How to Choose Your First Tattoo

One of the famous questions that most people ask themselves when considering tattooing is the type of tattoo that you are going to have for your first tattoo. Some of the other questions that may include are how painful is the tattoo going to be, what kind of care will be needed for the new tattoo and the tattoo shop where you are going to get it. The pain that will be felt will greatly depend on the area of the body you are going to have it placed. The tattoo shop, should have course, depend on your choice of the tattoo shop. Your first tattoo is basically a decision that you along should make. It should be the best tattoo for you because it is going to be your first one, and it should be given enough and careful thought. When thinking about the right image for your first tattoo, make sure that you have though about it real hard and you have considered all the different factors that will affect you. Your first tattoo should be something meaningful and something that will say something about you, so that you will not have to regret it in the near future.

This article will give some tips that will help you come into a decision about your first tattoo. However, you have to bear in mind that with any kind of design, make sure that you place some twist to it to make it your own.

Different Tattoo Designs

There are so many pictures or images that you can choose from, you can even design it yourself, or make changes to some of the pictures that you already have chosen at some tattoo shop or online designs so that it can be unique. You can choose from the different tattoos like tribal, celtic, animal, sci-fi, geek or portrait tattoos.

You can also choose from the black light UV tattoo which will look prominent under black light. Some of the popular tattoos today are stars, wings, kanji, crosses, names, words, dragons, butterflies and skulls.

Selecting the Right Tattoo for You

Here are some of the factors that you have to consider in choosing the right tattoo.

The Reason Why You Want the Tattoo

Since it is going to be your first tattoo, it should be something that is full of meaning. It can be something that may express time; your memorable experience in life that has change you or made a big difference in your life. Do not just get a tattoo because someone has just persuaded you to do so. Do not also do it just because you already have reached the right age and you could easily get one without asking permission from your parents or guardians. Think of every reason why you want to have that particular tattoo before getting it inked on your skin.

How This Tattoo Could Possibly Affect Your Present or Future Job

Think About the Design

Is the design something that you really want, did you design it or someone else just design it for you. Is the design something that you got from a particular picture? Does the meaning say something about you, or do you think it is perfect for you.

The Location of the Tattoo

When it comes to the location, you have to consider if the tattoo is something that you want to show to people all the time. If you want it to be private, then you can place it in an area where it will not be visible all the time. You also have to consider the type of body that you have, your body and type and your body curves.

Choosing the Right Tattoo Artist

Choose the artist that specializes on the type of tattoo that you want. You can always ask any recommendations from friends or relatives who already have tattoos. The cost of the tattoo will also play a vital role in having one. Make sure that the tattoo artist also is an experience one when it comes to tattooing.

What You Have To Do Before Getting a Tattoo

Before having a tattoo done, you have to make sure that the procedure will be done safely. You might think that your new tattoo is cool because it looks like a big scab, but still, it is considered a big wound. So just like any other wound, puncture, scrape, cut or penetration done to your skin, your tattoo will be prone to infection.

Get your immunizations up to date and decide where you will have your medical care done, if ever your tattoo gets infected.

Medical problem like heart disease, diabetes, allergies, skin disorders, immune system defects and other types of infections must be addressed to the doctor first so that he can give you proper precautions before you can have your tattoo.

If you are susceptible to having keloids, it is advisable to avoid having a tattoo.

You have to make sure that the tattoo studio where you will get your tattoo is clean and safe, see to it that all equipments that are going to be used are disposable and sterilized first. It is better if you could get some recommendations on some licensed tattoo shops or try to research whether the tattoo shop has any complaints about them.

Tattoo shops which are professional will take pride in their cleanliness. Some of the things that you have to look for in these tattoo shops are the autoclave, this is a device which utilizes steam, pressure and heat for the process of sterilization. Make sure that the tattoo artist who will get you the tattoo is licensed. The tattoo shop should follow the Occupational Safety and Health Administration's Universal Precautions.

Once you see that the tattoo shop does not observe cleanliness, or if ever, you do not feel that comfortable, you can always have the option to choose another tattoo shop.

