Hi all!

So I got into tattoos in the worst way this year and am now absolutely obsessed!

Please share your tattoos & any future plans!

What's your best healing tips? What are your favourite styles? Your most painful tattoo/any advice for others?

Here are my tattoos! I currently have my right & left arms tattooed, here are photos of them.

Right arm:

Left arm:

They're by 3 different artists - portrait of my cat was by tattooist_scarlet, the florals accompanying were by mir_ruh & my other arm's florals are by tu_tattooist

I am getting my left shoulder done next month by goyotattooart so I'll have a full sleeve on my left arm (absolutely BREATHtaking work I'm so excited) and I'm getting a beautiful sternum piece done by mir_ruh!

I am a bit hesitant about my sternum tattoo ... but I didn't find the inside of my elbow hurt at all, or my wrist, or the outside of my elbow so I think I'll be okay? Have any of you got one and can give me any tips?

Excited to hear from you all ❤️

Your ink is so stunning - your artists did such a good job! I love the look of the black and grey flowers, I find they're so flattering on so many people.

I have four tattoos - a phoenix feather on my left inner forearm, my cat's pawprint and her name (Belle) on my right wrist, a large carousel/circus horse on the back of my right calf and a bumblebee with some lovely blue flowers on my shoulder. I'm definitely wanting more, it's just what to get next lol

I don't really have any healing tips besides just leaving it alone, I thankfully haven't had any issues healing any of my tattoos.

My favourite style is prooooobably neo-traditional - I think it's super versatile and I love color. I like pretty much anything though, but I'm not as big of a fan of traditional or new school - I can absolutely appreciate the art and talent, but it's just not something I think I would ever put on myself.

My most painful tattoo was definitely the horse (mainly for just the sheer size and time it took), it goes up the back of my knee and down to my ankle bone - back of knee is brutal hahaha, definitely am not keen to get something there again.

Thank you so much!! I agree, my artists took really good care of me and were so passionate about their work and just lovely people. I really adore the care they took for placement and making their work perfect! Yesss fineline florals really got me hooked, they just are so beautiful and flattering!

Ohhh what an amazing collection!! Would love photos if you have any/are comfortable sharing, the placements of all of them sound incredible.

Ugh I really just need tips to get through the itchy stage haha! Everyone says the itch is vastly reduced if your artist uses second skin (all of mine have) but I still find my tattoos itchy, can't imagine the crazy itch if you don't use it!

I'm totally loving neo-traditional these days as well, I think the mix of it looking classic and contemporary at the same time is so amazing, plus you know it'll hold up well! I agree with you haha not a fan of traditional or new school, not something I'd go for.

Omg I've heard the knee ditch is awful to get done! And surprisingly people say calves really hurt too which I didn't think would. It's always interesting to hear what people say hurt/doesn't hurt! I didn't think my elbow ditch hurts at all (a leaf wraps right into it) and my artist was amazed I wasn't feeling it LOL but I'm not sure if she just had a really good hand or I have that much of a good pain tolerance (I definitely don't think I do ... haha). Will report back when my sternum is done though, I'm thinking that will actually be a bit spicy haha

Yeah, if I can find time to take photos I definitely will! But yeah, I am definitely particular about my artists and making sure they're solid at what I want and that they generally have a good demeanor - which sounds like yours really did, which is awesome! Always makes a painful experience slightly less painful lol

I've never used second skin (I feel like it was just coming into popularity more when I got my last tattoo a couple years ago now), but I've heard it helps! But yes omg the itching is the absolute worst - especially when you unconsciously scratch it by accident and it's like 'goddamnit!'

Yeah, I didn't find the calves to be particularly pleasant lol, and yeah like I said behind the knee was just no bueno. My feather goes up into my elbow ditch a bit but I didn't find it to be that bad thankfully, and I'm glad you didn't either. Sternum tattoos are always so pretty! Do you have a design idea for it? I feel like it wouldn't be too terrible, but tattoo-ing on bone is generally not super pleasant (I haven't personally had anything super boney tattoo'd but my mom has and she was not a fan lol).

