SHE JUST PLAYING DEPENDS WEAR YOU GET IT utting Things into Perspective
I do not consider myself real tolerant of pain. But certain things hurt more than others. I can endure childbirth much better than I can deal with a toothache. I think the end result and the reason you are experiencing the pain can affect how much it hurts. Getting a tattoo is one that I consider worth the discomfort because of the outcome. I know that I'm going to have this beautiful piece of artwork on me that I can be proud of when it's all said and done.
You're Not Alone
Another thing to consider is the fact that nearly everyone is nervous when they go to get a tattoo. I don't care how many you already have, there is always a feeling of apprehension when you sit in the chair. This is your body's natural defense - endorphins. Your own endorphins will kick in and help to ease any pain or discomfort you are about to deal with.
Learn As Much As You Can
And the number one thing that I find helps me to deal with any situation of feeling anxious is being 100% educated and informed about what I'm getting into. When I wanted to get my first tattoo, I did so much research about the whole process and exactly what to expect that I fell in love with the art. When I finally made the decision to get my first tattoo, I knew exactly what to expect and was not nearly as nervous as I thought I would be.
If you truly want a tattoo, and you take the time to be educated about the process and how to choose the right artist that you can have complete confidence in, I promise you that you will not run out the door screaming due to the pain. You will walk out of that studio with a smile on your face, and your permanent "rite of passage" that is well deserved for overcoming your obstacle of fear.
The Beginner's Guide to Tattoos is dedicated to those taking the first step into getting a tattoo. I invite you to read this and educate yourself on procedure, safety, and aftercare. This will give you the confidence that it gave me to sit in the chair and get inked for the first time.
TRY OTHER PEOPLE SIDE OF THE STORY :::
I'm 31 years old, and I got my first tattoo 2 days ago. It was a big deal for me, and took over a decade for me to do.
I have been fascinated with tattoos for about 17 years, since my mother got one on her hip for her 35th Birthday. I was completely shocked that Mom had a tattoo, but also fascinated.
I have always been afraid of pain, so a tattoo was out of the question (until recently). I knew it would hurt, and even though I thought tattoos could be very beautiful, I didn't think it would be worth the pain. Plus, there was the 'stigma' of being tattooed. Where I lived (Montana) tattooing still had a bad reputation.
Over the years I hung out with local hometown rock bands (sometimes I sang for them), then moved to Seattle, and I became a makeup artist, and learned bellydancing. Many of my friends were tattooed, and I even missed out on a few opportunities to join friends who were getting tattoos at the same time. For over a decade, I was surrounded by a genre of people who were creative and artistic, and tattooed. I loved to look and dream about "what I would get"- that is, IF I were brave enough.
There was also the issue of permanence. I mean, whatever the tattoo is, it never comes off. I didn't want to mess up and get something I would regret. My first boyfriend had a previous girlfriend's name on his arm, so I didn't want anything that I would regret- or anything that would remind me of emotional pain. No symbols or names. So, I decided that a tattoo wasn't for me.
Over the years, the American Tribal Bellydance movement began, as well as the "Modern Primitives" movement. Mehndi was popular in the USA. I bought books and magazines that showed various body art- makeup, and tattoos- and I even drew (fake) tattoos on actors for local independent films. I became engulfed in work and eventually the 'real world' became my focus, and I gave up most of my creative interests, in favor of a job in the technology field of a large corporation.
I was so busy concentrating on my career that one day I woke up and I was over 30. I was bored. VERY bored. And depressed. Then Sept. 11th came, and the world changed. I realized that we can never be 100 percent of anything, so all we can really do is follow our dreams while we can. So why let fears and insecurities stop me from doing what I really wanted to do?!
I did some soul searching, and the answers came quickly. I needed to be true to myself. I needed to be creative and expressive. I had forgotten the part of me that loved to create and be an artist and dancer. I also realized that the world had changed while I was busy at work. Music had evolved, as well as culture, fashion and art. I had fallen out of step with the times.
I made a list of the things I truly wanted to do, but for various reasons I was afraid to do them, or had excuses for not doing them. That list became a list of GOALS. Getting a tattoo was one of the things on that list.