One of the major things that is probably holding you back from having your first tattoo is the fact that it is permanent, it stays on your skin forever.

Yes, tattoos, may last forever, however, if you have the resources to have laser tattoo removal done, then you can always get rid of it.

It is important that when you choose your first tattoo, it is something that you really want and it says something about you, so that you will not regret it.

If you take into considerations all of these factors, you will be able to decide without any problem. Just keep in mind that first tattoos should be something meaningful to you.

Dermabrasion for tattoo removal involves the fine excision of the upper layers of skin (also known as epidermis) as a procedure of actually removing the ink from the body. This method generally necessitates a number of repeated sessions.

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The Grandest Piece of Art is the Full Back Tattoo

I think that the king of tattoos is the full back tattoo. There, I said it, full back tattoos are probably one of the most definite and complete way exhibit your body art. But after you have a few smaller tattoos done on the other parts of your body first.

Some folks go the full Monty so to speak and actually go with the full back tattoo for their very first tattoo. It is a very bold choice but not for everyone! However, I must caution, a tattoo that covers the entire back from neck and shoulders all the way down to the waist can be very attractive. But you should do your homework!

And by homework, I mean you need to choose wisely the pattern and design of your tattoo as well as choosing the artist to draw the tattoo on your back. Cut corners and you are going to be very sorry for the rest of your life because a full back tattoo isn't going to be easy or cheap to take off if you regret it.

So obviously, for a full back tattoo that isn't going to be as easy to hide or ignore as a smaller tattoo can be, it is very important that you are aware of these steps before getting one. And that is, make the time to carefully plan it out. Don't feel rushed because it may curtail your creativity. And definitely talk it over, several times if needed with your tattoo artist to make sure everything is within your specifications and the quality of the work isn't going to be substandard.

Case in point, recently a Belgian teenager girl fell asleep after asking for 3 star tattoos to be done on her face. She ended up with 56 tattoos! She blamed a language mix up and she now reportedly faces a huge bill to remove those tattoos. Now I don't know if this whole story is true because quite frankly, it does stretch incredulity. How can someone fall asleep when having tattoos put on her face? But hey, it is a story and it has a lesson attached to it. Be careful because you may end up with something you don't want!

So back to the full back tattoo. It is a large job and may take several hours depending on the coloring involved and the patterns. Usually the tattoo artist wants to trace out an outlined of the tattoo and perhaps start off with some shading and colors. And then ask you to come back after number of days to let your skin heal a bit. And then continue to work on your tattoo. Just filling in and shading some more until the complete tattoo canvas is revealed.

So let's sum everything up for anyone that is interested in getting their whole back tattooed. You should consider these things BEFORE going for it:

Understand that tattoos are usually expensive. And you shouldn't cut corners by getting a cheap tattoo artist that doesn't do a good job. Small tattoos can be expensive so the larger full back tattoos are going to be very expensive because they are bigger and more complex requiring more time to do the job right.

So feel that you need to have the most expensive tattoo artist either. Find one that is pretty good and you may be pleasantly surprised that he or she will charge a reasonable price.

Everyone has different levels of pain tolerance. So be sure you are up for hours and hours of tattoo work on your back. Backs are pretty sensitive areas. So for some of you, you may want to reconsider it if you cannot take a lot of pain and discomfort.

There are a lot of ways to design your tattoo. It can be a flash, a drawing, or one large image. So take your time to discover the tattoo design that you would love to have on your back. Because like I said before, the large back tattoos are usually forever because it can be too painful and expensive to remove it if you don't like it later on.

This is a pretty important piece of advice. Make sure you are comfortable with your tattoo artist. They are going to be spending a lot of time with you and you are going to have to really trust them to do a good job for you as well use clean instruments too.

And just because you are done getting the full back tattoo doesn't necessarily mean the pain and discomfort stops there. There is a period of time for the healing. Especially if you have to make several appointments.

So there you go. If you do your homework, a full back tattoos can be a wonderful source of pride for you. You need to put in the time and energy to plan everything so there are no surprises like waking up with 56 tattoos on your face! And make sure that it is the tattoo that you really want and would love seeing on you every single time you see it.

