my first tattoo(s) experience

*warning: this is my own experience. everyone's experience/pain tolerance/body is different*

left wrists: 9 planets

right: draco constellation

these were done 3/20, the first day of spring(which was ironic since it snowed for a few hours). i was recommended to a studio by my friend, she had hers done there.

let's get this out of the way. the 9 planets are because i love space. and the draco constellation is because i love dragons and dragonheart is the only movie that makes me cry.

now for experience-the studio is very sanitary and decorated cool. the guy who was recommended was very nice and helped me. the draco was first, total time was maybe 5-7 mins. the planets were total about 10-12 mins.

pain/discomfort-it wasn't as painful as a cartilage piercing. those hurt way worse. the artist compared it to sunburn. it felt more like playing with a cat. if you have a cat, you know that sometimes when you play with them they get bitey. it felt like my cat was biting/scratching me when we play. it was definitely more annoying than painful. i did have slight pain the the center, where the tendons are. i also felt my bones rattle, which was weird but not painful. i had to go to work after, so it was slightly tender that night. the artist gave me an ointment in a chapstick like tube (smells of bengay and vicks) which i put on multiple times a day, so it doesn't dry out.

1 week after: not much pain. i've been applying the ointment, which i ran out of two days ago. aveeno lotion works fine. the blue dots didn't scab or flake, but jupiter and saturn have been flaking a little. they haven't really itched.

2 weeks after: nothing's changed. i haven't had any itching or pain. i still apply lotion, but not as much. they have faded the tiniest bit, but i'm pretty pale. i still wash it in the shower like normal.

this was a good experience and i do want more in the future. my only advice is picking a good studio and taking good care of it (mostly cleaning it).