Where should my first tattoo be?

Your Wrist
Most female customers will choose the wrist as the location for the first tattoo. It's the perfect placement for a tattoo that is delicate and dainty. But be warned! The wrist has a lot of nerve endings, making the tattoo itself more painful than in other more cushioned areas of the body.
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Does it matter where you get your first tattoo?

Tattoos hurt no matter where you get inked, so you might as well think through the decision carefully and pick a placement that's right. The right placement can make a tattoo look amazing. The wrong placement can distort the design or just look plain weird!
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Where is the least painful spot for a first tattoo?

10 of the Least Painful Places to get Tattooed
  • Calves. ...
  • Ear Cartilage. ...
  • Outer Thigh. ...
  • Gluteus. ...
  • Forearm. ...
  • Bicep. ...
  • Lower Back. ...
  • Inner Wrist. You may be surprised at this ranking, but the inner wrist is arguably one of the least painful places to receive a tattoo since the area is not as boney and the skin is relatively thin.
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Should my first tattoo be big or small?

Some lettering may need to be enlarged so they can be legible over time. And if you're hoping for it to be on the smaller side because you think it'll be easy to start with, "that's totally fine, but the tattoo is not going to hurt any less," Garner says. "The size of the tattoo isn't going to decrease the pain.
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Where should I put my tattoo?

Top 5 Popular Tattoo Places for Men
  1. Chest. The chest and front area of your body gives you an open canvas that you can explore with any design. ...
  2. Back. Full back pieces are on the rise with men for a number of reasons. ...
  3. Biceps. The bicep is a prime location to display your tattoos. ...
  4. Upper Arm. ...
  5. Forearm. ...
  6. Ankle. ...
  7. Upper Back. ...
  8. Wrist.
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Everything You Need to Know Before Your First Tattoo | Dos and Don'ts



What do tattoo artists hate?

13 Things That Piss Off Every Tattoo Artist
  • Not Knowing What You Want. ...
  • Wanting Other People's Tattoos. ...
  • Changing Your Mind The Day Of the Appointment. ...
  • Openly Disapproving Of the Tattoo Cost. ...
  • Bringing The Whole Entourage. ...
  • Not Being Clean or Shaven. ...
  • Fidgeting During the Tattooing Process.
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What is a good first tattoo?

While upper arms, forearms, thighs, and calves are all great locations, Brodsky says elbow and knee tattooing can be “kind of spicy, but it's still doable.” Tattoos on the torso hurt worse, she explains, because the skin is softer and lighter.
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How much do you tip for a $500 tattoo?

The average percent of tips to a tattoo artist is 15-20%. So, for a $500 tattoo, you can tip $75-100.
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Where do tattoos hurt the least?

Least painful to tattoo

The least painful places to get a tattoo are areas of your body with fewer nerve endings. Think outer shoulder, calf, buttocks, and outer arm. While people generally focus on the location on the body, Stanley Kovak, a cosmetic physician, theorizes that pain is more about size.
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Should you shower before a tattoo?

Shower. This one might be obvious but we wanted to mention it just in case. You should be showering every day (hopefully), but please remember to do so before your appointment. You want to keep your skin as clean as possible since tattooing creates small cuts and opens the skin up.
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Is there a painless tattoo?

Anesthetics are introduced to the skin by way of tiny drops or mists. It works immediately upon skin contact, making it a perfect product in keeping a painless tattoo while the artist is concentrating on creating a mind-blowing masterpiece!
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How long does a small tattoo take?

A small, simple quarter-sized tattoo could take an hour, where a large back piece could take seven or 10. Size matters in this equation, and it's important to remember that time is also money.
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How do I prepare for tattoo pain?

To reduce tattoo pain, follow these tips before and during your appointment:
  1. Choose a licensed tattoo artist. ...
  2. Pick a less sensitive body part. ...
  3. Get enough sleep. ...
  4. Avoid pain relievers. ...
  5. Don't get a tattoo when you're sick. ...
  6. Stay hydrated. ...
  7. Eat a meal. ...
  8. Avoid alcohol.
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What are the most painful areas to get a tattoo?

Most painful
  • Armpit. The armpit is among the most painful places, if not the most painful place, to get tattooed. ...
  • Rib cage. The rib cage is probably the second most painful place for most people to get tattooed. ...
  • Ankles and shins. ...
  • Nipples and breasts. ...
  • Groin. ...
  • Elbows or kneecap. ...
  • Behind the knees. ...
  • Hips.
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Who should not get a tattoo?

Those that seldom have or have small flares are better candidates to be tattooed. While those with frequent, large and severe eczema should speak with their doctor before speaking to a tattoo a shop. People with eczema can have more sensitive skin, which could lead to allergic reactions to the pigments in tattoo ink.
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Is the forearm a good place for a first tattoo?

On your forearm, the needles will get closer to the nerves and bones than the previous two options, but because it is often exposed, the skin on your forearms tends to be a bit thicker and tougher than other areas, which can give you a bit more cushion as well.
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How much does a small tattoo cost?

Small Tattoo Cost. A small tattoo costs $50 to $250 on average for designs that cover 3 square inches of skin or less. Regardless of the size, you have to pay the shop minimum fee of around $50 or more, and then they usually charge an hourly rate as well after the first hour.
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Can you use numbing cream before a tattoo?

Emla numbing cream is a trusted brand that can help you through your tattoo appointment. Emla can also be used to numb the skin before laser tattoo removal. As a trusted numbing cream, Emla has been helping to reduce the pain of needle and laser procedures in the UK for more than 20 years.
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How do you prepare for a tattoo?

How To Prepare For A Tattoo
  1. Stay Hydrated. ...
  2. Shave the Area You're Getting Tattooed. ...
  3. Keep Your Skin Clean. ...
  4. Ease Up on the Skin Care Products. ...
  5. Avoid Sunburn. ...
  6. Get a Full Night's Sleep. ...
  7. Don't Show Up Hungry. ...
  8. Wear a Comfortable Outfit.
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Should I tip for a free tattoo touch up?

You Should always Tip your Artist for your Tattoo Touch Up

Many artists are independent contractors and must pay out-of-pocket for things like health insurance. Tattooing supplies and some cases, even traveling expenses.
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What is tattoo etiquette?

Let the artist concentrate while you get tattooed

Let the artist take the lead or ask them what they prefer. Do bring a book to read or movie to watch provided you can do it without moving. Do let your artist take the lead on whether or not to talk. Don't stare at the tattoo while your artist is working.
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What's the most common first tattoo?

Ankle tattoos are perhaps the most popular designs for first times and based on the many tasteful and subtle examples out there—we can tell why many tattoo virgins go for the ankle.
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How painful is a tattoo?

The pain associated with tattooing should be most intense during the procedure itself. Once the procedure is complete, the person may feel bruising and soreness on the affected area from swelling. Swelling can last up to a week. The pain may last for longer if the tattoo becomes infected.
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How Much Should U Tip a tattoo artist?

The general consensus in the tattoo community is that 20 percent is the typical amount to tip — just like at a restaurant or a hair salon. However, consider this number a baseline, as some tattoos require more or less work than others.
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