It was also a spiritual opportunity, for many reasons. I'll share the four biggest ones with you. First, I wanted to deal with my fear of physical pain. I knew being tattooed would hurt, but would have a beautiful result. Second, I wanted it to mark some personal changes I'd gone through in the past few years. The tattoo was like a 'reward.' Third, it was a decision to make a commitment to myself, and to make my life as beautiful as I could by honoring and expressing myself. And the fourth big reason was that I had fought with my body for years, hating my size and struggling with bad skin and weight. I had also been abused by other people. I wanted to "claim" my body, to make it mine and make peace with it, instead of fighting with it. I wanted my body to finally be something that I owned that belonged to me.
So back to the drawing board- I wanted no symbols or bad memories. I searched the internet for weeks. I liked the new tribal style tattoos, but I wanted something a bit more feminine. I found several pictures of designs that were similar to what I wanted, and went to an artist with those, and a list of words to describe what I had in mind: swirls; gems; blue, purple and peacock colors; middle-eastern-ish but not too ethnic; looking like both stained glass and jewelry. I wanted my lower back and feet tattooed, and eventually my hips.
It sounded like a tall order to me, but I had a friend whose sister owned a tattoo shop about 30 minutes from Seattle. I went to the shop and shared my ideas with the artist. A week later, she emailed me the art she'd drawn for my lower back, to start. It was nearly perfect, but not quite "me." I kept the design, but just embellished a few spots- added a swirl here, and a gem or two there. Finally, it was perfect. My big day was that weekend.
By that time, it felt like getting a tattoo was almost just a 'formality' because mentally I had already accepted the idea. I was excited. Once I was at the shop, I finally got nervous. I put my mind on autopilot so my imagination wouldn't run away with me. I had made a decision, and that was that, so chickening out was not an option. That was part of the personal commitment experience- having doubts and feeling nervous but sticking to my decision. That was very important to me.
After the design was copied on my back and the various inks and tools ready, the artist began. Ouchie! Oh, wait...it wasn't so bad after all....I can handle this! Besides, I'm not going home with a partial tattoo, so now that she's started, I'm in this for the duration! A friend showed up shortly after the tattooing began for moral support. We chatted while I was being tattooed, and occasionally the artist would get to a sensitive spot and I'd wince. After about an hour, I did cry a bit- she was working in a particularly sensitive area. Once the outline was done, I got to take a look and WOW! It was worth it, even worth the tears.
Now, the shading and coloring began. This design turned out to be a bigger project than we had expected (about 10" x 5"), and time was running short. My artist even asked her next appointment to come in later so she could finish with me. I sort of zoned in and out of the pain, and I think the whole process took about 3 hours. The last hour hurt really bad. I used a breathing technique (exhale into the pain). I still cried a lot, but kept my head down and held still so I wouldn't mess up the tattoo. Even though it hurt, in my mind I was thinking how beautiful it would be when it was finished. I finally became 'numb' and suddenly it was over. I took a look in the mirror. WOW!!!
My tattoo was vibrant and stunning. The colors weren't what I expected (they were much brighter) but the design was perfect. I was now tattooed.
My artist instructed me on aftercare, and asked me to come back in a few weeks after it healed so she could check it. My backside didn't hurt much, and I was a little dizzy, and hungry.
It is now 2 days later, and I am still getting used to it. I want to see if the colors change after it heals...I like it, but I may want a little more blue in a couple places. Otherwise, I am happy and it was worth it. I still plan to get my feet and hips tattooed. But first I want this one to heal. So even after the pain and tears, and the years it took me to find the courage, I did it- and I would do it again.
ALSO TRY ::
It seems like everyone has a tattoo these days. What used to be the property of sailors, outlaws, and biker gangs is now a popular body decoration for many people. And it's not just anchors, skulls, and battleships anymore — from school emblems to Celtic designs to personalized symbols, people have found many ways to express themselves with their tattoos. Maybe you've thought about getting one. But before you head down to the nearest tattoo shop and roll up your sleeve, there are a few things you need to know.
So What Exactly Is a Tattoo?
A tattoo is a puncture wound, made deep in your skin, that's filled with ink. It's made by penetrating your skin with a needle and injecting ink into the area, usually creating some sort of design. What makes tattoos so long-lasting is they're so deep — the ink isn't injected into the epidermis (the top layer of skin that you continue to produce and shed throughout your lifetime). Instead, the ink is injected into the dermis, which is the second, deeper layer of skin. Dermis cells are very stable, so the tattoo is practically permanent.