Haha amazing, would love to see! But I also know the struggle of trying to take photos of your own tattoos, it's super hard 😂

Yes same! I'm really lucky too as almost everyone at work is tatted up (I work in a vet clinic, we are pretty lucky, some vet clinics don't allow visible tattoos? But my boss was like umm if we had that policy we wouldn't be able to hire ... anyone ...) and it is so good getting a personal recommendation! One of the girls recommended one tattooist to me which I went to and he was lovely. I'm the same as you, super picky, and always a bit nervous hoping I'll vibe with the artist but I'm sooo lucky as they've all been really wonderful so far!

Yeah everyone says it's a more recent thing! It definitely helps, especially keeping it nice and clean the first few days and not having to worry about it - keeping it clean at work is the biggest challenge for me (and hoping no animal scratches at it too!) Omg yesssss my left arm was KILLING ME I wanted to saw it off hahaha.

Oh god I'll have to keep that in mind then hahaha so many placements just look so good there though!! Yeah a lot of people were saying oh elbow ditch is murder but like, I felt the back-ish of my upper arm was worse haha.

I do have a design for it! It's a custom design from the artist that I saw that I fell in love with it's here if you want to see! He says he'll drop the flowers lower so they'll flow better. It's such a pretty design I'm so stoked to get this on me hahaha. One of the girls at work has a sternum and she said it didn't hurt at all but I've been seeing everywhere on the internet that some people say it hurts so bad they tap out!

That's so cool your mum has tattoos!! Mine would never hahaha but they like mine which is nice. What does she have?

My best tip for healing is to ask your artist for their opinion, since only they know what type of tools they used! Also just pay attention to your body and how you heal other wounds. I've seen several different artists over the years and they all say something different but along the same lines. My most recent (and favorite) artist was the first to use saniderm on me, and it was great! He said it's not necessary to use anything on the skin afterward, so I didn't. Without using saniderm, it's my understanding that it's best to keep it wrapped for no more than 2 hours and absolutely wash it 2+ times a day over the next week or so. I typically use a light layer of aquaphor a few times a day until it starts peeling, and at that point switch to a light layer of unscented lotion for a couple of weeks. I don't think that it's necessary to use either of those products, but for me the skin tends to feel really tight and uncomfortable when it gets too dry.

All of mine were super painful 😂 I think the worst areas for me are when it gets closer to joints or to the sides of my arms/legs, where it's right on top of bone. The back of the upper arm is also a weirdly sensitive place, even in general it hurts a lot to be pinched there IMO.

Most of mine so far are a little junky, some of them I did myself and regret a LOT lol. So far the ones I didn't do myself are- Zero from nightmare before christmas, eevee, mew, a witchy vulpix, courage the cowardly dog, a grim reaper, a tarot card, and the Kingdom Hearts sword, shield and staff from where you choose your boosted stat.

So kind of a hodgepodge right now. But in the future I'm definitely going to get some of them covered/touched up and get some fillers to pull it all together.

As for advice... Take a lot of time to think about how it's going to look before you commit. Don't rush something so permanent. Never be afraid of making the artist take extra time to get it perfect! And don't make decisions about your body when you're not in a healthy state of mind. People will inevitably judge you by your tattoos for the rest of your life, no matter what. These may all seem obvious, but it's all things I really really wish I had taken into consideration!!!

Aaaaaah I'm at work on Subeta while the person who sits behind me is at the bathroom and I want to come back to this but I just wanted to say my most recent tattoo is a pinup version of Ripley from Alien and I am obsessed with it. I'll post a pic later! Also, for me personally, saniderm/tegaderm is BY FAR the best way to heal, but everyone's body is different. For me, without it, I always end up scabbing, no matter what.

also, for me, sitting still is usually worse than the pain, but my second to most recent one (Ash from Evil Dead II) went up onto, like, the bottom of my knee and that HURT pretty bad.

edit cuz I came back after work

Hello I am back My biggest advise for people getting new tattoos or who aren't 110% sure is to potentially steer away from words. I feel like words are VERY common for people getting first tattoos or who dont want a lot. Two of my first few were words and I often kinda regretted them. Nothing like someone standing behind you at the gas station reading your body aloud eyeroll Obvi I'm not telling anyone NOT to get words, just really think about if you want something that, idk, obvious I guess?

also, all y'all's tattoos sound really cool, and the images are very nice and pretty!

