Tattoos are an ancient form of body art that recently, within the past decade or so, is becoming a rather large trend. Obviously, if you’ve stumbled onto this article, you’re looking to learn about the art of tattooing, and what to expect getting your first one, am I right? Well, let’s get started then!

First off, let me tell you a bit about myself. I’ve been studying to be a tattoo artist for about 8 months (as of this article’s publish date), and am slowly starting up my own collection of tattoos. The shop where I work is one of the cleanest and most professional that I’ve seen in the business, and I’ve learned quite a bit from the artists there.

I would’ve killed for a “What to Expect” guide for my first tattoo because I was so nervous, but it really isn’t as bad as you think. Once you’ve picked out your design (it helps to have at least a vague idea of what you want, even if you don’t have a picture), talk to the artist about what you want EXACTLY, and they can work with you to get that perfect design. Don’t pick something off of the wall or out of the books! Would you really want to be walking along somewhere and see someone with the exact same tattoo as you? And you thought you were upset that your neighbor had the same shirt. Tattoo artists are called artists for a reason…they can draw anything that you want! However, be prepared to schedule an appointment if you’re looking to get a very elaborate custom done. Also, don’t be afraid to ask to see the artist’s portfolios to make sure that their  style is something that will fit your design.

After your design has been drawn up and it’s perfect for you (remember, this will be on you for the rest of your life!), then the artist will use transfer paper to make up a stencil to put on you. This blue-ish print will be placed on your selected body part after your skin has been cleansed and, depending on the area, shaved. If the placement isn’t perfect, tell them! One stencil can be re-applied 3 or 4 times before it wears out.

Around this time, where it really starts to register that you’re actually getting a tattoo, you’ll be asked to have a seat in a way that’s comfortable for both you and the artist. They are required to wear gloves during the procedure to prevent cross-contamination, and many will open their sterilized equipment in front of you (needles and tubes, which hold the ink) to ensure their cleanliness. A tattoo artist will NEVER, EVER use a needle more than once if they’re professional, and they will ALWAYS be wearing gloves. If they aren’t, they risk contaminating you with someone else’s blood, and no tattoo is worth that.

First, your design will be outlined. Usually, black ink is the primary color for this, though some will do other shades if you ask. Black is preferred among most artists, however, because it leaves the crispest mark and isn’t as quick to blur over time because of its potency. Some tattoos are also lineless, but you’ll have to specify if you want this or not. The lining is what hurts most for people, because it is a tighter grouping of needles, meaning that the pressure is all going to a more concentrated place. Think of a woman wearing high-heels and how much more pressure she would put on the ground than if she were wearing flip-flops. The amount of pain depends on the location of the body, and on the person. Places where the flesh is stretched thinner (feet, ribs, neck, hip bone) typically hurt a bit more than places where there is more flesh (arm, legs, and stomach come to mind). Some people think that tattoos hurt no matter what or where, and still others feel no pain at all.

I’m sure you’re curious as to what exactly the pain feels like. A lot of people describe it as the feeling of a bee sting, without the horrible after-swelling. Another common comparison is that it feels like poking a sunburn, or an irritating sting. What really gets most people so nervous and sweaty, or faint, isn’t really the pain at all, but the adrenaline caused by the pain’s anticipation. Don’t be nervous! It also helps to eat and drink beforehand if you feel like you’ll be queasy or dizzy during the procedure.

After the lining process is done, most tattoos will be colored, or shaded with black and white. Sometimes, however, people opt to do this in a different session if it is a particularly large tattoo. This grouping of needles is much more broad, and the procedure isn’t quite as precise, so many people agree that it hurts less. That could also be due to the fact that after repeated trauma longer than 10 or 15 minutes, the area becomes a bit numb.

After a while (depending on the size and intricacy of your design), it’ll be all done! Assuming that your chosen artist and shop are well-versed in cleanliness (which they ALL should be if they’re working in a shop with others), there is VERY little, almost no risk of an infection. Make sure to follow their instructions for healing very carefully, not only to avoid infecting it yourself, but to also make sure that your new tattoo stays as vibrant and crisp as it can. The most important thing will be not to suffocate your tattoo with ointment or a protective covering (gauze or paper towel) as well as make sure that it doesn’t get too dry. There are other instructions concerning sun and water exposure, ointment types, and more, but each artist has their own preference for tattoo care, and you should always listen to their instructions to the best of your ability. Most tattoos heal within 2-4 weeks, but if you have any abnormalities during that time, call the shop. Don’t think you can handle it on your own if you’ve never had a tattoo before, as it might jeopardize its final outcome or staying infection-free!

I hope that this little guide helps you, and that you have a successful tattoo experience! Just keep in mind that tattoos are addicting, and you might be tempted to go back for more, not that that’s a bad thing. Thank you for reading!