tattoo first-timer advice?

hi!! i'm currently in the market for a tattoo; but it'll be my first one!! any advice/tips? 

i'm thinking of getting something small, with some placements in mind. however, i have a CRAZY low pain tolerance ToT. any recommendations?

Really really think hard about what you want as it's gonna be on you forever! Pinterest, mood boards, galleries, however you hold onto ideas, use 'em! 

Also, make sure to drink plenty of water and rest the night before. Follow your tattoo artist's aftercare instructions and once it is fully healed, exfoliate, moisturize and most importantly, put sunscreen on them or keep them out of direct sunlight! This'll keep your tattoos looking vibrant and fresh for a very long time.

Depending where you get it, there'll be some minor dull pain during the inital laydown but you should get used to it unless it's in a spot with little fat or is very bony.

That's just about all the advice I've got but good luck, I look forward to seeing what you get!!!

exciting! make sure to bring some water and something sugary to your appointment, tattoos can make people quite lightheaded sometimes, usually studios have these already though so its worth checking, i always bring extra stuff tho lol. dont drink alcohol night before becuase it can make you more likely to bleed. and ask your artist before and after for any specific advice based on placement and size, the leadup always feels scarier than actually getting the tattoo so try make sure youre not too stressed or overwhelmed. 

good luck!!!! its gonna be so cool!!

Think on it for a long time! I know you probably don't want to hear this but I would wait until you are a little bit older. Or get something very small. If I would have gotten any of the tattoos I was dead set on, obsessed with, sure that I would love forever, at 19-21 I would have regretted them immensely. I think back on those ideas and cringe and feel so much relief I never did it. I even regret my first tattoo I got at 25 that I thought I was absolutely sure on! 

I would get a design in mind and think about it for maybe a year. If you still want it at the end of that year...start looking for a highly rated, very good artist and don't get it until you find that artist you are sure about. Don't get it just to get it. It's going to be on you forever! And laser removal is very expensive, and more painful than the original tattoo. :/

I know, I know, i sound like a total party pooper haha. But I mean this as advice I wish I could give my younger self.

eating beforehand and hydrating is mandatory. it's also not advised at all to take any painkillers before a tattoo. i know some people assume it's a good idea but they thin your blood and could cause you to bleed more than you normally would. 

your tattoo artist will guide you through aftercare for it, but i do find it's easier to have everything ready before so you don't have to shop around with a fresh tattoo. ask me how i know lmao. antibacterial non-scented soap: gold dial pump soap. tattoo artists swear by it. for moisturizers, i always suggest people use a very thin layer of aquaphor and then switch to lubriderm once it starts peeling (i find aquaphor pulls at the peeling skin and that's never a good time). 

i've got 13 tattoos and i still get the jitters before every one. they're pretty normal. it's an exciting thing !! 

as for the low pain tolerance, some shops have a numbing cream. obviously it won't make it totally painless, but i do hear that it helps. and don't be shy to ask for a break if you really need one. listen to your body more than anything. i hope it turns out exactly how you picture it !! 

Be sure you stay hydrated and eat a couple hours before your appointment. Be aware of placement as well! I also have a low pain tolerance and it honestly isn’t that bad. Pick a spot that has a bit of fat on it and doesn’t get too close to sensitive areas like the joints or bones. I have a tattoo on my inner forearm and the majority of it was fine until the needle got close to the ditch of my elbow. The pain wasn’t horrible, but I was twitching involuntarily lol.

Don’t be afraid to ask your artist questions, and don’t be afraid to move the placement around or ask to make the design a little bigger/smaller. Trust their judgment, of course, but if something doesn’t look quite right it’s okay to let them know! And taking breaks is okay!! It’s hard to sit still, so if you need to take a break and get up and move around, it’s perfectly okay to do so.

Research what kind of art style you’re interested in, and then find an artist that specializes in that style. Some kinds of tattoos will fade faster than others and will need touch-ups. Fine-line tattoos are notorious for this. Bolder styles will hold up better over time, but they aren’t everyone’s cup of tea. Figure out what styles you like and weigh the pros and cons.

Good luck on your first tattoo whenever you decide to get it!! It’s okay to be nervous! Just do your best to relax and have a good experience, and always follow your artist’s advice on aftercare! You got this!

honestly when you find an artist you vibe with, just ask them what they'd personally recommend you do. most of it will be what has already been said here like hydrating, getting a good rest the night before, taking a water bottle and snacks with you, and taking breaks if you need to (my artist knows me so well now she just knows when i'm gonna hit her with the "i have to pee" so i can stand up for a bit lol). 
since it's your first one, any artist worth a damn will be more than happy to hold your hand start to finish to make sure it's a good experience for you. 

not sure if u got the tattoo yet or not, but i hope u love it !! definitely suggest moisturizing the area with aquaphor and make sure you really think on it :-) i got two tattoos as soon as i turned 18 and i love them so much (sternum tattoos HURRRTTTTT)