How to get a quality artwork on your body? It is enough to consistently follow a few simple steps:
- Ordering, inventing or choosing an original sketch.
- Find a good master.
- Observe the rules of preparation for the tattoo session.
- Endure the pain =).
- Responsibly take care of your ready tattoo.
If items 1, 2 and 4 do not need a specific knowledge, the preparation for the session, the process of the infliction itself and taking care of the body image are questions that not bad to learn beforehand. On how responsibly you will treat the stages before and after your visit to the master, depends largely on the final result, which will remain on the skin.
Many people are afraid of the unknown before their first session. Even if dozens of articles are read about where it hurts more and what the touch of a tattoo machine is like, it gives only a rough understanding of the upcoming sensations. To make the salon visit as comfortable as possible for both the master and the client, will help to prepare in advance. Let's walk through the basic steps of the procedure, so you won't be so scared =)
The size does matter.
A small tattoo is rarely a good one. If it's a tightly packed black circle with a diameter of 2 centimeters - it's OK, but the more details (contours, color transitions, etc.) in the picture, the bigger it should be.
This is important not only because of aesthetics. A thin outline (less than a couple of millimeters) holds up worse and over time will begin to "float. If the tattoo is black, there is no way to fix it.
The size of the drawing, in turn, dictates the place of application, and there are styles that you can't make small if you want to. If you want a realistic portrait, prepare the shoulder, back, or other large area.
Choosing a sketch
Just typing a sketch into a search engine is not a good idea. Most of the time, you will find poor quality and outdated examples there. A great option would be to make it to order from the future master, but this entails additional costs. There are many thematic groups in social networks with thousands of actual works, it will take time, but you will find what you need.
Don't rush to sign up right after a seemingly ready idea for a future drawing. The goal is not to enjoy the tattoo for one day, it is necessary that she did not get bored at least in the near future. Having chosen the sketch put it off for several days, and better for weeks. If at the end of the term the desire is not gone, but only increased - feel free to sign up.
Masters choose by portfolio
Xenia Voskresenskaya
Tattoo artists, like designers or illustrators, almost always specialize in some style. It's worth using. Your tattoo artist acquaintance may give you a discount, but we're talking about a drawing for life. If you want a Japanese dragon, look for a master who works in that particular style and and does it amazingly..
Don't bring your kids.
A tattoo parlor is an adults-only place and we all know that very well. Children who are constantly running around will only irritate the master. And after all the quality of the work depends on his concentration. Also the equipment and materials in the salon can be dangerous for children. Can you imagine what can happen if the kids accidentally knock something over? In addition, there is a lot of blood in the tattoo parlor. And this can be dangerous in terms of accidental infection with a dangerous disease, as well as purely psychologically. So going to the salon for a session, leave your children at home.
It will hurt, but the question is how much.
Everyone has a different pain threshold. There are people who howl at the first injection, and some can lie under the machine for three hours, texting and watching movies on a tablet without even a flinch. Both are exceptions. All in all, a tattoo is painfulbut, as a rule, tolerable process..
On the power of feelings affects the time of the session (the longer the session, the more painful), the presence or absence of anesthesia (anesthetic creams are used), the individual characteristics of the person and the location of the figure. There are places where it will be particularly unpleasant. And on the other to beat a tattoo simply makes no sense, and it's not even about the pain. Just the skin changes too quickly there, and the picture will soon turn into mush.
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Be in your best shape.
To make sure everything goes well, you need to prepare your body before your session. First of all, get a good night's sleep and eat a good meal, but at least two to three hours before your session. Your body needs adequate rest in order to be immune to pain. For 48 hours before the session it is better to exclude intensive exercises and alcohol (even light).
A good tattoo is expensive
The cost of a tattoo is usually measured in hours of work by the master, and the "fork" of the price is very wide. The final figure is affected by the experience of the master, his fame and workload, the location of the salon, the size and complexity of the design, the cost of materials. Every now and then masters can do a tattoo for free (or at a discount), if they are itching to hit some particular sketch, but such must be sought, and this is rather a rarity.
On average, good Moscow masters charge from 3,000 to 6,000 rubles per hour.
What exactly happens during tattooing?
The area of skin you have chosen for the motif you want is thoroughly disinfected and also shaved, because even the smallest hair can interfere with the application of that motif. The tattoo artist should always wear gloves, because after all, he is working with an open wound. After the surface of the skin is rubbed in the grease so as not to rub it off, the pattern is applied to the skin: using a "transfer pattern" or by hand. At this point, you can still make changes.
Now there are two ways to get color on your skin: either the tattoo machine itself is filled with paint, or the needle is repeatedly dipped into the color during the tattooing process. The procedure is unpleasant, the pain depends on the body and pain sensitivity. Especially the ankle and wrist are highly sensitive to pain. The areas are then filled in and darkened. As a rule, only one needle is used for the borders, and several needles are inserted into the machine for filling.
Finally, the tattoo must be disinfected again, rubbed down with lubricant, and covered (with a bandage or plastic wrap) to prevent dirt from getting onto the fresh wound.
This will take time.
The time the handyman will name is an approximate time of clean work under ideal circumstances.. No one will say how long the tattoo will take in reality. You may have to take a break to rest and gain strength for the next push. Maybe you'll get sick. Maybe you have skin that's very hard to beat (it happens), or where color doesn't come out well (that too).
