Should I be scared of my first tattoo? 10 Tips To Keep You Calm
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Should I be scared of my first tattoo? Getting a tattoo can be a very nerve-wracking experience. You may be worried about the pain, the cost, or how it will look once it’s finished. Don’t worry. This anxiety is totally normal!
How do I get over my fear of getting a tattoo? Here are some tips that may help you to keep calm: Taking some distractions such as music or films to watch, and using numbing cream can all help you have a calm tattoo experience. Talk to your tattoo artist about your worries and they will help.
If you have tattoo jitters about your upcoming tattoo appointment, don’t worry – we’ve got you covered. In this blog post, we’ll discuss 10 tips to help you stay calm and get through your first tattoo without any anxiety or drama!
1 – Figure out what it is that you are worried about
Is it the pain? The cost? How it will look once it’s finished? Will you faint during the tattoo? Are needles a problem for you? Are you worried about other peoples reactions or even allergic reactions?
Once you know what your main concern or anxiety is, you can start to address it.
If you’re worried about the pain, for example, try doing some research on the subject. Find out how other people have coped with tattoo pain, and see if there are any numbing creams or other products that might help you.
If cost is a worry, have a chat to your tattoo artist about payment options and see if they can work with you to create a budget-friendly design.
And if you’re worried about how your tattoo will look, remember that your tattoo artist is a professional! They will work with you to create a design that you love, and they will make sure that it is applied perfectly.
If you have an anxiety disorder you may want to speak to your doctor too, to see if medication can help.
So whatever your worry may be, there is no need to stress – we promise! Just follow our tips and you’ll be just fine.
2 – Talk to your artist about your worries.
Your tattoo artist is a professional, and they have probably seen it all before! They know that people get worried before a tattoo and it’s part of their job to guide you through it. Tattoo Parlors know how to help worried clients.
If you’re feeling anxious about getting a tattoo, reach out to them. and have a chat about it. They will be able to put your mind at ease and help you to understand the process better.
They will also be able to offer advice on how to deal with any pain or discomfort that you may experience during the tattoo.
So if you’re feeling nervous, don’t hesitate to reach out to your artist for a chat. They will be more than happy to help!
3 – How to handle needle phobia
Having a fear of needles is very common. If you struggle with getting injections or giving blood you may be really anxious about getting a tattoo and wonder if you can do it.
It’s really important to understand that getting a tattoo is very different from a medical procedure. Tattoo needles don’t look medical. In fact you can’t even really see them when you are getting the tattoo..
Most artists nowadays use needle cartridges. This means that the tattoo needles are hidden inside a plastic housing. It looks much more like a paintbrush than a medical needle.
The needle also doesn’t go far into the skin unlike when you have an injection. It is only brushing the top surface of the skin rather than penetrating deeply. The tattoo ink is deposited only about 2 mm into the skin.
If you have a needle phobia it is important to tell your artist before starting the tattoo. They will be able to work with you to make sure that you are as comfortable as possible during the experience.
4 – How to Handle Tattoo Pain worries
Tattoo pain is something that people often worry about before getting their first tattoo. Pain panics are very common. It is important to understand that everyone has a different pain tolerance and experiences pain differently.
Some people with sensitive skin find it quite painful, while others find it more of an annoyance. How much pain you feel will also depend on where on your body you are getting the tattoo.
Areas that have more flesh, such as the thigh or shoulder, will generally be less painful than areas with less flesh, such as the wrist or ankle.
That said, there are a few things that you can do to help manage the pain.
- Make sure that you are hydrated before your tattoo appointment. This will help your body to cope with the pain better.
- Don’t drink alcohol the night before. Being hungover during a tattoo increases the pain. You will literally want to die. Trust us, it’s not worth it!
- Make sure you eat a good meal before you go for your tattoo appointment. This helps to stabilize your blood sugar which can help with the pain.
- It’s ok to take an over the counter painkiller such as Tylenol before your appointment which can take the edge off the pain
- Choose a lower pain area for your first tattoo so you can get the hang of it., Don’t get a huge piece on your rib cage for starters. Start with a smaller tattoo size if you are really worried about pain to see how you go on.
- Choose a lower pain design. Different styles and techniques have different pain levels. For example, a dot work tattoo will generally be less painful than a heavier style such as a black tribal tattoo. You can read more about this in this post. Are dotwork tattoos less painful?
- Take some deep breaths and try to relax. The more tense you are, the more painful it will be. So try to take it easy and you’ll get through it!
Remember, people keep going back for more and more tattoos and if the pain was unbearable they would run screaming, never to be seen again. The pain is bearable and you can handle it.
Read this extensive post for more information on how to handle tattoo pain. Tattoo Pain Chart Female. A Tattoo Pain Map For Women
5 – Eat a good breakfast before your tattoo appointment
You might be tempted to skip breakfast because you’re nervous about your tattoo appointment. But it’s actually really important to eat a good meal before you go. This helps to stabilize your blood sugar which can help you handle the pain better.
Having a good breakfast [bacon, eggs, etc – not just cereal] will also mean that you are much less likely to faint during the tattoo.
The people who pass out or have a funny turn usually haven’t eaten anything before they get tattooed. This means that the anxiety and stress makes their blood sugar plummet. This can cause a sudden reduction of blood flow to the brain making them faint or feel sick.
Eating before you go can often fix this. You may also want to take some snack bars or sweets with you to keep you going through the duration of the tattoo.
