will recommend an ointment or lotion to use to help with healing. Continue to clean your tattoo once to twice a day and always wash it after you’ve sweat. Never pick or scratch your scabs and avoid direct sunlight for 3-4 weeks. Wear loose, breathable clothing over your tattoo to allow it to breathe and be sure to drink plenty of water to keep your skin hydrated and maintain your overall health.
8. Signs of Infection
Know the signs of a tattoo infection. These include persistent pain that doesn’t go away and worsens instead of improves, increased redness or swelling that spreads beyond the initial area, a rash, redness or bumps in the tattoo area. Pus or open sores, a fever and chills or the tattoo feeling warm to the touch are other serious indicators of infection. These signs may appear across the entire tattoo or only within specific colours. If you suspect an infection, consult a healthcare professional as soon as possible and follow their medical direction.
9. Tattoo Flu
The tattoo flu is a temporary (often mild) reaction to getting a tattoo that may result in symptoms such as fatigue, chills, body aches, feeling slightly feverish and even throwing up. It’s essentially your body’s immune system reacting to the needle in a protective way. Make sure you choose a reputable artist that works in a clean studio and uses sanitary tools. After your appointment, you’ll want to get lots of rest and drink lots of fluids, particularly water. Steer clear of alcohol and nicotine or anything else that weakens your immune system. If your symptoms last more than a couple of days or get worse, it’s time to go see your doctor.
If you’re getting your first tattoo, make sure to take these tips into consideration!
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