Here's a rough (very rough) guide:
| "Sleeve" (coverage from the top of the shoulder to the wrist) | 6 sessions of 4 hours (minimum) |
| Shoulder/shoulder | 6 hours |
| Forearm | 4 hours (anchor with rose), 6 hours (skull with clock) |
»
How to choose a place to apply
To begin with, tattooing anywhere is not allowed. To the forbidden belong palms and the place of bending fingers, for the simple reason: the pigment there often does not take root, the tattoo becomes pale, there is a risk that several sessions are required, but even so no master can guarantee that this time it remains with you. And the most unpleasant thing is that the pigment does not come out completely, but in parts. This is not a temporary tattoo, and if you want to get rid of it, you will have to remove it as well as all permanent tattoos - with a laser. This is done in a few steps. Besides, it's expensive and painful. Therefore, even if you really want a tattoo in these places, it's worth weighing the risks.
"Beginners" are often advised to choose the shoulder, the outer part of the elbow, the lower leg or the lower back. The overall assessment of sensation is not pain, but rather mild discomfort.
Slightly more uncomfortable on the shoulder blades and outer part of the thigh.
But on the knees, elbows, ribs, neck and spine it hurts. Of course, this is relative and individual, some people are painless on the head, while others will be unbearable on the shoulder. But these are exceptions.
Getting a tattoo is only half the job
When they say "it's for life," it's not just about the artwork itself. A tattoo is a part of your body that You have to take care of, too..
Your greatest enemy is the sun. You must protect your tattoo from it either with clothing or sunscreen (SPF 50+). Otherwise the picture (especially the colored one) will quickly fade.
The second enemy is your own laziness. A good master will give you a set of instructions on how to take care of your "new clothes". Follow them rigorously, because The first two weeks are crucial.. Think of it as a post-operative period. Will you sit on a bicycle with an unhealed leg? Have no doubt, a tattoo is an injury. Thousands of injections a minute piercing the epidermis and placing pigment into the dermis. Once you've made up your mind, it's best to take it seriously.
What master can be trusted, and how to choose him
First of all, ask if disposable needles and consumables are used. A professional will not re-wipe the needle and use it on the next client. This is clear at first glance, but not everyone dares to elaborate. Do not hesitate to ask questions, it is your health and safety.
It is important to study the portfolio, and styles of work. The proportions must be respected, clear lines. Also pay attention to the presence of shadows and shadows, color combinations and brightness of the drawing. The portfolio should not have few examples, otherwise there is a chance to come across a trainee with little experience.
Last, but not least, a serious point: where the appointment is made. You should not consider "home" masters. It is difficult to observe the necessary steps of sterilization and disinfection in the apartment.
It makes sense to come for a consultation before the session. The master will make recommendations on composition and localization, and it is better to listen to them. An experienced tattooist will advise the area and size, taking into account the proportions and taste of the client.
As a side note
- Skin is a living tissue. It changes and stretches. Even with perfect care, the tattoo needs to be refreshed about every 3-5 years. It will cost the same as getting a new one. And it will hurt just as much.
- Moles are bypassed during tattooing and hidden in the drawing.
- The hair in the place where the tattoo was applied continues to grow.
- If you have a scar or a scar, it's gonna take at least a year After an injury, it must be at least a year before something can be done to cover it.
- You need to come to the session sober, full, and sleepy.. You can't drink the night before either: it will be more painful, the bleeding will increase, and the healing process will slow down.
- A slight fever and dizziness after the tattoo session is normal and this is the only side effect (apart from pain and swelling), which is possible if all sanitary conditions and rules of care are followed.
- Between sessions on the same area (e.g. if you are doing a "sleeve") at least two weeks.
- You can reduce the tattoo by 90-95% with a laser. This will be More painful, longer and more expensivethan the tattoo itself.
7) Do not take unnecessary medications before getting a tattoo.
Painkillers will cause increased bleeding. Some people take aspirin every day to make their blood more fluid. This is highly discouraged if you are going for a tattoo session, just like from alcohol, aspirin thins your blood, bleeding increases and forces the ink out from under your skin. Any drug that affects your skin will also affect your tattoo. Accutane is a form of vitamin C. Dermatologists generally recommend waiting at least six months after stopping this medication, as it can otherwise contribute to scarring. If you are using this kind of medication, it is best to wait before you start tattooing.
Heat will cause excessive sweating, and cold will lead to slower circulation, so it's worth avoiding both.
Illegal drugs such as cocaine and meth will cause bleeding problems. Marijuana promotes some blood thinning, and some people, based on their experiences, report that marijuana also contributes to increased pain.
Should you use painkillers
Analgesics should not be taken without consulting a doctor. Analgesics can change the properties of the blood and make it more fluid. This makes it difficult and sometimes impossible to work.
The tattoo artist is not allowed to use injectable anesthetics and anesthesia in his work. It has to be done by an anesthesiologist, which the studio does not have. If you are told that you will get a shot of lidocaine, it is better to choose another studio. There is a risk of anaphylactic shock and if in such a condition a person is not given first aid in time, the results can be disastrous.
To work with permanent makeup and tattoos use special creams and gels that reduce sensitivity for a short period (10-40 minutes). But it is important to understand that they make the skin rough and needle penetration heavy. That's why after tattoo healing sometimes gaps and stains can appear and then you still need to correct it. Among tattoo artists, it is believed that the risks of side effects and imperfect results are not worth the short-term reduction in sensitivity while working.
