First tattoo - advice wanted

[soundbeltfarm]

Getting my first tattoo tomoro across my chest.
any tips on looking after it / or any donts i shouldn't do
cheers

[rachprice]

what ya getting?

[98tls]

Whjatever you get mate take into consideration its there for life and somethings are not going to suit when your a whezzy hairy ole 83 year old.;)

[soundbeltfarm]

hard to say.

i've given jase the ideas i want .
it sort of a distressed star with bit of design with wings and my two boys names in it

[Monamie]

Don't pick any skin off it-even it is gets really itchy because it will take colour out of it:yes:

Also get something that means a lot to you...you will never regret it that way.
Enjoy :eek::clap:

[Headbanger]

Just remember, Its going to hurt like hell.

And Tatt's are about vanity. aint nothing going to look good at 83.

[soundbeltfarm]

i'll post it up once it done.
i really cany wait for it now.
jase has numerous awards and it fully booked up till the jan now so he must be ok.
i've seen a bit of his work and it very good.
mine will be all black and i'm sure it'll look the fuckn shizzle

[tbone]

I got my first tattoo about 2 years ago - basically an outline of a horse running and some shading on the inside (black tattoo). Took me ages to figure out what to get, then took a while to draw it up (well, got the base image of the horse from the net then did some photoshop work on it to get how I wanted it).

Ended up getting it just above the heart, reasonably large. Hurt for the first 10 minutes but got a bit better, but still was abit sore! The outlining of the tat was probably worst for me. The tat was covered in bepanthen (nappy rash cream) for about 1 week and always had glad wrap over it. Avoid the sun and water for the first 2 odd weeks.

With the design, I got the horse because what it symbolized to me - more or less my principals which I want to always follow - sort of always there to remind me that no matter what always follow what you believe is right. Sort of like this quote I read a while back - "There are three constants in life... change, choice and principals". Principals can change I suppose, but it's hard work to keep believing in them, but worth it!

[Bikernereid]

I guess as you are a guy it is slightly different. I got my first tat on my breat when I was 17. Yes I regretted it when I developed boobs, stopped being a goth and needed to wear ball gowns. All I would say is if you are in or might be in a job where it may be seen and not looked to favourably on think seriously about where and what you have done.

It has costs me about £800 to have mine lazer removed, which by the way is soooooo bloody painful and smelly!!! And it still isn't finished yet!

If you really are set on getting it done I was told to cover it in lip balm and that worked a treat for mine and it healed really well. I guess anything with a similar texture would work. My friend was walking round with celophane on her wrist recently after getting a tat done!

Hope it goes well and look god when finished.

[Swoop]

The tatooist will give you plenty of information on how to treat it. If no info is forthcoming... complain!

[Oakie]

jase has numerous awards and it fully booked up till the jan now so he must be ok. i've seen a bit of his work and it very good.

It's not about his quality. It's about you having something you can live with until you die. No point having a brilliant piece of artwork if it's not exactly what you wanted. If what he shows you tomorrow isn't exactly what you want, don't be afraid to bail until he gets it 100% right.
Make sure you have a tube of vitamin A cream (Bepanthan) handy to keep it covered and healthy as it heals. Good luck with it.

[outlawtorn]

I have just recently got a tattoo across my chest and it hurt like hell. However it looks cool, just remember that it could impact negatively on your workspace. Make sure it doesn't appear over your neckline, however it you don't give a shit and your workplace is relaxed then go hog wild.

As far as taking care of it goes, just make sure nothing rubs against it whilst it is healing.

Where are you going for it?

[alanzs]

Make sure it's exactly what you want. Have a good nights sleep and eat well a few hours before the tat. Make sure you have seen the artists work and work area. Is it clean? Is the place comfortable? Are the needles sterilized? Does the artist wear gloves? It should be like a surgery in regards to cleanliness, etc.

Many people will undoubtedly criticize you, as tattooing isn't meant for everyone. Some people are sheep and follow others. Some people think for themselves. Tattooing can be an expression of your individuality.

Your artist should be able to recommend good after care treatment. Don't pick at it. You may feel some discomfort, but it passes almost immediately. It's a very transforming process. Enjoy it.

Good luck and please post pics. Take before and after pictures, as you'll never be the same again... :niceone:

http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg104/alanzs/DSC00838.jpg

[Pedrostt500]

I haven't found anything that I realy realy Like,
But I've seen some realy bad ones, stay away from names, an apprentice had his name tattoed on his back he thought it was realy clever till he was asked if it was so his boy friend could remember his name, also wives and girl friends may change over the next rest of your life.
Think hard about what trends are happening as they change and in 5 yrs they may look trashy, dont tatto skin that you cant hide, ie backs of hands neck and face, unless it has extreme Cultural relivance to you.