Becky McClure believes that the MOST important word after you made the decision to get inked is patience! Pick the right tattoo design for you. Pick the right location on your body to have it done. And then pick the best artist you can find for your new body art. Her website at http://www.dream-tattoo-design.com provides a wealth of informative articles and directions to a huge tattoo design gallery. Don't forget to sign up for the FREE tattoo newsletter and grab your freebies too!

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Tattoos - Which Tattoo Designs are Most Popular?

What are the Most Popular Tattoo Designs?

Tribal Tattoos - Tribal tattoo designs have been around for hundreds of years and are becoming more and more complex and constantly evolving and morphing into what has become known as neo tribal tattoo styles. Tribal tattoos can be traditional 'black work' on the arms and legs or more colorful styles characterised by the 'Modern Primitive' look covering the entire body.

'Old School' Style Tattoos - Anchors and swallows seem to be making a comeback and not just amongst old sailors and bikers. A lot of females are asking for tattoos of swallows and anchors on their neck and chest while many guys are going for the ol' sailor Jerry tattoos on their forearms. This style is further fueled by the 1950's revival characterised by retro vixens such as the Suicide Girls.

Lower Back Tattoos - These are a perennial favorite particularly amongst females. The most popular lower back tattoos are still tribal designs but dragons, lotus flowers and eastern symbolism seems to be popular as well.

Dragon Tattoos - Dragon tattoo designs are another style of tattoo that seems to be enjoying a revival. There are so many styles of dragons from the traditional chinese dragon tattoo to more mythical dragons.

Celtic Tattoos - Celtic tattoos are being done on people with a celtic heritage but also by many people with no celtic origin. Some of the celtic symbols are universal in nature and have universal meanings common to all races. This may explain why celtic tattoos are being mixed with tribal tattoos creating a style of tattoo known as tribal celtic tattoos.

Tips for Getting Tattoos

Choose your tattoo carefully. Don't go for some off the wall 'flash' tattoo. A good tattoo artist is capable of doing 'custom work'.

Try not mix different tattoo styles such as Japanese and Tribal styles. It doesn't work!

Go to a reputable tattoo artist not some backstreet 'scratcher' who is cheap but you will inevitably regret later. Build a relationship with the tattoo artist if you plan of getting a lot of tattoos.

Take proper care especially of newer tattoos. In summer many people get tattooed and can't wait to flash their tattoos in public. Be careful that you do not expose your new tattoos to too much sun which will fade them. Use plenty of sunscreen to avoid them fading prematurely.

Looking for tattoo designs? Visit Tao of Tattoos for more ideas.

Subscribe for FREE to 'Kinky Ink' ezine for the kookiest tattoo pictures of the month.

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Different Facts Involving Removing a Tattoo

Removing a tattoo is never easy and it could not be done in just one session. Removing tattoo completely will be really hard because of different factors. One factor that will affect the processing of getting rid of tattoo is the age of the tattoo. If the tattoo has been on the person for about 3-5 decades, the possibility of removing the colors of the ink can be real difficult. Some other factors that could affect it are the size of the tattoo and the type of the inks used. The dermatologist can help you solve your worries about tattoo and how it can be successfully get rid off. There is a chance that the dermatologist may prescribe some anesthesia, if he thinks that you need to have it.

He can also help you learn if all of your tattoos can still be removed or not. One thing that you should know is that getting tattoo removed does not happen overnight. The procedure could take few months. The pain of removing them could also be the same as the first time that you had them. Once the tattoo has been removed it will transform into a wound that needs to be taken care of and protected from any rubbing or scrubbing. Tattoo is supposed to be forever, however, you could still have it removed if you choose to, you just have to know that its removal is worse than the first time you had it. Getting rid of tattoo is not a joke, it should be taken seriously, and one may take longer in deciding whether or not to get one. Before you can make your decision, it is important to be knowledgeable about the ins and outs of removing a tattoo. Try researching before you come up with a decision.

