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!

This is my back tattoo. Was a bit uncomfortable on the left side but on the right it was fine. I don't like numbing cream but I know lots of people prefer it, just speak to the tattoo artist. I've got 4, I'm 24 and getting another next month. I like to take lollipops for the sugar rush, make sure you eat before going. Good luck

I haven't disappeared, just at work! I'm going to catch up on the thread later 🤗

I have over 40 tattoos. Anyone saying it doesn't hurt is lying. It hurts wherever you get one, it's just more painful in some places than others. For me, my fingers were the most painful - bony area with thin skin.

I've never bothered with pain relief or tattoo cream or any of that. Thin layer of cocoa butter on the tattoo every day for 10 days afterwards does the trick for mine. The hardest part is a few days in when it starts to itch like crazy. Try not to knock the scab off, they can scar if you do.

And ENJOY. I'd love to get more tattoos but I've not got much space left apart from my face and neck which I don't fancy! I don't want to out myself by posting pics as they're quite identifying.

Op I could have written your post almost a year ago.

I'd booked and cancelled so many times but it really was ok.

It hurts a bit, but you're expecting it. Mine was started and I asked how much worse it would get... she looked at me like I was mad😁

I still passed out at the next blood test I had so it hasn't cured me on the needle front but from a pain pov I'd definitely go back for another.

I have always feared that while they may look great when done, what happens in later life when the skin loses its elasticity and the definition has gone? Your arm will look even worse, and it is not easy to have these tattoos removed. It is, of course, expensive and painful, requiring well over a dozen sessions.

I knew a friend who had a large open book tattoo on her back with the names of her husband ( at the time) and her children on one side and a quote on the other page about her undying love for her then-husband.

Fifteen years own, he is no longer on the scene, and none of the names or the quotes can be easily read. All her arms and legs are also covered. My friend is deeply embarrassed by the tattoo and deeply regrets having them done. She always trots out the line "inking without really thinking."

These are my lower arm ones. Mine are fine line black only. It feels like sharp scratch and a bit burny to me. Not really painful as such. If it goes on too long it can start to get a bit much but deep breaths and distraction is good at that point. Just had one done on the back of my neck, have inner wrist fingers and back and lower arm wasn't too bad at all.

What are you having done OP?

Sorry just seen your design. Nice!

Yes to permanent aftercare. Avoid the sun and continually use good stuff to keep them nice. I use this

Going against the grain here and saying, yeah they hurt.

I also think it depends where it is though tbf, forearm I hear isn't too bad.

Personally I found the lower stomach really really painful! Lower back was pretty uncomfortable and across the shoulders and down the spine OK in places and not so OK in others. Oddly I wouldn't say I'm a wimp either, but I've found tattooing pretty sore. I find the fleshy bits bad but the boney bits OK. Also someone told me the bits where you are ticklish are going to be sore.

Feels like a hot, friction scratchy type pain but you can bear it.

Try sucking lolly pops; sugar and distraction and you won't clench your jaw.

Good luck, hope it all goes well and don't forget your aftercare x

Good luck OP.

They are uncomfortable to have done but they're bearable. The inner arm is an easier place to be tattooed

Just don't clench, if you're relaxed and breathe it'll help with the pain.

Your artist will give you aftercare advice.

Just don't soak your tattoo in water and don't over moisturise it. Use SPF and it'll wear well.

I have a big back piece from my neck to my bottom and around to my ribs. I took about 10 hours (2x5 hours). By the end of the sessions I had had enough. I was exhausted! But I love it!

Tktx cream.

Layer it on and wrap the area air tight in clingfilm up to about 90 mins before the tattoo.

Did this on my thigh last month.

Could feel it but it didn't hurt. Cannot recommend it enough.

Costs about a tenner for a small tube but one was enough for my thigh and I'm a 16 so will do your arm easily.

Getting it coloured in next month and I have no expend how it feels to get the colour so I will be using the cream again

The design you have shouldn't take long. Make sure you eat properly and are hydrated before you go. Take sugary drinks/ sweets with you. Your artist will advise aftercare

Because yours is a simple line design it should be more of a just uncomfortable feeling. I find the more colour is when it really hurts. Just when you think it's over they do the highlights 😂

Also worth pointing out you should never use a numbing cream without speaking to your artist.

not all artists like working with numbing creams and sprays and those that do will probably have a preferred brand.
The artist who does my Disney work will not tattoo anyone who’s used numbing creams before the session.

The Dad one didn't hurt but was very itchy and sore after. The other one hurt at the time, but no itching or wasn't sore after.

Anyone saying it doesn't hurt is lying

It's all relative @Beezknees

It wasn't painful for me at all. It felt like a scratch but not pain, more a satisfying drag.

It does hurt but IMO the first bit is the worst. Then you get used to it and some endorphins show up on the scene and you're fine. I have a few this was my most recent. You'll be fine OP honestly. It's kind of like a scratch on sunburn?

I have 8 and I love them all but ribs was a nightmare 😅Everywhere else was bearable with the help of ibuprofen and good aftercare. They are truly addictive I’m planning my 9th! Attached my thigh one for reference that was the longest one two sittings due to the dot work!

This was me 3 weeks ago! I had my first tattoo at 41 on my inner forearm. I really didn’t know what to expect either and was worried I would pass out too!

I didn’t pass out and I love my tattoo. So much so that already planning another. Pain wise, I didn’t find it sore, more like someone scratching sunburned skin. Not the most comfortable of feelings but not so painful that I couldn’t handle it. My artist was amazing as well and kept checking in with me to make sure I was doing ok.

Definitely make sure to drink plenty water and eat beforehand. I also had a sugary drink with me too.

Aftercare is something I definitely hadn’t considered when I was first looking to book and is really important. Follow the artist’s advice as varies online what people recommend. I used coconut oil and has healed really well but I was glad I had a week off work after having it done to make sure arm was kept as clean as possible. Essentially you have a wound so activities such as swimming, gym etc out as it heals.

Good luck! I’m so glad I did it and wish I had done it a lot sooner!

I’m a tattoo artist and like others say definitely ask how your artist feels about numbing cream.

The piece you’ve put up shouldn’t take more than an hour

Inner arm is one of the easier places to be tattooed providing It isn’t too closer to your wrist or inner arm fold.

Plenty of sugar before you go and deep breaths for the first few lines. Once the first few are down, adrenaline will carry you through.

Oh and in terms of aftercare Tattoo Goo is amazing

A lot of my tattoos are over 10 years old and they look fine. It's about how you look after them.

I've had two tattoos. The first one made me fall asleep and as soon as it was over, I woke up and booked the next one. 😊

They are addictive! I love mine

The healing was really simple for both. Aveeno worked best for me

Good luck!

Make sure it's straight! DH has an inner arm between wrist and elbow. It is 6 cm wide by 15cm long. When it was done the artist must have had dh arm at wrong angle so instead of being straight it is at an angle and looks odd to my perfectionist eyes!