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First Tattoo

5K views 35 replies 14 participants last post by  SixStringer 
#1 ·
Just thought I'd share. Got my first ink yesterday. Had my wife design it for me. The tree is an Acacia tree, which means a couple things to me. Firstly, it's the kind of tree that was used to build the Ark of the Covenant to house the 10 commandments after they were given to Moses. So, like the Ark, it shows God's word is inside of me. (I'm a youth minister). Also, there were lots of Acacia trees (or at least similar looking) in Africa when I got to go. A trip I'll never forget. Also the tree represents a life of growth, and the circle represents striving for perfection (or trying to live without sin). Tell me what you think!


 
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#3 ·
I think it's awesome that your first tat has so much meaning and you put a lot of thought into it. Not just that but it is an original piece of art that has significance because it was designed by your wife. My first was a forgrt-me-not in memory of my sister and it was designed by my daughter. I've never regretted getting it. Congrats
 
#9 ·
thanks for all the kind words, everyone! Just trying to not screw-up the aftercare at this point... and everyone's been telling me I'm going to want another one. I can't say that I won't, but I'm not planning my next one quite yet. haha, trying to let this one heal first, anyway.
 
#13 ·
thanks for all the kind words, everyone! Just trying to not screw-up the aftercare at this point...
the key is to not put too much ointment on it.
Thats one mistake everyone makes.
You want to put just a fine layer of ointment. If it looks shiny then there to much ointment.
Best ointment is Eucerin Auquaphor, available at regular drug stores, cvs, walgreens.
 
#10 ·
I'm like you. I took years to finally find a tat that I wanted. I was about 27 when I finally got it, and I'm 32 now and haven't found another that I want. People told me the same thing.
 
#12 ·
yeah i'm 25... been wanting one since high school, just never went through with it. kinda glad i didn't because now i have one with tons of meaning that was drawn by my wife...
 
#15 ·
the lotion is probably preventing you from feeling the scabbing. Use the aquafore only when you feel it's dry and rough to the touch. Stay out of the sun for a couple of days. I hardly noticed mine, There really isn't that much to it. Keep it clean, don't put too much pressure on it, don't pick at it and it should look as good as when you first got it for a long time.
 
#17 ·
Mine usually start looking rough/dry by the 3rd or 4th day and then start scabbing/peeling soon after. Depending on the tattoo most are done scabbing by a week or so.

Alot of places will tel you to use the AD or bacitracin for a few days then switch to lotion.
My advice, use the aquafore from beginning to end, skip the lotion. Like JDsDream said only use it when the tattoo is looking or feeling dry, and apply light layers. I use the aquafore for weeks after my tattoos are healed, Just to keep the skin moisturized.
 
#19 ·
that's awesome. It sure adds a lot for it to be designed by someone you love, doesn't it? Not that I really have anoy others to compare mine to, but I can't imagine it any other way. Beautiful tat!
 
#20 ·
Letting them scab up too much can cause them to lose some definition. I used lubriderm beginning to end. There's different schools of thought on tats, but since you chose to get one during the summer, keep sunscreen on it for the rest of the season. The sun is an enemy of fresh ink.
 
#31 ·
Sun is an enemy to ALL ink, but especially fresh. I have 6 tats and the faded ones are on the lower arms. I got mine in 1990 and I used Neutrogena.. There needs to be a "Thank You" button on posts at the bottom by Quote... But, Thank you for this useful post.
 
#21 ·
you use the lubriderm even on a fresh tattoo? If your gonna use lotion, I would hold off at least until the 3rd day, then use it. It has no healing properties and for the first few days your new tattoo techinically is a fresh wound.

Although like you said though there are many different opinions on tattoo healing. Ive seen multiple tattoos on a guy who never used anything on his tattoos. He gets them and then just leaves them be. And you know what, they look great. Just as good as any other. To each his/her own.

To be honest the most important thing to do for a fresh tattoo is KEEP IT CLEAN.
 
#22 ·
you use the lubriderm even on a fresh tattoo? If your gonna use lotion, I would hold off at least until the 3rd day, then use it. It has no healing properties and for the first few days your new tattoo techinically is a fresh wound.
Yep sure do. I know it's a fresh wound, I also know the skin heals on it's own and needs only minimal help for a wound such as this. Sun damage and dirt are the biggest problem. I keep 'em covered and clean and my dirty hands off them. Lubriderm when it starts to feel tight and that's it. No scrubbing, no anti-bacterial anything. No sun while healing and sunscreen religiously for a year.
 
