Getting A Tattoo: Here's What To Consider Before Getting One
Tattoos don't go out of fashion! But before getting one, there are a few things you need to consider, because it stays with you for life!
Tattoos are no longer a rarity today! Instead, not having a tattoo is almost something special. The hype continues, but the decision to get a tattoo for the first time is far from easy. After all, a tattoo is a painful and expensive experience. That's why there are a few things you should consider before getting your first tattoo!
We'll give you some things to consider - they shouldn't make you give up on your decision, but they should make you realize that a tattoo doesn't have to be a spontaneous act.
1. The Right Design
The most important thing is, of course, the design. What exactly do you want to get tattooed? Should it have a meaning or is it rather a "piece of jewelry"? Also, you need to ask yourself if you want to do it in black and white, color or with white ink. You should ask your tattoo artist for advice, because depending on your skin tone, some colors won't look the way you want them to. The size of the design is also important. Do you have to hide it while you're at work, or are you flexible? You can also discuss all these questions with your tattooist.
2. The Right Place
Besides the type of design, the location is equally important. Finding the right spot often depends on whether or not you need to hide the tattoo at work. This limits your decision.
The level of pain also varies depending on the location. In places on the body where your skin is thinner, such as on the foot or wrists, a tattoo can be quite painful. Additionally, depending on the design, there are some places that are suitable. Large designs are mostly tattooed on the back or arms. Thin inscriptions or small symbols especially shine when tattooed on your wrists or hands. Just ask your trusted tattoo artist for advice.
3. Finding the Right Tattoo Artist
The most important decision for your first tattoo is probably the choice of the tattoo salon. Important: don't choose the first one you see and/or the cheapest one. Take your time to decide, ask your friends, read reviews and talk to tattoo artists personally. You will have a tattoo for the rest of your life, so a few extra months don't matter. The hygiene of the studio is especially important. It must be impeccable. Depending on the desired design, there are tattoo studios that have specific expertise. With good and popular tattoo artists, you may have to wait up to a year for an appointment - but it is worth the wait.
4. Clarify the Costs Beforehand
A good tattoo comes at a price, of course. The bigger and more difficult the design, the more money you have to spend. The colors also cost more. Most of the time, you have it retouched after a few months. The price is usually fixed in advance - at some tattoo parlors, the retouching is free for a certain period.
5. The Preparation
You don't have to prepare much, but it would be advisable not to drink any alcohol the day before and to drink a lot of water instead. If you're getting a bigger tattoo that'll take a few hours, don't forget to pack some snacks. If you're taking medications, inform your tattoo artist beforehand. Blood-thinning drugs, such as aspirin, should be avoided.
6. Here's What you Need to Pay Attention to During the Appointment
You've probably put a lot of thought into your tattoo. Tattoo artists often offer well-intentioned advice based on their experience. For example, they often recommend making the tattoo a little bigger so that it will age better. You can chase many tattoo artists with mini-tattoos! But don't let your tattoo artist convince you to do something you don't really want! You want a pink tattoo, but they recommend another color (maybe just for personal taste)? Stay true to yourself and your wishes, or you might regret it later.
7. Got Snacks?
This actually makes perfect sense, yet many people forget to pack enough snacks and water before heading to the tattoo shop. Support your body during the tattoo session!
8. The Right Care
After the tattoo session, an important phase is coming up: the care phase. For two weeks, avoid swimming and doing sports, because your tattoo is a wound that must heal in peace. Moreover, you should not expose yourself to the sun for 1 to 2 months. Your tattoo artist will recommend skin care products and creams with which you can moisture your skin and support the healing process.
9. Don't Scratch!
As soon as a few days have passed since the tattoo appointment, your tattoo will start to itch. This is normal, as it is part of the healing process. But don't allow yourself to scratch the freshly tattooed area! You risk making scars and prevent your tattoo from healing. What you can do instead is scratch an area around the tattoo, but not the design directly. The same goes for scabs: Don't touch it and give the skin time to heal.
However, from January on, there is one additional thing you need to pay attention to:
Colored Inks Will be Banned in the EU from January 2022 on
It's hard to believe, but as of January 4, 2022, the chemicals in most colored tattoo inks will be banned by the EU's REACH chemicals regulation. A year later, in early 2023, the use of "blue 15" and "green 7" pigments, used in most colored inks, will be banned in a second step. As the data on the safety of these pigments "blue 15" and "green 7" is currently insufficient, they will be banned. This means that from 2022 onward, there will only be black and white tattoos in the EU for the time being.
We can only hope that manufacturers will quickly develop REACH compliant color pigments or that a legal solution will be found. Unfortunately, we don't know when we will be able to get a color tattoo again, at least in the EU!