[-Pan] Yes my very first artist used Saniderm and it's amazing! But I haven't known any different because I just kept using her healing tips for the rest of my tattoos and I think they've healed really well. My healing regime is similar to yours, except now I've got fancy tattoo cream that I'm going to use for my next tattoo to see if it's any different? One of the girls at work swears by it and says you shouldn't use normal lotions etc (which is weird because all my artists just recommended scent free, gentle lition?) Anyway ... I've been using tattoo cream on my existing tattoos and it makes them all look amazing but I'm not really sure if it's worth the like, $35 for a tub haha. But I'm gonna see how it goes for my next tattoo.

Where are your tattoos located? And I'd love to see photos of them if you're comfortable sharing! I agree with the back of the upper arm, my tattoo on my left arm curves up that way and I was wondering why it was pinching! I didn't find it crazy painful though but I just don't seem to feel pain haha. I'm getting the rest of my shoulder done next week and I am a bit worried haha ...

These are great tips! Esp working with your artist to make it perfect. I've been so blessed, each of the 3 artist I worked with were amazing and really knew much more about me honestly than placement and spent their time making different stencils etc and letting me have a look and giving advice, I am so so happy with all my tattoos and get so many compliments!

Oh I would love to see a photo of your tattoo if you're comfortable sharing! ❤️ And yess my first artist used Saniderm right off the bat so I've never known anything different haha.

That's good advice! I personally wouldn't get words for the same reasons as you, plus I think it can be difficult to choose a font that won't get outdated?

Thank you, I'm absolutely in love with my tattoos, I get so many compliments on them all the time!! I know fineline florals (which all of mine are which you can see for my photos in my first post lol) can be a bit cliche and overdone right now since it's the trendy style but I can't imagine hating flowers in 50 years (or my cat either lol). Plus my aesthetic for florals in like ... my fashion and my own art has been a thing for YEARS for me, I'm just glad I found a tattoo style for it that matches my aesthetic!

I currently have 3 - the Gaelic word for "hope" (dóchas) on my left shoulder, a skeleton key with a purple ribbon and the words "Think of what could be if you rewrite the role you play" (Adam Lambert lyric) on the back of my right shoulder, and a science blue Starfleet delta on my left wrist that says "live long..." My sister has "and prosper" on her right wrist with a command red delta (among her 20-odd other tattoos!)

Right now I'm thinking about a small line tattoo of Great A'Tuin the space turtle, and have casually talked to one of my best friends about getting complimentary Frog and Toad tattoos. (She is Frog and I am Toad lol.)

I have a dog & cat with a heart in the middle on my right forearm.

My next tattoo is going to be a mourning dove with clouds and sunbeams behind it, on my chest.

I have the libra zodiac sign on my left ring finger. A outline of a flamingo on my right lower hip a sea shell on my left ankle "shes mad but shes magic" on my left bum cheek.

I want a drawing on my leg and a white angel wing on my wrist

I've always wanted a tattoo. Something starwars related, or scream. I have a low pain tolerance however and I'm not sure if I can trust the creams to work :c

I have tattoos from my neck to my feet.... Nothing super amazing, I'm sorry to say, and I'm not wholly proud of all of them, but I do love talking about them!

What's your best healing tips? I know everyone pushes Aquaphor or something to cover them as they heal, but I have never, ever put anything on any of mine, and they've all done perfect. I am more careful about washing them in the shower (never soak in a bath with a fresh tat), but otherwise, I leave them well enough alone. I treat them like you would an open wound - they heal best uncovered and clean. My tattoo artists act like they cannot believe mine have "healed so well even not putting anything on them" I personally think it's a gimmick to make people buy creams and such... Every person I've given this advice to who has taken it, has had their tattoos heal just as well as mine have.

