Think back to the time you first went into a swimming pool. You must have swam in hundreds of swimming pools after that, but the first one was quite special. And most likely quite terrifying till the time you actually jumped in. For most things in life the first time is always a little scary. The same goes for getting a tattoo done on your body. Because a tattoo is permanent in nature, any mistake you do is irreversible, which makes the first tattoo more than a bit scary.
'What if something goes wrong?' you can't help asking yourself over and over again. That is why it is advised that before going in for a tattoo, all aspects related to it are considered very carefully before taking the plunge. We have put together a small list of the most important things you need to consider before going in for your first tattoo.
For many things, when we are not sure and plan to take the plunge for the first time, we go with a safe choice of 'let me start small, so that even if there is some error, I won't be in trouble'. But the problem with a tattoo is that it is permanent, so even if it is small but not correct, it will continue to stay in its place for ever. That is why reducing size won't protect you from the ill effects of a tattoo gone wrong.
What many first timers do is think of a theme and go for the first tattoo which would look good standalone as well. After that they gradually keep on more tattoos while keeping to the same theme. If you are thinking of such a plan, do not place your first statue at the back of your neck, for instance. Go for a place where you will have lots of place to expand, like your shoulder or your upper arm.
For any person who is getting a tattoo done for the first time, it is a matter of great excitement and pride. He or she might not know it then, but once the tattoo has been marked, he or she would love to look at it every few hours and admire it. That is why it is good for you to choose a location for your first tattoo in such a way that you can see it easily. So that rules out the back of your calves, the back of the neck, the shoulders or back etc. More useful locations are the upper arm, wrist, and the front of your feet or shins.
Two things need to be aligned to your choice of the location of your first tattoo. First, the place where you work should not have any policies barring body art. This needs to be thought through for your present employer, but you must also be prepared for the fact that if future employer doesn’t allow tattoos, then you won't be apply for a job with that employer. Second, the location you choose should not be one which the artists will not touch because it is very complicated. For example, places where the skin or the bones are folded or crinkled will be difficult for the artist to work on.
Any person who gets a tattoo knows how much of attention it draws from everyone if it is visible. And when it is your first tattoo then the attention to your tattoo and you will be even greater. That is why you must place your tattoo at a place you are proud to flaunt, and not at a place which you are embarrassed of. For example if you have thin forearms which you aren’t proud of, then avoid those as your tattoo locations. A well-formed chest, on the other hand, might be a good idea for your first tattoo.
These were just suggestions we gave you. But the best judge of which location plays to your strengths and which locations shows you in an unflattering light would be your tattoo artist. If you have taken care to select an experienced artist, then he or she would have worked with a large number of clients and designs earlier, and so would be placed to judge exactly what would work best on you.
Since this will be your first tattoo, you must first be very clear about one thing – a tattoo is not a pain which you apply to your skin. It is a process by which your body is pierced hundreds and thousands of times and the required permanent colors are applied on to those micro pores. So it will surely be a little painful when you do it the first time. So it is a good idea to have some idea about the pain before you decide.
Fleshier and fatty body types usually feel slightly lesser pain. In case you are a little bony, the likelihood of feeling pain is more. The arms and legs are usually the safest for you to start with, whatever be your body type, because those parts of the body cause the smallest pain. Conversely, the areas which cause more pain are the elbow, chest and the sole of the foot. Since it is your first time, you could also speak to the tattoo artist and ask if he could use some anesthetic in the place where the tattoo is being created, which might make the process more bearable.
The first time you get a tattoo can be quite traumatic (and painful) if it is not done right. You also carry the fear of the design not looking good because you do not have any prior experience with the artist. But remember that you must have chosen your artist after getting recommendations from someone you can trust, so sit back and trust them. Second, you must remember that you might get hundreds of tattoos after this, but the first one would always be special. So relax and enjoy it!
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