[Hydrophobic1212]

Okay, so, this might not seem like it's related to bipolar, but it is for me, as I'm working myself up about this.

Anyways, I have recently decided to do something that I was really against up until recently. I had always refused to get a tattoo, but I found a design that I really liked, found a spot to put and well, things just went on from there.

I am nervous, though. I don't know what to expect. My dad has gotten four tattoos, and he's told me how it feels and what to expect, but... I don't know. I don't know how it's going ot be for me. I don't know if I have good pain tolerance or what.

So what does it feel like, to those that have gotten one? And how do I keep myself calm and sit still for the whole half hour to forty-five minutes it will take?

Also, I have one other concern. I go through phases, due to my mania and my depression. I thoguht of this idea when I was manic, so I waited until the next day, when I was sure I wasn't manic anymore, to make sure I wanted to do this, and I still did. But, when I say I go through phases, I mean it. I will like something for the longest time, then just suddenly change my mind.

A tattoo is a huge thing. It's not something that can easily be taken away. I really like what I'm doing, though, so I'm hoping that will last. I've been wearing a fake one around, to get used to it, and I like it...

Has anyone else had this type of situation? I have done a bit of research to find out how to take care of htem if you don't like them. So I'm feeling a little better about that...

Anyways, I just need some help calming down. I don't even go into the tattoo place until next week Wednesday. I have a lot of time to just chill out, but knowing me, I'm going to work myself up about it. D:

Any help would be nice, thanks!

[Clinte89]

It sounds like your thinking it through very well and you seem to be well informed. I don't know how they feel as I myself am not into them and change my mind every five seconds so I won't get one. But I know alot who have men and women and they say its nothing to it more annoying than anything else.

[manicminer]

I have 3 tattoos now and have thoroughly enjoyed every one of them. Not just the end result, but the entire process. I have an extremely high pain tolerance, inherited from my father, and strengthened by the multiple traumatic injuries I have racked up over the years.

For me the pain of being tattooed is much greater than any of the aches and pains I suffered with on a daily basis. Think of it as 1,000 acupuncture treatments at the same time. I become very calm during the session and let the pain wash over me. Its sweet relief. Its even been so powerful as to cause sexual arousal! Who knew?

But everyone tolerates pain differently. Just make sure you're prepared to live with your decision for the rest of your life.

Good luck and best wishes!

[LiteraryLark]

I actually prefer being slightly manic when making a decision about tattoos; it gives me the push I need to go through with it. Being manic doesn't automatically make every decision a bad one, sometimes it gives a boost of confidence to make the right decision.

I was 18 for my first tattoo and placed a butterfly on my right ankle. I wanted to show off my first tattoo so I put it where everyone can see it when I'm at the pool or wearing heels, but can cover it up when I'm at work. My second tattoo was when I was 19. I woke up one day, felt like getting a tattoo, then got a second butterfly and a rose on my right hip. It still has meaning to me even though I randomly decided I wanted a tattoo, I placed it there so only lovers can see and it was a very feminine and sexual tattoo. I don't regret either of them, though it's hard to regret a butterfly. I do recall having changing thoughts after I got it, like "Oh, maybe if it was a little higher and a little to the left." I also told the artist to shade an area he didn't want shaded and had second thoughts after I made him shade it. But in the end, I got used to the way they were and don't regret them.

The pain on my ankle was nothing, the first five minutes hurt, then it was a dull dragging like a knife. The first only took 15 minutes. The hip, however, was almost unbearable. Not only was it on the bone, it was on a cluster of nerves that made me want to cry. (However, the foot is said to be the worst pain offender of all.) But I got through it and felt better when it was over. When you get the tattoo, it doesn't matter if you don't like pain. Because once he starts, you have to lay there and take it until it's over or you won't like the result.

If you don't like them, there's not much you can do. Removing the ink isn't perfect and it still shows. Plus, it's very costly. When you get a tattoo, you live with it, because there's nothing you can get that will be so regrettable that you have to remove it, unless you tattoo a penis, your boyfriend's name you later break up with, or gang or political symbols. Trust me, there will more than likely be something you don't like about your tattoo, like a color or shading you don't like or how it was placed, but that's nothing to be regretting.

I can tell you are worked up, and it's natural to be nervous about a first tattoo, but I would recommend going through with it and your fears will be over. In fact, you might feel addicted to them once you start which is again a very natural feeling that most people feel. I only have two but the first couple weeks of having a tattoo makes you want more.

[~Christina]

Ha ! I just got my first Tattoo yesterday

I got a dragonfly on my under/underside of my forearm it's pretty big, wide and long. For me it wasn't painful at all. Maybe because I have chronic pain? Dunno... It is also the location. Boney areas are going to hurt more/worse. Took about 90 mins for mine.

My daughter had one done also (her 3rd) she has a pretty damn high tolerance to pain, she had hers on the top of her foot , one of the most painful places according to our artist. She had a couple moments of "oh wow that is grrrr" few deep breathes later she was good to go. Most Artist do not stop at any time so just mentally commit yourself to it.

