If I'm going to get my information from people on the internet it should be the ones I know.

[dira]

So I'm getting my first tattoo on Saturday. On the back of my shoulder, monochrome, text, further details forthcoming when it actually exists for iulia to photograph.

So! Who wants to supply with aftercare tips? Or what-to-know-when-getting-tattooed tips, I guess, although "holy fuck that spot is going to hurt a lot" is not helpful information and I've already visited the tattoo place and let Iulia ask questions about sterilization. Anything else, yes please. I have already read the first two google hits for tattoo care, but I would like to hear it from you guys.


Unrelated request for information from people on the internet: can anybody rec good long kidfic? I feel like I have read a lot of what's out there under that description, but surely there is more! I am not incredibly fussy about already knowing the fandom when it comes to feeding my long kidfic jones, so anything is fair game.

This request has become significantly less urgent since I discovered elderwitty's McShep AU Masterlist, but still. It would be good to know for the future.


This entry is cross-posted at http://dsudis.livejournal.com/548184.html.

Comments

[thedrummertobeat]

I swear by Lush's Ultrabland cleanser as a moisturizing agent for the many tattoos I've had done. It's thick with a layer of moisture-barrier beeswax, and has kept all my tattoos from flaking and scabbing all over the place. It doesn't take a lot to be effective, and it lasts forever.

Honestly, I doubt that your skin will hurt alot unless you have very sensitive skin or are very very sensitive to pain; it's easy to get used to the needles, and the inflammation that occurs after the ink has been injected into your skin is no more noticeable (for me, anyway) than a scrape or a cut.

I'm sure your artist will give you aftercare instructions, but you'll want to leave the clingfilm over the tattoo for about a day before pulling it off and letting it air out. (Wearing fabric over it is fine, though I would wear dark colours because your skin will reject out a lot of ink and it can ruin lighter shirts.) Once or twice a day, rub cream (as I say, Ultrabland is aces, but any kind of unscented/unperfumed thick moisturizing cream should be fine) into the tattoo, but otherwise leave it be. You should heal pretty swiftly, though if you're still getting (significant) pain 36 hours after your tattoo is finished I'd contact your doctor.

Don't use soap or shower gel on it. Water itself is fine in the shower, but you want to avoid any kind of chemical soap. Make sure you put cream on it again after you get out of the shower.

That's about all I can think of! It's a really easy and streamlined process for me, now, but that's 'cause I have big ol' arm tattoos, and you get used to it after the first couple. :)

[thedrummertobeat]

Well, commodorified covered just about everything anyway. :) I would reiterate that eating before you go is a great idea, and having something to snack on after can be helpful; but I mean, I did about seven hours in the chair at my peak inking, and that's when you really need to be aware of how tense you are for long periods of time! If your tattoo is small and the artist estimates it'll be under half an hour, you should be perfectly capable of handling your body's reaction. Get iulia to hang on to water for you, and you should be sorted.

Good luck. Tattoos are the best thing in the world, and I hope you love yours.