What getting a badass tattoo is really like
We did it so you didn’t have to
A recent study found that 36% of American adults aged 18 – 25 have at least one tattoo, a statistic that has drastically increased in the past years. Because of this, I didn’t feel too bad getting some ink myself.
I’ve wanted a tattoo for a while, but only this year pinned down the exact design. My mind made up, I then embarked on a Google expedition, trying to find the perfect place for the tattoo of my dreams.
After I found the parlor I wanted to go to, I had to set up an appointment with one of artists. We emailed back and forth a few times, so she could get a sense of what I wanted. Then she sent me a sketch and we tinkered with size and detail a bit more before settling on a final design.
On the day of the tattoo, I walked into the parlor with my best friend there for moral support. I honestly had no idea what to expect, besides the warning given to me by my brother, who said, “Julie, it’s going to hurt a lot.” Naturally, I was nervous.
I finally met the artist behind my design, and we discussed placement first. She used a stencil of her design that she transferred onto my skin, and we washed it off a few times before finally deciding where it would look best.
Finally, it was time for me to sit in the chair. It felt like a medical procedure. My tattoo artist explained what she was going to do and what it would feel like, before even doing anything, which really put me at ease.
First, she washed my skin off with a cool liquid, then turned on the tattoo machine, which made a faintly ominous buzzing sound. Then, I watched as she stuck the needle in my arm.
It definitely wasn’t a pleasant sensation, but I wouldn’t call it painful. The best analogy I can think of is a long, steady cat scratch.
As she worked, she continually dabbed cream on my arm and wiped away the ink that bubbled to the surface of my skin.
Halfway through, the permanence of my decision struck me, and I admit, I panicked a little, watching that needle slowly change the surface of my skin – forever. The fear passed in a minute, though, and in the end, I was really happy with the outcome. Overall, the whole process only took about an hour, and I’m not gonna lie, I felt pretty bad ass afterwards.
Honestly, the worst part about getting a tattoo is the aftercare. For the past week, I’ve had to smear an oily cream on my arm that doesn’t sink into my skin.
As a result, the insides of my jackets have wet patches of tattoo ointment in the sleeves, and I have to awkwardly roll up the right sleeve of my shirts so the fabric doesn’t rub. Curse you, Aquaphor.
One more week of aftercare, then I’m free to wear jackets and shirts like a normal person again. For now, I’ll dream of summer and short-sleeves, when I can finally flaunt my new ink.