Tattoos used to be done manually — that is, the tattoo artist would puncture the skin with a needle and inject the ink by hand. Though this process is still used in some parts of the world, most tattoo shops use a tattoo machine these days. A tattoo machine is a handheld electric instrument that uses a tube and needle system. On one end is a sterilized needle, which is attached to tubes that contain ink. A foot switch is used to turn on the machine, which moves the needle in and out while driving the ink about 1/8 inch (about 3 millimeters) into your skin.
Most tattoo artists know how deep to drive the needle into your skin, but not going deep enough will produce a ragged tattoo, and going too deep can cause bleeding and intense pain. Getting a tattoo can take several hours, depending on the size and design chosen.
Does It Hurt to Get a Tattoo?
Getting a tattoo can hurt, but the level of pain can vary. Because getting a tattoo involves being stuck multiple times with a needle, it can feel like getting a bunch of shots or being stung by a hornet multiple times. Some people describe the tattoo sensation as "tingling." It all depends on your pain threshold, how good the person wielding the tattoo machine is, and where exactly on your body you're getting the tattoo. Also, keep in mind that you'll probably bleed a little.
If You're Thinking About It
If you're thinking about getting a tattoo, there is one very important thing you have to keep in mind — getting it done safely. Although it might look a whole lot cooler than a big scab, a new tattoo is also a wound. Like any other slice, scrape, puncture, cut, or penetration to your skin, a tattoo is at risk for infections and disease.
First, make sure you're up to date with your immunizations (especially hepatitis and tetanus shots) and plan where you'll get medical care if your tattoo becomes infected (signs of infection include excessive redness or tenderness around the tattoo, prolonged bleeding, pus, or changes in your skin color around the tattoo).
If you have a medical problem such as heart disease, allergies, diabetes, skin disorders, a condition that affects your immune system, or infections — or if you are pregnant — ask your doctor if there are any special concerns you should have or precautions you should take beforehand. Also, if you're prone to getting keloids (an overgrowth of scar tissue in the area of the wound), it's probably best to avoid getting a tattoo altogether.
It's very important to make sure the tattoo studio is clean and safe, and that all equipment used is disposable (in the case of needles, gloves, masks, etc.) and sterilized (everything else). Some states, cities, and communities set up standards for tattoo studios, but others don't. You can call your state, county, or local health department to find out about the laws in your community, ask for recommendations on licensed tattoo shops, or check for any complaints about a particular studio.
Professional studios usually take pride in their cleanliness. Here are some things to check for:
Make sure the tattoo studio has an autoclave (a device that uses steam, pressure, and heat for sterilization). You should be allowed to watch as equipment is sterilized in the autoclave.
Check that the tattoo artist is a licensed practitioner. If so, the tattoo artist should be able to provide you with references.
Be sure that the tattoo studio follows the Occupational Safety and Health Administration's Universal Precautions. These are regulations that outline procedures to be followed when dealing with bodily fluids (in this case, blood).
If the studio looks unclean, if anything looks out of the ordinary, or if you feel in any way uncomfortable, find a better place to get your tattoo.
What's the Procedure Like?
Here's what you can expect from a normal tattooing procedure:
The tattoo artist will first wash his or her hands with a germicidal soap.
The to-be-tattooed area on your body will be cleaned and disinfected.
The tattoo artist will put on clean, fresh gloves (and possibly a surgical mask).
The tattoo artist will explain the sterilization procedure to you and open up the single-use, sterilized equipment (such as needles, etc.).
Using the tattoo machine (with a sterile, single-use needle attached), the tattoo artist will begin drawing an outline of the tattoo under your skin.
The outline will be cleaned with antiseptic soap and water.
Sterile, thicker needles will be installed on the tattoo machine, and the tattoo artist will start shading the design. After cleaning the area again, color will be injected.
Any blood will be removed by a sterile, disposable cloth or towel.
When finished, the area, now sporting a finished tattoo, will be cleaned once again and a bandage will be applied.
Taking Care of a Tattoo
The last step in getting a tattoo is very important — taking care of the tattoo until it fully heals. Follow all of the instructions the studio gives you for caring for your tattoo to make sure it heals properly. Also, keep in mind that it's very important to call your doctor right away if you see or feel any signs of infection such as pain, spreading redness, swelling, or drainage of pus. To make sure your tattoo heals properly:
Keep a bandage on the area for up to 24 hours.
Avoid touching the tattooed area and don't pick at any scabs that may form.
