7 Things You Should Know Before Getting Your First Tattoo

Ben Lakin, owner and founder of NRStudios.co.uk, has been in the tattoo industry for 10 years and says it's the height of important to consider whether you're getting your tattoo for the right reasons.

1. Try not to copy other tattoo designs

"When you are searching for your tattoo, try and do some background to see how common it might be amongst others, and how many other individuals on social media, and in industry magazines, may already have it.

"Whilst you understandably can and should admire other people's designs, if you go into a tattoo studio and ask for a carbon copy of what someone else has, it is a little bit cheeky to just be ripping off another person's work. Take inspiration from what other people have chosen, but try to use your imagination and incorporate some of your own personality when explaining to an artist the direction you want to take with your tattoo."

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2. Don't get carried away

"Once your tattoo is completed, it will be an extremely long, painful and expensive process for you to try and remove it. Laser removal is not an easy process to go through, and there are no guarantees that every tattoo can be removed, due to different techniques, inks and the size of the piece.

"Of course you won't know right at this moment what your 80-year-old self will think of your tattoos, but think slightly closer to the present. Is there any chance potential employers may think differently of you if you're tattooed?

"Ultimately the decision of whether or not to have a tattoo is 100% yours, but far too many people get carried away in the excitement of the moment when picking a tattoo design, without thinking of any negative consequences that they could run into further down the line."

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3. Find the right tattoo artist

"It's all too common for people looking into booking their first tattoo to believe that every licenced tattooist in the country will be able to draw any style of tattoo design, but this is very much a false assumption.

"Many artists specialise in different areas of tattooing, so make sure you do your research when thinking about the different artists in your area, and ensure that they are undertaking a similar kind of work to what you are after for your first piece."

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4. Don't be afraid to travel for your tattoo

"Don't be afraid to travel for your tattoo. At one of my studios based in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, we have customers who travel from as far as America and Australia purely because they are such fans of our artists and know they will be happy with the results of their work.

"Yes, it might cost a little extra to fork out for the travel costs and associated expenses of locating a tattooist somewhere further afield, but just think how far people travel in order to buy a second-hand car that they might only own for a few years. At the end of the day, your tattoo will be with you for a hell of a lot longer than that!"

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5. Try not to go somewhere hot 6 to 8 weeks after the tattoo

"This one is pretty obvious but, in the age of the last minute holiday and being able to book yourself into a cheap Airbnb at the drop of a hat, we still have to warn our customers all about the dangers of the sun and UV rays with new tattoos.

"Don't book a session in with a tattooist if there is any chance you will be taking a holiday somewhere hot in the next 6 to 8 weeks. Sun can be really damaging to tattoos and can fade colour work as well as posing a higher risk of skin infection. We would always recommend Factor 50 or above for your tattoos to keep them looking fresh."

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6. Fuel your body properly

"The morning of your tattoo it is vital that you fuel yourself accordingly and ensure that your sugar levels are up before taking to the tattooist's chair, particularly if you are going to be in the studio for a prolonged period of time.

"For me, the ideal breakfast for someone preparing for their first tattoo would be protein (eggs, smoked salmon, bacon or chicken) alongside some wholemeal toast or a wholemeal bagel, with a side of Greek yogurt, honey and fruit. You need to make sure you're full for the day ahead!"

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7. Rest your body beforehand

"A good night's sleep the night before your tattoo is vital, so no pub session to try and calm your needle nerves! A good 8 hours' worth of shut-eye will really help you mentally prepare for the tattooing process, particularly if it is a long session. Plus, having a fully rested body could even help towards raising your pain threshold for when the big day arrives.​"