Prepare for your first tattoo
Never gone under the needle? With decades of experience, Waldo Del Rocca, tattoo artist and owner of Cape Electric Tattoo, outlines what you need to consider before getting your first ink.
1Look into the future Trends come and go, but this is a lifetime commitment. You want to make sure the imagery of the tattoo resonates strongly enough with you that you’ll still love it 20-30 years down the line. Consider the area where you’ll be placing the tattoo, too. Make sure you’re aware of how it will age over time.
2Shop around for a good artist Location is important. If someone is tattooing out of their house or their mom’s garage, it’s not legit. Find someone credible who works at an actual tattoo shop and go through their portfolio.
Also, don’t compromise standards for a cheaper price, you’ll regret it later. Rather save up and be prepared to pay anything from R800-R2 000 on an ordinary tattoo. Many artists work per hour, so the bigger it is, the more you’ll pay.
3don’t Sit in a chair for more than three hours If you’re getting a large tattoo, it’s better to get it done over multiple sessions – it’s easier on your body and on the artist, meaning you’re more likely to get better results.
4Be aware of your pain tolerance The most painful areas are anywhere the sun doesn’t reach, soft skin – like the side of the ribs, love handles and back of the thighs – and boney areas – the knees, fingers, hands and feet.
The least painful are those that get a lot of sun exposure, like your forearms, shins (people think that area would be painful, but it actually isn’t as bad) and side of the leg – those kinds of places.
5consider your Skin tone Colours come out differently depending on your skin. If you’re darker, your artist should be using black ink with high-quality pigment to ensure it doesn’t turn green over time. If you choose a colourful tattoo, think about shades that will stand out against your skin tone.
6put hygiene first Dirty needles can put you at risk for disease as well as infection, and it can get so bad that you end up in hospital needing a skin graft. So make sure you ask the owner about the health and safety certificates or waste management system. For example, our shop requests the health department to do regular inspections, and we employ a medical-waste company to dispose of our soiled waste, such as needles and tissue paper.
Follow your intuition. If a shop doesn’t look or smell right, something must be wrong. Plus, always follow your artist’s advice on how to care for your tattoo at home.