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Tattoos

Thinking about a tattoo or piercing? Find inspiration and advice on our Tattoo forum.

Original poster

First Tattoo, scared

15 replies

Hammertime1986 · 07/02/2018 23:59

So I'm 32 and off to meet a tattooist this week to discuss a tattoo. I'm really nervous and concerned I'll chicken out.
The only place I want one is on my side along my ribs near my boobs. I've heard that it's horrificly painful.
It's only going to be small (some wildflowers) but could do with some encouragement. I've never ever wanted one until recently and am excited about it, yet am rubbish with pain.
What can I do in advance to make it less awful.

OP posts:
TravellingFleet · 08/02/2018 00:06

I had my first a few weeks ago. To be honest, yes it is very painful, much more than I expected. Take a paracetamol in advance, bring an energy drink, bring a book or something to distract you, and do your best to relax the muscles. Then you just have to grin and bear it. The pain stops very quickly once the tattoo is finished, though, and I don’t regret it - if anything, I’d have another, but I don’t know if I’d go for the ribcage because of the pain. Nice fleshy stomach did fine for me!

Strippervicar · 08/02/2018 00:11

Go on ebay, buy something called EMLA cream. An hour before your tattoo put it all (pack of 5) on a piece of cling and spread it out. Apply cling, cream side down to the area where the tattoo is going.
You won't feel a thing.
There is also blue gel. That goes on when the skin is broken. Good for colour work.
Otherwise, paracetamol or stronger, big brekkie, carbs, sugar and a very very big pair of big girl pants.
I have been known to weep whilst being tattooed without some form of pain relief.

Strippervicar · 08/02/2018 00:13

And I want pics after to admire the new work. I am work in progress, irises on my hip, thigh to cover stretchmarks.

MarsBarsAreShrinking · 08/02/2018 08:40

Get a good night's sleep the night before. Avoid alcohol. Have a decent breakfast. Bring water with you to stay hydrated.

If it's only a small piece you're having then you'll most likely be absolutely fine. In my experience most people are fine (through gritted teeth) for the first 1.5 - 2 hours of tattooing and it's anything over that length of time that can become challenging.

UserSnoozer · 11/02/2018 20:30

Part of the experience of getting a tattoo is the pain. You might enjoy it. Some find the constant drum of it relaxing like rainfall. If you can't face the pain you shouldn't get it tbh

Original poster
Hammertime1986 · 19/02/2018 08:15

So tomorrow is the day and I'm just wondering if there is any further advice? I've been moisturising and friends have suggested bepantham for after care.
I also do an exercise class every Wednesday. Am I going to be OK to still go? Anything that I should do?

OP posts:
Original poster
Hammertime1986 · 19/02/2018 08:17

Oh and user I'm not quite sure how you'd know if you can't face the pain until you get it done and it's not like you want to have a half finished tattoo.

OP posts:
RedPandaMama · 19/02/2018 08:20

I have two tattoos.

My first one I got when I was 18 is on my ribs. I kind of just thought 'fuck it' and got something I wanted that has absolutely no meaning or anything like that. It's bright and colourful and it makes me happy whenever I see it - it's a whale being carried off by a hot air balloon in all sorts of colours and patterns. It took 2 and a half hours and it did hurt but not how I expected. It was worse because they did the outlining, then filling in the colour, then going back over those bits with black and white to section and highlight. THAT hurt as it was like scratching an open wound. The worst bit on your ribs is as the machine vibrates when they're tattooing you it feels like your ribcage is rattling, weird sensation.

My other tattoo is tiny, took less than ten minutes on my bicep - it's one of the Manchester bees from the Ariana Grande concert attack. That hurt more!

TravellingFleet · 19/02/2018 12:55

Well there’s not much you can do once it’s started except keep going! Just breathe, try to relax and take a book or something to distract yourself. And after all, if they didn’t hurt we’d probably all have them all over. Forewarned is forearmed as they say.

Original poster
Hammertime1986 · 20/02/2018 20:53

Well no where near as bad as child birth and I'm very happy with it

First Tattoo, scared
OP posts:
FindoGask · 21/02/2018 13:24

Very pretty indeed!

I did laugh at user's post. Yes sure, tattoo machines feel relaxing like rainfall. If rainfall buzzed like angry wasps and felt, at best, like getting several long, hot sharp scratches. I've spent countless hours under the needle and not one of them has been relaxing: we're all different!

sunshineandhappy · 23/02/2018 07:58

So pretty! I had my first at Christmas, now have 3, it's addictive!

Nancy91 · 23/02/2018 08:02

The one I have there was nowhere near as painful as people made out it would be, it's just scaremongering! Lovely tattoo OP.

TooManyPaws · 24/02/2018 16:15

That's lovely. The only one I had trouble with was the big one of delicate coloured wildflowers across my lower back. (Yes, I have a tramp stamp.) My tattooist had previously recommended chocolate to up the blood sugar depleted by the adrenaline, and we had to stop a few times towards the end for a chocolate break. She said it was because of all the nerves around the spine.

Original poster
Hammertime1986 · 25/02/2018 00:03

Honestly I found it rather addictive. I can imagine having another although it would have to be somewhere discreet.

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