Everything You Need to Know Before Your First Tattoo | Dos and Don'ts 

Biggest DO is save up and find the right artist for the job 👊🏼

She's the first tattoo artist I've seen who has no tattoos on herself

My first tattoo was on my 18th birthday and I remember my artist coming into the session with a bunch of stories ready that he knew I might find interesting as a way to keep me distracted from the pain. He was amazing. I have 4 now at the age of 21 and he’s done 3 of them

heyy!! so for everyone getting their first tattoo, read this: I just got one today on my wrist and it really feels like a continuous scratch. Of course the pain depends on the are you’re getting tattooed on, but it’s really bearable even if you have a low pain tolerance. My advice is to choose something you really like, try to choose something then wait 1 month to really be sure that you like it. You should also go to a professional tattoo artist of course, and you should see their work to see if the tattoo that you want matches their tattooing style. Finally, don’t stress about it, just forget it and keep calm, you’ll see that it’s not that big of a deal.

Right before my first tattoo I had a panic attack because I was scared of the comitment, and my awesome tattoo artist waited for me and talked me through it, best guy ever

She seems so non-judgemental and understanding. Love her

here I am with full sleeves watching what I need to know before getting my first tattoo.

My brothers who have tattoos, kept telling me that it hurts so damn much. I sat on the chair and imagined the worst and when my tattoo artist started, it wasn’t so bad. I thought that was genius.

Slightly refreshing to hear from artists who aren't up their own arse and get mortally offended at the concept of the client having a degree of control over the placement and composition of the tattoo. Was getting rather bored of 'celebrity artists' feeling 'insulted' by client input.

I told my tattoo artist how nervous I was because I hated needles and he laughed saying he liked it better when a person was getting their first tattoo and was really freaked out. Why? Because right away the person realized they built this pain up way too much in their mind and it wasn't that bad when you were actually getting it.

as an introvert myself, I HATE asking questions to the artist because of that WHAT IF moment but at the same time, if you don't ask questions, THIS IS GONNA BE ON YOUR BODY FOR THEREST OF YOUR LIFE. I kinda just go with the flow with the artist cause they're expert in their field and I expect them to do great in their job.

Got my first tattoos today, ones’s a sternum, the other one’s a rib tattoo and what helped me through the session was focusing on one specific spot in the room, it distracted me from the pain a lot! Wasn’t very painful but looking at one specific spot still helped shift my focus from the pain and it helped me stay calm :)

I'm literally going for my first tattoo in an hour timely post

I personally love that she is someone with mostly hidden tattoos. Refreshing to see. I also like how this video featured artists that were not nearly as uptight as the others. Their rules, suggestions, and advice was all feasible and reasonable. They don't seem to take themselves too seriously.

I got my first tattoo on my forearm! Totally agree with you guys! Also I fainted from holding my breath out of anxiety 😭 but my tattoo artist made me feel comfortable and didnt make me feel like a weirdo for it! Yes definitely save money and spend it on someone who actually cares!

I’m getting my first tattoo in a week. For the longest time I’ve wanted my first tattoo to be on my ribs and people would tell me not to do that, it’ll hurt. Thank you guys for this video, I feel more confident about it now

I’ve experienced a little toxicity in the tattoo world and just listening to you 2 was refreshing. This is the attitude and levelness I like to see

DONT feel embarrassed about changing the placement of the stencil multiple times! my artist was super patient for all 6 of my pieces that he did on me. tattoos are on you forever and the placement should be perfect to how you want it! try not to be worried about "annoying" the artist if you want to change the stencil placement a few times. they care as much as you do!

I only have one tattoo, but I am really interested in getting more. It is definitely worth it, the pain is genuinely nowhere near as bad as I thought. Loved all of this advice, these two seem so relaxed and nice!

My tattoo artist was the most chill person ever, and made me instantly comfortable. I was tired when I got it, and he kept asking me if I was okay because I wasn't speaking, and I told him that I'm trying to sleep. He laughed at that. I've had it for a month now, and I love it so much.

“Do” check on the artist and his/her portfolio, “dont” overpay for a “celebrity” tattoo’ist that has shit work or is a primadona.

i wish i could be tatted by them, they seem chill and funny

Planning to get my first tattoo this year! This video is very comforting hearing people who actually seem to care about their clients and really work with first timers!

Thanks for the tips. I turn 40 this year and have been thinking about getting a tattoo since i was 11. I think its about time i took the leap

I’m really interested in the fact that she’s a tattoo artist with no tattoos. Can y’all do a video with her about that?

when i got my first one done earlier this march ( so march 2022) and i was soo scared but i stayed calm and it wasnt to bad. i now have 5 and one that i am working on is my entire upper arm like 1/2 a sleve. my best advice is do not over think it and come up with a design your know you will love for years. and for me my biggest rule is come up with something that has a meaningful. that may not go for everyone but that is my personal rule

i literally love this duo so much they sit and intently listen to each other and they have such good chemistry and i just idk i love them

I want someone to look at me like she looks at him while he's talking

Also, always look to make sure your tattoo artist works on black skin, and SHOWS that they work on black skin on their page/socials If you are a black person, or darker pigmented person of color, this is so seriously the most important thing!

