Oh of course!

These are my time honored tips!! Some of these might sound a bit blunt but I am heavily tattooed and have been collecting for over a decade. I was a shop hang in my teens and have worked desk since 2016 in a traditional shop and my partner is a tattooer of nearly 20 years. Please trust me. You’ll have a better time.

Don’t overthink it into oblivion. Yes research your artist, yes maybe consider the meaning, yes pick out a design you love. But please trust your artist and the process.

Don’t get a tattoo thats “just for me!!!!” So small that it practically doesn’t matter anymore or upside down. You are getting a tattoo, it needs to look like a tattoo. (A tattoo can be for you, I have plenty of those, but unfortunately you are perceived and your tattoo has to look like a tattoo because it’s a tattoo)

It’s going to hurt no matter what where why and when. But you can do it. A tattoo will not kill you or maim you. Breathe, do not tense. If you are relaxed as possible it won’t hurt as much. If you get super in your head and nervous before the needle touches your skin you will crash out HARD and possibly pass out. Ive seen this time and time again and I’m also guilty of this.

DO NOT USE NUMBING CREAM!!!!!! But Bella thats ableist I have xyznandhwkemnrjrkdndkiene pfft. Numbing cream paralyzes the skin and causes the ink to push out or heal wonky and also prolongs the process. Your tattooer is hitting a sweet spot in your epidermis just inside of the first layer of skin where the ink will sit and numbing cream blocks this. If you are too uncomfortable, ask for break. Typically your artist will hit you with some Bactine mid way or before coloring/shading. This works fine. Trust me. You can do it. Also, clients with chronic pain conditions tend to sit better without the use of numbing because the pain the tattoo process causes is actually therapeutic to them. I’m not kidding.

You do have to earn your tattoos. But you are earning them for yourself. Show yourself that you can do it.

To minimize pain eat so much food you can’t move. Again, trust me. PLEASE FOR THE LOVE OF GOD EAT. Bring water. If you smoke or consume cannabis you can have just a little bit before your session (don’t overdo this). Do not drink alcohol anytime before your tattoo.

One thing I tell nervous clients is to repeat the mantra “this is not killing me” over and over and it tends to help.

This idea that male tattooers or any gender tattooer in a traditional shop are abusive is unfounded. I know men, women, queers, trans people and non binary people who tattoo using coil machines in traditional shops including myself. A shop thats bright and colorful with flash on the walls, clean and friendly is usually a good sign that they are a long standing shop with a good reputation. Gravitate toward shops where the people tattooing are actually tattooed. If you get the gnarliest, crustiest, oldest tattooer whos a 1% biker with face tats and a long beard chances are he’s been doing this a long time and knows what he’s doing.

( Also, not to go on a tangent but I’ve noticed these boo-boo girlie pop, no coils, no black ink or just fine line, no men allowed shops are typically way more exclusive of dark skinned, non English speaking and working class people. Two of my partners most loyal clients are unhoused, are they going to be welcomed in these boujie little shops? Remember, tattoo shops are community centers who should welcome everyone no matter what. That’s not to say shit doesnt go down but usually our community is pretty good at self policing)

That being said, a good tattooer will listen to you and accommodate you no matter who they are. If you feel uncomfortable just leave. Literally just stand up and leave. The design is going on YOU, YOU give final consent.

Talk to your tattooer, get to know them, tip them or bring them snacks. Communicate with them through the whole process. If you feel light headed IMMEDIATELY SPEAK UP.

Please wear comfortable clothes. I would rather you come in with a bonnet on, pajama pants and a tank top than showing off in your goth stompers and mini skirt. It’s gunna be a better time for everyone. For example, my partner had a client come in dressed to the nines for a simple hip tat and she had to go home and change because she couldn’t lift her skinny jeans up for him to access her hip.

After you had a cool time and your tattoo is new LISTEN TO YOUR FUCKING ARTIST ABOUT AFTER CARE. NO SUN 👏 NO POOLS/BATHS/JACUZZIS/RIVERS AND LAKES 👏 NO VASELINE OR OTHER WEIRD SHIT 👏 KEEP IT CLEAN AND DRY 👏 NO PICKING OR TOUCHING and again no overthinking! Tattoos heal in a series of steps and sometimes they look really fucked up before theyre done. A month is typically how long they take to fully heal but even after a month they can look kinda gummy. If after a month something looks weird just go back to the shop and show your artist.

Also, your tattoo is never going to look as crisp as it did day one. Everyone’s skin is different and your skin is not paper. It will mush and contort and change even years after you got it done. But that’s the cool part actually. It’s YOUR tattoo on YOUR body.

I hope this helps! I know I’m ranty about this stuff but there’s a lot of confusing info or downright wrong info about my community and how we operate! Ive been in shops for a looooong time and tattooing for about three years now and I live with a trusted tattooer!! Seriously I have nothing to hide! If you want to look us up I’m bella_the_demon on Instagram and you can look up my partner’s shop Tattoo Royale in Massachusetts!!

My logo design. Hit me up for tattoos!