14 Things You Should Know Before Getting Your First Tattoo

Getting a tattoo, whether for the first time or one more, is an exciting time. But before you sit down and watch the ink begin to flow, there are things to consider, some steps to take and things to do and not to do.

1) Do not drink alcohol before doing your tattoo

You should never drink alcohol before you do a tattoo. Despite the fact that the tattoo artist would be irresponsible if he tattooed a person obviously under the influence of alcohol, there is another reason for this. Alcohol liquefies the blood and during the procedure, the alcohol in your system will make you bleed again. This will have the effect of pushing the ink out of the body and the result will be a tattoo with faded effect . Also, being under the influence of alcohol can tarnish your senses and cause you to make a bad decision. You could end up with a tattoo that you might not have considered getting if you had been sober.

2) Eat a normal meal before you get tattooed

Having something in your stomach before getting a tattoo will help you feel more comfortable. It is hard to relax if you are hungry so eating before is a very good idea, if you do not have time eat a meal then take at least one snack, it will increase your blood sugar level .

3) Wear clothing that will allow the tattoo artist to access the area you have selected

It is essential to wear clothes that will allow your tattoo artist easy access to the area you have selected. Although tattoo artists do their best not to put ink on your clothes, it sometimes happens, so it is advisable to wear something that you are not afraid of messing with. Comfortable clothes are a good idea, especially if you have a large tattoo or a complex tattoo that will require you to spend a long time in the tattoo parlor.

4) Take a friend with you

Having a friend with you while you  a tattoo will help you relax and share the experience can be fun. However, do not go with a host of friends, as this can be very entertaining for tattoo artists and the tattoo parlor can be limited.

5) Have a good night's sleep before you get tattooed

It's good to have a good night's sleep before getting a tattoo. It will help you feel more relaxed and lack of sleep can make you more nervous and your muscles may tense.

6) Do not get tan before getting a tattoo

Avoid the sun before you do a tattoo. The sun can cause skin rashes on the skin and sunburn is painful. Having been in the sun will make you sweat more. Being fresh will decrease the bleeding, you will experience when tattooing.

7) Do not take medication before getting a tattoo

Even analgesics will result in increased bleeding. Some people take aspirin every day to thin the blood, but it is not advisable if you have a tattoo, as with alcohol, it will fluidify the blood and increase the bleeding that takes the tattoo ink With it . Any medication that affects your skin will also affect your tattoo. Accutane is a form of vitamin C used to treat nodular acne. Dermatologists tend to recommend waiting at least six months after the end of taking this drug before having a procedure that will break the skin as it can cause scarring. If you are taking this kind of medication, it is best to wait to complete the treatment before you do a tattoo.

Illegal drugs such as cocaine and methamphetamine will cause bleeding problems as well as for clients who still consume them while they are doing their tattoo. Marijuana will not cause bleeding, will have little or no effect once the needle touches the skin and some people have reported that smoking marijuana before getting a tattoo increases the douleu.

8) Limit your intake of coffee before getting a tattoo

Coffee will actually make you nervous and will diminish your ability to handle pain so avoiding coffee, or at least reducing your intake before getting a tattoo is a good idea.

9) Choose the area to tattoo carefully, especially if you make your first tattoo

Different people experience different levels of pain on different parts of their bodies when they do a tattoo. It is a good idea to discuss the area you want to tattoo with your tattoo artist before doing your tattoo to avoid common areas that are less comfortable to tattoo if this is your first time. 
There are other considerations that you need to think about when you do your tattoo. The health risks associated with tattooing and post-tattoo care.

10) Health risks associated with tattooing

You should always do a tattoo in an area where hygiene conditions are optimal. The needles used by the tattoo artist must always be new, otherwise you are faced with the risk of serious infections and diseases such as hepatitis C, tetanus, leprosy and skin infections. 

Although it is rare, some people have allergic reactions to the dyes used, especially in certain types of reds and greens that contain metallic elements. Reactions may include itching, discharge and in extremely rare cases anaphylactic shock.

11) Taking care of your tattoo

After tattooing it is advisable to keep the area covered with a bandage for about three hours. After that, it is recommended to let the air go to the tattooed area and cover several times a day with a soothing and protective ointment or Bepanthenol, although petroleum jelly or a cream type moisturizer is often used. The tattoo should be washed every day away from sunlight . Do not remove the crusts that form on the tattoo. Do not use alcohol on your tattoo. Avoid swimming, saunas, steam baths or baths for two weeks after doing the tattoo and make sure that the clothes that touch the surface are clean and soft.

The healing time of your new  tattoo depends on the care you give it. The first week is critical. Do not be surprised if the colors of your tattoo fade slightly during the healing process, do not worry, the colors will return once the area is completely healed.

12) What to look for in a safe

One of the most important considerations when you are thinking about making a tattoo is to find a Reputable Tattoo ShopOne of the most important elements of all tattoo parlors must be hygiene . You should not even consider doing a tattoo in any studio that does not employ the correct health and hygiene standards. This must include the use of an autoclave, a piece of equipment that is used to sterilize all the equipment used when making a tattoo. The tattooists should be happy to open the sealed needle packages in front of you to prove that they are sterile. He or she must also use a new pair of latex gloves during each procedure. If the studio also offers drilling services these must be done in a separate area of the tattoo area. The tattooist must be skilled and experience as the health risks associated with tattooing are greatly increased if you attempt to make a tattoo of a non-professional. Another important consideration is the ink. High quality ink us a must. The ink used for the tattoo should be taken in the container and then put into a single cup of use which must be removed once the tattoo is finished. The residual ink should never be returned to the main container. When you choose a tattoo artist make sure to ask him many questions such as how long he has been practicing this craft. Ask to look at pictures of their previous work. Make sure he understands exactly what you want and see if you like the style of his tattoo before accepting anything . Ask him if it is possible to watch him tattoo another client before doing so, this way you can be on the lookout for hygiene standards and customer care. If this is not possible ask you if you can talk to former clients or ask to read the comment book if they have one. Make sure to seek advice from your tattoo artist on tattoo healing and if at any time you do not feel comfortable. Go see several tattoo studios before making your decision. Ask him if it is possible to watch him tattoo another client before doing so, this way you can be on the lookout for hygiene standards and customer care. If this is not possible ask you if you can talk to former clients or ask to read the comment book if they have one. Make sure to seek advice from your tattoo artist on tattoo healing and if at any time you do not feel comfortable forget.

13) Can an x-ray affect my tattoo?

If you need an X-ray , do not worry, ordinary x-rays have no effect on tattoos . However, if you need an analysis that involves doing a magnetic resonance then this will have an effect. This kind of imaging can heat up the ink of a tattoo and can cause burns of the skin.

The best way to avoid this if you need this type of analysis is to cover the tattoo with a cold wet cloth. Another consideration is if you need to do an MRI, the tattoo may affect the picture so be sure to tell your doctor that you have a tattoo if it is in the area to be scanned.

14) Tattoo artist are not doctors

Go to the doctor if you think you have an infection. The ointments provided by tattoo parlors can not treat infections, they can only help prevent them. While your tattoo artist can advise you on how to take care of your tattoo and the best measures you can take to prevent an infection, if you have an infection, only a doctor can treat it. Do not hesitate to ask for medical help if you find that you have a skin infection or other complications come about. A fresh tattoo is an open wound, and needs to be treated as such.