Portrait Tattoo: 5 Important Tips to Get the Best Result
What to Know and Do Before Getting a Portrait Tattoo
Planning a portrait tattoo? There are considerations the tattoo artist would like you to remember; these tips will help you achieve the best result possible.
You’re getting a portrait tattoo? Start here first.
In the United States, about 38 percent of people between the ages of eighteen to twenty-eight have at least one tattoo. Investing in a tattoo is a big decision and requires planning ahead of time.
For those looking for the best result, check out these five important tips for a portrait tattoo.
Read on to learn more.
Find a Design for Your Portrait Tattoo
A portrait tattoo, such as face portrait tattoos, require lots of fine detail and time. Communicate early on with your tattoo artist to discuss expectations and design ideas. Have a picture, drawing, or design idea on hand when you meet with your tattoo artist.
Remember to discuss with the tattoo artist where you want the tattoo to be placed. Talk about ideas like color choices early on to avoid any surprises in the tail end of the process.
Be open to input from your tattoo artist. They create tattoo art for a living and will be able to help you produce the best portrait tattoo design possible by working with you from day one.
Be Prepared for the Process
It’s important to find good places for tattoos. Be sure to look into the tattoo parlor beforehand. Tattoo laws are different between states. Be sure to check out the guidelines in your state.
Always ask the artist to present their state tattoo license to ensure they have completed all training and requirements.
Make sure the tattoo parlor has proper licensing and adheres to all guidelines. Don’t be afraid to ask the tattoo artist questions prior to scheduling your appointment. Consider questions like:
- How do you sanitize between tattoos?
- What surface do you tattoo on?
- How frequently do you clean the tattoo surface?
Remember the parlor should be perfectly clean!
Check out the artwork on the walls and consider a consultation with the artist to further discuss topics such as portrait tattoo ideas and color portrait tattoos. Being comfortable with your tattoo artist is just as important s getting the tattoo itself.
Obtain Aftercare Products Beforehand
After you receive your tattoo, have the aftercare products already on hand to make sure your skin is getting the best care possible.
When you get a tattoo, insoluble ink is injected about a millimeter beneath the surface level of your skin into the dermis, the second layer of your skin. The needle will puncture your skin anywhere between fifty and three-thousand times every minute.
A tattoo can take up to six months to fully heal. After your tattoo artist bandages your tattoo, the healing process begins. It involves three main steps:
- Skin redness and oozing
- Itching
- Skin peeling
Your tattoo artist with ask you to cover your new tattoo for a few hours to several days. After the bandage is removed, there may be fluid and redness at the site of the wound.
Remember to have fragrance free, hypoallergenic soap on hand to clean the tattoo site. Wash your tattoo twice daily. Let it air dry before applying any moisturizer.
It is very common for your tattoo site to itch as it heals. Try using a gentle lotion such as coconut oil to help protect and moisturize your skin. It’s antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory and can help combat any lurking infections.
If the itching persists, ask your medical healthcare provider for an over-the-counter antihistamine to further reduce inflammation. Do not scratch or pick at the tattoo or you may remove some of the ink.
Your tattoo artist will often provide you with a thick ointment to help the tattoo site heal. Expect to see peeling as the wound heals.
Don’t forget to buy sunscreen beforehand and always keep your tattoo covered with sunscreen to protect it from fading!
It’s important to know the signs that your tattoo isn’t healing properly prior to getting one. Keep and eye out for symptoms such as:
- Chills
- Fever
- Hives
- Scarring
Contact your medical care professional immediately if you experience any of this symptoms after getting your tattoo.
Create a Budget
Prices vary greatly between tattoos depending on the size and style you get. Create a budget ahead of time. Most tattoos are nonnegotiable and can cost hundreds of dollars, if not thousands of dollars.
Be prepared to consider a twenty percent tip into your budget for your portrait tattoo artist!
Many tattoo prices are figured based on an hourly rate. Portrait tattoos hold great detail and can take several hours and often times multiple sessions as well.
Try the simple 50/30/20 budgeting plan. It works like this:
- 50 percent of your money to necessities
- 30 percent of your money to wants
- 20 percent of your money to savings
It’s perfect to allocate your wants fund to your dream portrait tattoo.
Know What to Avoid Prior
Before you get your tattoo, remember to avoid certain things like:
- Drinking alcohol
- Excessive sun
- Strenuous activity
Alcohol can thin your blood and lead to the ink thinning and skewing your final result.
It’s important you tattoo is not done on sunburned or peeling, dry skin. If you want a tattoo at a site where hair grows, avoid razor burn. Communicate with your tattoo artist beforehand to properly prep the site for the big day.
Portrait Tattoo
portrait tattoo
If you’re planning a portrait tattoo, remember to prepare ahead of time. There are considerations the tattoo artist would like you to remember; remember these tips to help you achieve the best result possible.
What are you waiting for? Your tattoo awaits!
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