[Headbanger]

Hard case.

I walked into a newly opened tattoo shop this arvo and made a booking, Pure impulse. booked in for tomorrow seeing as his book was pretty empty.

Told him I wanted a skull n cross-bones on my calf, No picture, let him go wild with it.

Should prove interesting.

[fire eyes]

Getting my first tattoo tomoro across my chest.
any tips on looking after it / or any donts i shouldn't do
cheers

Awesome mate .. Jase did both of mine .. I won't let anyone else touch me .. if I decide to have anymore done then I will definitely go back to him. He also done my ex-hubby and the work is just fantastic .. I spent 5 years thinking about weather to get a tat done I have always like them but I wanted to wait a while to see if my thoughts and feelings on them had changed.

Two things I did decide on was to have them in places where I could hide them if I wanted and that the tats would need to mean something to me personally .. I didnt give a shit about what anyone else thought .. it was my own private journey.

As for the healing part .. I just followed his instructions (not that I can quite remember what they were) and had no issues there-after. As for the oldie 83 year old thing and it not being nice .. well 1.you might not live that long & 2. its on your chest so unless your gunna be a pimp daddy and walk around bare-chested with bling, no one but your loving partner would see it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Tats are not for everyone and I believe taking the time to think it through really helps.

Can't wait for piccies!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[rachprice]

Shit that is random....
Im thinking of getting one the end of this year...

[YellowDog]

I guess having a tattoo is a way of sending a message about your personality/ego to the viewers.

My ex-girlfirend's daughter had a cannabis leaf tattoo on her lower back.

BIG MISTAKE (so she says 5 years later).

IMO - Subtle tatoos can look quite tasteful.

Good luck,

[JATZ]

Pics plz when it's done

Used Bepanthen on all mine, your brave goin for the chest for a first one, Personly I could handle about 2 hrs straight on the chest

Good luck

[JATZ]

I guess having a tattoo is a way of sending a message about your personality/ego to the viewers.

My ex-girlfirend's daughter had a cannabis leaf tattoo on her lower back.

BIG MISTAKE (so she says 5 years later).

IMO - Subtle tatoos can look quite tasteful.

Good luck,

Yip, Dope leaves done after a session on the stuff= silly
I tell people mines a reminder of a trip to Fiji as it looks sort of like a palm tree

[ynot slow]

Jase is good check out his awards,also the lady in his old outlet in Hawera is good too,someone said she was related to him,not sure.

With mine on my arm he said go home remove the glad wrap he had put around the site,jump into a shower and progressively turn the hot water up,after having water pretty hot,sealed the site and no scabby stuff,itching at all.

As guys say who cares what people think it is personal,mine has sentimental meaning along with their names in scroll.

[alanzs]

Post pics. Good artwork is meant to be shown!

[Tank]

First tat advise?

No names of wives, girlfriends, or that special someone you met in Thailand.

Dont get anything in Chinese, or any other squiggly writing that you cant read.

A tat of a monkeys ass with your bellybutton being the hole - while very funny is actually not that fantastic idea.

Apple logo's and geek humor - sucks. Linux tats suck even more. Binary jokes are however OK.

Dont fuck off the tattooist - and get one that uses new at least semi regularly.

[fire eyes]

First tat advise?

No names of wives, girlfriends, or that special someone you met in Thailand.
Dont get anything in Chinese, or any other squiggly writing that you cant read.
A tat of a monkeys ass with your bellybutton being the hole - while very funny is actually not that fantastic idea.
Apple logo's and geek humor - sucks. Linux tats suck even more. Binary jokes are however OK.
Dont fuck off the tattooist - and get one that uses new at least semi regularly.

Bling Bling Tank :banana:

[JimO]

First tat advise?



A tat of a monkeys ass with your bellybutton being the hole - while very funny is actually not that fantastic idea.


.

a guy with a monkeys arse tattoo on his belly button won the best tat competition at the Vincent rally this year

[Gubb]

Get a good nights sleep beforehand, eat a good brekky, take a bottle of water with you, and have a couple of Nurofen a few hours before it commences.

The outlining hurts like hell, after about 10 minutes the endorphins kick in, and it's not too bad.

