Leaderboard

Session #3 done, I'm really happy with how things are shaping up! Looks like one more session to add in a few more fine details, and then fill in a bit of background/border. I still need to come up with something for the background, I think something relatively simple so it doesn't detract from the main subjects is probably best (any ideas or suggestions would be awesome too).

Art is pain. We have one inner thigh and cheek left to go and it was easily harder than the ribs. We did some shading on the cat and the difference it made was beautiful. Without further adieu:

3 sessions on the thigh - finished Mar 2019. I go to my tattoo artist (Gunnar Gaylord now in OH) and tell him this......I had a childhood nightmare which I remember to this day. I was looking down the laundry shoot in the hallway and saw Rocky standing there looking in horror as Bullwinkle got eaten by the oil burner in the basement. This is what he came up with.

I got the outside of my right thigh done yesterday. Some black and grey peonies by Josh Henderson at Brainstorm Tattoo.

As you might remember my story about almost 2 years ago and I want to thank you guys again for how much you've been uplifting me with your honesty and your words. This post tattoo anxiety seems a very common thing. It hit me as well even though I was planning on getting a big one for many years. Many people have contacted me and having those feelings seems to be a very common thing, there seems to be the same pattern that people are going through. It looks to me that nowadays people want to have a solution for everything immediately if they don't feel comfortable with something. People don't know how to be patient anymore and get rid of something if they don't like it. People compare themselves way too much with others as it's what social media does with many people's minds. There are quite a few reasons that I could write about regarding post tattoo anxiety and I was thinking about posting my experience here as so many people have been reaching out to me and I can see there seems to be a common psychological process (I just don't really have the time to write things down in detail) Anyway: I can assure to everyone with this anxiety: YOU WILL GET OVER IT and live will go on. It might take some time but you will get there. Don't be hard on yourself and even if right now you're having panic attacks (which is a horrible feeling), it'll get less and you'll come to love your tattoo. It's a change you've done to your body and now your mind needs some time to adjust. Don't forget that you love tattoos and why you love them because this is hopefully the reason why you decided to get them.

IMO large tattoos,like full back or full leg or arm sleeve are a sign of the times, large tattoos are a part of the new tattoo world we live in, social media has also changed the tattoo world, when I started getting tattooed in the early 80's, it was all small pieces, back when I started you walked into a shop on a Friday night,picked a flash off the wall,and waited for your turn, I have one large tattoo,but all the rest I have are small to medium size, to each his own, but personally I like the traditional look of many small tattoos,

I got my first tattoo at 40, this December. Upper arm, shoulder to elbow. I was more worried about how long I'd be able to sit for and getting an infection than not liking it. I guess the way I figured, it's just skin...if I hated it, oh well it's on my upper arm anyway. Turns out I sat for the entire 11-5 session (with breaks) and it was completed that day. I love it way more than I thought was possible. So much so that I have my next appointment booked in April for my other arm, and then plan to fill in the under arm areas. I'll do my lower arms one day when a job change less likely. I can't wait for summer so I can wear short sleeves or a tank top so I can see the art all the time. I'm a pretty anxious person, so I am really glad I didn't feel regret at all. I am glad I waited until I was older. I had thought about getting a tattoo many times, but what I was younger I would have gotten something I would likely be covering up now. It was easier for me to pick ideas that I feel confident are fleeting for me at this point in life. While I don't see myself getting body suit, or any neck of face tattoos, I definitely see this as something I'll keep adding to over time. Now I think people without tattoos look plain and boring 😆

Old farts for the win! Life is hard...tattoo's shouldn't be.

Got this Kobe ghost from Johnny Vampotna at Thunderbird Tattoo on Saturday. I also have my 3rd and final session for my half sleeve coming up next Saturday.

Also? That shit is all ugly, no matter the age.

There's already enough tattoos that look like they were done by 9 year olds. 🙄

FFS. This conversation/thread is exhausting. Let's talk about good tattoos.

