I've always loved body modifications. Piercings to be exact, I was known for them. I figured this was because I was 11 at the time and my father is very against any body "mutilations", as he is very religious. I spent years learning how to pierce myself properly (Not a good idea) so I could get away with it. I'd always wanted a tattoo, but knew I would turn 18 soon or later, and then it would happen. So I waited patiently.
At A Glance Author Teresa Contact Teresa@bme.anon IAM dressxupxdollie When A year ago Artist Abel Studio His house Location Kent, WA
One day when I was 17 or so, my friend showed me her tattoo. At first I thought it was fake, as she was known for lying. I talked to a few other people who were there, and they confirmed it was real. She had proven to me that being underage and getting a very good looking tattoo was obtainable. I requested the number of the guy, Abel. And with that, she whipped out a nice looking business card for me.
Knowing so much about piercings and how everything needs to be sterile, I started asking her the same questions about the tattooing. She was able to answer most of my questions, and I decided to give the guy a call later on after school to see what he had to say.
Although it was done in his own home, he used fresh sterile needles, which would be taken out of the package in front of me. He used latex gloves, and all the other things you need. Knowing it was done at his home, I knew it was probably a bad idea. I stuck the business card in with my other cards, and left it at that.
Within the week tons of people were coming to school with tattoos done by Abel. I was very jealous. I thought I could show them all with my design. I know all their tattoos have been quick impulse flash tattoos. I had a design I drew a few years back that I wanted on my body because it meant something to me.
Being nervous, and soft spoken, I decided I had to convince someone to go with me. Marie, I thought. So I talked to her about it, and she got all excited. Her mom is like a hawk, so we talked on the phone for an hour or so planning on how she was going to get out of the house, and "where we were going". After we had invented a solid story, Marie called Abel. I decided it was best that she called him to set up the appointment, as I had my own car, and was allowed to come and go from my house as I pleased.
She called back about 20 minutes later, April 30th at 11 a.m. It was set. I insisted that I went first, since I was the "whiny baby" of the 2 of us. Really, I knew if I saw how much she cried, I wasn't going to go through with it.
That whole week that's all we could talk about. Everyone who hadn't gotten a tattoo was so jealous of us. Marie spent that week going on the internet deciding what she wanted. Talk about an unoriginal impulse tattoo.
On Friday, I was talking to my boyfriend, and he said he wanted to come to watch. Knowing what an ass he is, I made him promise not to laugh at me. With all the driving to go get everyone, I told him to be up and ready to go at 9 a.m. We picked up Marie around 10. Her mom was a real pain to get past. I had to carefully remember the story we made up a week ago. About 20 minutes later, we were on our way. I wasn't nervous at all.
We got there a little before 11. He let us in and answered anything we wanted to know. He asked us what we would say if our parents asked us about them and whatnot. The place was actually very clean, and there was a corner set up just for tattooing. While he got everything set up and ready to go, I looked at the huge binders filled of his work sitting on the coffee table. Everything was well done. He had pictures of fresh and healed tattoos. I knew it wasn't the best idea I've ever had, and I was going to be stuck with it the rest of my life, but decided to go with it.
I handed the paper with my design on it to him, and the $60 it was costing me He used something to transfer it onto another piece of what I assume is paper. He then asked me where I wanted it. I told him my right ankle, and showed him the general area with my hands making a boxed shaped area.
I couldn't really remember if I had eaten that day, so that made me nervous. There was a lot of little candy bars on the table that I ate some of while he cleaned the area. His wife also got me some kool-aid. I felt fine, and told him I was ready to begin.
With that being said, I grabbed onto my pants so my nails wouldn't dig into my skin, and I bit down on my shirt. The tattooing gun was on, and coming towards my leg...I couldn't look.
It hurt pretty bad, but not as bad as I thought it would, just long scratching strokes. I always hated it when he switched to a different needle, or to get more ink. It was a break for my leg, yes, but I knew it was coming back.
My friend kept asking me if I was okay, and if I needed her. "I'm fine!" I lied. I didn't need someone to hold my hand, but I wasn't fine. At this point, Marie had wished she went first.
After about 25 minutes, all the outlining was done. Now it needed some color. I decided to get a dark blue for the wings on my fairy. At this point, my leg was pretty much numb, and I had no problem watching him work.
I was left amazed at the way the 5 shading needles or so disappeared into the skin so deeply. I don't really understand why I was surprised; I knew that's what happened. I suppose it's because I'm used to piercings, and this was different for me.
An hour later he was all done. He asked me what I thought. It looked great. I told him it was prefect. I was so glad it was finally over with. He cleaned it a final time, and took a picture of it.
He then put some gauze on the bottom to catch any blood, and covered it in plastic wrap. It was then my friend's turn.
An hour later she was done and we were ready to go. He went over aftercare with us a third and final time, saying we should call him if we need anything at all, and if we ever needed a touch up, he'd do it for free. Driving felt so weird all of a sudden. But none the less, we drove down to Target to buy some A&D for our new tattoos.
I saw my friend there, and he recommended using regular anti-bacterin. Seeing as he had many tattoos that were very old, and still looked great, I went with it. I felt on top of the world, and I to remember that while driving, I wasn't on top of the world, and could die just like everyone else.
We went over to my boyfriend's house. Marie and I had been instructed to take the plastic wrap off and clean it after an hour or so, so we excused ourselves to do so. I had noticed there was a tiny little section of wing coloring he had missed, but it was still amazing.
The next week or so, it kind of hurt to walk. I walked differently in hopes of not disrupting the scab too much. I rubbed my anti-bacterin on it religiously. Not to moist, and not too dry. I wanted to show everyone at school, but decided to wait until it was healed. I took pictures of it daily, and watched the scab slowly flake off, and viewed what was going to be on my body forever.
I am now 18, and still love my tattoo. Although I'm considering on getting a touch up, and getting the missed spot filled, it looks amazing, and nothing ever went wrong with it. My dad saw it a few months after me getting it, and just told me I was going to hell, and left it at that. Although my experience with a home tattooist went very well, never do it. Always wait until you're of age, or your parents give you permission. Do your research and spend the extra money to get a great looking tattoo from a respected artist. After all, you're stuck with it.