The newfound freedom of freshman year is thrilling, to say the least. No curfew, no one to question your decisions, and most importantly: mom won’t get a good look at that rose on your shoulder until May. Here’s what you need to know before losing your tattoo virginity.
The Price Isn’t Always Right
College students are generally strapped for cash, but in the case of tattoos cheaper doesn’t always mean better. Someone may be doing free tattoos at a party or out of their van, or maybe your friend thinks she’s Lisbeth Salander and wants to help you out, but unless you want an infected inky mess, save up your cash and stay away.
The key to tattoo pricing is in the size and detail of the piece. The smaller and more simple your tattoo is, the lower the price. Time also plays a role in pricing. Something that takes under an hour to do could be just $50-$100. If you’re looking to get a portrait done with the face of a loved one, be ready to shell out a lot of cash. A well-experienced, professional artist can give you an awesome portrait, but if you try cutting corners for a bargain you will get what you paid for, which could end up being a creepy and disproportioned version of the homage you hoped for.
There are plenty of clean and reputable salons in the Tampa area that can cut you a deal without ruining your life. Atomic Tattoos off of Dale Mabry is part of a nationwide company that is highly acclaimed. Blue Devil on E. 7th Avenue in Ybor is one of the oldest shops around and features some of the most experienced artists in the area. 1603 Tattoo and Piercing Co. and Ybor City Tattoo Company are also well regarded shops in Ybor City with experienced artists.
Suck It Up
Choosing your tattoo is fun, but facing the needle might not come as easy. Taking a few shots before getting in the chair can seem like a good idea, but will turn out to be a huge mistake. Think about it this way: while tattoos are considered art, they are also considered wounds. Getting a tattoo means putting an opening in the skin, which would naturally cause a person to bleed. Alcohol thins the blood, so if a person were to drink heavily within 24 hours of getting a tattoo they would bleed heavily and experience more pain during the process. Not only will it hurt, but the extra blood means that your artist has to take much more time, and your design could come out less than perfect.
Tom Kiernan, the co-owner of Black Fin Tattoo in Ybor City, says that his shop, along with any other reputable parlor, will refuse service to anyone that is intoxicated.
“We may sit them down and set them up with a new appointment, but anyone that comes in for a tattoo in the wrong frame of mind is making a mistake,” Kiernan said. “If someone comes in under the influence, they’re not going to want to sit still or cooperate, and they absolutely won’t come out with something they can be happy with.”
Getting trashed might seem like a good way to take the edge off, but impairing your judgement before going through such an important process could have you stumbling out of the tattoo parlor with nothing but permanent regret.
Check Yourself
Nothing is worse than a misspelled tattoo. You may have “No Ragrets” even with the error, but getting a date, landing a job interview or just generally getting people to like you may become difficult in the future. Also, be sure to check the translation and accuracy of your text-tattoos. Those japanese symbols may look super cute, but one day you might run into the person who knows they say “Mold Noodle.”
Take Care
Getting the tattoo may be the hard part, but once you’ve been inked, the work isn’t over. Once the artist is done inking your skin, a bandage will be placed over your new piece. It’s tempting to rip that bandage off to try and add your ink to your snapchat story, but taking the bandage off before the recommended time (usually two hours) will expose your tattoo to airborne bacteria. Be sure to understand that timing is everything. Spring break might seem like a great time to get that spontaneous hummingbird on your thigh, but jumping in the pool or ocean any time before the recommended two weeks could mean spontaneously and permanently screwing up your tattoo (although you can– and should– still take showers).
A tattoo is a lifelong commitment, so remember to always keep the area hydrated with non-scented lotion and use a minimum of SPF 30 to protect your piece from fading.
Kiernan recommends a product called Aquaphor. Aquaphor helps in the healing process of a new tattoo, while keeping the skin hydrated and protected.
Tattoos in certain areas may need to be retouched in the future, so keep that in mind when choosing the location of your ink.