Ahamasmi Yodha - My First Tattoo

I finally did it. It isn’t a great achievement to show off, but for me it’s one more item on my bucket list getting fulfilled. So I am very happy about it. What did I do? Oh like I said nothing great – I just got my FIRST Tattoo :)

My first Tattoo Artist

I had done a lot of research on it since last couple of months. I wanted to get it done on my birthday, but it somehow dint work out.  For all the first timers, I wanted to list out my personal experience, just in case it helps :)

First of all, I felt it will be very helpful if you have some friends who would have got it done already. But I dint have that privilege. So I went through lot of blogs and articles in About.com, Wikihow, YahooAnswers etc… Well Google, the new lord of knowledge :) has all that you need to know.

So, in summary, what I got from all these sites were

1. First decide on what you want to get tattooed and where.
1. Go over it again and again, since it is permanent, you will have to live with it your entire life, so something that you will get bored with is not a good option
2. Persons name – like mentioned everywhere, is a big No-No :) he or she might be your life today, but tomorrow if they aren't then rubbing them off your body will be a more painful and expensive task.
3. Where on your body you want it done – is again something to decide, somewhere that can be covered, somewhere less painful etc..
2. Go through various pain charts available. In short, bony and tender parts are more painful like inner wrist, foot, inner arms, back of the neck etc…
3. Research on all the Tattoo shops– even if it’s expensive it’s alright. But you want to make sure that it is safe. Remember its needle entering your body, and you definitely have to ensure that they are sterile etc…   

   

   Tattoo Workshop where I got Inked

4. Research on the Tattoo artists, read their review comment – again, its permanent, so if the artist isn't good, he screws up the design, you are stuck with it forever, so take time to research on the artist, the tattoo shops etc… 
5. Eat well before getting the tattoo done – people have fainted due to dropping blood sugar. So it will help to have a happy tummy and some protein shake or fruit juice handy before getting the tattoo done.
6. Oh yeah, once done, aftercare is MUST. No swimming, No beaches, no direct sunlight until it heals. Antibacterial handwash to wash the wound; Aquaphor ointment to heal. Your tattoo artist will suggest the brands to you, follow it.

In addition to all these, mentally prepare yourself for the pain – for me I expected it to be HELL. And I had prepared myself so much to go through the pain that when he actually started piercing the needle of tattoo machine in my arm, I felt close to nothing. It was painful, but I smiled because it was so much less painful that I felt it nothing in front of what I had anticipated. So it was very easy for me. But yeah, that part will remain sore for few days. My hand is sore as I write this article and has been painful for 24 hrs now. So for the first 24 hours after Tattoo you should be ready to bear the pain (again probably depending on the size and place of the tattoo time might vary)

Here are some links that I found useful –

http://tattoo.about.com/cs/pafterabvneck/a/090103.htm

http://lifestyle.allwomenstalk.com/steps-to-take-before-getting-a-tattoo

http://www.wikihow.com/Get-Your-First-Tattoo

http://www.tattoojohnny.com/search/Sun/cmap/bw

http://tattoo.about.com/od/tattoo101/p/tattoobasics.htm

http://www.wikihow.com/Care-for-a-New-Tattoo

I got my first tattoo in Bound By Design tattoo shop in Denver yesterday (05/25/2014) and David was my tattoo artist. He was nice; he reviewed the design with me. And like I said, I dint feel the process to be painful. In fact, the statement that helped me most to overcome the fear was “We moms love to share labor and birth horror stories, but that doesn't stop girls from having babies!” from one of the articles. I smiled when I looked at the tattoo and I was so happy when I returned home that I couldn't stop grinning :) Oh Yeah, I forgot to share the pic of my tattoo, I wrote “Ahamasmi Yodha” on my arm, which is in Sanskrit and means “I am a Warrior”.

So all in all – research helps getting your head around the entire process. And if it’s one of your dream like it was mine, then go ahead and do it. It’s not that terrifying :) and you will like the end result.

{Updated on 3rd December 2016 - Two and half years later; got another tattoo. A lotus flower on my wrist - depicting purity of mind and soul; and also depicting rebirth (for me this year curtain fell on one phase of life with a new play to begin afterwards); Also that despite of the muddy people/thoughts around me; I will continue to bloom like a lotus - with pure beautiful mind and soul. And yes, it did hurt a lot more than my arm; but this pain is still bearable compared to what life gives us; ain't that bad :)}