CHOOSING A TATTOO - The first thing you're going to want to do is figure out what kind of tattoo you want. Do you want something big? Something small? Something black or something colorful? Do you want something delicate or something tribal? One of the best things you can do for your tattoo artist is have a pretty good idea of what you want going in, especially if you're trying to get a walk-in tattoo. Otherwise, schedule a consult so that you can sit down and have a solid discussion with the artist about what you want your tattoo to look like. Bring reference photos but consider allowing the artist to create their own version of your tattoo if they want. They are an artist after all!
FINDING A TATTOO ARTIST/SHOP - I got my tattoo at Man O War Tattoo in Fairhope, Alabama by a super rad dude named Frank. Most tattoo parlors have a website that you can look at that lists all their basic info. Estimated pricing (you won't know the actual cost of your tattoo unless you speak to the artist and have a consult), whether or not they prefer appointments, if they require deposits and how much they will cost, etc. Tattoo shops with websites will typically list the artists they have employed and usually have photos of each artist's previous work, sort of like a portfolio, available to view as well. I also looked up reviews online of each shop I was interested in and I asked people I know who already have tattoos what shops they preferred (that's how I found Man O War, thanks Zachy Poo).
PAIN - A lot of people want to know if getting a tattoo hurt. The answer is yes. Tattoo ink is inserted into your skin via a tattoo machine which typically has a cluster of needles attached to the end of it. That said, I found that for most of my tattoo it was more just discomfort than actual pain. However, there is a section of my tattoo that sits right above my elbow, close to the bone, and that hurt. A lot. Typically, tattoos above bone are more painful than other places. The rest of the tattoo sort of felt like someone scratching your skin for a long period of time and certainly wasn't unbearable.
AFTERCARE - Always, always, always follow the aftercare instructions provided to you by the tattoo shop. It is so important to take care of your tattoo. It's essentially an open wound and takes time to heal. The aftercare is no harder than applying ointment (and then after a certain amount of time, lotion) to your tattoo every 4 to 6 hours and not picking at it. If you ignore these instructions you are risking damage to your new, expensive, painful tattoo and you are also opening yourself up to infection. Just follow the instructions. Please.
FINAL THOUGHTS - I love my tattoo. I don't regret it now and I don't see myself regretting it in the future. If you want a tattoo and you're committed to having a tattoo, the pain and the cash are worth it. I'm happy with how it turned out and I'm happy with the service I received from Frank and Man O War.
xx Anna
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