There’ve been a few ideas of tattoos that really spoke to me. The first is a back tattoo, a giant tree stretching into the stars above trailing down to the base of the tree with roots digging into the ground below. The idea of “a strong base/heart, reach for the stars, and be grounded in mentality”

these two are so sweet, especially the lady...so considerate, empathetic and speaks her facts without acting entitled. would to get tattooed by someone like her one day 🙌🏼

I’ve had multiple sessions between 7 to 9 hours. I’ve never felt faint or shaky. This is my pre-tattoo meal and set-up: 1: NIGHT BEFORE: I have spaghetti, no meatballs or meat in sauce to avoid meat in my gut the next day because it’s not the situation anyone wants to be gassy blasting day old beef air and polluting the shop. 2: Buy snacks and pack my bag. 1 or 2 gatorades, some quaker oats chewy granola bars, and fun-sized/halloween type candy. I usually go with Snickers or Reese’s peanut butter cups. I don’t need to snack as much as this list would make it seem though. Allow yourself a good amount of sleep. 3: MORNING OF: Two bacon, egg, and cheese bagels/rolls for breakfast. Bigger than usual breakfast is good for energy as well as not worrying about when lunch break will be because I’m good to last several hours. Orange Juice, Iced Tea, and water in the morning. I don’t drink coffee the morning of but will occasionally have soda during lunch break during the tattoo session. Coffee aversion for me isn't from concern about caffeine as much as coffee induced bathroom breaks. Also, chug some pepto bismol just in case. 4: Take a shower. Also, don't shave the spot you’re getting the tattoo on yourself. The artist will handle it. After the shower, don’t go crazy with perfume, cologne either. 5: Make sure you have comfortable clothes to layer on if you start to feel cold such as an extra pair of socks, a knitted hat/beanie, or a long sleeve shirt you can cover part of yourself with while leaving the other side exposed if getting work done on an arm (A button up flannel or a zip-up hoody work well for this). And if your artist’s shop doesn’t sell aftercare products in the shop, maybe pick up what you will need the night before. If you’re going to have a long session you may want not be too interested in going to a store for scent-free bar soap and skin ointment. This method may not be perfect for everyone but it has never failed me so if you try to use it, I hope it helps. EDIT: This is advice for big, full day sessions. If you’re just getting a small piece knocked out in like 15 minutes or an hour like 99% of this is overkill.

I actually binge-watched this whole channel before my first tattoo) Got it on my forearm, had the courage to be honest and straightforward with the artists and got exactly what I wanted) So thanks you guys)

really hate the “professional vs unprofessional” stigma i want a hand tattoo so bad but idk what career path im taking yet fml

She's gorgeous and seems very caring.

My rule of thumb has always been, I need to want a tattoo for a year before I can get it. I’m still young and I don’t want to get a tattoo that I’ll grow out of as I get older. I have one tattoo I’m pretty set on getting in the next couple years but other than that, every tattoo I’ve ever been obsessed with getting has faded away and I no longer care for.

1. Research the artist and their style, make sure u two mesh well together. 2. Set up ur appointment way ahead of time and make payments towards it. 3. The first 10-20 mins of any tattoo is gonna b painful, but u’ll get use to it. 4. Stay hydrated and keeping breathing throughout the session. 5. Ask about aftercare and follow the artist instructions. (Secondskin aka Saniderm is amazing!)

I literally got my first tattoo on my inner forearm back in August and she described the “pain” perfectly. I wish I had gotten it smaller or thinner lines but I don’t regret anything

These are chill people. Super knowledgeable, super helpful, not obnoxious and stuck up like a lot of tattoo artist I’ve seen.

Eating beforehand is super important like she said. Before my first tattoo I didn’t end up eating and it was like a 4 hour tattoo so by the end I was incredibly woozy and I had a splitting headache and I had to drive myself home like that and I actually had to pull over and throw up. Then I got McDonald’s and after having some sugar and fat and grease I felt a lot better lmao. I think it’s also good to expect a lot of pain and prepare yourself for a lot of pain because you never know how much it will hurt. It really isn’t as bad as people make it out to be, it’s towards the end of a tattoo when it really starts to hurt. Mine had a lot of solid black areas and some fine details so my arm was pretty inflamed by the last hour so it definitely started to hurt quite a bit but it was still very manageable

Really appreciated the way these two approached the “job stoppers” topic - coming from someone who wants mainly just their hands and forearms tattooed. She emphasized that it’s simply not the traditional way but didn’t get aggressive unlike some people I’ve seen. Would love to see more of them!

