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Dope new bat head I got the other day

I have no idea. I feel like maybe people who never would have gotten tattoos are getting them now because they are more mainstream, but then they appear to suddenly realize it is permanent? I don't know, but it feels like 90% of newbies come here to talk about their anxiety over a new tattoo. Sigh.

I reckon it goes a bit like this.... Being tattooed has become more socially acceptable (at least in the UK). This has removed one barrier to being tattooed (at least in the view of some who care about that sort of thing). Tattooing is more accessible. There are more tattoo studios - and it's easier to get an understanding of the process and book an appointment. This has removed another barrier (at least in some who wouldn't have made the effort). Tattooing is now seen as desirable in some social milieu. This has encouraged some who are influenced by that kind of thing to have a tattoo - when maybe that shouldn't be a primary reason. The "being tattooed progression" also appears to have changed with the above. Shoulder to upper arm to (maybe) lower arm to hands (unusual) to face (very unusual) has migrated to lower arm, hands etc as potentially a first tattoo. But then again - "I used to be with it, but then they changed what "it" was, and now what I'm with isn't "it""..... 😕

First session is in the books! We were able to finish up the design, complete the outline, and get some initial colors completed today. Before we started he asked "how big are you thinking?". I told him I've heard a lot of people suggest not to wimp out just cause it's the first, aka "go big or go home". It's a little odd looking with only reds (and a smidge of yellow) filled, but I think it's turning out great so far. I can't wait to get more color fill going!

Tattoo of my dog and a Sailor Jerry pirate on my leg.

It takes 4 - 6 weeks to heal. You don't know what it will look like until it's healed. You have thin lines on thin, delicate skin which is the most prone to blow-outs. as @Dan said, put away the microscope and enjoy your tattoo.

Hey, Just turned 18 a month ago and just got my first tattoo and just wanted to say hello and get opinions on what people think of it!

Honestly, as far as I know it looks pretty solid. I could not imagine it without any black around. I mean, it is a cool piece, without this background the white wolf could not be so cool to watch. A week ago I got my forearm tattoed too with a wolf, and the artist just did an absolute masterpiece. He hasn't told me that he wanted to use that much black, but he just went straight. The result is simply amazing, now that it is healing the wolf is like a pencil draw, and the black around gives prominence to the wolf face. Anyway, as the others said, just deal with it, I guess you will like it way much more once it will be healed! (sorry for my bad english)

that and that the original purpose of this forum was to celebrate tattoos, the process of getting them and to educate the public on how to get the best possible experience and result.

I’m calm and with more than 200 hours in the chair a hell of a lot more educated than you. Also done with you. Onto my ignore list you go.

if I can’t adjust to the tattoos I have I’d get the saw out if I had anything like what you have in your picture. That’s for sure

@SStu, @Hogrider, @Gingerninja I thought you'd all enjoy this. 😂

relaxed, slow and deep (almost meditative) breathing is how I've successfully dealt with the more tender area tattoo sessions.

Yep. No one's ever going to look at it as close as you are here . . .

yes,those feelings are 100% normal and will go away, and also,that's a badass tattoo,very nice !

THIS. Hahaha. I covered my first tattoo with a better one when I was 40. Now, I'm 48, and I have two full sleeves and my lower legs are both covered. I also work in a professional office environment (ad agency), and no one cares about my tattoos.

Yup. The final absorbsion takes many months. I think my spacing between sessions was about 4-6 weeks.

IMO you have to do what it takes with what you have to work with if you want to stay in the business. If you have to start where this new shop wants you to then I would do it,apprenticeship offers don't come along all the time.

My leg tattoo got infected, unfortunately. That was a few months ago, and it has healed very well, with only very minimal color loss in a dime-size area. I took pics daily to assess whether things were progressing well, or regressing, and going through them now I thought they showed the healing stages quite well, so I decided to post them in case anyone is curious (or likes gross pictures). First two are before antibiotics (oral), last set shows progress (left to right) from day 1 to day 9. You can't tell from the pictures but the infection was deep and it felt like a golf ball under the skin. I suspect the infection was from my dog jumping on me on day 2 or 3, despite all the precautions to prevent it.

That has nothing to do with your tattoo, if the tattoo is 9 months old. How long have you had the scratch? Is it oozing? Does it smell bad? Is it hot to the touch? Is it painful? Those are signs of an infection. The fact that the wound is on your tattoo is irrelevant.

Under cheek is by far my worst experience. I have 1 down and 1 to go and the odds are good my healing is going to be an experience. Sitting, standing, walking, existing; I feel like a wimp.

You asked for ideas. If you don’t want them, don’t ask.

Mate the tattoos I have doesn’t meet my standard. The images I have are pretty much 3D realistic as can be. You’re tattoos would make me wanna burn my skin of with acid so don’t go criticising everyone thinking you’re like miss tattoo queen or something. It’s like a load of random scribble all over your legs ffs

See a doctor, that’s not normal.

I did a little bit of research but instead of digging through hundreds of topics about creams I just thought I ask straight about applying in middle of tattooing....

