First tattoo - what's the etiquette? And any helpful tips?

[MotherForkinShirtBalls]

I'm getting my first tattoo next week. I've worked with the artist to design the piece and I (and he) love it. It's going on my lower leg. So, what do I need to know as a total nube? I'll wear loose, cropped trousers which will be easy to move out of the way and have my legs shaved. I think I read it's good to eat first? I've a reasonable pain threshold but I'll take paracetamol an hour before too.

What's the story with tipping? Is it a thing with artists? I don't want to offend either way (if it's relevant, I'm getting a "mate's rates" price from the studio owner but the artist hasn't been involved in the price discussion).

This is interesting as I want a tattoo but I have fibromyalgia and have a very low pain threshold, things that don’t hurt other people really hurt me. I have to take tramadol daily too.

Agh! How long does the peeling last??? The itch is driving me mad

Colour tattoos take longer to heal than black ink, so I've read. I had mine done in May.

Run it under really cold water, just don't rub it dry - pat it gently. Maybe an ice pack if it's super itchy.

My scabs and peeling settled after a couple of weeks, then it was itchy on and off for another few weeks.

It settled down and I thought that was it and nope, I started getting hives. It was so itchy and I was convinced my body was rejecting it. But that lasted a week and now (another 2 weeks on) it's totally settled.

Cold water has been my saviour.

I've been really good and just tapping/gently slapping it instead of digging my nails in like I really want to. Cold water sounds like a great idea. The lighter colour is all peeling now, a couple of days after the darker (there's very little black ink). I haven't had any scabbing... Is that going to be next?

Sorry, pressed post too soon... The artist said the scabs and peeling would be about the same time so I wasn't sure if I'd skipped a stage.

Mine scabbed and then the peeling started a few days later. So I had both at the same time. I looked like an extra from The Walking Dead 🤣

The one thing all the Googling I did agreed on was "DON'T SCRATCH IT AND DON'T PICK OR PEEL IT" and I'm very much a picker but I managed to remain unpicky 😁

Here's mine. I adore it.

I can just about manage to not pick the peel.. I'm keeping it well moisturised so it's a bit too slippy to grab . I'm very glad I haven’t had any scabs, they are my arch nemesis and it would probably be easier to chop my hands off.

That's beautiful!

Thank you, I was scared (it was my first too!) and thought I might regret it, but it feels so right and it means so much ❤️

If you do get any scabs try not to put too much of whatever cream you are using on it as it will soften the scabs. If they get pulled off before they're ready it can take some of the ink with it. Best to put a minimal amount on and blot off any excess.

Thanks Mac. No scabs yet but I'll be careful not to be too heavy handed if they appear.

I lost a little bit of colour from my last tattoo because it got caught on my bra. I don't else can really see it but it drives me mad. I don't have any experience with colour tattoos but the itching is the worst part of any of mine. I usually tap through my clothes if I can. I find moisturising eases the itch even if only for a little bit.

I over moisturised, I didn't realise it was a bad thing. Mine is definitely faded but not so much that it's noticeable to others but I can tell.

I also woke up one night mid scratch 😢 and id caught a few scabs in the process.

Slept with my arm in a cotton pillow case from then on (sleeves were no match for me in my sleep!)

The thing I found hardest with my first tattoo was the noise. I got numb after a while but I'm glad I had my headphones and music to listen to and relax. The more relaxed you are the less painful it is I think. I've had more since then and now love the noise.
I've never tipped but am in the UK and where I get my tattoo done is the higher end in pricing so have always felt it's a good exchange of money for services. Have never seen anyone else tip either. But I'd say do what feels right for you.
Hope it goes great and you love your new tattoo!!!

Obviously I didn't read the whole thread. Please ignore me. I blame the vodka

Me and my tattoo artist had only spoken on messenger (designs and ideas back and forth) so I wasn't sure what to expect when we physically met.

I needn't have worried, we clicked straight away and absolutely put the world to rights. He's about 10 years younger than me and has 2 girls (as do I) and was really interested in how it is parenting teenage girls as opposed to under 6's like he has.

I don't "do" socialising very easily and small talk makes me so uneasy, but I left the shop feeling like I'd known him for years. Lovely bloke.

Tattoo pain is different each time I've had a tat (ribs, lower back/love handle, front of upper thing, side of upper thing and inside of heel)
My heel was least painful, followed by ribs (both small, half hour max tats) - just black
My love handle fricking killed and I nearly tapped out, was an hour - colour
both thigh pieces were all day sessions (6 & 7 hours) outer thigh was fine, I was very relaxed with this one and become sleepy, front of my thigh I found quite painful and 'pinchy/stingy'
Both colour and black and grey shading.
On my two big ones I got a little light headed half way through, and drank a sugar water which acts very fast.
I always take mars bars, sugar drinks and sand which for all day sessions. I eat a good breakfast before going and ensure I allow time for that to go down.
I don't bother with pain relief as doesn't work on my opinion. Best thing I found for pain was distraction. I chatted to the artist and her receptionist/apprentice as both very chatty...my artist had lots of breaks for a smoke, so that helped me as it gave me little breaks.
She used the numbing spray once the outline was done, and I found it helped as a little sore at this point rather than in pain!

Good luck with your tat and post a pic when done 👍🏻

I've got 3 - forearm, inner wrist and foot. Didn't do anything by way of prep. Didn't hurt, just a scratching sensation which wasn't continuous. Keep cling film on for an hour then wash lightly with ordinary soap and water. Thin coat of bepanthen. Repeat twice a day for a week. I use a separate towel to pat dry. Apart from that, leave well alone.