Monday, 25 April 2016

The Do's And Dont's Of Getting Ink

One of my favourite things in the whole entire universe is the moon for as long as I can remember I've always been obsessed with the moon so when I turned 18 I knew I was going to get a tattoo of the moon. Two years later at the age of 20 and in my first few weeks of college I decided to bite the bullet and go get my first ever tattoo.
 I've always been weirdly fascinated with tattoos growing up watching Miami Ink and gaining an obsession with Kat Von D (who I actually wrote a letter too when I was 11 and guess what... SHE REPLIED!!... I know, I'm too cool)
There are so many amazing tattoo artists out there and mine in particular are Kat and English artist Alice Perrin so make sure you look around for the artist you like.
I got my tattoo from Jim Farrell in Carlow after recommendations from friends and I'm so thankful I went to him, I have to admit I was a ball of nerves, needles are my biggest fear in the world so Jim really did help me through the process and for that I will be forever grateful, along with my friends Jennie and Emma who came with me and helped me through the excruciating three minutes.
Getting my second tattoo is now on the cards but with a million and one ideas this is something I'm not prepared to rush into especially as I want it on my wrist where I'll see for the rest of my life.

So even though I only have the one tattoo and I'm not full of tattoo knowledge from my research and my experience I have a list of Do's and Dont's that I recommend anyone thinking of getting a tattoo gives a quick read over. I mean have you seen Tattoo Fixers????? - You don't wanna be on that do you?! (Okay, well I'd personally love too be on that but for Jay Hutton and that's about it)
Anyway here are the Do's and Dont's of getting ink -

The Do's as in.....DO THESE!!

1. Research your tattoo artist:
Don't ever just randomly go into a tattoo shop and get a tattoo straight away. Ask around, go online, ask to see their portfolio do whatever it takes to make sure you're getting your ink from a reliable source. Truth be told looking through an artist's portfolio will show you more about them than anything else.

 2. Know what you want:
As simple as it seems don't walk into a shop with the idea that you want a tattoo and pick something off the wall 'that one' why do people do that?!! It's something you're going to have on you forever and make you younique to everyone else so really think about what you want.

3. Trust the artist:
We all have ideas on what would look great but your tattoo artist knows best and if they say it won't work realistically it's not going to work. Listen to them and take their advice on board.

4. Bring a friend or someone to keep you company:
Getting a tattoo can be extremely nerve wrecking and painful so having someone by your side to hold your hand really does make the experience that little bit more tolerable.

5. Think about the future:
Yep I'm being a mammy here but you really need to think about your future, think about your career, your future career aspects, where you place your tattoo is so important and of course what about your children in the future? Are they going to appreciate a big 'fu*k Bi*ches get money on your shin??? ...yeah, didn't think so!!

6. Eat before you arrive:
Sugar!! Sugar will be your best friend before you get your tattoo so drink some lucozade before you head to the shop, you may get light headed so having sugar and a full stomach will help you wildey!!

7. Take care of your tattoo:
The aftercare of your tattoo is the most important part of getting ink. Everyone will explain this to you but initially your tattoo is an open wound and must be taken care of.

8. Realise it's painful:
It's an obvious one but tattoos are sore!! I'm not kidding I didn't think i'd make it through my tattoo and I was in and out of the shop in seven minutes, that being said though some people say it's nothing it's all based on your own physical pain threshold and my pain threshold is shocking!!

9. Be on time and respect your artist:
This goes without saying but usually the best tattoo artists are always back to back and under high demand, I know for my own tattoo Jim squeezed me in and if I was a couple of minutes later he'd have ran into his next appointment which would run into the next, so on and so forth.
 Don't give the artist grief and always leave a tip.

10. Keep still:
The most important and this is the only thing going around in my head when I was getting my moon tattoo. The straight line was so important and if I moved just once I could have ruined it....BUT I DIDN'T and neither should you...KEEP STILL.

And next you have the DONT'S of getting a tattoo...

1. Don't be under the influence:
I know it might seem like a great idea to have a few shots of vodka to ease the pain but it really doesn't work like that, alcohol actually thins your blood which means you'll bleed a lot more and even bruise more, don't bother just get on with the pain.

2. Don't rush into anything:
This is something I'm not good at but I'm learning, when I decided I wanted the tattoo of the moon I booked it the Tuesday and had it done the Thursday but for my next tattoo I'm waiting to really decide what I want, think it through it's not something you can change after a year honestly take your time.

3. Don't get one illegally:
As in don't bother getting a tattoo at fourteen/fifteen I'm pretty sure the legal age is 16 anyway but just think this through, also don't forge parents signatures and please don't go to that man's shed up the woods...just don't please.

4. Don't regret it:
I remember crying to my housemate two hours after getting the tattoo because I thought it was ugly, it was too black and it was burning me six months on and there's nothing in the world I love more than my moon, I even buy tops that I can show off my moon in, my only regret is that it's on the back of my neck so I can't see it everyday.

5. Don't pick off the wall:
This is one thing my uncle told me a long time ago and that's to never walk into a tattoo shop for the first time and leave with one the same day, think about it , be original.

6. Don't be a pain:
Okay I probably was such a pain to Jim but I tried my best, I didn't freak out I sat down, braced myself and sat as still as possible!! Don't annoy your tattoo artist, don't scream just head down and get on with it.

And there you have it my do's and dont's of getting tattoos, I'll definitely keep you posted on what and when my next tattoo will be :-) 

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