This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at Adelphi chapter.

Hi Friends! Something you may not know about me is that I am absolutely in love with tattoos. I know, I definitely fit the go-green tatted vegan aesthetic, you don’t have to point that out. I have three pieces now, two of those being rather large. With that being said, I have many friends that turn to me for advice about tattoos, and the entire process. I decided that I would let you in on some of my secrets for a smooth tattoo experience. Now, I am in no way saying follow all of these tips for the “perfect” experience, because there are SO many factors that go into a tattoo. However, I’m hoping that I can open a dialogue that can be encouraging, and point you in the right direction. Of course, feel free to swap out any tips you don’t think will fit into your vision.

Take time to think about what you actually want

I completely understand if maybe you’ve had an idea of what you’d like to get for your first tattoo. For the longest time I wanted a feather tattoo because of personal meaning, but as I got older, I realized it is a very common design to get. I’m not saying there’s anything wrong with getting a common design, in fact do you boo, get whatever your heart desires. What I am saying is that you REALLY have to be certain this is what you want, because it will be on your body forever. It’s ok to build off of what you originally thought you’d get, as long as you love it that’s all that matters.

Bonus Tip: If you are unsure about the design of the tattoo, you can always reach out to an artist to set up a consultation. Before meeting, you can explain your concept and see what they come up with. Most times, our artists are the people that can make our vision become a reality.

2. Search for an artist that fulfills your vibe

So, I know this one can be a little tricky because if you already have a go to artist. However, if you are looking for an artist, and you already know what you want, look for a reputable artist that excels in the style, or concept of what you’re looking for. So maybe you want a nice floral piece (like myself :)), search for artists that already have this style in their portfolios. As always safety is the priority, so make sure they have a good reputation. I feel like the misconception here is that you have to go to an artist that is good with every style. That’s not always true, because if they specialize in the style you’re looking for, but not so much in something else, that artist is just as qualified or more qualified to give you the tattoo you’d like.

3. Sitting for the tattoo

Now, you’ve picked your artist, the original concept is gonna come to life and it’s the day of your tattoo. Being stressed or nervous is completely normal, but how you handle it is what makes the difference. Drink as much water before your session, and have a rather big meal. When you’re getting tattooed, you will thank me. It’s a lot easier to sit for a couple hours with a constant needle if you’ve eaten and had water. This also ensures your blood pressure won’t drop off causing you to pass out. In addition, BRING GUM. One of my biggest, yet smallest tips is to bring chewing gum. Personally, I always chew gum when I’m getting tattooed. It can help trick your brain into concentrating on chewing and not the pain. Speaking of pain, never be afraid to communicate with your artist. Yes, known fact, tattoos are painful. However, if you need a quick 5 minute rest, bathroom break or what have you, always communicate this with the artist.

4. Aftercare

The painful part is mostly done! Congratulations, your new tattoo is looking fun and fresh. It’s important to remember a large portion of the tattoo experience is healing. Even if your tattoo looks beautiful after your session, how it heals determines its permanent appearance on your skin. You have to work with your body’s immune system, by providing your tattoo with a sterile environment and soothing cream of some sort. Now, please listen to your artist’s instructions! If they tell you something a little varying from what I’m gonna say, always follow the artist. I’m just letting you know what has worked for me, and that doesn’t guarantee it will work for you. I would advise you to leave the plastic wrap on for no more than 8 hours. If you get your tattoo midday/morning, take it off before you go to sleep. Conversely, if you get the tattoo at night, take it off first thing in the morning. The day after the tattoo is very crucial for healing. I always jump in the shower and wash my tattoo with a mild soap. I will link it down below. When you get out, pat it dry lightly and apply a salve. Most times, your artist will provide you with one or advise you to use vaseline. They all yield the same result, so just figure out what works for you. I applied my once in the morning and once at once at night. Just remember not to overdo it! I will also link the products I used down below.

Tips for Your Next Tattoo

We wanna slide into your DMs