Tattoo History

Tattoos have been here for a long time, an estimate of 10 million Americans have at least a single tattoo on their body. There are about 44,000 tattoo studios in America, alone. Tattoo is excellent method of expressing oneself. Having one can seem to be a great idea for a while, but your preference may change as time goes by. This is because we find great jobs, new loves and our taste changes in time. This is why once your past decisions and choices no longer satisfies your present taste, you will surely think of getting a tattoo removal.

Almost half of the people with tattoos considered getting rid of them. Aside from the obvious reasons of getting rid of their tattoos for new jobs, there are also some other reasons why a person may remove it. Tattoos also fade and lose its excellent for as the skin ages. If your tattoo looks very beautiful and attractive today, there will come a time that it will lose them, sometimes tattoo could also transform into an embarrassment. There are times that even gaining and losing weight can affect the valuable tattoo, making it less attractive.

Here are some of the things that you have to know about undoing a tattoo before you decide to get a tattoo.

Laser Tattoo Removal

Application of this method can remove the tattoo without the appearance of scarring. The procedure can take about 6-12 sessions before the tattoo can be fully removed. The most difficult areas in laser tattoo removal are the parts of ankles, hands and fingers. Those tattoos that are done a long time ago with only few colors can be easily removed. All the tattoo removal procedures such as surgical excision and dermabrasion can successfully remove tattoos. Even the laser tattoo removal can produce a little bit of pain.

It is a good thing that people know about the difficulty of removing tattoos, in the first place, before they decide to get one. It is harder to get rid of the tattoo than to have them. You could choose from several options of tattoo removal.

Options for Tattoo Removal

You can possible get your tattoo covered by a new tattoo, just make sure that it is 50% bigger than the old one so that it can successfully cover the entire tattoo. The very popular tattoo removal procedure is the laser treatment. This procedure involves wavelengths of lights that remove different types of pigments. This procedure works by letting the laser beam penetrate through the skin, which will then be absorbed by the ink. Once it is absorbed by the ink, it will automatically break down and naturally removed by the lymphatic system of the body. If, in case, the tattoo is too deep or maybe too small to be penetrated by the laser treatment, the part of the skin with the tattoo will be cut away and the edges will be stitched together.

In the dermabrasion procedure, the skin with the tattoo is rubbed literally using an abrasive tool. If the tattoo is too deep, skin grafting may be done. Versapulse laser could also be an option; this is fast procedure of removing undesirable tattoos. This type of laser offers low energy, which can reduce the risk of burning.

Some people also choose Tat Gone ink removal; this procedure may involve several applications, which produce great improvement. Cost of Tattoo Removal Procedure

Tattoo removal could cost a lot. If you paid $40 for getting a tattoo done, it might cost you $4500 to have the tattoo removed with the laser tattoo removal procedure. Aside from that, removing it will leave you with a scar that is very obvious. Tattoo removal procedure is not an easy task; it is a long process, longer than having the tattoo, in the first place.

For those who would like to shed their old tattoo, dermabrasion tattoo removal is not a bad option especially for those who are a little low on budget. Though it's not the cheapest, it certainly comes close to an economic budget.

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Three Steps to Tattooing Success

Tattoos have become a popular form of self-expression and even a fashion statement. The growing demand for tattoos and the potentially high income available to tattoo artists has led to an increase in the number of people who want to learn how to tattoo.

Because tattooing is both an art form and a body treatment, it's important to learn the best procedures for safe tattooing before embarking on a career as a tattoo artist. No one should consider buying a tattoo kit and starting to tattoo without becoming familiar with the best procedures for tattooing.

Learning these procedures will help any tattoo artist achieve lasting success.

There are many steps to becoming a successful tattoo artist, but here are 3 of the most important steps to tattooing success.

Step #1 - Build an Art Portfolio and Find a Tattoo Apprenticeship

If you want to be a tattoo artist, you should be comfortable with your drawing skills. Tattooing requires a good sense of line and color. If you're not confident as an artist but have a desire to learn, then take an art class or buy an art book and begin to practice your drawing. Look at tattoo designs by tattoo artists (known as tattoo flash) and begin to create some designs of your own.