It's inspiring to me seeing a tattoo artist with no tattoos or no visable tattoos. I'm a junior tattoo artist I only have two currently and booked in for my third, only one is visable if I'm not wearing long sleeves. I fully plan to have sleeves but I'm still not sure I personally want my neck, hands or face tattooed. It does make me uncomfortable when I can tell a client is judging me for not being covered.

definitely agree with their advice on what to eat before/during your tattoo so you don't pass out. when i got my first tattoo i hadn't eaten much and started to feel like i was about to pass out about half way through, even though the pain was not as bad as i was expecting. luckily the tattoo parlor had a vending machine so i got some gushers and was all good after that :)

Don’t snort an entire gram of coke 20 minutes beforehand.

I absolutely LOVE Lisette!!! She was so patient with me during the consultation (I was so nervous because it was a tattoo I had been wanting/bulging up then tearing apart in my head for almost a decade) and even worked in additional symbols that I found afterwards via email. The entire experience was so relaxing and refreshing, even though I was getting a sizable tattoo on the inside of my upper arm for a good three hours. Her lines were insanely crisp and she added her own beautiful touch with some gorgeous dotwork so the final product was everything I wanted and more. I would highly recommend her and would return to her in a heartbeat for my next larger piece!!! 💜💜💜

I got my first tattoo on my ribs! It wasn't that bad and it looks amazing, and my anxiety actually helped me bc I was so desperate to look cool and chill about the pain that I was focused on that more than the needle! My artist actually thought I had multiple tattoos because I was handling the pain so well, he was surprised it was my first.

I just got my first one today two on my ankle and went alone the artist in the shop got me talking and out of my shell! I was so comfortable and love it

“Don’t do it” “I do it before every single tattoo, do it” “don’t do it” Whispers: “do it”

I think hand tattoos are beautiful without the sleeve just don’t get something crazy dark and crowded if there’s nothing near it

When I got my first tattoo I passed out, was able to tell my tattoo artist before it happened. And afterwards he was so kind and reassuring. Told me the biggest thing was most likely with how anxious I was before hand and then it wasn't bad at all, my adrenaline dropped and lead to it. Let me know I'm not the only person who experienced it. It was very nice, it helped me not feel awkward about passing out. Second tat I just got no issues whatsoever because I knew what to expect.

Hearing that the inner forearm is a good place to start was so reassuring! I plan on getting one there when I'm old enough and I have been super worried about how much it'll hurt and/or whether it was a good place to start. I really want it though because the placement specifically means a lot to me (if you know, you know) even more than the design I want currently.

Thanks for this info. I was a cutter from self harm in my teens and now that Im 40, Im finally covering up both arms as Im tired of wearing long sleeves all day everyday and that has been the case for the last 20 years. It’s taken 20 years to get to this point where Im finally done with hiding my past.

i live by this statement “if ur sad, go get a tattoo!”

Just got my first tattoo and it was such a calm experience. My artist was very nice and did her best to make me feel better even if I didn't say I was uncomfortable. I think a big part of having a good experience is the artist. I've heard some bad things about some celebrity artists. I'd just stay away from those as a whole. This video was probably their best for giving tips.

My first tattoo was my inner forearm and I love it. I waaaay over thought the pain and it wasn't that bad. I hate neddles and my artist was so chill and just let me freak out a little and then I was okay.

Here for the first time and I immediately liked these two. They radiate very good vibes.

I love how she has little to no visible tattoos its so cool

She’s gorgeous

Getting my first tattoo in 3 weeks and this helped a lot. Thanks guys

Got my 1st tattoo in 2020 To be honest I wasn't nervous I was excited.Greetings from Ireland 🇮🇪

i’m getting my first tattoo in like 2 1/2 weeks on my birthday. i’m excited but also nervous

"Don't get a neck tattoo before a full sleeve" *Cody Rhodes has left the chat*

I'm 31 and closer to getting my first tattoo now than I've ever been. This helped, a LOT.

Having my best friend come with me to get my tattoo was amazing. She was supportive of my ideas and enjoyed my session with me and i felt really special the entire time!! We watched house of a thousand corpses on her phone and listened to music and it was lovely!! I recommend bringing someone who is very closely connected to you that would be there for you if you needed a hand it makes the pain alot more tolerable.

this is the most helpful first tattoo advice video I've ever seen. Thank you so much!

My ritual has always been, to buy 2 Ribeana bottles of different flavours before a tattoo! I did it for my first and without even thinking I’ve done it every single time (5 times now)

my dad's a tattoo artist and is giving me my first tattoo in a couple days im so glad that it'll be by someone i trust

she’s so sweet and informative i love that

Lmao, watching this taking mental notes after already having tattoos

Best tip I can give: If you want a friend there, have them wait nearby at a coffeeshop or something similar until you're in position for the tattoo artist to tattoo you. But also make sure you've told your friend that you don't want them to critique it.