Please make sure where you go is clean clean clean and has been highly rated, also make sure you see there work. Also if they do not open the sterile needle(s) and ink in front of you ..do not let them tattoo you !

Placement and design are important, the more detail the image the bigger it needs to be. A good Artist will discuss all this and make sure what you want is what you will get. Yes you can go in prior to having it done and schedule some time for a consultation.

There really is no way to remove a Tattoo even fancy laser can't get rid of it all. Just be sure what you want is what you want.

Aftercare is very important, follow there instructions. Some designs may need some touch up work done. If its a great place they offer 90 days or something like this for a free touch up if in fact it is needed.

Good luck !

[~Christina]

Oh yeah forgot this part .. For me the "sound" of the machine bothered me more than the needle... Maybe it was a Fibro thing.. Don't know. Just thought I would mention it.

[Ladyzero]

My tattoo is a simple gerbera flower ( looks like a large daisy .)
I love it. It's just to the right of my left hip, so it's a fleshy part.
I paid £10 extra for numbing cream that's applied one hour before tattoo is done. Marvelous stuff. I felt absolutely nothing. Suppose that's why it's called numbing cream ha ! ha !
To keep the colours vivid I was told for 14 days afterwards, apply vaseline on the tattoo, keeping it greased up all the time, with a piece of cling film covering it, to stop the grease rubbing off. It did the trick, I had no scabs and the colour has stayed vivid.
I like where mine is, as it's only seen if I want it to be. They are addictive, and I always said I'd get another one, more visible maybe this time. I haven't pursued it, maybe when my self esteem is better, and I am feeling better, I will. My daughter has a daisy chain around her wrist and I'd like one there too.
I think 1 or 2 tattoos are nice, but after that, they're freaky. Look at the gorgeous David Beckham, 2 complete sleeves and various other places covered. His whole upper body is all ink nearly, totally spoiling his handsome, gorgeous body. The phrase ' less is more ' comes to mind.
My tattoo has a story behind it, a significance. It is a symbol of a period in my life, and I love it. I also have my navel pierced and love the fact again no one sees it, unless I choose.
I hope whatever you decide you will make the right decision for you, as a tattoo will be with you for a long time.

[LiteraryLark]

Aaaaahhhh!!!! Now I want me some TATS!

[Ladyzero]

Go for it ! Make it pretty, and maybe symbolic. How about ' The road to recovery ' tattoo.
I'd have to call mine ' I got out of bed '
Hey-ho, that's another story !

[Hydrophobic1212]

Thank you everyone for your input. I am pretty well informed because my dad has four of them, so he knows the drill by now. Ha, ha. So I'm pretty sure I got this, just needed some reinforcement. I am still nervous about the pain, but I know it will be worth it in the end.

And I am going to get it done where my dad got two of his done, by the same guy. So I know he is good and reliable.

[Gaijin]

Tattoos only look good on sailors and strippers.

[~Christina]

Then call me a stripper

[Gaijin]

Funny, I took you for a sailor. lol

[Bipolar mom]

My advice to you is make sure you go to a reputable place! When I got my first tat I wanted to get "love is the movement" from twloha on my hip. I was hypomanic and went to one of those walk in places. Well after telling the girl the quote she drew it out and it was too big... So I asked her to make it smaller. Well she did and then didn't show me the new stencil. Turns out she left out 2 letters... Ugh! I was so upset, she didn't even care and still made me pay. I found out later that she was an apprentice and shouldn't have even been tattooing without my knowledge of that.

I don't want to scare you out of it, but just a warning to make sure you do your research on the place, and the stencil is exactly how you want it. I ended up getting covered up with a beautiful flower I actually love. And it didn't stop me from getting another on my back. My hip hurt like hell, but I barely felt the back one.

Good luck!

[Hydrophobic1212]

Originally Posted by Bipolar mom

My advice to you is make sure you go to a reputable place! When I got my first tat I wanted to get "love is the movement" from twloha on my hip. I was hypomanic and went to one of those walk in places. Well after telling the girl the quote she drew it out and it was too big... So I asked her to make it smaller. Well she did and then didn't show me the new stencil. Turns out she left out 2 letters... Ugh! I was so upset, she didn't even care and still made me pay. I found out later that she was an apprentice and shouldn't have even been tattooing without my knowledge of that.

I don't want to scare you out of it, but just a warning to make sure you do your research on the place, and the stencil is exactly how you want it. I ended up getting covered up with a beautiful flower I actually love. And it didn't stop me from getting another on my back. My hip hurt like hell, but I barely felt the back one.

Good luck!

I know for a fact the place I am going is really good. My dad has gotten two tattoos there and I am getting it done by the same exact person. He did an AMAZING job with my dad's. So I'm sure it'll be wonderful. And my dad said it took only 15 minutes for the actual tattoo and then the rest of the 30 - 45 minutes was him cleaning up and prepping. I also went there to get my nose ring fixed when it became infected (because the person who did it didn't make my nose stud long enough. x.x).

But thank you! I am quite excited. Now I just need to figure out how to sit still for that long... Ha, ha.