Assemble your best work and display it in an artist's portfolio or binder.

Once you have a portfolio of your best art work, you'll be better prepared to find a tattoo apprenticeship. An apprenticeship is a form of on-the-job training, where an experienced tattoo artist teaches you how to tattoo. Don't expect to be paid as an apprentice - in fact, you may end up paying for the privilege of learning how to tattoo from a master tattoo artist. Prepare to save money for an apprenticeship and to work at another job while you're apprenticing. Finally, give serious thought to which tattoo artist you apprentice with and make sure it's someone whose work you respect and that you can get along with well.

Step #2 - Create Stunning Tattoo Designs

As you learn how to tattoo in an apprenticeship, you will become more skilled in creating tattoo designs. Each tattoo you apply becomes a permanent feature on the body of your client, so you want to make sure you deliver a stunning design. This doesn't mean you have to create each and every tattoo design. A client may come in with an existing design from a tattoo magazine or clients may select a flash design from the shop's collection.

The important thing is to listen to the client's requirements and provide suggestions about how to get the most impact from a design.

Often you will begin with flash and then customize it for the client by adding or removing design elements. It may be necessary to provide a client with several paper drafts of a design before you arrive at a piece of art that you both love. Don't worry too much about the time you spend doing this - it's all part of the job. Just be sure to charge the client enough to cover the time you spend on the design stage of the tattoo.

Once an eye-catching tattoo flash design has been chosen, it's up to the tattoo artist to create a work of art on the client's skin. Different outline and shading techniques can be used to enhance the basic design. Color should be carefully introduced to help bring the tattoo to life. As you learn more about how to tattoo and your experience in tattooing grows, you'll learn how to use the right amount of detail in a design, how to position it correctly on the body, and how to create clean outlines, graduated shading and even color.

Step #3 - Practice Sanitary Tattoo Procedures

The final important step in knowing how to tattoo is to understand and follow standard sanitary procedures.

A tattoo requires penetration of a client's skin, so you must recognize and eliminate the risk of infection and disease transmission. One of the most important sanitary procedures is making sure that tattoo needles and ink caps are single-use only and replaced for each new client. In addition, the work area where the tattoo is applied must be cleaned thoroughly with disinfectant before tattooing begins and the tattoo artist must wear gloves during the tattoo procedure. Following sanitary procedures will help ensure that each tattoo client receives the best possible treatment during the tattoo process.

Do you want to learn how to tattoo like a PRO?

Be sure to visit: http://www.How-To-Tattoo.com for more great tattooing information, tattoo tips, tattoo articles and more!

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Looking For Tattoo Ideas? Here's 10 Reasons to Try Looking Online!

It would be impossible not to have noticed the rise in popularity of tattoos in modern society. The stigma that was stapled to people who wore tattoos twenty or thirty years ago has pretty much disappeared, and now they are proudly shown off by people from all walks of life. From famous actors and media stars to the girl next door, it appears that everyone is now looking for that exciting, unique new tattoo that enhances their appearance and sends a colorful message to the world they live in!

Traditionally, specialized artists in parlors or studios were the source for obtaining tattoos. Each studio had a portfolio of tattoo designs which they could ink, and choosing one involved leafing through pages of examples until the right one was found. This process is inconvenient and time-consuming, and more often than not involved disappointment when that perfect, unique tattoo was simply not there.

There is now an alternative in this electronic age - The Internet! There are now vast online databases of tattoo designs from all possible genres. Celtic tattoos, tribal tattoos, Arabic or cyrillic tattoos - whatever your particular tattoo ideas, they are bound to be there.

There are enormous advantages to finding tattoos online. Here are the top ten reasons to finding your own unique tattoo via the Internet:

1. Convenience - physically attending tattoo parlors and studios is time-consuming, and there is no guarantee of success if your perfect new tattoo is not amongst their collection of tattoo ideas.

2. Genres - Whilst some major studios offer a large selection of tattoo genres, very few of them offer them all. Online sites have tattoo designs from all genres, allowing greater freedom of choice for the customer.