Good luck, that's a gnarly place to start, just had part of my collarbone done, and it wasn't pleasant.

Here's my ever continuing saga. (http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php?t=68325) Had another session done last week, just waiting for the excessive bruising to die down before I post more pics.

Enjoy it!

[BIHB@0610]

Take two panadol a couple of hours before your appointment, and another two just before they start tattooing.

The tattooist will definitely have their own advice for after-care - but you've asked for advice so I'd say bepanthen and glad-wrap. If you keep it really well covered in bepanthen and glad-wrap, the scab will never form, it will never get itchy, and you will be left with nice sharp lines.

I have a celtic knot in the centre of my back - four parallel lines make up the big line that snakes in and out of itself - with detail like that it's really important to have good aftercare so you don't end up with a smudgy mess.

Keep sunscreen on the design when you go outside - always, not just immediately after the work's been done - sun will fade the ink and make the lines go smudgy (again, not a good look).

Good luck! I waited nine years to get my design done and seven years later I've never regretted it, not once. It represents my viking and celtic ancestors, is behind me (on my back - and in terms of my heritage), and at my heart (between my shoulder blades, and in terms of my beliefs - everything is connected, no beginning, no end).

Big hugs! :hug:

[Bikernereid]

Take two panadol a couple of hours before your appointment, and another two just before they start tattooing.

The tattooist will definitely have their own advice for after-care - but you've asked for advice so I'd say bepanthen and glad-wrap. If you keep it really well covered in bepanthen and glad-wrap, the scab will never form, it will never get itchy, and you will be left with nice sharp lines.

I have a celtic knot in the centre of my back - four parallel lines make up the big line that snakes in and out of itself - with detail like that it's really important to have good aftercare so you don't end up with a smudgy mess.

Keep sunscreen on the design when you go outside - always, not just immediately after the work's been done - sun will fade the ink and make the lines go smudgy (again, not a good look).

Good luck! I waited nine years to get my design done and seven years later I've never regretted it, not once. It represents my viking and celtic ancestors, is behind me (on my back - and in terms of my heritage), and at my heart (between my shoulder blades, and in terms of my beliefs - everything is connected, no beginning, no end).

Big hugs! :hug:

SOunds awesome and really has some deep meaning behond it. Good on ya.

I am looking at getting another couple but I am not to happy about someone who does not know arabic script writing on me. Until I can find someone I know and trust to write the words I want and to find the words in arabic that best fit the english words I wont have them done.

[Bren]

i know it's been said....but I will reiterate...DON'T PICK THE SCABS!

Get a good tattoo cream. I use Protat...and use it at least 3 times a day for the first few days to a week...then at least once a day for a while after that...

get a good artist! get a good artist, and my final piece of advice is get a good artist!


I have a lizard and silver fern on my upper left arm, and a chinese dragon holding a globe that has my chinese zodiac sign on my right

next big job will be a samurai warrior on my back....but will be done by a japanese artist when i go and see my brother in japan in a few years

[DingoZ]

1. Don't pick the scabs
2. Don't rub dry - pat dry with a towel.
3. Use Bepanthen, or Protat liberally on the tat for the recommended time.
4. Don't go out and sunbake or get sunburnt for the first 3-4 months of having your tat done. (Something to do with the ultraviolet rays affecting the ink)...
5. Apply skin moisturiser (yes moisturiser), to the whole area liberally for a few weeks after it has all healed...

Mine took 5 & 1/2 hours to complete, followed the aftercare instructions and never had a problem with scabs or scarring. Will definetely be looking at further inkwork sometime in the near future...

Rock on Gill from Tattoo City - Cuba Mall Wellington

[Forest]

I got a tattoo during my last relationship. To remind myself of how lucky I was to met my partner.

Now she is my ex. And I'm mighty fucking glad I didn't get her name put on my arm.

[ynot slow]

[QUOTE=The Redneck;1732603]i know it's been said....but I will reiterate...DON'T PICK THE SCABS!

get a good artist! get a good artist, and my final piece of advice is get a good artist!


[QUOTE]

He has a bloody good artist,good array of original art etc,can't go wrong with the guy,even if he lives in the bread capital of NZ,not the city lol.

[Okey Dokey]

A relative of mine got a tat last year. Used something called Tattoo Goo every day to keep it moisturised or something. I think it had beeswax in it.

Anyway, tat still looks bright and vibrant now. Healed really well. Still using original pot of Goo, too. Might be worth looking for or asking the tattooist.

Good luck, I hope this helps.

[soundbeltfarm]

Hard case.

