Parents normally say, ‘only hoodlums and louts get tattoos, piercings, and dreadlocks,’ and you had no reason to disbelieve them since that is how certain things are viewed culturally on this side of the planet. But when you become older, you realise that your parents couldn’t be more mistaken about this form of body art, fashion statement, and chronicler of various chapters of one’s life.

Moet Abebe

 

Even though having a tattoo may not be as stigmatised as our parents stated or what the general population thinks, you should give the decision great thinking before getting one. You don’t want a bottle of vodka to influence your first tattoo, as there’s a considerable possibility you’ll grow to regret it bitterly and end up footing the bill for repeated sessions of laser tattoo removal for years to come. So as you flirt with the idea of inking your skin, have a few things in mind.

Wizkid

Expect Some Level of Pain

Regardless of your pain tolerance, you will feel pain. It’s a hot needle constantly scratching your skin—of course, it will hurt. But the type of ink and where you get it is the real conversation. A few minutes into your tattoo (ten to fifteen minutes, give or take, depending on the tattoo’s size), adrenaline kicks in to try to help you tolerate the pain better.

If you’re getting a larger piece done, you should expect the pain in waves. The fleshier part of your body would hurt less if you were getting a small tattoo; parts like your wrist or arm are easy places to start with before moving on to bigger ones.

Expect more pain, however, in parts like your ribs, hips, feet, ankles, neck, backs of your knees, or insides of your elbows. In addition, if you were thinking of chugging down a few shots of tequila or paracetamol, have a rethink since they all thin your blood and can make the process dangerous. Use Tylenol instead, or keep yourself occupied with Netflix or a buddy to take the edge off.

Uti’s Leg Tattoo

Get A Trusted Ink Artist

Every tattoo shop or artist is not always certified or skilled. There are several factors involved in using a tattoo machine, and not everyone has the talent to work on your skin. You wouldn’t want a tattoo that has been poorly applied to be on your body.

Ask for the tattoo artist’s license without hesitation. Run away if the artist (or artists) aren’t using gloves or using single-use needles.

Timini Egbuson

Know The Risks

Aside from a botched tattoo, another thing that could happen but rarely does is an allergic reaction
to red dye. If you’ve had an allergic reaction to dye in the past, perhaps from hair dye, consult with your doctor before getting a tattoo.

Trevor Jackson

What To Do After Getting A Tattoo

After your tattoo is fully finished, wait two weeks before going near any bodies of water. To prevent
infection, limit your use of saunas, hot tubs, pools, lakes, oceans, ponds, etc., during that time. Also, refrain from taking baths. Even hard activities like working out that can result in excessive sweating should be avoided.

Regarding tattoo upkeep, leave it clean and dry for the first couple of days. It should be cleaned twice a day with a mild cleaner without smell, patted dry, and allowed to air out. You’ll notice that the tattoo dries up, tighten up, and becomes a little itchy after the first few days, but don’t scratch! Picking at your scab and skin can also remove a portion of the ink.

Idowu Lami
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