Words of advice for someone getting their FIRST tattoo?

Hey guys! Im getting my first tattoo done this sunday. I will be getting my mom's name on my right shoulder blade. Im a lil nervous but I dont think it'll be THAT bad. Any advice?Words of advice for someone getting their FIRST tattoo?
Well a lot of people here are giving you before and after care advice so I won't repeat any of that. What I will tell you is to make sure you clearly communicate w/ the artist and you both understand what you're wanting. Don't be afraid to speak up to the artist when he/she is drawing up your moms name. Also once they place the stencil on you, the artist will make you look in the mirror before they get started to make sure you are happy w/ placement so take advantage of that time. Make sure you like the design, size and placement. If anything is off don't be afraid to speak up or to ask the artist if they can move it a bit because it is your body and you will be living w/ the tattoo forever.You'll be fine during the actually tattooing, just make sure you stay relaxed and most artist have music on to help distract you. You're getting a lot of aftercare instructions on here but make sure you listen to what that artist tells you and follow it, if you have any questions then call your artist. Good luck.Words of advice for someone getting their FIRST tattoo?
Eat a big meal at least 30 minutes before you get it done. This will help prevent you from getting light-headed and dizzy, which a lot of people tend to do on their first tattoo because they get really worked up about it.





Ask the artist as many questions as you need to, and ask them to explain what they're doing as they're doing it, it'll better prepare you.





Keep the bandage on 2 hours afterwards, at the very most.





And here's the aftercare I use and highly recommend, in case the artist fails to get it to you:





For the first 3-5 days, you should be using Aquaphor, Tattoo Goo, or A%26amp;D ointment on it. Just enough to keep it moist until your next wash. And I recommend washing it with gold Dial soap... At least 3x a day. Pat it dry with a paper towel or clean wash cloth. Don't rub it.





After the 5 days or so, use a no aloe, non-scented, no healing lotion on it such as Lubriderm, Curel, or Neutrogena body lotion. (I was recommended the Neutrogena by my recent artist because my skin was sensitive and the lotion seems to have helped.) Use this for the next week or so.





You may notice that your tattoo will get funny looking and have colored flakes of skin falling off. Don't worry- your tattoo isn't coming off. This is just a normal part of the healing process. Do NOT pick at these flakes, let them fall off on their own.





If you do, you can pull color out of them and mess up your beautiful tattoo! I did that with my first tattoo... my bird is dark grey with black spots, instead of all black. :(





Best of luck with the new tattoo!
Seems like alot of people are getting their first tattoo.





First of all, congratulations! I just got mine on Saturday and I have a terrible fear of needles so I was freaking out when he first turned the thing on. My advice? DONT freak out, lol. I was freaking out thinking it would hurt like Hell and it really didnt hurt at all, but I got mine on the underside of my right arm so I dont know how it is on the shoulder blade. I wouldnt think it would hurt that much more than mine did.





Just keep calm, ask him what he's going to do and make sure you can see the stencil outline before he starts it incase theres something you want to change real quick!





Good luck!
Back tattoos aren't too bad, I had both my shoulder blades done somewhat with my center back piece. It feels like a bee sting and it dulls as you go along. Just breath deep and it will be fine. Also, talking to your artist can keep your mind off of the pain. Its definitely worth it. Good luck!
I was gonna say, get it where you can cover it up, but you've already got that down. Take care.