#25 ·
Cocoa butter is what they suggest to women to keep stretch marks at bay. It's good for the skin. I think the only thing my tattoo artist stressed was to get a lotion with no fragrance or extra stuff. Any lotion that's safe to put on a newborn would be safe for a tattoo I'd think.... and I had to leave that saran wrap patch on it for 24 hours. Hated that.
 
#26 ·
everything i read said that the saran wrap is a bad idea because it locks in bacteria and doesn't let the wound breathe at all. My artist did put sran wrap on it, but only advised me to leave it for an hour. I was too scared of the bacteria so i came home (literally a two-minute drive from the tattoo shop) took it off and put a bandage on it, which i left for 2 hours. didn't seam to make a big difference in the soreness or anything, and it seems as though there's no infection. (no redness or swelling). my big concern now is that there seems to be a little bit of early scabbing coming off, (when i apply lotion i can feel it coming off) it seems to be losing some color. it looks a good but lighter where the peeling has come off. is this bad? am i going to end up with a grey tattoo instead of black?
 
#27 ·
I thought about getting a tattoo a long time ago on my inner wrist... like the asterix "*" that anthony keidis from the chilli peppers has. Its a decent band and the tattoo looks cool. so when I was good and drunk I called the local tatoo place and they said they were just about to close and for me to schedule for another time.

Then when I sobered I thought... what the hell was I thinking. a chilli peppers tattoo?!

so I'm still tatoo'less to this day.

*the circle tree looks great by the way. very dark ink and well detailed/defined. Cool
 
#30 ·
Here's the latest of my ink. The head and half the body was already finished in 2 previous sessions. Just did the legs on monday evening.
1 more sitting and we'll have the rest done. I can only sit for about an hour on this piece. Its an extremely sensitive part of the body and the pain just becomes too much. I've sat through 4-5 hours straight on my sleeved arm without a flinch. The ribs are a completely different world...I cringed every time the needle hit my skin.

Isnt she perrrty..
 
#35 ·
gosh man, that's huge! she is quite perty. I can't imagine getting one in that spot. my artist told me the shoulder/arm is the least sensitive place. it wasn't that bad, but it sure wasn't comfortable either. I bet the ribs are killer. looks awesome though man! How long ago did you start it?
 
#32 ·
I have full sleeves, my back is covered, half my chest and half of one leg is done. You never want to keep it covered if possible, you want it to breath. Just like someone else mentioned, keep a light layer of A&D on it, washing it with dial antibacterial pump soap. You don't want to use a bar soap on it until it heals. For the time you are using the A&D, wash it 3 to 4 times a day with said dial, and ice it for 5 to 10 minutes after every wash. Once it starts flaking, switch to a non-alcohol based lotion. I've always used Curel original formula, and still do to this day. Don't go swimming or take a bath, avoid excessive exposure to the sun and always use sun screen, at least a 30 or so. It might all seem a bit much, but if you sit through getting a tattoo and it's with you forever, might as well take care of it properly. I've had the majority of my tattoos for a decade or so, and they still look like new. A couple of really old ones that I got along time ago I had covered up because I didn't care fro them properly. Hope that helps.

Here's a pic of my leg, a work in progress.

 
#36 ·
I have full sleeves, my back is covered, half my chest and half of one leg is done. You never want to keep it covered if possible, you want it to breath. Just like someone else mentioned, keep a light layer of A&D on it, washing it with dial antibacterial pump soap. You don't want to use a bar soap on it until it heals. For the time you are using the A&D, wash it 3 to 4 times a day with said dial, and ice it for 5 to 10 minutes after every wash. Once it starts flaking, switch to a non-alcohol based lotion. I've always used Curel original formula, and still do to this day. Don't go swimming or take a bath, avoid excessive exposure to the sun and always use sun screen, at least a 30 or so. It might all seem a bit much, but if you sit through getting a tattoo and it's with you forever, might as well take care of it properly. I've had the majority of my tattoos for a decade or so, and they still look like new. A couple of really old ones that I got along time ago I had covered up because I didn't care fro them properly. Hope that helps.

Here's a pic of my leg, a work in progress.
Wow that's impressive. Looks like a good amount of hours spent under the needle. I'm not quite to the point of planning my next one yet, but i'm not sure i could take the pain of having my feet done. Thanks for sharing!
 
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