My first tattoo experience..

So, I got my first tattoo two weeks ago. I had been contemplating it for a long time, but I wanted to be 150 per cent sure of what I wanted before I got it, since tattoos ARE permanent (unless you fancy spending lots of money on tattoo removal, bearing the pain, doing lots of research on the tattoo removal techniques available and getting variable results).

Actually a lot of research went into my first tattoo – it wasn’t an impulsive decision. I’ve been researching for about 2 years on getting a perfect tattoo done. Before getting my tattoo done, I prepared myself mentally that it’ll be very painful. When I walked in on the day of my appointment I was TERRIFIED. Though I prepared myself mentally, my biggest fear was not being able to handle the pain and having to quit half-way through. But after my artist showed me the design he had drawn up, I fell in love with it and my fear quickly evaporated.

I had also taken a friend along with me for a moral support. After getting all the equipment ready, the ink artist cleaned off the area with a sterilizing wipe and applied the stencil. After doing this, he let me go look in the mirror to make sure the placement was exactly how I wanted it. Once I saw the outline of the design on my hand, I was way more excited than scared, and was ready to get started. My friend was keep me engaged in some random conversation when My tattoo artist did the outline first. I quickly realized that the pain wasn’t just bearable, it was practically non-existent! I soon got used to the feeling of the needle on my hand and settled down for what I knew would be a very long process.

As he went, the tattoo artist kept rubbing ointment into the tattoo to keep it moist and to make sure it didn’t get too irritated. Once he finished the outline, I was getting more and more joyous by the minute.

While there was a certain place that hurt more than the others, which the ink artist explained was due to the curves in the tattoo. The whole process took about two and a half hours. When I saw the finished product for the first time, I was so pleased. It turned out better than I expected, and was definitely worth it. 

"Ahamasmi Yodha"- in Sanskrit means I'm a fighter.

It was the aftercare portion that was difficult, and I sure was ready to have that thing healed! During the aftercare stage, the tattoo has to be washed multiple times a day, and an ointment has to be applied to it. Also, depending on where the tattoo is, it can get stuck to your clothes during the first few days, and if you aren’t careful in removing the fabric, some of the colour can permanently come off. The first night, mine got stuck to my blanket while I was sleeping, and when I carefully took it off the next morning I saw that some colour had bled onto my sheets. I was terrified. I immediately texted my artist, who asked me not to panic.

During the healing process, It itches very badly, but if you pick or scratch at it you can permanently put scars in the tattoo. If you really have to do something to stop the itching, you can gently pat the tattoo, and that helps without damaging the design.

Now that it is in the healing process, I’m planning to visit the tattoo artist for touch up. I want to make Yodha a little thicker.

 So was this worth it?

Yes, I’m definitely happy with my decision to get my tattoo, and I have a few more planned for down the road. A tattoo is a big responsibility though. It is something that is permanent.

I CANNOT WAIT TO GET ANOTHER TATTOO DONE, ALREADY! :)