Sunday 28 February 2016

Tattoos : My Experience And Aftercare Advise

Hey guys,

So this post is something a little different, as I will be talking about tattoos, and my experience and some advise and tips on aftercare.

The reason I am doing this post is because, yesterday I had a new one. And although I'm not covered (I have 2), I enjoy them. And in case some of you lovely lot are interested in getting on or maybe you have a few, I'm just sharing some tips and my experience of having them. 

So to start of I want to talk about my experience. I will insert pictures of both of mine, you will see my older one is quite terrible compared to my new one but I still love it. 

So my first tattoo, I had it done a couple of years ago, I went with one of my best friends and we had them done together. We both went for different designs. We were asked many questions just that we were of age (you must be 18+ in most places). 

As you can see from the photo I have posted below, it's very patch. It wasn't done well at all. I was sat in a chair with my leg in a really uncomfortable position. Half way through the outline my leg was numb. The artist I didn't find very professional, but at the time I loved the finished artwork. 


During this, I went very light headed and hot. I had to have a break, which is totally fine. If you need a break then you need a break or your at risk of passing out. 

I had a phobia of needles before this. Of course having a tattoo hurts. But it's  more afterwards once it is completed. It throbs and stings. One thing you have to remember is that it is an open surface wound. So with that in mind of course it will sting. 

So yesterday, I went for my second tattoo. It was a completely different experience. I had to fill in a medical type form, and sign a declaration. Once I had completed that my artist continued to ask me more health questions. Such as if I'm a smoker, blood pressure. Once all of that the real business started. 

My artist used at least 6 pairs of gloves in my 3 hour sitting. Although I felt totally fine during this tattoo (no dizzy spells, not light headed feeling not hotness) I was made to have a 5 minute break. This was so I could have a sugary drink. I didn't need this break, but my artist insisted.

She talked me through everything she was doing, which parts may hurt and described the type of pain. Advised if it was to much to stop for a break. I didn't. 

She made me feel comfortable, and I was confident that she would do a great job. And I was not disappointed.



While I was having it done I asked her opinion on other parts of the body and the pains. I thought this may help some of you or may be nervous but really want one. 

I was told that, thighs, tops of arms, back of the neck are the least painful. This are just uncomfortable. The hip area is a tickley area along with the side/ribs. 

Anything on the bone, so, feet, hands, shoulders, back, also the throat are the most painful and most uncomfortable ones to have. 

She also stated that the refuse to complete throat tatoosunless they are 100% that the client have thought about it and the design. If they feel it to thought through, then they will refuse to tattoo. 

Like any tattoo, you must think long and hard about what you want. These are very expensive, and last the rest of your life. Along with the design you must also be sure on the location of the body. 

Once you are 100% sure and your of age, and it's what you want, then go for it. In you'll be surprised how confident they can make you feel. 

But always go with your gut. If you are not sure then don't go with it. Wait. Draw it on before hand so you get a feel. But just remember this is a lifetime commitment.

So, aftercare. This is THE most important part of having a tattoo. Once you have paid all that money, you don't want to then ruin your new ink by not taking care of it. As I've said, this is an open wound. They can get infected. They will go funky and that can cause colour loss.

The tattoo will scab over, DO NOT pick it. Don't even think about it unless you want a patchy tattoo. 

Make sure you clean it, and use a good cream. A number of things are recommended. And there are loads of ways to care for your new tattoo. 

Some say to leave it uncovered, let it dry out and scab up. Makin sure you use cream to keep it clean. Try not to get clothes on the area. And once it's scabs do not pick. 

Your new tattoo will start to get itchy... DO NOT scratch that itch. If you scratch that throbbing beast then you are risking taking the scab off. You sat through a tattoo. You can get over the niggling itch. I know you can!

These are the instructions I followed. And my tattoo got stuck to EVERYTHING!

So with my new one I'm trying another option. I'm not letting it dry up. I'm keeping it covered with cling film. Creaming it regularly. 

It will get sweaty doing this. That is fine. It will form a wet scab. This isn't bad. It means you won't get a patchy tattoo. It will still itch. But you won't get stuck on clothing or bedding. It will also be protected from infection as it will be covered up. 

They advise you not to soak the tattoo and to pay the tattoo dry when you do clean it. Once it is clean, then you must keep the artwork creamed. 

Now, the creams that are recommend are, savlon, coco butter or bepanthen. But not to use Vaseline or sudecrem.

I've chosen bepanthen. But you use what you feel. Also some say that dream cream from Lush also works wonders.

I must also point out, tattoos are personal preference. The aftercare is also personal preference. Some people love them. Some people hate them. I tried to get lots of into from my artist to share with you. 

I hope this can be some what helpful for you all. And I hope you enjoy the post.

Until next time!

3 comments:

  1. This is an awesome post! I really want a thigh piece but finding the right tattoo artist to get half naked and feel comfortable in front of is half the challenge. Yours looks amazing and some great advice too xx

    Miss Kitty Kaos - Adventures Of A Riot Grrrl

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    1. Oh my goodness!! You should totally get it! Artist wise, best thing I can say is shop around. Visit different shops, as you get different Feelings from different shops. Check out their work. Check out what they offer. The style you want. Maybe try a female artist of that will help :) of course they will want you to feel totally comfortable :).

      Thank you!!! Xx

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  2. Great post. I 100% recommend Spider who is based on the Hagley Rd Quinton/Oldbury

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