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oh and here's a pic just in case anyone wants to see it. And does it look okay to you? As in quality and health-wise? It's not even 24 hours old...
I love it! I'm sorry you had that kind of first experience, that guy sounds like such a jerk! I hate when people act like they hate their jobs, it's like.. I'm sorry you aren't having a good day but don't punish me for it! Luckily it was a quick tattoo! I think it was good they were talking to you to try to distract you, and I watch NY Ink all the time and the artists talk to their clients the whole time, so I know he didn't say it because you talking makes him not able to tattoo.
Don't let him take away from the happiness of your first tattoo though, it looks great! It's exactly like something I'd want.. except for my first tattoo I got a huuuge one across my side. I didn't have a drawing and just tried to explain it to the guy, and when he drew it huge I was too chicken to tell him that's not exactly what I had in mind. Oh well.. But congrats on your first tattoo! =]
It looks very nice and you aren't too red which is good.
It doesn't look like he messed up on purpose or anything. You could have sued him for something like that so I doubt any artist would do that.
If you ever intend to get another tattoo I suggest you meet the artist first.
At the tattoo shop I used to work at, the artist always talked to his clients before, talking to them for several minutes before they sat down in the chair especially if they were a first timer.
He would also offer a numbing cream (a cream that you put on about 20-30 minutes before you get the tattoo done) to numb the area so it wouldn't hurt as much.
It just sounds like you got a mean, nasty tattoo artist. Very unprofessional.
Yes it is annoying when the people wriggle and the artist does have to sop and tell you to please not move, but not the way this guy did to you.
I love your tattoo, it looks like it's healing well and the main thing is just to keep putting the ointment on it and not to pick at it when it gets itchy.
And if you ever want to get another tattoo and are willing to come to Brooklyn, send me a message and I'll hook you up with my artist. He's sweet, kind, an all around amazing guy and pretty well known in the tattoo industry.
Yeah tattoo artists can be arrogant dicks. I've had one artist who absolutely sucked as a person, another who thought he was God's gift to women (apparently he had no mirrors in his house) another who was cocky but awesome at his job and only one who was down to earth and normal. It's kind of like guys who play guitar, it can go to their heads haha
Glad you love your tattoo!! Next time you get one go in in person and meet your artist, talk to him for a while about the design and feel him out (ie decide whether or not you can stand being in the same room with this person for an hour while being poked with a hot needle haha) before committing :)
It looks great!
Tattoo artists seem to be hit and miss -- my first tat was done by a guy that seemed normal, and had actually done a peircing for me before, but I realized he was sort of odd the longer I sat in the chair. He bugged me a bit about how I wanted a black and white tattoo, not colour, and then at one point actually stopped in the middle of tattooing me to stare me down and yell at me because I made a comment about cops not being as scary as some people think they are (both my parents are police officers).
My next tat was also from someone who had pierced me before but he was WAY better, making conversation the whole time, and ensuring I was comfortable.
I think the best bet is to get reccomendations about artists themselves, not just shops, from people who have tats you admire.
you have every right to be upset. I would call and complain as well.
ive been to quite a few shops and I agree that its really hit or miss as well.
I did however find the most awesome shop ever and will ONLY go to them from now on. They are the most kind hearted, super professional, very welcoming place ive ever been to. I highly suggest that you take your time and look around and visit shops before you pick one!
Dont feel pressured into anything. Find the place that makes you super comfortable!
Your tattoo looks fine btw! just be sure to take good care of it! :D
I'm sorry you had a bad experience, especially on your first time getting a tattoo done. I have a lot of tattoos, one of them being almost my entire back. Hopefully what you felt from the experience won't deter you from getting more work done in the future. Also, everything that I can see in yours looks good, expecially considering it is so new. The idea of him doing something to mess with the integrity of the tattoo is a craaazy idea. Artists (especially those at ones at reputable shops) stand behind their work so wouldn't do something to jeopardize their personal reputation or the reputation of the shop. It sounds like the guy you had do yours was older and gruff, and there are plenty out there like that. As other posters have said, it is commonplace to meet with the artist first so if you don't like him, you can find someone else. And honestly, it was very nice that the guy allowed your friends to be with you as it was being done. I've never been allowed to have anyone be by me just because it is distracting for everyone. If your friends were trying to calm you down and made you laugh or anything, any movement you make can lead to a problem if the ink is being put in.
