I had finally decided to get my first tattoo at age 23, after thinking about it on and off for months. After reading many well-written and informative accounts of people's "first inkings" on BME, I knew that when I got my tattoo, I had to share my account with others who, like me, were getting ready to take the plunge! So thanks to all of the people who posted here about their first tattoo experience; you definitely helped me overcome my fear of the unexpected.
At A Glance Author Stace When It just happened Artist Les Studio Zebra Location Berkeley, CA I graduated from UC Berkeley in 2002, and every day on my walk home from campus I would pass Zebra, a well-known and respected tattoo and piercing parlor. While the idea of a tattoo had been interesting to me since high school, I never actually thought of going through with it. But up at school, seeing it every day-- well, my curiosity grew, and I knew that Zebra would be a great place to get my first tattoo. They are known for being super clean (new needles for everyone, autoclave sterilization, etc.), friendly, and professional-- everything I wanted my first experience to be!
When I graduated and moved back to San Jose, the thought of the tattoo faded, until a few months ago, when I truly became serious about finding a design that suited me. After visiting one of my favorite metaphysical/occult supply stores, I found the perfect design that was actually on a drum: an extremely intricate Celtic knotwork pentacle. Given my interest in Scottish/Irish history and Pagan philosophy, I knew this was THE design for me. I also had known for a while that I had wanted it on the small of my back. I asked the store owner if I could take pictures of the design, which I did.
After developing the pictures and having some very helpful friends of mine alter the image so I could fax it to the studio, I was ready to go. Although I lived an hour away from Zebra, I knew I had to get my tattoo there. Zebra does not make appointments for tattoos over the phone, however, so this was a problem-- I really didn't want to drive all the way to Berkeley just to make an appointment to go all the way back up there a few weeks later. So I spoke to Reed, a really nice tattoo artist, over the phone and he agreed to let me come in for an appointment if I gave a $100, non-refundable deposit over the phone. No problem! So my appointment was set, and I was so excited. Reed set me up with an artist named Les, for 12 Noon on Saturday.
The morning of the tattoo had arrived! I wasn't really nervous-- all of the great accounts on this site helped me understand what to expect. A friend of mine drove us up to Berkeley, and we entered Zebra-- my heart was beating a bit faster now, the nerves were catching up to me. The parlor was small, but filled with teeny-bopper "Britney" girls and their moms getting "mother-daughter" navel piercings -- very bizarre, and not the atmosphere I was expecting at all. After my friend and I navigated our our way through the throngs of squealing teens, I approached a man behind the tattoo counter, telling him that I had an appointment at 12. Before I could say any more, he held up my pentacle design, which he had just begun to trace, and I said, "That's me!" I was so happy to finally meet Les. He was such a nice guy, super-professional and friendly. We decided on the size of the design while he was finishing up his tracing. He then took my friend and I to the tattoo room, where he shaved the small of my back, cleaned it, and lined up the tip of the pentacle on my lower back; he got the placement of the stencil right on the first try and it looked perfect! Les had me sit on the electric dental chairs that they have in the parlor, and lean forward with my back facing him so that my forearms were resting on the tops of my thighs. I was so nervous; I knew it would hurt, but I just wanted to know how badly! Les asked me if I was ready, and he did a small line-- it burned and stung a bit, but nothing excrutiating! I was so relieved to finally know what it felt like. Then he got to work. It hurt a bit more in certain areas, like when he went over my spine, but I just sat there and talked with my friend and sang along to the music that was playing under my breath.
Although it took an hour to do, it sure felt like a lot shorter than that! Before I knew it, Les was done and IT WAS PERFECT. I was so, so happy with it-- for such a detailed and inrticate design, it couldn't have turned out better. I thanked him very much for making my first experience such a positive one, and gave him a huge tip (I am a firm believer in good tipping, when it's something as serious as my first tattoo!) He then explained to me how to take care of it and gave me an information sheet with aftercare instructions. I was so proud of myself for finally taking charge and doing this--it was such a long time coming, and I feel like a part of me has been completed now. It's a difficult feeling to describe-- its almost like a transformation!
I will definitely go back to Les at Zebra when I get another tattoo (yes, I have been bitten by the bug :) And I am already thinking of what to add on to the sides of this new tattoo!)
It is now "the day after" and it is sore and burns a bit, but nothing that some Advil won't handle. Totally, totally worth it.
For anyone who is considering their first tattoo: GO FOR IT! You'll be so happy that you did. Just make sure you pick the perfect image for you (you'll know it when you see it!) and make sure the parlor is CLEAN and the artists are friendly. Have fun and enjoy YOUR transformation!!!