I walked into a newly opened tattoo shop this arvo and made a booking, Pure impulse. booked in for tomorrow seeing as his book was pretty empty.

Told him I wanted a skull n cross-bones on my calf, No picture, let him go wild with it.

Should prove interesting.

make sure the place doing your tattoo man is good.
jase done mine this morning and he was saying there is nothing in nz like ((builders have Mb etc) and alot of tattoo gear is coming from china on TM and he said there has been alot of fuck ups .
they are bringing in gear that requires alot of knowledge to use properly and he has had to fix a couple people up that have been to 2 new establishments in taranaki that have been stuffed up.
I wont name the tatto places but just be careful.

My tattoo took hour and 20 to do and im stoked as with it.
will post a pic once i take the glad wrap off and have a hot shower.
the outlines hurt a bit but nothing like i was expecting.
jase seems to pick your pain threshold and stops before you hit your limit.
the colouring in was sweet and the shading was easy as . compared the shading to rubbing a stiff bristled toothbrush over the skin.
wicked price too got it for a 100 including 3 different designs he came up with.

will post pic soon.

[PrincessBandit]

Level of discomfort depends where they're done, I've heard areas close to bone hurt more than "fleshy" areas. (Perhaps that's why mine didn't hurt all that much LOL). Both times though it crossed my mind to wonder if the sensation compared to having a red hot needle dragged across my skin.
I love mine, but they're in places which are not seen unless I choose to reveal them.........and by the time I'm 83, if I live that long, I doubt anyone will be taking too close a look.....lol ;)

[Headbanger]

Mine hurt like hell fire.

But so did the other 9 before it.

Guess I'm just soft, Though I reckon they just assume big ugly bastards can handle it so they go hard.

[portokiwi]

Good on you mate. Just be sure of what you want and where you want it.
A lot of employers dont like seeing tats on show. Mine are covered when at work. Keeps them happy.
That allways helps when looking for new jobs.
Still the choise is yours.:niceone:

[soundbeltfarm]

heres a pic .
still a bit of vaseline on it and it bit low res .
but im really stoked with it.
My two boys come home from school and are buzzing too.
It my birthday present to me from them.
now i'm getting my heritage done on my back in december.
on one side of my spine i'm getting a scottish highland piper and on the other side a viking since that my mum and dads family ancestory.
That will be cool to i reckon,

[portokiwi]

Nice Tat mate. its allways nicer when it for family

[tbone]

Great looking tattoo man - looks good!

[alanzs]

Looks good... Keep those pics coming as you progress....

[Headbanger]

Nice, as I was getting mine done today I settled on how I'm going to get the kids names done, Pencil it in for next time.

Anyhow, Here's what I had done today (hope ya dont mind me piggy-backing on your thread) I did end up showing him a pic just to show him how I wanted it set-out, all the art-work is of course his....Though I can't remember the name of his shop.

Shes all lubed up at the moment, and the white high-lights are currently stained by blood....

http://www.imagef1.net.nz/files/calf.jpg

[Ms Piggy]

My tattoo took hour and 20 to do and im stoked as with it.
will post a pic once i take the glad wrap off and have a hot shower.
the outlines hurt a bit but nothing like i was expecting.
jase seems to pick your pain threshold and stops before you hit your limit.
the colouring in was sweet and the shading was easy as . compared the shading to rubbing a stiff bristled toothbrush over the skin.
wicked price too got it for a 100 including 3 different designs he came up with. will post pic soon.
Hey there. Look forward to seeing your tat.

1 thing that I've used for the 1st week is a cream called Bepanthen (recommended by my Tattooist). It only costs about $12 and you can get it from the chemist or some supermarkets. I think it's normally used for nappy rash on babies.

Here's some info on it: "Bepanthen an antiseptic cream with Vitamin B5, is effective in treating nappy rash, This antiseptic cream is also an effective nipple care product. It also provides quick relief from sunburn, minor burns & scalds, skin irritations, chapped hands,"

[alanzs]

Nice, as I was getting mine done today I settled on how I'm going to get the kids names done, Pencil it in for next time.

Anyhow, Here's what I had done today (hope ya dont mind me piggy-backing on your thread) I did end up showing him a pic just to show him how I wanted it set-out, all the art-work is of course his....Though I can't remember the name of his shop.

Shes all lubed up at the moment, and the white high-lights are currently stained by blood....

http://www.imagef1.net.nz/files/calf.jpg

We may not agree about everything, but that looks very well done... :clap: