Getting your first tattoo can be exhilarating, liberating, and daunting. And if you’re thinking about getting one for the first time in later life, you certainly aren’t alone.
In fact, YouGov’s recent research suggests that over a quarter of the British public have tattoos – many of whom are over 50. So, if you’re considering getting one or you’ve wanted one for years, you’re certainly not alone.
Of course, because getting a tattoo involves permanently marking your skin, it’s not a decision to be made lightly. And even when you’re sure, it’s important to take the time to prepare so your experience is as enjoyable and satisfying as possible.
With this in mind, we’ve pulled together some of our favourite tips for getting your first tattoo in later life – from selecting the right artist to what to eat before your appointment.
1. Use online resources to research tattoos and artists
Some people may know what they want for their first tattoo, while others might not know where to start. Either way, doing plenty of research before booking your appointment is a must.
If you don’t already have a clear vision of what you want, there are plenty of factors to consider. In addition to style and design, you’ll also need to make decisions around things like colour, size, where on your body you’d like it to be, and who you’d like to do it.
Social media platforms like Instagram and Pinterest are great places to start if you’re looking to generate ideas.
As for choosing an artist, try visiting websites of tattoo studios near you. They usually have an ‘Artists’ page containing info about the staff. Here, you’ll find profiles detailing what kind of work they specialise in and links to their social media accounts where you can browse their portfolios.
When looking at studios/artists, it’s also worth checking out any reviews they might have on Google or websites like Hey Tattoo. Reviews can give you an idea of things like sterilisation practices and how comfortable an artist or studio makes their customers feel.
2. Try creating a mood board
When pulling ideas together for your ink, why not try creating a mood board? A mood board is a collage of images, text, graphics, textures, and objects that can help you understand what kinds of designs, colours, and styles you like.
Plus, a mood board will be handy later when working with an artist to create your final design. To help you get started, check out this article from Masterclass.
3. Consider the practicalities
Deciding to get your first tattoo can be exciting, and it’s easy to get swept along with all the possibilities ahead of you. But it’s worth considering some practical aspects from the beginning, such as…
- How much am I willing to pay for my tattoo?
- How visible would I like my tattoo to be?
- How long am I willing to wait?
- How far am I willing to travel?
Asking yourself these questions can help you remain realistic and narrow down your options – hopefully making decisions easier.
4. Remember that your tattoo doesn’t need to ‘mean’ anything
While many people choose to get tattoos that have symbolic significance – for example, as a tribute to a loved one or to represent a treasured memory – it’s important to remember that this isn’t necessary.
Many people choose to get tattoos that don’t have any specific meaning. So, if you want to get one that compliments your sense of style or that you simply like the look of – then feel free to do so! Just remember to consider your decision carefully and try not to rush into anything.
5. Speak to a doctor first if you have a health condition
If you have a health condition, it’s important to speak to your doctor before getting a tattoo.
Respectable tattooists will do everything they can to make your experience as safe as possible – such as sterilising equipment and using disposable needles. However, getting a tattoo isn’t without risk and it can cause complications, like infections and allergic reactions.
If you have an existing health condition – such as an immune disease or diabetes – your risk of complications could be greater. For example, experts warn that people with compromised immune systems are more likely to get infections from tattoo procedures.
To learn more about the risks of tattoos and the precautions you can take, have a look at this article from Mayo Clinic.
6. Consider artists’ personalities, as well as their work
While finding a tattoo artist whose work you enjoy is key, it’s also worth picking someone you feel comfortable with.
When it comes to designing your tattoo, you’ll work closely with your chosen artist – so you’ll want to choose someone you trust and feel comfortable giving feedback to.
It’s also worth picking someone you generally feel at ease with. As US-based tattoo artist Brit Abad tells Allure magazine, “Having a great experience actually getting the tattoo often has a huge effect on how a person feels about the tattoo on their body. Love your artist and you’ll love the artwork even more.”
You can generally get a good sense of who your potential tattooist is during your consultation (more on this below). Still, you might also get some hints by following them on social media or looking at reviews online.
7. Ask plenty of questions beforehand
When possible, getting together for a consultation with your chosen tattoo artist before your appointment is a good idea. As we said above, your consultation is a great opportunity to get a feel for a tattoo artist’s personality, but it’s also when you’ll discuss things like design, size, placement, etc.
Asking questions like how much your tattoo will be, how experienced they are, and how they sterilise their equipment will help you determine whether you want to move forward with this artist and put any worries you might have to rest.
Remember that experienced tattoo artists can be a useful source of knowledge, and asking the right questions will help you get the most out of the experience and end up with a piece of body art you can cherish for years to come.
Therefore, ahead of your consultation, it’s a good idea to send your tattooist plenty of information about what you’re looking for and prepare a list of questions. This will help you make sure you don’t miss out on any key information and that your tattoo artist has time to think about what they can do for you.
For some ideas for questions to ask, take a look at this article from Tattoo Shops Blackpool.
8. Book an in-person consultation (if possible)
While it won’t always be possible to do your consultation in person, it’s worth meeting up with potential tattoo artists in their studios if you can.
Not only will this give you a better understanding of who the artist is as a person, but it’ll also make the whole process more efficient. For example, doing consultations over the phone, video chat, or email can cause misunderstandings, leading to wasted time and work.
Plus, it’ll also give you the chance to get a feel for the shop itself. Does it seem hygienic? Is it welcoming and friendly? Visiting the place where you’ll be getting your tattoo ahead of time may also calm any nerves you have on the day.
9. Take care of your skin in the lead-up to your appointment
Once you’ve booked your appointment, it’s important to start thinking about how you can prepare for the big day – and one thing that tattooists recommend is to take good care of your skin in the weeks before.
As dermatologist Elliot Love tells Byrdie Magazine, you mustn’t “enter a tattoo session with overly dry, irritated, bruised, or infected skin.” Best skincare practice in the lead-up to your appointment may involve limiting your sun exposure (to reduce the risk of burning the area) and moisturising once or twice daily to prevent dryness.
However, tattooists generally ask their clients not to moisturise on the day of the appointment, as this can affect the application of the tattoo.
As well as moisturising, Love also recommends shaving the area and washing it with antibacterial soap the night before. However, your tattooist can also shave the area for you at the beginning of your appointment. So, if you’re worried about damaging or irritating your skin when shaving, it’s probably best to wait for the tattooist to do it.
10. Get a good night’s sleep before your appointment
Most tattoo artists will also recommend that you get a good night’s sleep before your appointment. This is because, while getting a tattoo can be exciting, it does place stress on the body, which triggers our immune system so we can begin to heal. And the strength of our immune response is affected by factors like sleep.
Sleep quality can also have a big effect on our mood, with research providing strong links between good quality sleep and lower stress and anxiety levels.
11. Avoid alcohol 24 hours before your appointment
Although we all know that getting a tattoo under the influence of alcohol isn’t the best idea (and respectable tattooists will refuse to work on someone who is), the standard advice is to avoid drinking at least 24 hours before your appointment.
This is because alcohol can have a blood thinning effect. It interferes with our body’s ability to create blood cells that clump together to form clots (platelets) and makes them less sticky.
Because of this, drinking before getting a tattoo can result in increased bleeding during your session, which can interfere with the quality of your tattoo. Excess bleeding can thin the ink, which might lead to a patchy finished product, and the blood itself can cause difficulties for your artist.
To read more about the blood-thinning effect of alcohol, take a look at this article from Healthline.
12. Stay hydrated
Another tip you’ll probably hear from your tattooist is to drink plenty of water before your appointment. Many tattoo artists claim that your body accepts the ink better when it’s hydrated, which can result in a crisper, clearer tattoo.
Plus, as Western Oregon University points out, staying hydrated could help to reduce the pain felt while getting your tattoo because it can make our skin less dry and irritable.
13. Eat a filling meal
Most tattoo artists, like those at London’s Time Bomb Tattoos, will also recommend eating a nutritious and filling meal before attending your session. If you’re worried about becoming dizzy or even fainting during your session, experts say this may reduce the likelihood of this happening.
A high-protein meal is a good choice. Because protein is involved in repairing bodily tissues – such as skin – it may positively affect the healing process. Beef, lamb, shellfish, beans, and nuts are all good choices because they’re packed with protein and zinc. Research shows that zinc plays an important part in how our bodies repair wounds.
Foods rich in vitamin K are also worth adding to your pre-tattoo meal, as it plays an essential role in our body’s blood clotting processes. Leafy green vegetables (like kale and spinach) and animal products (like beef liver and pork chops) are examples of foods high in vitamin K.
You may find it helpful to read our article, 12 high-protein meal ideas, for inspiration.
14. Consider clothing
One thing that many people forget to consider when preparing to get their first tattoo is what to wear to their appointment. And while there’s no ‘right’ outfit, the main thing to consider is how accessible the area of your body getting tattooed will be.
For example, a short-sleeved T-shirt will probably do nicely if you’re getting a tattoo on your forearm. If you’re getting one on your thigh, you might want to avoid skinny jeans and consider loose-fitting shorts or a skirt, which can be folded up easily.
It’s also important to make sure you’re comfortable, as whether your appointment is set to last 30 minutes or five hours, this can make a big difference to your experience.
Plus, it’s advisable not to wear your favourite items of clothing and to choose dark colours. Remember that your artists will be working with ink, which can sometimes get on people’s clothes.
Final thoughts…
While these tips will hopefully help you prepare for your first tattoo, the decisions involved in getting one are deeply personal. And since it involves marking your skin permanently, it’s important to take your time and make sure it’s the right decision.
To hear from others who had their first tattoo in later life, why not take a look at this article from The Guardian? From celebrating their body and expressing their freedom to remembering a loved one, each of their reasons is very different and showcases how body art can empower us.
Are you thinking about getting a tattoo? Or do you already have one and can offer some other tips? We’d love to hear from you in the comments below.