What are your favourite styles? The soft black and grey like OP's flowers on her arm, for sure. Sadly only one of mine is in this style. I'm currently working on saving up to convert the rest of mine as best I can - or at least to make them into something I can appreciate and enjoy more.

Your most painful tattoo/any advice for others? My most painful tattoo was either my hip or my hand. I have a Medusa on my right hand that has fairly thick lines, and it swelled my entire hand up like a blown up plastic glove. I have a large lion with koi fish and flowers on my hip going down to my knee; that one definitely hurt, but I believe it was mostly due to the length of time it took to complete. I have a pretty high pain tolerance, but after so long it just becomes unbearable even for me.

My advice would be this: if you think you want a tattoo, think again, and then think some more, and then when you've decided for sure, think even harder about which artist does your tattoo. I've made the mistake of not thinking something through and going to an artist whose work I decided I didn't like - but not til after it was on me. Trust me - it's worth thinking about. I'd rather laser off some of my work than keep it on me forever and I've put good money into it.

I have a full in progress sleeve and some other scattered around. I plan to keep getting them until I can't anymore. What's your best healing tips? The newer second skin type bandages are everything! There's some other brands that are identical for way cheaper so I usually go for them now. They're basically stick on waterproof bandages to replace the plastic wrap you used to have to use and it's so much better. It heals better, itches less, and is just overall more comfortable. I've never had a healing mishap since I started using them. Also moisture, moisture, moisture! Drink a ton of water and put unscented moisturizer on the tattoo while it finishes up healing. What are your favourite styles? Hyper realistic full color has always been a love of mine but I also adore all black ink themes when it's done right. Plants and animals are my favorite subject matter. Your most painful tattoo/any advice for others? Elbow and inner arm so far have been the worst pain. Distraction is my best advice. Your brain can't focus on the pain as much if you're too busy talking or watching a movie. Also eat a ton, specifically protein before hand. Drink as much water as you can as well and sleep well the night before. Also don't feel guilty using numbing creams. "Toughness" isn't a prerequisite for tattoos no matter what some try hards will tell you. Your body is yours to customize and if you love tattoos do whatever you need to (safely of course) to get yourself through it.

your tats are STUNNING o

i don't have any yet but i definitely want to, but probably not until next year for money purposes lmao (tax refund here i comeeeee)

i REALLY want a tattoo of a possum from this local artist!!! and something mountain goats related for sure. and maybe the unfound symbol from stephen king's dark tower series?

This is the only one I have and it's a fairly recent one:

I drew this one myself and it's like an abstract version of myself in a way~

Oh those are so cool!! the linework on all i've seen here are gorgeous <3 I've got a watercoloured bird on my right shoulderblade and I honestly forget I have it until I look in a mirror, whoops

I want so many tattoos! Lol

I'm kicking myself I didn't get a tattoo by Yaebaeg_tattoo His Instagram page during the summer but the price at the time seemed a bit pricy. I'm hoping to have enough to possibly get one next summer. I'd like to get a branch, sword and moon.

I also want some "fresh ripped skin" on my left arm and the lyrics to "This is Me" Keala Settle, The Greatest Showman on my right. I had wanted the lyrics and ripped skin over-lapping but a) I worry about the look and b) I've scars on my right that would go well with the lyrics.

Then I want Artemis on my left shoulder blade and Orion (constellation) on my right. I'm debating on getting this as a UV tattoo

And as a nod to my dog, I want black, brown and white whispy wings at the base of my neck on my back. (He's a sheltie and when he's standing in the sun, his shadow has the same sloping as wings). I'm also considering getting one of his expressions on my thigh so that I can see his "I love you but you're better than this line of thinking" as a reminder there's still purpose in life.

I've heard that preparation h helps quite a bit for soothing tattoo pain.

i just got my first tattoo and im struggling with the itchiness stage - i love him though! he's a little sea otter

I'm getting a scarab beetle next month!!

My dad always used a&d ointment for the first few days and that works pretty well for me but I'm also looking for new options!