It can be a difficult decision getting a tattoo, leaving a permanent image on one’s body is no easy commitment especially with most societies still commending the idea of being tatted. Oftentimes older people in society associate tattoos with ungodliness, unseriousness, and associate it with a cult or juvenile culture.
Unlike the older generation, the younger ones are more open-minded and find tattoos as a form of expression, sharing their individuality with the world and friends. The art form of tattoos has become very big in their generation, with more and more people having at least one tattoo, the stigma is slowly but surely fading.
If you’ve been having sleepless nights over getting a tattoo, we’re here to help you get your best tattoo for that vibrant melanin skin.
Dos & Don’ts of Getting Tattoos
1. Study Up Your Design.
If you’re going to get a tattoo you should do your research on the design of the tattoo and think about why you want to get, also ask others with similar tats about theirs, and if they have tips or an artist they recommend.
2. Choose A Reputable Tattoo Parlour & Artist.
There’s a lot of upcoming tattoo artists and parlors out there just making their start and some of them aren’t so good. So always keep your eye out for good tattoo spots and artists, with good sanitary measures to guarantee safe procedures. Also, different artists have different areas of tattoo expertise and you should try to find a perfect match for your design.
3. Hydrate.
Drink plenty of water the night before you get a tattoo because you don’t want your skin to reject the ink because you’re dehydrated.
4. Stay Still.
Do try to remain as still as possible in the chair, otherwise, the artist might get frustrated and it will hurt you more.
5. Follow Aftercare Instructions.
Make sure you follow the aftercare instructions diligently to get the best out of your tattoo. The healing time for a tattoo takes about 2 weeks but it sometimes varies depending on your skin. You should shield it for a bit before you expose a tattoo to the sun, saltwater, or other abrasive elements.
Aftercare for Your Tattoo.
- Be sure your artist covers your new tattoo in a thin layer of petroleum jelly and a bandage.
- Remove the bandage after 24 hours. Gently wash the tattoo with antimicrobial soap and water and be sure to pat dry.
- Apply a layer of antibacterial/Vaseline ointment twice a day, but don’t put on another bandage.
- Gently wash your tattoo area twice a day with soap and water and gently pat dry before reapplying the antibacterial/Vaseline ointment.
- Keep applying a moisturizer or ointment after you clean it to keep it moist.
- Also try not to wear clothes that will stick to your tattoo, and avoid swimming and the sun for about 2 weeks.
- Take cool showers.
- If your tattoo scabs a bit or develops hard layers, don’t worry. It’s normal. But never pick scratch, or peel it.
You should repeat this process for 2 to 4 weeks.
How To Choose A Tattoo Artist.
1. Check out their work.
Make sure you do enough background research on the artist’s work. Ask for past clients and check out how their tattoos aged to make sure that they have the skill set, some artists are in the game purely for money, instead of putting their clients first.
2. Ask to see healed photos of tattoos on past clients skin.
Most artists will post freshly-inked tattoos on their socials as past work, but if you want to see how the tattoo will age on your skin (and if you want to avoid deep scarring), reach out to the artists for pictures.
3. Look for an artist that is patient with you and willing to put the time in.
Don’t feel awkward asking all the questions—your tattoo is going to be on your body forever, so you want to make sure it’s done right. If you’re thinking of getting a color tattoo, artists can do ink swatches, to see how different shades will heal on your skin tone. Your artist can also do stencils of tattoos, so you can see how they’ll show up on your skin.
Myths To Stop Believing About Black Skin.
Myth #1: People with darker skin tones can’t get color tattoos.
Myth #2: Tattoo artists can’t do fine-line designs on people with darker skin tones.
Myth #3: People with darker skin tones scar easily from tattoos.
