"Answering Your Burning Questions About Getting Tattooed"
Whether you're about to get your first tattoo or your 50th, you might have some questions. Nobody blames you for having a million questions about getting tattooed. There's a lot to learn, especially if you're unfamiliar with the industry. In this article, I'm going to answer some of the most frequently asked questions about tattooing.
HOW MUCH DOES A TATTOO COST?
Tattoo cost is dependent on quite a few things, including artist, size, placement, and color. When it comes to getting tattooed, you get what you pay for. While there are artists who charge very little, you should be skeptical of why they charge less.
When looking for an artist, of course, stay within your budget but avoid choosing someone solely based on cost. Make sure you're considering the quality of tattoos this person can create, otherwise, you might find yourself regretful in the future.
A larger tattoo will cost more, however, many artists are willing to complete the tattoo in multiple sessions to work within your budget. For example, your first session might entail completing just the outline of your tattoo. Then you can get the color/shading finished in the next session.
Avoid haggling with your artist on the price of the tattoo, as it's extremely disrespectful. Tattoo artists have overhead, including shop payout, supplies, etc. The price of the tattoo reflects the overhead and the time spent on not only tattooing but also drawing time. If you don't agree with the price of the tattoo, simply find another artist.
HOW BAD WILL IT HURT?
Every tattoo is going to hurt; however, the size, placement, and artist are driving factors in how much pain you'll feel while getting tattooed. Some locations on the body hurt much more than others. Visit this article to read more about the most and least painful areas to have tattooed.
If you're concerned about the level of pain, consider a smaller tattoo first to test out your pain tolerance. Another option is to talk to your artist about numbing cream. Read more about numbing cream here.
CAN I COVER UP A SCAR WITH A TATTOO?
A tattoo can be an effective way to cover or distract from a scar. I say "distract" because depending on the size, depth, and severity of the scar, it may still be visible even if you tattoo over it. However, a tattoo can still serve the purpose of disguising the scar effectively.
Covering a small scar should be easy enough for most tattoo artists. If you have a large and/or deep scar to cover, you should find an artist who is well-versed in scar cover-ups.
Be aware that tattooing over a scar can be extremely painful, more so than tattooing over skin that isn't scarred. If your scar is sensitive to the touch, be prepared for it to be a painful cover-up.
CAN I USE NUMBING CREAM? DO ARTISTS PROVIDE THE NUMBING CREAM?
Always talk to your artist before using numbing cream. Some artists like it and others hate it. Sometimes it depends on the situation. Even if an artist doesn't advocate for numbing cream, they might recommend it when a client can't sit through the pain without it.
The bottom line is, if you're interested in using numbing cream, make sure you have a conversation about it with your artist beforehand. It can impact the way your skin takes the pigment, so it's beneficial for your artist to be aware.
Don't expect a tattoo artist to provide you with numbing cream. Although some artists may provide the numbing cream, many don't and it's not their responsibility to.
CAN MY FRIENDS COME WITH ME?
While most artists don't mind if you bring ONE person, don't try to bring a group of people. Most artists have a limited amount of space as is and bringing multiple people can make their area cramped and uncomfortable.
Too many people can be distracting and stressful to your artist and the other artists in the shop. Be respectful of their profession and allow them to be comfortable while they tattoo you. It's best to ask your artist beforehand if you can bring someone.
IS TANNING OKAY AFTER GETTING TATTOOED?
Do not tan or use tanning lotion after getting tattooed. ONLY apply the products your tattoo artist recommended to your tattoo until it's healed. Neglecting this could result in infection, scarring, and a lower-quality tattoo.
CAN I GO IN THE WATER AFTER GETTING TATTOOED?
Taking a shower is acceptable and recommended, however, avoid soaking your tattoo. This means no baths, hot tubs, lakes, pools, etc. The chemicals used to treat hot tubs and pools are no good for your fresh and healing tattoo.
Allowing your tattoo to soak in any water, especially lakes or the ocean, can expose your tattoo to bacteria and increase your chance of infection. Not to mention, it can dry your skin out, leading to additional stress and cracking.
HOW MUCH SHOULD I TIP MY TATTOO ARTIST?
Tipping is a great way to show appreciation for your artist and the effort they put into your tattoo. As previously mentioned, tattoo artists have quite a bit of overhead. The amount they charge per tattoo covers their supplies and shop payout, as well as the time they spent tattooing AND drawing your tattoo.
When you tip your tattoo artist, it belongs solely to the artist. Of course, the amount you tip depends on your experience with that artist. Typically, it's recommended that you tip around 20%.
CAN I GET TATTOOED WHILE PREGNANT?
It's not recommended to get tattooed while pregnant. While the risk is small, it's better to be safe and wait until you have your baby. Not to mention, there aren't many professional tattoo artists who are willing to tattoo a pregnant woman.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Getting a new tattoo is fun, exciting, and comes with a lot of questions. It's important to address your questions and concerns before your tattoo appointment so you're fully prepared and confident about your decision.
Please feel free to reach out to us at the shop with any further questions. Thanks for reading!
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