3. Range - With thousands upon thousands of tattoo ideas, online sites offer the greatest choice of tattoo designs and artwork within each genre.

4. Uniqueness - Most people want to find a new tattoo as unique as they are. With designs submitted from artists worldwide, it is likely that you will find a tattoo that no-one has ever seen before!

5. Blending - most online sites offer the ability to blend two or more tattoos together to form a truly unique tattoo design. This is especially important in genres such as Celtic, which often incorporate more than one tattoo design within the overall print.

6. Bookmarking - online sites offer typical computer-based benefits such as creating a short-list of favorite tattoos. You can then choose your perfect tattoo from this short list - and perhaps after that tattoo has been inked, you can come back a little later and consider getting another on that shortlist!

7. Constant Updates - online tattoo sites are constantly adding new tattoo designs from their selection of artists. Your membership to the site allows access to all of these newer designs!

8. Quality - most online sites only display tattoo designs of the highest electronic quality. This is extremely important, as you will eventually have to present a physical or electronic copy to your artist - the higher the quality, the better it will eventually look on your skin!

9. Membership Benefits - these include access to information and videos on what other members have done with their tattoos. Some great tattoo ideas can spring from seeing the tattoo flashes from other satisfied subscribers! There are also tips and tricks for caring for your tattoo, and how to ensure your tattoo is applied safely.

10. Worldwide Studio Directories - A new tattoo is for life! Therefore, it is essential that it is applied by artists of the highest skill. Most online tattoo sites will have directories of the best studios and artists. Licensing is required in many countries, and this will also be shown in the directory listing.

So, why spend hours or even days visiting parlors and studios in your local area when you can get the best tattoo ideas by just sitting down in front of your computer and plugging into the Internet! You are sure to discover that perfect tattoo design online - whether it be your first tattoo, or another exciting & decorative addition to your existing collection!

There are many websites providing this service online. For information on what I consider to be the best of these sites, please visit my blog. Apart from providing access to this amazing database, it also discusses further some of the implications of getting a tattoo, and the best ways to go about this lifelong-investment in how you present yourself to the world!

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My First Tattoo - Know Just Exactly What to Expect

If you are toying with the idea of getting your first tattoo done, have questions about the whole process and are feeling anxiety about getting it done; relax because most everyone feels the same about their first tattoo. Most peoples minds play games with them and they develop a fear of the unknown. This feeling has an adverse effect on most and makes us shy away from doing some of the things that we really want to do, like getting my first tattoo, but are afraid to take a chance. Rolla coasters are a good example for most people.

The best way to overcome fears of the tattooing process is to read books and articles and become familiar with what exactly will be involved in the tattoo experience. This way you will be aware of each step in the process and know precisely what to expect before the needle starts buzzing. In this article, I will tell you, from start to finish, each step involved in tattooing.

Please bear in mind though, that I will be describing just exactly how the process should generally proceed. There will always be possibilities that different tattoo artists will do things differently than I describe or in some instances even skip some of these steps. This does not necessarily mean that the artist is wrong; it just means that there is more than one way to skin a cat. So to speak. But do be aware that any major variations from the process described below could be an indication of a problem. You may want to discuss with your artist, their procedures in advance.

Let us assume that you have nailed down your tattoo design and have your desired artist picked out. A truly professional artist will require that you show valid identification and proof of age. You may also have to fill out other paperwork and give some other types of personal data. This will vary from shop to shop and has little bearing on the actual process.

Most tattoo parlors will require payment for their services before they begin. This again will vary from shop to shop and each will vary in the types of payment that they accept. You should always request a receipt for your payment.

Now you are ready for the chair. This can be in an open area or a separate room. This will vary between shops and also vary with the part of the body you are having tattooed. If you prefer a private room, you should talk to parlor personnel about this in advance. There are varying styles of chairs for different tattoos, so a private room may not always be convenient for the parlor to furnish. Your artist should do everything in their power to make you feel comfortable and accommodate your requests or tell you why they cannot.