I'm glad to see how understanding they were of people passing out because I hate needles so much and I always pass out during a blood drawing but I want a tattoo so bad

I'm gonna be getting my first tat next week, half sleeve on the inner forearm.. I'm excited, and this post is nice and timely haha!

If you’re scared of passing out try and find a artist who has you lay down, you can’t.

I waited 14 years to do my first. I knew I wanted my family there. It is a small one but I'm so proud I went through it. I actually had 2 small ones, one on each forearm. I have one more left to be done, but I'm taking my time now. I'm happy I finally did it and yes, the pain goes away the moment it's done :)

Thank you Inked and the people who commented that great advice now I know what need to do,before I get my first tattoo when the time comes. 🙂

Would love to see you guys do an episode about tattoos and skins conditions. I have pretty shitty Psoriasis and it would be cool to hear artists talk about that kind of stuff and their experiences. You guys make great content, thanks!

Would you guys talk about the tattoometoo situation? Not to expose artists by name or anything like that... But more to teach people what to expect and what to NEVER accept from a tattoo session... I've heard so many stories of girls saying: "The artist told me that I needed to take my hands off my chest when placing a stencil for a sternum tattoo... and I felt uncomfortable but he told me that that was the way it needed to be done because of X Y or Z". I think there is some misinformation on what's right and wrong coming from an artist. When to leave a session, what things could be considered as harassment. You know what I mean? Especially for young people, that's just starting to get tattooed and they don't really know better. Hopefully, that makes sense. :)

watching this cause i’m getting my very first tattoo tomorrow. i chose my forearm because i knew it was easy and i’m so so pumped

Getting my first tattoo and I’m 51. Going big too. Excited. Hate the idea I don’t see the design ahead but the artist is great

Getting my first tattoo in two weeks and this video is made me way more excited about getting it 😁😁😁

This chick is literally the cutest artist I’ve ever seen

My first ever tattoo was a 5 hour full quad portrait. My advice is to start big. The pain ain't bad at all

This was really good advice. They covered some things I hadn’t really thought about. Thanks!

I’ve been thinking about getting a much larger tattoo on my right shoulder blade. A detailed deinonychus skull with ferns and flowers, with cross-hatching on the skull for depth, and light colour on the plants. I’m really excited about it and I’m currently sketching the design

I've got my first tattoo last week, and I LOVE IT 🥰🥰😍

I’m planning to get my first tattoo in a few months once the virus allows us to and the artist/I deem it safe enough, and I really just wanna make this go smooth for both the artist and me, so this video is really helpful! :)

I'm getting the side of my knee tattooed soon and it's my first. I did a stick and poke in a very awkward position and this was the best way we could think of covering it without looking weird. Scared but so excited :)

I'm 21 in a couple of weeks and I got my first tattoo 5 days ago. It's on my inner forearm and it's a memorial tat for my dog that passed away on the 29th of Aug. I ate a large meal that afternoon and had a great first sitting! The only thing I noticed was my hand started sweating A LOT towards the end 😅

My "ritual" is, that i always bring food for my artist. Like chocolate croissants or cinnamon rolls. Hes super cute and always so greatful for it!

My first tattoo was a matching one with my best friend so it was much more comfortable being in the shop with someone I knew, plus my tattoo artist was super kind and made sure to chat me through the tattoo since he could tell it distracted me from how uncomfortable I was with the pain

You two seem really professional and nice. Which is a major plus for us customers who have had terrible experiences with asshole artists. Great video!! ❤✌🏻

One of the few artists on here that doesn’t think they own your body

Great timing! Getting mine in two days!

This is way more great advice than I was expecting.

I get my shoulder done tomorrow I feel warmer about it after watching y’all thanks love it here 😂💙

I love lissette martinez,meghan jean morris and sarah fabel

Excellent advice there! If I could add any thing else (I have quite a few tattoos!) I would say listen to the artist. I have had some ideas and they have said "it wont look right because of X". If they can back it up with a solid reason such as it's too big, it would look odd ie stretched the do listen. At the end of the day it is your body and your decision no one can say otherwise but sometimes hearing that and seeing it (ask if they can demonstrate with the drawing) you really do get a moment of clarity! I've done it and my brilliant idea I've had to admit "actually that would look a bit rubbish". Work with the artist and not against them its collaborative art!

I thought about getting one for years!! Found an artist and I am going for it on January.

getting my septum & first tattoo done tomorrow! i cannot wait!!!

My advice from personal experience: don't get a band tattoo. You may really love the band now, but trust me, your preferences and the bands themselves can change into something you no longer support.