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!

Only thing I found is that they hurt more the older you get.
Got my first at 17 and my last one last year.
And they definitely seem to hurt more now.
I'm 49 with about 23 tattoos.

I am overwhelmed with all the responses, thank you!

Just going to catch up with a coffee now

Your username made me chuckle, only just noticed it, but DD had that exact tattoo, David eating noodles, on the back of her leg at the weekend for her birthday.
I wont post it publicly as it's not fair without her permission but weird coincidence on a tattoo thread!

I love this, it's beautiful.

I love all the photos you've all posted to be honest!

The best way I can describe the feeling is someone puts a needle in your arm and then pulls it. Not sure if that's helpful or not 😂

I absolutely love your colourful tattoos KilledByWitches, they're stunning designs too.

I toyed with a Lost Boys tattoo idea for months, and a Buffy one, but couldn't decide on anything I liked enough, hence the "basic" moon design i've chosen. Maybe I will go vampirey for my second one. Hark at me "second one" - I will probably throw up at the door on Saturday going for my first!!

Just ordered some from amazon, thank you

It doesn't hurt. You will be fine!

What is the general consensus on drinking after a tattoo? Google tells me not to do it. Tattooed friends are saying "it's fine"

We have a night-out planned on the Saturday - I can happily go and not drink but just curious as to people's opinions?

If I cry/faint, I shall quote you this post on Saturday afternoon

I'm certain you'll get to a second one.
It is addictive.
DD had the noodles head on the back of her left calf, her plan is for a matching one with Vecna's head (Stranger Things but I'm sure you knew that) on her right calf.
You'll be just fine! I can't really answer the alcohol question as I don't drink so never looked into it, but I do know you'll heal better by keeping hydrated in the days after and alcohol does dehydrate so I can see the argument for not drinking.

@Magissa didn't he notice when the transfer sheet went on?
They usually put that on and get you to stand in front of the mirror and check position making you move in all sorts of directions to check it looks ok from all angles.
The back of my arm was an utter pig to get right and took a lot of putting on the transfer and wiping it off again because we had added a hot air balloon down the bone which was easily distorted if not mm perfect.

I was pretty much on my stomach with my arm backwards for 6 hours with that one 😂
She was cursing me heh

DD had the noodles head on the back of her left calf, her plan is for a matching one with Vecna's head (Stranger Things but I'm sure you knew that) on her right calf

Oh that sounds awesome!!

Honestly 😂

I myself have always been a terrible fainter...needles, smears, just being in a doctor's / dentist or hospital made me feel horrendous.

I dreaded my first tattoo and was incredibly surprised about how easy it was. I've got loads now and think that people who think tattoos hurt are pretty ridiculous tbh 👀its a nothing. You will love your tattoo. Enjoy the process!

I faint at blood tests.

But I loooove being tattooed. I'm jealous OP. I wish it was me getting tattooed 😂

maybe I'm just kinky??😳

Love the design op!

I had one in the same place you're having yours earlier this year and didn't find it painful although admittedly, I have a high pain threshold! I now have 10 in total and thankfully have always healed very quickly and with zero pain after from the moment the artist has finished - apart from this one! But honestly - it wasn't bad. Just a small amount of swelling and soreness for a couple of days after.
In my experience, the artists are lovely and will do everything to make you comfortable. I had one on my bicep last week and nearly fell asleep 🤣
The artist will talk you through aftercare and I agree with your daughter - drinks after!!
Hope all goes well.

Absolutely fine! I had mine done on a Friday and went out that night!!

Of course it hurts. I don't know why people say this!

You mean it hurts you

I don't find it painful. I'd imagine most people feel varying degrees of discomfort but some of us don't. You're basically calling us liars. We're just different.

I had my first - top of the arm - in August- I’m 52! Didn’t hurt at all really- more a buzzy tickle

second a month ago hurt a bit more in places - it’s on my back

getting my third Friday

OK, and the OP might find it painful, so telling her that it doesn't hurt isn't really helpful. Better to prepare for it to hurt and then be surprised than the other way round.

I don't think they hurt either.

Agreed - my back one only really bothered me near my right shoulder blade!

OP already knows it'll probably hurt. I felt the same before my first despite loads of people telling me it didn't hurt them.

Bit like childbirth. People tell their own stories and they're all different. Pretty sure the op has cottoned on that much like pushing a human through your vagina is a bit sore, scratching skin with a needle is going to likely hurt. But some people don't feel this way.

My first labour was brutal agony and I refused to believe people who said it was painless. Then I had a second and it didn't hurt for even a second. It was a not so painful lesson on individual experience.

Funny you should say that. The guy who did my tattoo said he prefers to do women's as we are better "sitters"
He said he's had some big men come in and faint but not a single woman.

Op it does hurt but it's more like a sting than real pain and it's not even bad. It feels like a needle scraping.
Good luck you'll be chuffed when it's done!