Tell me what to expect re: first tattoo

[TheyreOnlyNoodlesMichael]

I am booked to have a tattoo this Saturday. It's going to be on my inner forearm between elbow and wrist. I've wanted one for a really long time (I'm 41!) but firstly have been put off because I am an absolute wimp (and I can't emphasise this enough ) with pain, and secondly because I couldn't decide on something I liked enough to have it on my body all the time! Well I've liked this particular design that I've chosen for well over a year now so I fucked it and booked it. Tell me what to expect!

I keep waking up thinking nope, i'm not going, i'm cancelling. Will I be the person who faints whilst someone next to me is having their eyeballs tattooed <cries>

Grateful for all and any advice. Also PHOTOS of your amazing tattoos!

I use sports ice packs for the itching phase. It's pretty effective.

I keep hearing this!

I have a tattoo running up my inner forearm and it was totally fine. You'll have an initial panic reaction at first and your adrenaline will kick in, but after that it's actually sort of pleasurable! It took about four hours and I never had to ask for a break, it's sore but not unbearable at all.

The recovery is mainly itching - with my biggest tattoo it drove me crazy! Get the cream they recommend. It will be swollen for the first few days then itchy for about ten.

Also - my biggest tip is bring your earphones and get distracted by a podcast!

If you're not great with pain then you might find they hurt. I've found different areas hurt more than others but my longest sitting has been 8 hours and by about 7 hours, I was feeling the pain.
Definitely get some good tattoo cream, keep applying it as the scabbing stage is super itchy and can drive you mad.
Pics of my leg, the first pic is actually the top of my leg in progress (can't seem to find a finished pic for some reason) and the second pic is the bottom of my leg.
I have 3 other tattoos aswell but my leg is my favourite

Couple of mine
My back tattoo was tough after 4hrs I was getting tetchy!

With mine being on my foot it swelled up a bit after walking around quite a bit which was the painful part but hopefully that wouldn’t happen with an ark one

Ok so I get why people are saying its fine and it is but let's be honest it dies hurt. Either pp have very high pain thresholds or they have forgotten. You will manage though op. I'm weak. I can't normally cope with pain but as my username suggests I do have quite a few tattoos. I have had 4 done in the last 2 weeks ! It does hurt, its needles sticking in your arm but its not unbearable. It also hurts after. There us an ache or sun burn feeling for a couple of days but again its not unbearable. Take pain killers regularly and you will be fine.
As suggested take something sweet for during as your body can sometimes reacted as if you have had an accident so you feel faint.
Trust me you'll be fine.

I can't believe how amazing all your tattoos are!

lilroo87 - yours are fab!!

Can I ask what would you recommend as a good tattoo cream?

Does hurt not dies

I've used bepanthen which is great as you can get it from anywhere.
The best one I had though was from the studio where I got one of my tattoos done, I can't remember the name of it but the place you are going may have something they sell.
I've also used the killer ink tattoo balm and that was pretty good.

Palmers coco butter

I've had tattoo years ago and tattoos very recently and they now seem to recommend palmers butter for after, but each place will differ.
The pain in your forearm shouldn't be too bad.

My forearm tattoo went slightly into the bend of my arm, the bit known as the 'ditch' and that was probably the most difficult to heal because it's always moving.
I use a product called 'Butterluxe'. Start applying it about two weeks before the tattoo to condition the skin.

Aftercare varies by tattooist. My forearm was wash twice a day in butter luxe tattoo soap and cling wrap until the plasma has stopped leaking. Remove cling, wash twice daily and use the butterluxe to moisturise.

I recently had some work done on my chest with a new artist and that was completely different. This time the piece was covered with something called 'second skin' when complete. The following day this was removed, tattoo washed and dried and a fresh layer of second skin added. Then leave for a week, remove the second skin in the shower and the piece has healed.
It's marvellous stuff, but see what your artist recommends!

I will add mine are VERY bright so healing them and keeping them bright was priority....
They are also not to everyones taste, but personally I love them!

It's worth pointing out that tattoos need to be cared for forever. Not just through the healing stages. So many people spend a fortune on them and don't give them any thought once they're healed.

Look after them, treat the skin well with the right stuff, keep them out of the sun (I wear support bandages if it's hot and I'm out and about) and they'll stay bright for years.

Remember you can tap out at anytime and rebook 🥰 My DP is a tattoo artist and honestly the people who tap out early most are the massive hench guys so you’ll be absolutely fine💕

Make sure you say if you feel a bit woozy or feint, they usually have some lollies or sweets or something. Maybe take a bag of something chewy and sugary and a can of chubby coke if you’re able.

Even though DPs done all my tattoos I still get massive butterflies, just take a deep breath, the machines sounds so much scarier than it actually is and I’m sure you’ll be underwhelmed at the pain level 😂 Also it builds up so you most likely won’t feel it at first then it just carries on getting a little sore-ish is the best way I can describe.

Good luck and let us know how it goes!!! xxx

@KilledByWitches yours are amazing!! As are all of them!

I had one tiny one on my ankle a few weeks ago and that was my first.

I hadn't second last week, it was much bigger and in a different part of my body and I absolutely love them both!

I'd love a colour one but am a bit afraid.

Just make sure and eat before you go, try and relax - your tattoo choice is beautiful!

Let us know how it goes. I must go and see where the tattoo forum is on here, I never knew it existed!!

My first tattoo was on my ribs and I was terrified.

Didn't hurt a bit. Felt like a slight cat scratch. Only small issue was an allergic reaction to the dressing but everything else was fine.

It is itchy while healing but just give it a pat and distract yourself.

Immediately after done. It looks like embroidery. I love it.

For comparison, it took around 1hr 30 so yours shouldn't take more than an hour.

@scoopoftheday thank you

What @gamerchick said cant be stated enough. You put all the effort into healing them well and then forget to care for them longterm. Sunscreen should absolutely be part of your daily routine to keep them bright!

As for timings, the ones above Haunted Mansion took 5 hours and It's a Small World was nearer to 7 as it goes around my arm a bit. I travelled a distance to my artist for those so we really wanted to get them done in a day sit each.

I had my first one in my 40s have since had more they are so addictive, I found it fine felt like scratches, I took ibuprofen before and made sure I had something to eat and drink

Yep, its a watercolour tattoo

Eat before you go! Do! I'm so glad I listened and forced something down. Your body can start going into a sort of shock - not life threatening or anything, but having eaten counteracts it - or something like that.

I sat for over 3 hrs twice fine.

That particular area was definitely one of my least painful ones!
More of an irritating scratch at first, leaning more towards sunburn/carpet burn feeling towards the end of the session (couple of hours).