Like some of us, I got my first tattoo on a whim at a very young age. I did not know much about the bodmod community, or what options were out there as far as styles, and artists go. I did not do my research and was not prepared for what I got. I certainly hope with great resources like BME, that most people new to the world of tattoos are going in with much more knowledge than I.
At A Glance Author Angela St. Aubin Contact [email protected] IAM killertatertots When N/A Tattoos are scary for some, nerve racking for many and painful for most. Putting a permanent design onto your skin is a big deal and can bring up a lot of emotions, both good and bad.
People all react to the actual process of getting a tattoo differently. Everyone's pain threshold is different. For some, they claim getting tattooed does not hurt them at all, but consists of just a mild discomfort. For others, the pain is bordering on unbearable, causing tears and even fainting in some. Th emotional impact of getting a tattoo can play a big role in how it feels to the person getting it. Sometimes the motivation or emotion behind the design can cause excess emotion that ends up making it harder to take the pain.
Not being prepared for the process can also have an adverse affect. It is important to be relaxed and well rested. Feeling at ease with the artist and the studio helps a lot as well. If you are happy and confident in the design, the placement, the artist, the studio, those are all less things to worry about the day of the appointment.
Nausea and lightheadedness can be a problem for some, and for that it is a good idea to have something to eat an hour or two before going to your appointment, and to bring some orange juice, or candy to keep your sugars up. Having water to sip and gum to chew helps some people keep their mind occupied. I personally have ice chips to suck on when possible, and suckers or candy when it is not.
Some people may wish to bring a friend or family member with them to their appointment for support. This can be a good idea if you are nervous, but be sure to clear it with the tattoo artist first. Having a lot of people in the workspace can make it harder for them to work, and can end up over stimulating you, which is opposite the calming effect desired.
For those to whom the physical pain is not a main issue, boredom can be. For long sittings, your body can get tense, your mind wanders. Many studious play music for the benefit of both the clients and the staff. I have seen people take books, mp3 players and even handheld gaming devices to their appointments with them to pass the time and keep their mind occupied and off any pain or discomfort. Of course, these methods are not possible for every tattoo, because you need to stay still and may not have hands or arms free to partake.
For some, who have a very low pain threshold, or are oversensitive to pain due to medical conditions or medications, the pain may be off putting. There are some who believe that the pain is a crucial part of the experience, and if you cannot take it, you shouldn't get a tattoo. That may be true to some, but for those out there who want to start or finish a piece and the pain is too much to allow it unaided, they may seek help of the medical variety.
There are two ways people tend to try to help the experience go smoother. Anti anxiety type meds, to help calm you, or topical anesthetics to block the pain. The latter consists of products such as EMLA cream, an over the counter product. It is a cream you buy at the pharmacy and apply to the skin in advance. It numbs the area. Then the tattoo artist removes the cream before beginning work. It can be very effective, blocking most if not all the pain, but not for long. It typically lasts 30 minutes to an hour full strength, in my personal experience. If the piece is small, this is fine. If your piece is larger, you will have to work with the artist to see if you can wrap the area with the cream on it in sections, so they only remove it on the area they are working on. This can prolong the usefulness.
If you do choose to try anything like this, be sure to tell your artist. Not all artists are familiar with these products. Some can alter the appearance and feel of the skin while in use. And at some studios, even if the artist is willing to work with a client using EMLA, they, or other staff may give you a hard time about it. Teasing you or what not. Certainly not professional, but it happens, so be prepared.
Hopefully your experience will run smoothly and not be too traumatic for you first timers. It is true what they say, they can be very addictive. And you don't want the pain or stress to put you off adding to your collection.