Looks great! Curious as to where you went, haha!
The place I went to in Pgh to get my first tattoo wouldn't let me talk to the tattoo artist personally to discuss my design. It was really weird. The guy at the front desk listened to my design idea, went to the back to discuss it with the artist, brought out a drawing, I told him what I wanted changed from the drawing, he took it back and talked again, etc, etc, etc.
The actual artist was very nice and understanding about it being my first time, but the shop had a weird procedure with design and I wouldn't go there again.
EDIT: And don't feel bad about moving. I nearly passed out because I forgot to breathe!
His ass is on the line if he permanently marks you wrong from your moving and also distractions like talking may disrupt his concentration. Normally, a good artist will be pleasant and personable- sorry you got a dud!
It looks great!
thanks guys! I do feel better after thinking about everything for awhile and calling the shop.
My after-care instructions said to let the tattoo air dry for a day or so and then start applying ointment. My fiance used A&D Ointment on his for about a week and then started using lotion, which worked really well for him.
I just put the A&D on about an hour ago b/c I could REALLY feel it getting itchy/dry already. The ointment kinda burned a teeny bit ... is that normal? And is it normal for it to get so dry so fast? (FYI it's super cold in Pittsburgh here so could that have something to do with it?) I thought it was supposed to, like "seep" for a few days before the scabby dryness started ...
The instructions they give you are just guidelines. Remember everyone's body will act differently. Bottom line, if it starts to be itchy, hydrate it. The goal is to keep it moisturized so it won't peel. The longer it goes without peeling, the longer the ink will stay in your skin. Don't pick. Don't scratch.
I'd say too since it is on your shoulder, be careful of bra straps, tight shirts and purse straps etc. You don't want any rubbing over the area. When it does start to peel, there is no reason to freak out even though the skin that is flaking off will have the dye in it. If you get any big sections of skin that come out, and it scabs, you always can have it retouched.
Side note: some people really don't like a&d ointment. There is the notion that it can react to certain dyes in a negative way. What i found best for my own healing was alternating between the ointment and the aveeno lotion with the green top. I put the ointment on maybe twice a day but put the lotion on it whenever it started to get itchy. Hopefully this helps. I know how anxious people get with the first one. :)
I had to hear about anal sex and pain tolerance when I got my first piercing... I was 13.
Cute tat, though!
Nope, you look good!
But yeah, he's an asshole and honestly, I wouldn't have said anything while it was going on, either because I would have worried about the same thing! You did good, though!
Sympathies!! I have two tattoos...my first one I had a crappy experience because I came in with a sketch of an idea and he talked me into getting my sketch and not putting any of his own thought or design into it (annoying). My second tattoo is a huge piece on my ribcage of a poem and that artist was getting mad at me because I would wince and I was involuntarily shaking and he was like "STOP MOVING!!"
Omg it was awful. My tattoo is amaze balls though, I wish they were more like the guys from NY ink, Miami Ink, La Ink, ETC. Lol. Tainted by TV maybe?? I don't think so...I don't see why they have to have an attitude. Ugh
So sorry to hear that you had such a crappy experiences. My artists were so nice and talkative. :( I would follow up with the owner again when she gets back. It's really unacceptable behavior.
Your tattoo looks great, good choice! It also looks completely normal to me. I've got 2 tattoos (one on my ankle, one on my lower back) and both of mine scabbed over pretty quickly when healing.
