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Tattoo History |
Getting Inked page 2The Outline The area to be tattooed will be covered in a light layer of ointment to clean the skin, allow the needle to move over the skin more easily and to hold the transfer in place for longer. Take a good, deep breath here because it's about to start. Whatever you do, don't take in a gulp of air and hold it; this is not the time to faint from lack of oxygen! The first few moments are the worst but you need to accept that it will be uncomfortable for a while and then your body will get used to it. For some people, the sound of the tattoo machine is worse than the discomfort itself. As with the pain, you get used to it quickly and it just becomes a part of the process. The tattooist will follow the outline of the transfer in black to mark out the design on your skin. It isn't one continuous process; s/he will keep returning to the ink caps for more ink and will regularly clean your skin. This both cleans away any blood and keeps the area sterilised. In less time than you expect, you'll have a good, strong outline of your design and the tattooist will be cleaning away the remains of the transfer before they move on to the next stage. The Colour After the outline is complete and if your design requires it, the tattooist will add shading and colour. There will be a change of needles and you'll probably get a minute to take a breath and tell yourself that it isn't as bad as you expected. Most people say that the outline is the worst part of the process and after that the pain diminishes rapidly. Colouring does involve a different motion to the outlining, though, and you may find it takes another short period to get used to. How much longer you have to wait until you have a finished tattoo depends on how large the design and how much colouring is involved. Very large designs may take a number of visits to complete but I'm assuming that your first tattoo will be a little more modest. Stay relaxed, however excited you may be getting, and let the time roll by. Before you know it, you'll be a tattooed person. Time Flies When it's all over, the tattooist will carefully clean the area and then you'll get a chance to have a good look at your new tattoo. You may want to have a photograph taken at this point for posterity's sake. Equally, if the design is particularly original or the work especially good, the tattooist might ask to take a photograph for his/her portfolio. You don't have to say yes but it's no bad thing to do so; your tattoo might help other people who are deciding to get their first tattoo. When you've inspected the work, the tattooist will want to get it covered up. A new tattoo is an open wound and needs to be treated as such. Don't let that worry you, just accept it as fact. For a few weeks, your tattoo needs to be very well tended and that starts immediately. Every tattooist has a slightly different way of looking after a newly inked tattoo. They all have their own opinions about aftercare and so does everyone who's ever had a tattoo and plenty of people who will never get inked in their life. I'll discuss aftercare in the next section but, for now, listen carefully to what your tattooist tells you. Make sure the area is well covered in a layer of ointment. The tattooist will use a pad or bandage to cover the tattoo and tape it down to keep it secure. This also stops any blood or excess ink from soiling your clothes. In the past, tattooists used cellophane but this practice isn't as common anymore. Thank the tattooist for their work and make sure to tell him/her how much you like your new tattoo. If you want to express your gratitude fiscally, feel free to tip them before you leave. Go to What Happens Next |
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©2003-8 Mandy Tonks All Rights Reserved (image used under license) This web site is for information purposes only. Getting A Tattoo
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