Tattoo's : Tattoo appointment essentials

So the day has come, you're getting your tattoo. 

I think a lot of people that are new to tattooing and are maybe going to get their first tattoo don't really come properly prepared. So here are a few essentials you need for a great tattooing experience. 

FIRST

Eat before you go. I can't even explain how important it is to eat before you go. Now I'm not saying eat a massive roast before you go, I'm really not that would be a terrible idea. I always go for a sandwich or something small. It's so important because it will massively reduce any dizziness and keep your energy levels up throughout the session. So even if your feeling nevous and think you can't eat, force yourself to eat something.

SECOND

A sugary drink & a bottle of water. Some sessions can take awhile especially if your having a large tattoo and a lot of tattoo places won't give you water so its important to bring some with you. It's also really handy if you're really nervous or you're prone to dizziness and fainting to take a sugary drink, particularly sports drinks to keep your electrolytes and sugar levels up.

 

I'll never forget while I was getting tattooed a huge muscly guy next to me was getting a half sleeve done. The needle was probably on his skin for ten minutes when he started slowly leaning towards the floor and eventually fainted. Once he'd come around he sat looking white as a sheet as the receptionist ran off to the nearest shop to buy him a Lucozade. Needless to say he looked rather embarrassed as he sipped on his drink. But ten minutes later he was looking much brighter and persuaded the artist to finish the tattoo. And sat like a champ.

THIRD

Some chocolate or sweets. Similar to the sugary drink reason this is just to help if you start feeling faint. It's amazing how draining getting a tattoo can be, your adrenaline levels are up, you're having to keep dead still for a significant amount of time, dealing with pain and your nerves. It's draining and even if you feel fine getting it and as your walking out of the shop you still have the journey home to do and I can almost guaranty it will hit you at some point, so it's goo to be prepared.

FOURTH

Socks. Now this is an odd one I know but it's probably not something you would think about. For a fair amount of placements your probably going to need to sit or lay on a bench. A no shoes on place. And it's so much more comfortable to wear socks. It just means that not only are you physically more comfortable but your not laying there thinking 'oh god I wish I had painted my toenails, they're a mess'.

FIFTH

Loose fitting clothing to cover your new tattoo. I was so grateful that I took something loose to cover up with after my tattoo's. It's not really something most people would think about but tattoo's look super gross after they've been wrapped in plastic.  Not only are you super self conscious about walking around with cling film and micropore tape wrapped around you but after a little while your tattoo will start seeping, they'll be blood, excess ink and just clear horribleness contained under clear plastic. Perfectly normal but looks horrible so probably best to cover up. 

But keep it loose and light you don't want anything clingy or tight on a new tattoo.

SIXTH

Be sensible about what your wearing. For example it's probably best not to wear skinny jeans when your getting a lower leg tattooed or a long sleeved top and nothing but a bra underneath when you're having you're upper back tattooed. Just think about where you want your tattoo and think, will I still be covered up, will it be tight on my tattoo after its done, is it easy to get too. 

I had the back of my shoulder tattooed so wore a strapless bra, a strappy top and a light cardigan, it was really easy to get to and I didn't end up half naked when I didn't need to be.

Ideas:

Having a back piece- take a loose button down shirt with you and put it on the wrong way round.

Thighs- take shorts with you to change into or wear under a dress.

Another thing to remember is that you should wear something you don't mind possibly getting the odd splash of ink, blood or anything on. So don't go wearing your favourite outfit.

SEVENTH

Bring a little more cash than you'll think you'll need. If they've given a set price for a particular design you'll probably be ok but if you've been told that its per hour be on the safe side and take enough to cover an hour more than they've quoted you. Even if its just so you feel a little more relaxed and so you're not watching the clock quite so much.

EIGHT

ID or proof of age. You'll probably have proven your age while making the appiontment and paying a deposit but take it with you for your atual appointment because you never know whether they will want to double check before tattooing you and you don't want to end up not getting your long awaited tattoo over something so silly.

And they're you have it my eight tattoo appointment essentials. I hope this has been informitive and helped you be better prepared :)