Virgin’s Guide: First Tattoo

You might be a little timid at first – pounding heart, clammy hands. “I wanted to do this,”you’ll remind yourself as your eyes wander to the door. You could just leave, you know. You could zip up and walk out the door. But think how great you’ll feel once you’ve finally done it? Once you’re finally not a virgin anymore.

Your first tattoo. Epic feeling.

I would know…

By the time I walk in the door of Absolute Tattoo & Piercing, a San Diego tattoo parlor, I’ve been mulling over the thought of a tattoo for months, but petrified to actually go through with it.

I arrive at Absolute Tattoo as the guys are getting ready to close up shop on a Wednesday night. My decision to suck-it-up and get my first tattoo is the aftermath of a thrilling pros-versus-cons ping-pong game that has been taking place in my head for the past six months. With the help of a DiscoverSD assignment, the pros finally triumphed, and I ventured off with two goals for the night: 1) get the info for an impressing article (it’s my first assignment, after all), and 2) don’t pass out.

My elected artist is a four-year tattoo veteran and, according to the website, Absolute Tattoo’s “new young blood.” It’s unclear whether that is a good thing or bad thing, but at least his name is Fella. No last name necessary. After I communicate the four-letter French word I picked and how I wanted it to look, Fella casually grabs a piece of paper and begins creating a vastly more interesting version than I had envisioned in my head. I whip out my notes and dive straight in with the questions, and find that I am thankful for another focus outside of my increasingly impassioned nerves—getting the tattoo 411.

One of my first questions, and personal concerns, is what most first-timers are dying to know: does it hurt?

“It’s really not something that you can describe,” says Fella as he adds the finishing touches to my tattoo design. “It’s definitely tolerable, though, or else people wouldn’t get it done.”

True that. However, he also explains that there are some general areas that are known to induce more discomfort than others, such as hands, fingers and the backs of the legs. Needless to say, I decide to stick with a less-sensitive body part.

After asking Fella to redraw my four-letter word (which, is “paix,” the French word for peace, if you were wondering), to have a lower case “p” rather than an upper case, we move on to discussing possible locations for my tattoo. Fella chuckles when asked if he has any advice on tattoo “locale” for virgin clients. “Nope,” he says – an answer that does in fact make a bit of sense, but unfortunately, not great copy.

“You sure?” I plead. Between picky “p” preferences and my determination to get some solid interviewing material, I’m surely at least a little irritating by now.

But then, as he holds up my finished product (“Mmm…not so sure about the flourish thingy underneath. Wait, stop! I lied. I like it,” he says), Fella responds with a suggestion I can work with, stating, “It’s ultimately up to the client, but it’s probably best to start off in an area that’s a little inconspicuous.”

This word of advice obviously holds the most truth for people in their late teens and early ‘20s, as often times more youthful tattoo-ees are not yet aware of the type of career they’ll possess or the lifestyle they might lead later on. And unfortunately, your future employer might not be quite as stoked about the serpents wrapped around your neck as you are.

Following Fella’s advice, I nix my idea for a hardcore bicep tat, and decide on the side of my hip instead.

The next step is to clean the area, and prepare to employ Operation O.M.G. On a scale from 1-10, my O.M.G-level is currently at a 20.5; however, only 50 percent is due to nerves, and the other half is a result of unprecedented levels of excitement.

Before I know it, my new friend Fella is rapidly approaching my skin with a large, ferociously buzzing contraption, and I’m bracing myself for screams and tears as my practically non-existent tolerance for pain becomes suddenly very sharp in my mind. However, as the needle penetrates my skin, not one tear appears in my eye and not one scream (okay, maybe a squeal or two) escapes my lips. While certainly not the most pleasant of feelings, I can honestly say: it’s really not that bad!

During the remainder of the procedure, I distract myself from the vibrating burn of the needle by talking entirely too much and examining Absolute Tattoo’s fascinating collection of artifacts, some of which require a trip to the shop in order to be fully appreciated. 20 minutes and multiple is-it-done-yets later, I was officially a tatted chick.

Fella handed me a printed care sheet of instructions, and at the risk of challenging the competency of your own tattoo artist (who, if they don’t give you some version of a care sheet, should not be recommended to a friend), here’s what it says:

1. Leave bandage on for 2 hours
2. Remove bandage. Wash with warm water and Dial soap, followed by cold water to lock in the ink.
3. Let air dry for 15 minutes
4. Apply a paper-thin coat of ointment, such as A&D
5. Switch to a fragrance-free lotion
6. No pools, no Jacuzzis, no oceans for 7-10 days.
7. No sun for the rest of your life.

Not too much to ask, is it? Nah. Unless of course you’re like me, and are looking for a product called A.N.D, rather than A&D.

Overall, my transition from tattoo virgin to tatted writer was an exhilarating one, and I couldn’t be happier with the results. However, as someone who isn’t particularly fond of needles or pain, the experience wasn’t a cinch. You might have similar concerns going in for your first tattoo. Nevertheless, it can be an incredible experience.

“The most important thing is to do the research and know what you want,” says Fella. Good advice. Remember that different artists have different tattoo backgrounds, methods of working and skill levels. Be sure to choose a trustworthy artist who boasts the qualifications necessary for the particular artwork you want done. After my experience with the guys at Absolute Tattoo, I can honestly say that it’s a really good place to start.

Absolute Tattoo & Piercing has been in business for 12 years, and is one of San Diego’s largest shops. They not only specialize in tattoos and piercings, but also henna and permanent cosmetics in a very clean and sterile environment. For more information, visit Absolutetattoo.com.