Preparing the tattoo area. Rubbing alcohol is the most common substance used to clean the area that will receive the tattoo. Once the area is cleaned, then the area will be shaved with a new disposable razor to remove any hair. The area has to be clean shaven because any presence of hair can cause problems. The immediate and surrounding area will be cleaned again, making sure there is no hair remaining and everything is set to proceed.

Making a stencil of your tattoo design. The artist will most likely use a thermal-fax machine to make a stencil of the tattoo design. The machine will transfer your design onto a special thermal type paper to be used as a stencil. The artist will then use the stencil to transfer the design onto your skin. To aid in the transfer process, the artist will use soap, water or even stick deodorant to moisten the skin. These substances allow the design to transfer better and provide more color on your skin. When the stencil is removed, you will have a purple-ish blue impression of the future tattoo remaining on your skin.

Your artist will begin preparing their tattoo equipment. The ink will be put into little small cups they call "ink caps". They will remove the needles and tubes from the sterile pouches and place them into their tattoo machine. A clean container of distilled water will be another of the items on the work table. This will be used for cleaning the needles during the tattoo process and for changing colors.

Now for the line work! A small amount of ointment will be placed over the transferred design. The ointment will help the transfer to stay longer and prevent it from being accidentally rubbed off. The ointment will also allow the needle to slide along the skin more smoothly. Now that the ointment is in place, the artist will begin their line work. At this point, is where your heart will start to race and panic will set in. Take slow, nice, deep breaths and try to relax. Do not hold your breath. The first minute or two will be the toughest. After a few minutes, your nerve endings will get used to the process and the pain will slowly subside.

Time for shading and color. After the line work is complete, your artist will breathe a little bit easier knowing that you have grown accustom to the process and they are done with the transfer. Now the artist can do their thing and begin adding shading and color; if your tattoo is going to have color. Depending on the size of your tattoo, your artist may switch to a different set of needles. The needles used for shading and color are called magnums (or mags). There is a possibility that they may even switch tattoo machines. The shading and coloring usually moves along quite rapidly and then your tattoo will be complete.

Now that your done, it is time for a little fun! The artist will clean the tattoo good, and some will even apply a hot towel to it. Then, if your tattoo is somewhat of a specialty or the artist needs to build up their portfolio they will ask to take a picture. If you brought a camera along, you might ask the artist to take a picture for yourself. The ointment that will be applied to the tattoo will cause a glaze. So, if you want a picture of the tattoo, it would be best to do it before the ointment is applied. If for some reason you do not want the artist to take a photo, just say no. You are not obligated in any way to let them do this.

To your body, your tattoo is a wound and will require care for proper healing. A protective layer of ointment will be applied to the tattoo to prevent airborne bacteria that may cause infections. A securely taped bandage will then be applied. Follow the recommendations of your artist when they tell you how long to leave the bandage in place and prepare for your tattoo aftercare.

Your artist should give you tattoo aftercare instructions. These instructions should be given both verbally, and written so that you can follow them at home. It is important that you listen, understand and follow these instructions. If they give you instructions or you want to make sure that you are doing the right thing to heal your new tattoo and preserve its lasting beauty you can read very detailed instructions on Tattoo Aftercare at http://www.thetattoooutlet.com/Tattoo-Aftercare-Instructions.html.

Tattoo aftercare is your responsibility and it is a very important period in the tattooing process. Caring for your tattoo properly will make your tattoos' appearance stunning and also ward off medical repercussions with infection.

If you are pleased with your tattoo and your experience as a whole, before you leave, thank your artist, and do not forget to tip them. Show them that you appreciate a job well done.

Your first tattoo can be the most enjoyable thing that you have ever done in your life or it can turn out to be a total disaster. This will depend upon the amount of research you put into your decision to get a first tattoo. There are numerous tattoo books and valuable information available on my site at http://www.thetattoooutlet.com Use these resources to gain all of the knowledge you will need to make your first tattoo experience exciting and memorable. There are also 700 Free Tattoo Designs that you can download to help with your search for that perfect tattoo design.

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