Look at this cutie pie Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

The tattoo looks about as good as it can get. Symmetrical, clean lines. I’m sure the artist was on edge if you were micromanaging her, anyone in their job would feel the same. If your personalities didn’t mesh well then perhaps shop around a little and see if anyone is willing to finish it up. The work looks nice and matches your mock up as close as any human could make it. I think maybe you’re more anxious about having another interaction with the artist than the tattoo itself. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I'm newbie so my words might count as nothing. I got, as you know, my first tattoo a week ago. I waited for it atleast a year. My mom always told me "Don't you dare getting tattoed, I will cut your arm if I see you", then I found a job, I've earned money, and I become independent. Then I started reading stuff about tattoes, watched many guides/videos about tattoo care, performances etc. I litterally found a wonderful world, which means a lot to me. After a year of studying, research and interest I thought "now I'm ready", so I booked a session, choosing the tattoo studio based on: reviews, instagram post etc. I went in and I said "I would like to have a wolf printed in my left forearm". Two weeks have passed and in 4hrs I got my forearm tattooed. Since this session every morning I watch my forearm and I think about every single minute passed watching videos, reading guides, choosing the subject etc. And I say "I have to be proud about it, that's my personal goal that I have been aiming for a year". In the end, for me, you can't get a tattoo if you are not ready for it. That is why people have anxiety after the session. They aren't ready yet

Thanks man, I’m slowly growing more and more into it. I take it more as brutal honesty which is sometimes needed.

Tomo time this weekend. Damage report to follow. Keep my crack in your prayers, its time for what I assume will be the most uncomfortable part of this back.

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

I don't get it either. If anything, it gave me a sense of accomplishment and overcoming of anxiety, not creating it. I think too many people today is the simplest things as the end of the world instead of just getting over it and going on with life. Not to sound like an old fart, but I think too many people today don't know what real hardship really is.

Think of it this way... Someone moves into the house next to you and the very first thing they do is come over and ask to borrow money. 🙄

so ya, if someone wants to join here and become part of the community and contribute in a positive way, then they are welcome, but if someone comes here just looking to get help winning a contest online, then they won't get a real warm welcome here.

So... correct me if I am wrong... You are here on this forum to get votes so that you can stay at 1st place and win Ink Cover Girl 2020???

is that how it looks right now ? because I think it looks good like that.

it looks normal IMO for a 13 day old tattoo, and the area where the film was will look different until fully healed,don't forget a tattoo takes 6 weeks or more to heal. when I use saniderm it is red where the film was for a week.

10 days to fully heal the infection 3 months to completely heal the tattoo, especially that low on your leg.

Yeah.... I been wearing shoes tbh but taking them off whenever possible. I even work with my feet out (teaching pilates) so I don’t wear shoes that often but you’re probably right that it’s partially to blame. Thanks for the advice re touching up timelines and warmer weather.

This thread is spiking my anxiety.

Being an ass hole is not a good way to become part of a community. We LIKE @oboogie, you, not so much. Best to unknot those panties and learn some manners before you post again.

Cassette monster coming to life (I'm 59 - loved cassettes). The artist put my favorite bands logo (Opeth) on the shirt after I had decided no logos.

I'm betting just a very minor skin reaction to the wrap. I don't see anything to be concerned about at all. Leave it alone and it'll go away.

Rather Delicious Goat - from an 18th century woodcut donchaknow....

LET IT HEAL! It takes 4 -6 week to heal. You won't know what it's going to look like until then and there is nothing you can do about touching it up until it heals.

I'll share mine! Finished up my sleeve a few months ago

Spent some time with Garver this week starting my sleeve. Silly excited.

Thanks everyone. That’s really helpful advice 🙂. After two days on antibiotics, it’s already looking a bit better I think. I’m being super super careful and diligent. Fingers crossed xx

I had one that got REALLY infected on my tricep, and when it finally healed all it needed was a quick touch up to pack some more color. Like others have said, all you can do is maintain your aftercare and wait for it to heal fully.

