First tat...any advice?

Only other thing I can add is not getting a symmetrical tatoo.
I had a double bladed battle axe done as my first when I was 18, 20 years ago, and after changes to my body (muscle mass from 15 years of construction) it looks like crap now. In fact my next tat is going to be designed to cover it.
- avoid straight lines and symmetrical designs

Whatever you do don't get her name.

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Originally Posted by kevinb

I'm on my way to becoming buddhist.....I've been studying the religion for 2 years but I still don't feel my mind is in the proper place to call myself buddhist just yet, the koi fish symbolizes many things, and that's why I'm getting it.

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My tat was inspired by becoming a Buddhist too :) get what you want where you want it I say. It's a needle being dragged across your skin, its gonna hurt wherever lol.



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ahh the memories of the rib tatt, i got my dragon in one sitting, a few hours to do, but yes plenty of breaks, go relax and have fun, it only hurt for a short while, then a lil achy for a few days after, nothing bad. this was a few years ago.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v7...Pix/tattoo.jpg

Anything over a bone is going to hurt more and outlining is going to hurt more too, however for most people I think needle shock is more of a problem than the actual pain. Make sure to eat about a half hour before you start and have water, juice, and snacks ready if you are going for the whole 4 hours. Keeping your blood sugar up is the best defense against needle shock I know of.

Also, and I know this sounds strange, but depending on how deep your meditative practice has gone you might want to be careful there - losing yourself if you do experience NS will guarantee you'll pass out right there. Did some shadowing of acupuncturists and I have some funny stories on why you don't combine the two... :rofl:

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Originally Posted by Rob

Whatever you do don't get her name.

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Thanks for all the tips everyone. I'm still doing my ribs as its really the only place I think the tattoo I want would look good on me. I will have music and my gf right there for support as well. As for the name tat...........NOOOOOOOOOOO WAYYY!!!! She wants to get a matching tattoo with me when she turns 18 and I told her there's no way we are getting names, dates, or anything like that because if we ever broke up it would be a nightmare getting it covered. We will be picking something that we both like and won't care having if we ever did break it off. So ill be under the ink again in July. Most likely the other rib cage depending on how the first one goes.

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in my own experience, i've found that taking a shower before going to the shop ends up being more painful for me. i have no idea why. i make sure to take a shower the night before and try not to get into any funk that day. make sure you eat well before hand, and drink plenty of water like has been said. i usually try not to break unless i really need to, as it usually just ends up irritating the skin more.

the first wash after the session is THE most important cleaning. in my own experience, if i don't wash it extremely well (unscented antibacterial soap) the first time i will scab. there have been times that i wasn't able to wash it nearly as often as i should. but since i washed it really well that first time, i never had a scab. other times, the exact opposite, crappy first wash = scabs.

keep it lubed. very thin coatings of lotion or whatever you plan to use.

and yes, a cool breeze is amazing on fresh ink. and direct sunlight is not so good.

i do things a little different than most people, so i'll just stick with that. good luck, and enjoy it the best you can.

Thanks for the tips. I'm getting kinda antsy now. Lol.

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Do u have a pic of what u plan to get kevin? We'd love to see it !

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Originally Posted by kylerimb

in my own experience, i've found that taking a shower before going to the shop ends up being more painful for me. i have no idea why. i make sure to take a shower the night before and try not to get into any funk that day. make sure you eat well before hand, and drink plenty of water like has been said. i usually try not to break unless i really need to, as it usually just ends up irritating the skin more.

the first wash after the session is THE most important cleaning. in my own experience, if i don't wash it extremely well (unscented antibacterial soap) the first time i will scab. there have been times that i wasn't able to wash it nearly as often as i should. but since i washed it really well that first time, i never had a scab. other times, the exact opposite, crappy first wash = scabs.

keep it lubed. very thin coatings of lotion or whatever you plan to use.

and yes, a cool breeze is amazing on fresh ink. and direct sunlight is not so good.

i do things a little different than most people, so i'll just stick with that. good luck, and enjoy it the best you can.

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Your tattoos never scabbed just bc u washed it? I washed both mine well when i first got home and they still scabbed up...