[LiteraryLark]

Originally Posted by Gaijin

Tattoos only look good on sailors and strippers.

I'm a Skipper, so technically that makes me a sailor.

[TexasGirl816]

As a girl with 5 tattoos, I can say a few things:
1. They are kind of addictive, and once you have one, you'll think of more things you want.
2. If it is not significant to you or truly meaningful, you WILL regret it. I have one that I got on a whim, and regret it, even tho it is portraying my heritage.
3. Depending on the spot, it is generally more irritating than panful. The ribcage and the back of your calf are the two most panful spots.
4. If it is TRULY meaningful to you, focusing on that meaning will take away the pain. If it is worth having on you FOREVER, it is worth the short time of bodily distress.
5. I have never had a tattoo that only took 45 min, and my smallest one is 2"x2", so prepare yourself for longer than you may be hoping. If you're told it will only take that short of time, you may want to ask another artist on their thoughts, because people who don't know what they are doing will take a shorter amount of time. Tattoos work in layers, and if you go to someone who is inexperienced/not good at their job, even a meaningful tattoo will be regretted.
6. Going through manic/depressive phases is HARD. I recommend waiting longer, maybe even until you go through a depressive phase just to make sure this design is meaningful.
Hope this helps!

[liviacat]

You've gotten some really good advice here, other than the stripper/sailor comment (was that necessary? But the responses were classic!) so well done everyone! As a person who's pretty colorful in a bathing suit and who was a professional tattoo artist for 8 years, here's my 2 cents:

Go sober. Nothing will screw you up more than trying to manage a buzz and the stress at the same time. And the artist will probably, if they're worth their salt, refuse you if you aren't sober.

Think it through beyond the next 10 years. (Which I think you are!) kids, jobs, old age, etc. imagine all sorts of situations you might be in where it might be visible - would you still want it?

Go custom. I can't stress this enough. Get past the designs designed to be tattoos - anything can become a tattoo. A sculpture, jewelry, paintings, anything is possible with the right artist. (I have an Amazing Stories comic book cover from the 1950s covering one of my calves - it's beautiful! And it has no line work whatsoever!!)

Shop around. Artists talents vary in specialties just like you'd think they might. For example, I hated doing Celtic work and lettering but my coworker loved to do it - he hated doing painting-style portraits and color work which I loved - it all worked out.

And as far as pain/discomfort goes - its your first one, so you're really not going to have anything to compare it to. So it's going to feel how it feels. On the plus side - the discomfort is temporary. I mean really, an hour or so for something that lasts forever? What a deal! Remember too, you do get what you pay for, if the deal seems too good to be true - it probably is. It's a service industry so if you feel you're not getting the service you deserve, you have choices.

Hope that helps a little! Good luck!!

i don't have any, but i want some too (maybe 1 day)

i have an extremely low pain freshhold though- so i guess that's what puts me off.. i won't be able to cope with it

[Doxie mom]

Hi
I am covered in tattoo as it was manic for me. I had a few from when I was younger but when I turned 36 I decided to get another then another. I am fully sleeved , my hands neck legs and feet are done. I did this in a space of ten months. I was in a really bad space and getting them done would take me outside of myself. It does not sound to me like it is manic for you. You have really thought it through for me it was such a strong compulsion I could not stop. I have them in most areas so I can give you an idea what it feels like and pain is different for each person however there are some areas that are such easier than others. Definitely go sober I did for all of mine for my legs I did take some muscle relaxers because I could not stop my legs from twitching but I still felt the pain. All of mine are custom designs really check out the artists portfolio there is some horrible work out there. I see more bad work than good.

[southpole]

It hurts, but it's not that bad! You do get used to it and it's worth it for the outcome. You've put a lot of thought into it so I don't think you have to worry about it being a hypomanic impulse thing. I've got a lot of tattoos and I love them all ... even the ones that may have been decided whilst hypo ... I may be a colorful old lady in years to come but I figure I might as well decorate my wrinkles

[Doxie mom]

[QUOTE=Gaijin;2807209]Tattoos only look good on sailors and strippers

Thanks for the advice I was looking for a new career.
The difference between people with tattoos and people who don't have tattooed is people with tattoos don't care that people don't have tattoos.

[Hydrophobic1212]

Thank you everyone! I already know what I'm getting, I've put a lot of thought into it and it's something I will love forever. It's a huge part of who I am, and I'm excited. I am sure I will be okay with it. I know I will be.

Thanks again.

[~Christina]

Ok Ok Ok .. are you going to tell us what your Tattoo will be ? lol Im curious

[Hydrophobic1212]

Originally Posted by morethingswrong

Ok Ok Ok .. are you going to tell us what your Tattoo will be ? lol Im curious

Oh, yeah.

Ireland is a big part of my life, so I decided on a Celtic Knot. And the triquetra has good meaning to me. I like that it stands for life, death and rebirth as well as the circle being eternal and infinite. It holds deep meaning to me.

This is what I'm getting:

http://nachograndmasquilts.com/wp-co...th-300x225.jpg

Exactly that. It'll be pretty small, too. I think it will be nice.