The first place I had my tattoo done, the guy was really nice. He talked to me the whole time, reassured me it wasn't that bad and offered me a break if I needed one. The second tattoo I got from a place where the owner was grumpy. He wasn't exactly rude, but was like "I want to do this so I can move onto the next person". He actually tattooed 2 of my friends and messed up their tattoos. I guess I was lucky.
I'm glad you called to complain though, you didn't deserve to be treated like that. He probably just has an attitude problem, but I doubt there is anything wrong with your tattoo.
My tattoo artist was a jerk too! It might just be selection bias but the only tattoo artists I've had good interactions with have all been women. The only thing that matters is if you're happy with it. :)
Thats weird that he didnt want you to talk. My artist talked to me while tattooing me. He asked me my major and what i want to do with it. Your guy seemed incredibly rude.
Learn a lesson from this. Don't just show up somewhere and get a tattoo-- make an appointment, meet the tattoo artist, show him your ideas, then go in on another day and get the tattoo.
FWIW, I don't use ointments on mine-- only mild soap the first few days to get the lymph off every few hours then plain, unscented lotion the following days until it's fully healed.
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I've been wanting a tattoo for, like, 5-7 years but always chickened out.
But over the past few months I've really been seriously thinking about it and researching it. Thursday and Friday I just couldn't get it off my mind, and Friday night when fiance and I were trying to make plans for the weekend, he randomly suggested me getting a tattoo, so I finally decided to do it!
I went to a place I had been to with my fiance/friends several times. It's a very popular/reputable place in Pittsburgh and I've never heard anything bad about it.
When it came time to have the work done, I went into the room with my fiance and sister, who I'd brought with me for moral support. The artist was a 50ish guy with tons of tattoos and gray hair and glasses and a gruff voice. He never introduced himself and pretty much had no personality.
But I was so proud of myself for getting this far I just went with it, even though I thought his personality was off.
When he looked at the pic I provided, he critisized the artwork and started talking about how he could do much better with some more color or shading, but I insisted that I wanted it simple and black.
He kinda rolled his eyes but agreed and got started. At first the pain was pretty bad. I was squeezing my fiance's hand like crazy and probably involuntarily shifted my shoulders a few times by accident. The guy was doing the tattoo on my shoulder blade so he got all pissy and kept saying things like, "STOP MOVING! YOUR HEAD IS ATTACHED TO YOUR NECK AND SHOULDERS, YA KNOW." Like a total jackass.
Then once the pain eased up and I started taking deep breaths, my fiance and sister started talking to me to distract me, and I talked back. The tattoo artist kept sighing like he was irritated with our convo. Then he actually said, "Can you guys, like, stop talking to her for 5 f*ck*ng seconds? Jesus Christ!"
I was so appalled. And I got really scared. Like he was going to screw up on purpose b/c we were pissing him off or something. Seriously if the guy didn't have a needle in my back I thought my fiance was going to punch him.
Thank goodness the tattoo was small and only took about 10 minutes to complete. When he was done he just slapped a bandage on it and gave me a sheet on after-care. Barely said a word to us, even once we paid him.
The artwork is good and I love the tattoo. I'm not really worried about infection or anything b/c like I said it's a reputable shop and everything. But I've gone with my fiance and several friends to get tattoos and NEVER had such a bad experience.
I'm really proud of myself for facing my fear and doing something I've wanted to do for so long, but, the artist really put a damper on the experience. And I can't help but stupid for not sticking up for myself when it was going on.
I called the tattoo shop this morning to complain, and the girl apologized sincerely and told her she'd let the owner know when she got back from vacation.
I guess I'm just looking for some feedback here. Do you guys think I was stupid to just sit there with my mouth shut while the work was being done? I mean, once the guy has already started tattooing, what can you do? Even my fiance, who is a reall outspoken "tough" guy was speechless and didn't know what to do.
Should I be worried about the quality of my tattoo? Like ... I'm wondering if the negativity is going to lead to problems. Sigh. I worry a lot. Just not sure how to feel. Wish the asshole artist didn't put a damper on what could have been an awesome experience!