Tattoo day is not the day to be on a diet.
So make sure you have a good solid breakfast before you head to the studio!
6 – Ask your tattoo artist about numbing cream
If you are really worried about the pain, ask your tattoo artist about numbing cream. This can help to take the edge off the physical pain.
However, it can cause problems during the tattoo and only works well for small tattoos. Many artists won’t use it at all as it can make the tattooing process difficult and cause issues with healing.
Some artists use a numbing spray which can help too.
Your tattoo artist will be able to advise you on whether or not numbing cream is a possibility.
Please don’t put it on yourself without talking to them as they may refuse to tattoo you and you will lose your appointment.
7 – Limit your tattoo breaks to minimize pain
I have seen some really poor advice being given on the internet saying that you should take plenty of breaks to handle the pain. This is the worst possible thing to do.
More breaks = more pain. It’s as simple as that.
The tattoo will hurt more if you take a lot of breaks. This is because your body releases adrenaline and natural pain killers called Endorphins when you’re in pain.
These are natural hormones that give you opiate-like pain relief and a high. {which is why you feel great after you have a tattoo}
Every time you stop, even for 5 minutes, your body thinks you are done with the pain. It dials back the endorphins.
Then when you restart the tattoo you need to get back into the zone which is difficult as you wait for the Endorphins to increase again.
If you have a lot of breaks you will lose your Endorphin hit altogether and you will start to really struggle.
People who are constantly taking breaks are a nightmare client for a tattooist as they lose their flow and it will cost you more too as the tattoo will take longer and they will keep the clock running.
One or two short bathroom breaks are fine but minimizing your breaks will help you minimize the pain.
8 – Talk about your budget with your artist to stop money panics.
Nail down your tattoobudget before you start. This is one of the most important things you can do before you get your tattoo.
You need to have a realistic idea of how much your tattoo will cost.
The last thing you want is to be half way through your tattoo and then start to panic about the cost. This can really ruin the experience for you.
Talk to your artist before you start and explain what you can afford. Get an idea of how much the tattoo will be. They may be able to give you a fixed price or a maximum cost.
They will work with you to make sure that you get a great tattoo that is affordable.
9 – Make sure you see and approve your tattoo design
Most tattoo artists will prepare your design before the appointment. They will often send it to you a week or two before the date. That way you know what you are getting and can make any changes before the day.
Most artists don’t like to make any changes on the appointment day so you need to make sure everything is right beforehand.
Make sure the artist sends you the design to approve. If they haven’t sent you anything a week before the appointment get in contact with them.
Don’t be afraid to make changes. This is how the design process works. They should be able to accommodate this and send you a revised version.
Discuss colors and shading before you start. The artist may just show you a line outline. They probably won’t send you a fully finished-looking tattoo image. You need to make sure you are both working from the same page with regards to tattoo style and colors used. Make sure you discuss this.
This way you will make sure you end up with a tattoo design you love.
10 – Embrace distractions during your tattoo session
The best way to deal with pain is to distract yourself. This can be difficult as you need to stay still during the tattoo but there are ways you can do it.
- Take headphones and choose a song or playlist that you love and will help you get into a flow state. This could be something exciting or calming depending on your personality.
- Download a good movie to watch. Getting immersed in a film can take your brain far away from the pain of the tattoo.
- Talk to the artist and get to know them. They will generally be more than happy to chat with you and help take your mind off the pain.
- Focus on your breath. This is a great way to distract yourself and calm your mind. Taking deep slow breaths in through your nose and out through your mouth.
- Focus on the tattoo itself and how amazing it will look when it’s finished. This is a great way to stay motivated during a long session.
Lastly, remember that the pain is only temporary and it will be over before you know it. Focus on the end goal and how great you will feel when it’s done.
How common is it for people to regret their tattoo?
Getting a tattoo is not something you should do on a whim. You need to be 100% sure before you take the plunge. according to one study, 23% of people regret their tattoos. This may be because they don’t like the design or the location of the tattoo or it may remind them of a bad time in their life.
It’s not unusual for people to have second thoughts after getting a tattoo.
The most common reasons for regret are:
- The design is not what they wanted.
- They have visible tattoos and they’re self-conscious about it.
- They got it while drunk or on drugs.
- They have an association between the tattoo and a bad time in their life.
- It is badly done.
If you’re thinking about getting a tattoo, make sure you do your research. Choose a design you’re sure about and pick an artist you trust.
And if you’re still not sure, don’t be afraid to wait a while before making the decision. A tattoo is for life, so there’s no rush.
Take your time and make sure you’re 100% happy with your decision before you take the plunge. This will minimise your chances for tattoo regret.
If you do regret your tattoo, there are options for removing it. However tattoo removal procedures such as laser treatment can be costly and painful, so it’s best to avoid regret in the first place.
Conclusion – How do I get over my fear of getting a tattoo?
Now that you’ve read these tips, you should be feeling a little more prepared and less anxious about your upcoming tattoo experience. Remember to stay calm and positive, and don’t be afraid to ask your artist any questions they may have. Don’t let your anxiety stop you from from getting a tattoo.
Most importantly, enjoy the process! Getting a tattoo can be an incredibly rewarding experience, both physically and emotionally. Are you excited to get started?
The information on the site is for entertainment only. Anything you do is at your own risk. Consult with your own Tattooist, Piercer or Doctor for advice.
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