CMoo Gets Her First Tattoo AND Tattoo Flu! The Beauty And The Pain
Hi Musers. A big departure from our usual content, but I hope you’ll forgive me. I think today’s content will still be useful if you’re thinking of getting a tattoo or if you’ve got one and wonder why you feel like crap. It may be tattoo flu. Apparently, getting your first tattoo and tattoo flu together is common. So let’s dive in.
A Tattoo At 41? Why?
There are a couple of reasons. Firstly, I never wanted one before now. Whether the change is a gradual one as I got older or simply because of internalised fatphobia making me not want to draw attention to myself before now, I don’t know. It might take some unpacking and self-analysis to figure out. For now, though, let’s just say I decided I wanted one.
The second reason is that I turned 40 last year, and my sister Jayney will turn 40 this year. Due to that bloody virus, neither of us have had a real chance to celebrate. So we decided to get tattoos together. Jayne already has two, so she’s used to it.
We did a loooooot of research on styles, artists, composition, colours, etc., to find the perfect design and artist. So that’s tip one if you’re considering taking the plunge – research!
You need to be sure of the style you want and what you like and don’t. It isn’t easy for an artist to bring your vision to life if you’re not sure what you’re looking for. It’s their job to create a beautiful tattoo, not psychically figure out what design you’d like.
Eventually, we decided on Alex Rowntree, who is a tremendously talented artist working at Northern Glory tattoo parlour in Newcastle upon Tyne. We wanted flowers and foliage as well as a hummingbird for me and a butterfly for Jayne. We linked the tattoos by having the same colour palette and purple lisianthus flowers. I’ve always loved them, and they were part of my wedding bouquet.
The Day Of The Tattoo
As important as the research is preparing your body. Here are a few dos and don’t if you want your first tattoo to go well.
- Sleep. A tattoo is a traumatic experience for your body. You will be stabbing the body hundreds or thousands of times and will be left with an open wound. Your body needs to be well-rested before and after to cope with the trauma and the healing required.
- Eat. It should be obvious, but the last thing you want to do is faint in the tattoo parlour. Again, this is a lot for your body to go through, so fuel it properly first. In the days leading up to your appointment, try to eat lots of meat, vegetables and fruit. Make sure your body has all the nutrients it needs. On the day of your tattoo, have breakfast with protein to aid your body in healing and plenty of carbs to keep your energy up.
- Drink. You’ll need to be hydrated to ensure your skin isn’t dry for the tattoo, so you should drink lots of water in the days before. During your actual appointment, sugary drinks are a good idea.
- Do not drink or do drugs. Firstly, the tattooist will likely refuse to tattoo you if you’re visibly intoxicated. Secondly, alcohol thins the blood, so you’ll bleed more and take longer to heal.
- Make sure you feel well. If you already don’t feel completely well then it seems more likely your first tattoo and tattoo flu will go hand in hand.
The Tattooing
If you’re worried about it being painful, I can confirm that it is. In my case, it wasn’t unbearable. I got it on my forearm, which doesn’t have huge numbers of nerve endings. Jayne had a previous one on her lower back. She tells me that the part on her ribs was agonising. She wasn’t sure she could make it through.
It will be different for everyone, so have a chat with the tattoo artist in advance.
For mine, it was as if I had a sunburned arm and someone was scratching it. It hurt, but I found sitting still for 3 hours more difficult. It was a weird kind of cabin fever. If you’re a person that’s always on the go, be aware this may be a challenge.
You should also bear in mind that depending on how you have to sit or lie can cause issues too. I had my arm balanced on a pedestal, and this was fine, except by the end, my thumb and two of my fingers had gone numb.
Jayne’s tattoo was on her hip, so she was lying on her side. So, because the tattooist was pressing against her leg, she found the underside of her leg, particularly her knee, was bruised by the time her tattoo was complete.
After Your Tattoo
I cannot stress this enough – FOLLOW YOUR AFTERCARE INSTRUCTIONS. There is no point going through all that pain, paying all that money and then not looking after it properly.
Keep the plastic wrap until you get home, and then wash and moisturise. You should use an anti-bacterial, completely fragrance-free soap. Use lukewarm water to rinse your arm, gently wash your tattoo using your fingertips. Rinse the soap away, and then pat it dry.
It needs to be bone dry before you moisturise. Either let it air dry or use paper towels. Regular towels run the risk of transferring bacteria onto your tattoo.
Lastly, apply a very thin layer of moisturiser. Both over and under moisturising can cause problems, so coat your tattoo completely with the smallest amount needed to complete the job. I used Hustle Butter at Jayne’s recommendation. It smells amazing and really helps to soothe itching.
My First Tattoo And Tattoo Flu
The night of the tattoo was painful. It felt like I had bad sunburn on my arm. I was craving chips (fries) for the carbs and salt, I think, but I had chicken too for protein. I tried to get a good night’s sleep, but the tattoo combined with my regular insomnia made it difficult. I had no idea what awaited me the next day.
I honestly felt like I had flu. I was nauseated, and my whole body ached. I had a pounding headache and a sore throat. That’s on top of my arm being even more red and swollen.
I called Jayne to check in and commiserate and told her how I was feeling. She nonchalantly told me it must be tattoo flu. WHAT?? I might get a tattoo and tattoo flu? We had spent so many hours discussing tattoos; I’d spent many more hours reading about tattoo etiquette online, and there was not a peep about it. What gives?
It hadn’t occurred to Jayne to mention it as it had never happened to her. Unfortunately, my online surfing was limited to the time leading to the tattoo, not after. A lovely surprise, right? It turns out that the bigger your first tattoo is, the more likely you are to experience it.
Some people may start with a small tattoo that takes 60-90 minutes. Mine was 3 hours, though, so it appears I was asking for trouble.
In case you’re considering your first tattoo and tattoo flu is a concern, here’s a list of possible symptoms:
- Fever
- Feeling Cold
- Fatigue and tiredness
- Soreness around the tattoo and throughout your body
- Feeling weak or a little dizzy
- In some cases, stomach issues and diarrhoea
- Swelling around the tattoo
- Nausea and possible vomiting
I have nausea, aching all over, my arm is hot and swollen, and my voice is going. I’m so glad I took a day off work and had my tattoo done on a Friday. I’ve had the weekend to recover, and while I’m not 100%, I hope I’ll be much better and ready for work tomorrow.
Would I Get Another One?
People always say tattoos are addictive, and I can confirm that. I was already planning my next one while I was on the table getting my first. Of course, I am sore and feel pretty rubbish, but I love my tattoo and can’t wait to get my next one. After all, my first one is so beautiful, isn’t it?
This blog is my passion project and I love it, but it does cost money to run. For that reason, I signed up for the Amazon Associates program. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases so if you use the links below I will receive a small commission. Please be aware it does not affect the price you pay and I would never betray your trust just to earn a couple of pence. Anything I recommend on this site is a book or product I’ve loved and has really helped me. I hope it helps you too.
