First tat...any advice?

So me and my gf will be celebrating our 2 year anniversary on the 27th of April...and since I'm getting in such good shape these days, and we will be going to Florida in June till June I told her I want my gift to be my first tattoo. Of course I'm not the one to back down from anything so I have decided to get a rather larger koi piece on my right side. I have heard from a bunch of people that it is the most painful spot, however I still want it considering I have a huge pain tolerance. With that being said does anyone have any advice for me? How to prepare before hand.....like now or the night before?

I'm pretty excited and my friend is actually doing it for me (professional tattoo artist at a legit shop don't worry haha). So yeah any words of wisdom?

Thanks.
Kevin

I suggest for your first tattoo not goin balls out on a huge side piece bc you dont know how youll handle it. Sometimes the pain isnt what gets to people but the lying in the same position for 6+ hours can take a toll on you.

EDIT: btw good choice, i have a koi on my arm. Its like 8"x6" and bc of the detail it took 3 hours. A piece on your whole side will likely be bigger than that and may take multiple sessions. Which is alot of time and money lol

• Shower before you go.
• Wear cloths that will allow for easy access to the area.
• Take some entertainment i.e iPod or ipad.
• Plan on eating or ordering something.
• Tip your artist.
• Don't be afraid to tell the artist "I need a break" you'll bee dealing with enough pain so get up and walk around every half and hour or so.

Do not take pain meds or drink before hand, you will bleed more. Side/ ribs do hurt like a b****, but after 30 minutes or so you get a little used to it (endorphins kick in). As mentioned before, bring an iPod, shower before hand, and take breaks.

Well my friend said he would only subject me to a 4 hour session at most the fist time. I was going to have the outline done and then come back for the color and shading. I'm not to afraid of the pain aspect to be honest. When I was younger I did enough self mutilation due to my severe depression that pain isn't really that big of a deal anymore...its a part of life.

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Its going to hurt so be prepared for that, where a shirt that isnt tight. go big or go home lol. My first tattoo takes up my wholeright side of my lower leg.

Well if I'm going to spend the money might as well get something everyone can see when I have my shirt off and shows I have the cajones to get something that can be pretty painful.

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lol if the only reason you want to get it is to show others you have the balls then its not worth it and I wouldnt recommend it.

The only thing I can relate tattoo pain to is like drawing on a bad sunburn with a ball point pen. It's not always about tolerance but endurance. Be sober, don't take pain meds (they won't help anyway). Go to a reputable artist with clean equipment. Bring some water. And be sure you have the design you want to scale and that the artist and you are on the same page.

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Don't scratch it, when it itches.