Seems to me that you should be here a little longer before you begin laying down judgement on others that have literally spent hundreds if not thousands of hours responding to people's questions and trying to help them through their experiences.

I reckon the instant gratification mindset of the younger generation probably plays a part. They see something, they want something, they get something. After that, they probably realise it wasn't how they envisioned it to turn out. And, lo and behold, it ain't like the latest fashion statement or fad where you can just purchase the latest model, use it once and relegate it to the back of your storeroom until the next spring cleaning either lands it in the rubbish dump, the salvation army donation box, or a garage sale. Imo, that mindset does not go with tattoos unless we are referring to the the temporary kind. Plus, let's not forget all the "role models" who make it cool to have tattoos on their face, neck, hands, knuckles just for the sake of being a cool kid. Wasn't that the argument given for all the young guns taking up smoking (decades ago)? Then again, there are also those for whom the above does not apply wherein it is more about adaptation than anything else.

They spend too much time thinking about how cool they’ll be and too little time thinking about this artist, the design, the aftercare, the stigma, and the fact that unlike on TV, having one removed isn’t a painless 10 minute process that leaves the skin looking like new. in short, they don’t think the whole thing through.

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""..... 😕

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.

New frog from the annual Sailor Jerry Day party at Leviticus Tattoo in Minneapolis. Done by thomas_titus. Koi in the background done by Flip McCoy at Steve's Tattoo in Madison about two months ago.

Not for me, thanks - but who am I to judge . . . . ? https://www.msn.com/en-us/lifestyle/lifestyle-buzz/a-9-year-old-who-inked-her-first-design-as-a-toddler-has-become-a-sought-after-tattoo-artist/ar-BBZQe7u?li=BBnbcA0&ocid=wispr#image=BBZQe7u_1|8

Yes. It will go away.

Empty branches, twigs and thorns. Example: https://www.instagram.com/p/B7mY1aFjRf6/

The tattoo location is farther from your heart. Lower leg tattoos always take longer to heal on me. I think you're OK. Still early days. 🙂

The manufacturer states not to put anything under the bandage. I wouldn't do it. While removal wasn't super easy, I didn't find it painful. I keep my original bandage on for 7 days per my artist's instructions, so by the time I remove it's healed and maybe less tender. To remove I get in the shower, let hot water hit it for a bit, and start from the bottom up. You pull the bandage down to break the seal, and work your way up. My skin isn't even that red upon removal. This was immediately after removing the saniderm after my last tattoo.

Hello TLST! I'm Fabrizio, 21yrs old. I live in Italy and it's a pleasure to be part of this forum. I've just subscribed here but I read many topics before getting my first tattoo. Now it passed a week since I've done my forearm tattoo and It is healing properly (I guess LMAO). I will get more tattoo in the future, for sure I will continue my arm. Here it is my tattoo. This was like 3 days after, now it is peeling and it is ugly to see 😌 Lately I will post how the tattoo is after this week :) Thank you for any further help/advice. It's a pleasure to be a member here :)

As someone middle-aged but new to the tattoo scene (just started the work on my first a couple weeks ago, going in for the second session tomorrow) I'm theorizing maybe it's the "social media + Instagram" popularity/bandwagon thing? People see all these awesome tattoos online, usually a zoomed in, well lit/cropped image that looks amazing. The hype starts, they rush out to get in on the awesomeness, then suddenly reality hits "wait, this isn't a nice cropped imagine online, this is on me forever and it does have some affect/impact on my daily life". Probably mostly an overblown impression that fades over time, but that first realization hits hard. Dunno, that's my worthless $0.02 on it. That feeling isn't something I share: I'm pretty sure my first one I'm getting is perceived as "dumb" by the general public (my wife gave me the 'hmmmm' response so far lol), but I'm cool with that, it makes me happy to get anyways.

Just scored this hand painted gorilla head from Chad Koeplinger!