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.

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Originally Posted by Reptilecam

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.

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That's not the reason at all. I mean its an added bonus but not why I'm getting it. 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. Not for some stupid reason like some people do.

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Originally Posted by moonlightgdess

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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Thanks for the tips

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Originally Posted by DrDooLittle

Don't scratch it, when it itches.

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Trust me I know not to do this, a kid I went to HS with got stars on his foot and had them colored in...not even 2 weeks later they were all messed up because he would itch and pick at the scabs...

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Just get it man, dont think about it. The pain will go away after a little while and you'll have what you want where you want it. I have my ribs and the inside of my upper arm into my armpit done, and I'm wanting to get my other side done. Oh, and post pics once its done.

I'm really skinny so when i got my ribs tattooed it was not only painful, but the vibrations travel through your whole body. It's quite uncomfortable, but tolerable (if you take breaks). Once you get it done, all other tattoos will seem quite mellow!

Don't take a break .. Ever. I've got probably a good 50+ hours of work and I've only taken a single break. I'll sit for 6 hours of drilling on my inner arm / armpit before I'd take another break.
Just go and get it done and don't dwell on it. Oh and a cool wind on fresh ink is the greatest most soothing thing ever.

rib tats do hurt more than others but if u go into expecting the worst it wont be that bad...tattoos arent as bad as people make them out to be and if you have a high pain tolerance u will be fine, taking to many brakes is also not that good it will give your skin time to breath and start settling down a bit and than right back to tatting will actually make it hurt more

I plan on doing a lot of meditation during the process, very relaxing, and sometimes alomost out of body feeling. I am really skinny, 6' and 168# so I guess we will see what happens, personally I'm excited....ill have a piece of art and.meaning ingraved in my skin. :)

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I have six tattoos, including pieces down both rib cages, one on my wrist, and a full sleeve in progress and I'll say make sure you go to someone who you're comfortable with (the artist), have a good feel of the shop (if you don't have good feeling about it when you're there then go somewhere where you're more comfortable), drink LOTS of water before and during the tattoo, and eat something beforehand. And as always, keep it washed and clean after and try not to wear restricting clothing on it before it gets to the peeling stage.

for your first tattoo i wouldnt condone koi fish on your side haha

1) You dont know how you will handle the pain
2) The ribs are a LOT of pain
3) Koi fish are 90% outline and they have to use a larger round (basically shading needles to get the thicker outline) since its so much outlining and that = more pain

so if you want to get it... i would move it to a different location.. here are my koi on my back

http://ball-pythons.net/gallery/file..._7124396_n.jpg

For me, it was not the needle that was bad, but after a few hours the artist was rubbing the ink off the skin and it burns.

When I get my tattoos, I put on the headphones and get lost in the music, it gives you something to take your mind off it.

http://ball-pythons.net/gallery/file...4247_thumb.jpg

I cant tell you from experience about getting your ribs tattooed about pain, I only have my arms, back, chest done, BUT my wife who is a complete SISSY has two big flowers and some tribal designs going from her armpit to her waist and she tolerated it in two sessions. Trust me if she can get it you will be fine my man !

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...

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Originally Posted by Mike41793

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

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Good hygiene (keeping the area clean, washing 3-4 times per day) and keeping the tattoo moistened during healing are what prevents scabbing. IMO, it's a matter of knowing just the right amount of ointment or lotion to use and how frequently to reapply that are key in the healing process of any tattoo...

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Originally Posted by Inknsteel

Good hygiene (keeping the area clean, washing 3-4 times per day) and keeping the tattoo moistened during healing are what prevents scabbing. IMO, it's a matter of knowing just the right amount of ointment or lotion to use and how frequently to reapply that are key in the healing process of any tattoo...

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Oh good to know. I washed mine once a day, when i took a shower. And then applied ointment or lotion twice a day. I'll try being more diligent with it next time.

Ill try to get a picture up of what I'm getting, its a mixture of two designs I found.

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what i do (notice, this is what works for me. it is not recommended by my artist, but she says if it works for me to rock it out.) is 2-3 hours after my session is completed i take a shower and wash the freshly tattooed area twice. not using a rag, cloth, fluffy whatever they're called...just my hands. the first time i wills 'scrub' until i am fairly certain all of the ointment that my artist applied is gone. then i rinse and repeat to make sure i got all of it off. it's somewhat painful, but it seems to be effective for me. i also try to not let the water directly hit the tattoo. but hit a different part, and roll down (i hope you get what i'm saying, i'm tired and having trouble saying what i mean).

then i gently, very gently, pat the area dry with a clean bath towel. air dry for another 20-30 minutes.

VERY sparingly use A+D. a layer so thin it's almost not there. a thin layer like this allows the tattoo to stay moist, yet still breathe.

the next morning i take a shower, again washing twice. gently pat dry. air dry for 10 - 20 minutes or however long until it's sufficiently dry. put a VERY thin layer of lotion on (Jergens Sensitive Skin is what i use).

from there, i shower once a day if i can. and use lotion once every day or two. i believe it's called dry healing.

the ONLY time i've ever scabbed with this process (again, i don't recommend this to anyone, but it works for me) is when i didn't wash well enough that first time after getting home from the shop. a few weeks ago i scabbed, but because i got to drinking after my session, and was not quite able to think clearly while in the shower. i do remember thinking that i didn't wash well enough and should probably do it again, but it was 3am and i was drunk and tired.

Ooh I used aquaphor and its fantastic for the healing process. It's light enough to use for the first week or so, I don't remember how long I used it lol.

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