Wash the tattoo with an antibacterial soap (don't use alcohol or peroxide — they'll dry out the tattoo). Use a soft towel to dry the tattoo — just pat it dry and be sure not to rub it.
If you don't have an allergy to antibiotic ointment, rub some into the tattoo. Don't use petroleum jelly — it may cause the tattoo to fade.
Put an ice pack on the tattooed area if you see any redness or swelling.
Try not to get the tattoo wet until it fully heals. Stay away from pools, hot tubs, or long, hot baths.
Keep your tattoo away from the sun until it's fully healed.
Even after it's fully healed, a tattoo is more susceptible to the sun's rays, so it's a good idea to always keep it protected from direct sunlight. If you're outside often or hang out at the beach, it's recommended that you always wear a sunscreen with a minimum sun protection factor (SPF) of 30 on the tattoo. This not only protects your skin, but keeps the tattoo from fading.
What Are the Risks?
If you decide to get a tattoo, chances are everything will go as planned. But if disinfection and sterilization steps aren't followed, there are some things you need to be aware of that can go wrong. If you don't go to a tattoo studio or the tattoo studio doesn't follow precautions like using sterilized equipment or if it shares ink between customers, you're putting yourself at risk for getting viral infections such as hepatitis, bacterial skin infections, or dermatitis (severe skin irritation).
Also, some people have allergic reactions to the tattoo ink. And if you already have a skin condition such as eczema, you may have flare-ups as a result of the tattoo.
Serious complications can result if you attempt to do a tattoo yourself, have a friend do it for you, or have it done in any unclean environment. Because tattooing involves injections under the skin, viruses such as HIV and hepatitis B and C can be transferred into your body if proper precautions aren't followed. For this reason, the American Red Cross and some other blood banks require people to wait 12 months after getting a tattoo before they can donate blood.
Tattoo Removal
A lot of people love their tattoos and keep them forever. But others decide a couple of years down the road that they really don't like that rose on their ankle or snake on their bicep anymore. Or maybe you broke up with your boyfriend or girlfriend and no longer want his or her initials on your stomach. What then?
In the past, tattoo removal required surgery, but now it can be done through a medical procedure that uses a laser. Some tattoo shops also offer tattoo removal, but it's a better idea to make sure the person doing the removal is a medical doctor. Before you go just anywhere to get your tattoo removed, check with your doctor or contact the American Dermatological Association to find a reputable laser removal specialist in your area.
Although it's called tattoo removal, completely removing a tattoo can be difficult depending on factors like how old the tattoo is, how big the tattoo is, and the types and colors of inks that were used. Removal of the entire tattoo is not always guaranteed. It's best to consult with a dermatologist who specializes in tattoo removal to get your questions answered — such as whether anesthesia is used. The dermatologist can also give you a good idea of how much (if not all) of the tattoo can be removed.
Laser tattoo removal usually requires a number of visits, with each procedure lasting only a few minutes. Anesthesia may or may not be used. What happens is the laser sends short zaps of light through the top layers of your skin, with the laser's energy aimed at specific pigments in the tattoo. Those zapped pigments are then removed by your body's immune system.
Removing a tattoo by laser can be uncomfortable and can feel a lot like getting a tattoo. The entire process can take several weeks.
Just like when you get a tattoo, you must look after the wound area after a tattoo is removed. The area should be kept clean, but it shouldn't be scrubbed. Also, it might turn red for a few days and a scab might form. Don't rub or scrub the area or pick at the scab. Let it heal on its own.
Laser tattoo removal is usually effective for the most part, but there can be some side effects. The area can become infected or scarred, and it can also be susceptible to hyperpigmentation, which causes the area where your tattoo used to be to become darker than your normal skin, or hypopigmentation, which causes the area where your tattoo used to be to become lighter than your normal skin color.
Now for the big part — tattoo removal can be pretty expensive. Depending on factors like the size and design of the tattoo, removal can cost significantly more than the actual tattoo.
So Is It Worth It?
Is getting a tattoo worth the money and hassle? It's up to you. Some people really enjoy their tattoos and keep them for life, whereas others might regret that they acted on impulse and didn't think enough about it before they got one. Getting a tattoo is a big deal, especially because they're designed to be permanent.
If you've thought about it and decided you want a tattoo, make sure you do a little detective work and find a clean, safe, and professional tattoo shop. Also, remember that getting and maintaining a tattoo involves some responsibility — after you leave the tattoo shop, it's up to you to protect and treat it to prevent infections or other complications.