Getting my first tattoo in a couple weeks, and have a couple questions?

Question

I've wanted to get a tattoo for several years now, but have been uncertain on what and where, however, over the past couple months I've perfected a design that I'm going to have done as sort of a birthday present to myself.

While I unfortunately cannot post a picture of the design (broken scanner :( ), the best description I can give is that its about 4 inches across, 11 inches long, and is a medieval/gothic style cross with a dragon embracing it, and I'm looking to have it done on my right calf.

Now, before I actually have it done, I have a couple questions about the actual process and whats involved and what not.

1) One of the most important thing I've been considering in having it done is cost. While I understand different artists work for different rates, I'm not sure if anyone can sort of ballpark a figure for me. Its about 4 inches across and 10 or 11 inches long, has moderate detail (I know its vague, I apologize), and is greyscale. Unfortunately, while I want the best quality, I have to eat and pay the bills too!

2) Where I live there are a million and a half tattoo parlors, so finding the right one is like finding a needle in a stack of needles. What are some of the more important things I should ask when I go into one? Aside from looking at the portfolio and inquiring about the sterility, what other things should I be asking to make sure I get the best I can?

3) Are there any significant health issues? Besides it being an "open wound" for a while, but is the tattooed area more prone to say.. bacteria or other infectious things?

4) What is the normal amount if time required for it to heal?

And more of a random question, I live in Daytona Beach, not sure if anyone in the area could recommend a good artist!

Thanks a lot for the replies!

Answer 1

Okay, I'm going to answer piece by piece.



First, is this design going to fit where you want it to? If they have to make it bigger or smaller, it may not be proportional to your leg - a GOOD tattoo artist will always try to follow the contours of your muscles and make the tattoo look as good as possible in the location you have chosen for the tattoo.



Second, in terms of how much you should expect to pay for your tattoo, you get what you pay for. In tattoos, more is almost always better. Since you have a custom piece that is rather large, I would expect to pay about $500 at the parlor that I go to. It will be different, of course, because you live about 1000 miles from me, but that's what I would ballpark. (My own tattoo across my lower back cost $200 plus a $50 tip.) Be sure to tip your artist.



Third, when looking for a tattoo parlor, ask around. Do you know people who have tattoos that look awesome? Ask them where they got theirs done and who did it. Call up your local health board and ask if there are requirements for parlors in your area to be registered and inspected by the health board - it varies state to state. Be sure to go to a parlor that is accredited by the health board, if applicable. When looking at a portfolio, look for crisp, clean lines and no overdrawing (where the artist has gone outside the lines). Look for someone who specializes in black and white tattoos (same as greyscale, just the technical term), again, ask around. You may also be able to watch an artist at work if you ask.



Fourth, when healed, no, the tattooed area is not more susceptible to bacteria or infection; it heals over just like regular skin. While the tattoo is healing, avoid swimming, bathing and any other bodies of water (rivers, lakes, etc.). This will keep your scabs intact and help keep the ink from washing away. Keep the tattoo clean (I washed mine three times a day with Dial antibacterial soap) and moist (A&D Ointment is the best for the healing time) for the first 4 to 6 weeks or whatever your artist tells you; each artist's aftercare rules are different.



Fifth, tattoos take about 4 to 6 weeks to heal. Your skin will scab over in the first few days - DO NOT PICK THE SCABS! You will pull the ink out and you will have to have the tattoo touched up. DO NOT SCRATCH - not even a little bit, because you could accidentally pull off scabs. Keep your tattoo out of the sun for the healing time (all of it) and wear lots and lots of sunscreen over your tattoo after that.



I hope your tattoo turns out awesome! Good luck!



P.S. They are SO addicting - you won't be able to get just one.

Answer 2

Wow, a lot to address. The design sounds cool and the placement sounds perfect. Cost is entirely dependant on the amount of detail in the cross and especially the dragon. I could lay a representative dragon (more just outlines) quickly but to detail the scales, claws, muscles, etc, would take me hours and hours. Same with the cross. It boils down to time more than size. The more supplies the artist will use is also a factor (different needle sizes for thickness of outlines, shaders, fill, etc) along with the amount of ink. All of this plays in but mostly it's just the time. Get an appointment during off-hours when the business is slow like mid-day during the week. Your tattoo could take hours and if your artist has to pass up several quick, easy tattoos for yours, he/she may charge you more. Do it when business is slow and you're likely to get more personal attention. Take your design in to your artist and see what they quote you. Their reaction should also give you a vibe about if that's the right shop for you. If they just throw out a big number and treat you like you're bothering them, just leave. If they seem interested in your design and offer advice, minor changes, etc, then they might actually be interested in the art rather than just your money. The long answer is without a picture, it's impossible to guess cost due to detail.



2. Ask to see the artist's portfollio (actual photographs of tattoos they've done) and get an idea of the detail. Also, find tattoo'd people and ask for recommendations. Sometimes you'll get a break in price if the person regularly referrs folks to a good artist. Look at work they've done on other people. If the shop has several artists, one of them may specialize in asian or fine detail work. Sterility is important but frankly the condition of the shop and watching the practices will tell you a lot. Take someone with you that's into body art as they will likely know what to look for.



3. A tattoo is basically an abrasion to the skin and is prone to the same infections any other wound would be. It's not a deep-tissue wound but can become infected if not washed frequently and protected. Your tattoo artist will give you aftercare instructions.



4. Tattoo healing varies with the type (tons of outlines vs. shading, etc) and placement. If it's on a calf in the winter, the legs of your pants will abrade it and keep it irritated longer than if it's in the summer and you're always in shorts. Keep it out of direct sunlight until healed though. Again, your artist will give you advice in that area. It should be done peeling by two weeks and if you are good with your aftercare, will be pretty much fully healed in about a month. The worst part will be your ingrown hairs from shaving the area.



5. You are in a great place as there are several shops to choose from. Again, word of mouth is the best advertising.



In closing, take someone who knows tattoos. The materials they invest in sometimes say a lot about their concern for the client. There are acceptable ways to tattoo and wrap, then there are outstanding ways....the latter costing more on the part of the tattoo artist. A cheap tattoo will usually look like one though. Good luck

Answer 3

I dont know about anything in daytona beach, but ive had experience with a bad tattoo when the artist book was great. Just because they say its their work doesnt mean it is. My advice to you is go in and check a few places out, watch some artists actually doing large tattoos, stay until its done and check out their work. Usually after 2 wks you can go back in for touchups, it takes anywhere from 2-4 wks to heal, use the A&D ointment. It works wonders, no picking obviously. Most tattoo places will give you after care advice also. maybe even a care package that includes anti-bacterial soap to clean it twice a day with.

Answer 4

that piece will probably run you between 250-500 depending on the ink and artist. when looking for the right artist they always have a portfolio of there past work. look at it and see if you like it look for details. with the whole opened wound is not a problem just make sure you keep it clean and you can ask your artist how to. When healing get A&D oitment its in the baby isle at the super market. it works great NO SCENTED LOTION depending on size 7-10 days you should heal. so not that long. If you live in Daytona then you will not have trouble finding a good artists good luck

Answer 5

my artist charges 150 per hour but some are a lot cheaper like 100 or even 80 per hour. I would say that would take maybe an hour or two depending on a lot of different things. the best thing to do is print that off and take it in to a reputable shop with an artist that you have researched and ask him or her for a quote