thehellzbell wrote:I got you kido. I got 6 tats and I know what happens when you don't do as you're told to take care of it and if you don't hold it still under the needle.
I got the inside of both forearms done first. I'm nervous every time cause it's a new area. the inside of my right bicep (i was clean and sober, but i fell asleep in the chair) then i got the steeler's logo on my right calf (most painful one yet) I got the outside of my left forearm it kinda felt like those fake pens that shock you and I dozed off a little, then I got the under side of my left forearm.
The trick with tats is to remember that it's a fucking open wound. take care of it! I fucked up my treble clef tattoo by not properly taking care of it. wrap it in saran wrap b4 bed the first few nights with A&D ointment (Vaseline/petrolium jelly works, but is not recommended for some reason) let it get some air too. You said you're getting it on your back, so you probably can't do a lot of walking around with no shirt on, but if you get the chance, even for a few minutes, take that shirt off so your skin can breath. Wash the area often and PAT it dry, don't rub it, PAT it. The tat should be the first and last thing you wash in the shower and you should have a fresh clean washcloth with fresh soap on it. I don't think the kind of soap matters but I always use Irish spring or whatever cause it's the best shit I can find.
the trick with whatever "tattoo goo" you use is to get an even coating and keep it coated as much as possible. don't let it dry out. If it starts to scab, you need more ointment.
AND DON'T FUCKING SCRATCH IT! If it itches, it's dry and needs ointment.
Your artist should be able to give you good advice. S/he should also be kind enough to take care of you while you're getting your virgin skin poked. (ha ha laugh it up) A good artist will talk to you to help you keep calm and relaxed.
Remember, don't move! If you move, it's gonna get all fuckered up. I moved on one of my tats and I was lucky it was fixable but it scared the fuck out of me.
If you don't have an artist in mind, talk to people who have ink and ask them where they got it done. Talk to the artist and see if you can watch them in action for a few minutes. S/he should have a lot of "flash" drawings for you to look at and some pictures of their work so you can see if they are a good artist or a great one.
A good artist will give you an awesome tattoo. But a great artist will make it "pop" and flash so that it looks like it's coming out of your skin. well that might be a bad analogy, but you get the idea.
Oh yeah, don't get drunk. it might numb the pain, but it thins out your blood causing extra bleeding. Oh yeah, you're gonna bleed.
My friend smokes a few joints before hand and falls asleep every time. Dude has like 55 tats.
One other thing. Music. Listen to some good tunes while your under the needle, or have it in the background cause it takes your mind off of the pain.
I've learned that the longer the needle is in your skin, the worse it gets, and then the artist takes the needle out for a second to wipe away the excess ink. little, short lines actually feel really good under the needle. Eventually, your body will send adrenaline to the area and kinda numb it a little bit, but you're gonna feel the whole process.
Best of luck,
J
Great!
Thanks! I'm gonna get a tat and this is really helpful tip! 