You’re blowing my mind here. You really never gave any thought to how people would view you before you basically got your lower arm covered????? Wow!! A little late to be thinking about that. No amount of lasering will make that disappear completely. I never had the tattoo anxiety thing so I can’t relate, but just keep reminding yourself that there is nothing you can do at this point. Even if you wanted to make changes or laser it, you need to wait until it completely heals. not to beat you up specifically because it happens a lot, but I’m constantly amazed by how little though people put into getting something permanent inked onto their skin.

Do you understand that we aren't newbies here? We are telling you, from experience, that trying to laser it twice (hilarious) and blast something over it is going to make it WORSE, not better. Please listen. I've really tried to reassure you. You've even emailed photos of it to me. It's a nice tattoo. Let it heal. If you still hate it down the road, get it lasered extensively and then find a great coverup artist. There isn't a quick fix for it.

My feet were brutal. I have both done. I have very bony feet, so I'm sure that didn't help.

It was genius coming up with that musical deconstruction idea. I've enjoyed so many of those. I wonder if it was Fallon, Questlove or someone else . . .

My feet were the one area where I found it was MUCH easier to take if I didn't relax. The sensitivity was greatly diminished once we found a position where I could put my foot flat on the chair and then lean my weight onto it.

my wife and myself have back to back appointments with Oliver Peck at the Feather Falls convention at the end of February. we have been on an "american traditional" binge lately, and we have been tattooed at conventions with back to back appointments a few times now and I totally love doing that with her. I am getting a horse shoe with a couple flowers on my left knee ditch,and my wife is getting a sea turtle to add to the octopus and mermaid Oliver did on her leg.

very cool ! I love it

Those are both light enough to cover pretty easily, especially the cat. The real question is what/who you want to do the job - and will their style/outcome prompt the question of lightening them even more with a couple of sessions of laser. All of that would have to be answered by the tattooist in question. Maybe we could provide you some options, but where do you live?

Don't get her wrong. Tattoo artists are welcome here and many have provided loads of insight in the past. However, the guidelines state: "Do not start threads asking about specific tattooing equipment or techniques, LST is not here to teach anyone how to tattoo. Ask your own tattooer, the next time you are getting tattooed. Maybe they'll answer you, maybe they won't." That said, if i saw that kind of practice, i'd never go back to that shop again and i'd advise everyone i know to do the same.

I think you're right, my expectations may have been too high, but now some initial time has passed and my feelings towards it have become a lot more positive! Thank you for your kind advice.

I can't relate, I've never had that. However, I've heard it's pretty common. Have a drink, sit back, relax and enjoy your tattoo.

Hi~ My name's Daisy and, like a lot of people, I'm probably here because of post tattoo anxiety ! I'm 26, and after many years thinking about doing a tattoo, I finally did it ! It was not easy.. Being very intolerant to pain and being scared of needles... I really needed that motivation to finally go in, ahah. I was delighted after the work was done, and I couldn't wait until my next one ! Now that it healed... I'm not sure anymore x) But oh well, we'll see how it goes~

hi, most all of my tattoos have no "meaning" ,they have mostly been classic tattoos, cool art, or just to get something from a particular artist, deep meanings behind tattoos make great reality TV, but not for me. I look at that tattoo as a design, I don't care what it means if I like it, I get it. (or a variation of it)

Yep - welcome!

i agree that it's a nice tattoo. half jokingly - maybe the location has something to do with it? lettering on your arm is probably visible and neotrad on your calf is also visible to others. But YOU see this one on your thigh every time you're on the contemplative thinking seat of porcelain. more seriously - maybe the meaning of the tattoo touches a place in your heart and soul that you don't/didn't feel comfortable being touched. I dunno the meaning behind the tattoo, but if a castle is truly your home, perhaps there are other social and hierarchical issues in the realm, like who is going to sit on the Iron Throne. 😃 in all seriousness and assuming you don't live in a castle, perhaps the thought or idea of Home is something you're wrestling with and are being forced to confront. Nonetheless, sending good juju your way and welcome to LST!

I just got my first tattoo yesterday and I feel weird, I’m sad and just feel weird having it even though I love the tattoo... is it normal for that? It sucks and I dong regret it I just feel different about myself..

😂 awesome!

right on ! that's cool, are we neighbors ? do you live in the Sacramento area ? I do, I live in Orangevale, I just got a little gap filler from Greg Christian when he was guesting at the Royal peacock party a month ago.

As moist as possible? I'd keep it clean and just a bit of cocoa butter. Sounds like you're over moisturizing it.

Thanks @Hands On the financial aspect is a really good point to raise too: If my 20's self could talk to my 40's self, he'd probably say "You're gonna spend WHAT on THAT?!?". Age and lessons learned really drives home the "you get what you pay for" adage. 🙂 Nice to be in good company here!

Hi, all! I’ve been reading a lot about blowouts lately as i’ve just got my second and biggest tattoo recently (7 days ago). I can now say that I am sure mine has some regions with blowout and even though I know there is nothing I can do about it, have to wait for it to heal completely I would still send the photos to the artist that did my tattoo to be aware. Feedback is important. Like many others said, this is part of a hand-made piece of art which is subject to gaining its own imperfections.

geez, every tattoo either looks like a penis or has a penis hidden in it somewhere...cmon guys you should know this haha

another one done today