I found an artist that I really like and am planning to get a sleeve done. This will be my first tattoo.
How bad does it actually hurt? I'm traveling out of town to get it done, so it's gonna be a couple of marathon sessions start to finish, not something I can do piecemeal over time.
Is it worth drinking or taking anything before?
Does anyone know anything about the different ink types available? I've read that some contain carcinogenic compounds...definitely want to avoid that.
Any other things to know?
Ask the artist about his inks, also ask him about what he suggests for before the appointment. I just took a couple Advil right after.
It doesn't feel good, but it's not unbearable. You will settle into a rhythm and as long as your artist doesn't take a lot of breaks you will be fine. I sat for 6 to 8 hours for my sleeve sessions.
Good luck man 
The younger you are the better it is. Regardless it's hell, but worth it.
Don't try to psych yourself up, or worry. Every woman in America is covered now, if they can take it, you can.
Expect to sit for 4 to 8 hours. It gets better, then it gets numb, then it get worse.
How much did you pay for your trip back in time to 1996 to show off your "sleeve"?
Don't pay for it all up front. Only pay for the work done in each setting.
My wife takes vicadin before a tattoo; I take it like a man, except I get high a few times during the process.
turducken - I found an artist that I really like and am planning to get a sleeve done. This will be my first tattoo.I got one piece. A single half sleeve, I waited until I was 40 for it. I researched my artist carefully (my piece recently finished third in Large, Japanese category at a major East Coast convention), he's got over 42 awards besides mine.
How bad does it actually hurt? I'm traveling out of town to get it done, so it's gonna be a couple of marathon sessions start to finish, not something I can do piecemeal over time.
Is it worth drinking or taking anything before?
Does anyone know anything about the different ink types available? I've read that some contain carcinogenic compounds...definitely want to avoid that.
Any other things to know?
I will say this from my personal experience. It hurt like FUCK. Lmao. I thought I had a good pain tolerance until that first needle on my chest (covers right pec, lower clavicle, and upper right back down almost to elbow. Can't see it with a standard polo style shirt on).
I love it, I get a lot of compliments on it from women mostly but I'd never do it again. Lol. One was more than enough.
i can't imagine getting high before...seems like it would only make the pain more intense and also slow my perception of the passing of time
Oh some actual advice. As I said, I researched my guy well in advance (4 months booked out until he could start on mine).
I paid for a hour of his time in advance (no refunds) for him to fully draft the near final work. I would suggest you go that route so you know exactly what your piece will look like or almost exactly since body contours will change it somewhat.
Think it through carefully, it's forever.
"Is it worth drinking or taking anything before?"
dont drink alcohol if you can avoid it
also i'd avoid anything that has a side affect of thinning blood before getting ink work done
LiveWire -turducken - I found an artist that I really like and am planning to get a sleeve done. This will be my first tattoo.I got one piece. A single half sleeve, I waited until I was 40 for it. I researched my artist carefully (my piece recently finished third in Large, Japanese category at a major East Coast convention), he's got over 42 awards besides mine.
How bad does it actually hurt? I'm traveling out of town to get it done, so it's gonna be a couple of marathon sessions start to finish, not something I can do piecemeal over time.
Is it worth drinking or taking anything before?
Does anyone know anything about the different ink types available? I've read that some contain carcinogenic compounds...definitely want to avoid that.
Any other things to know?
I will say this from my personal experience. It hurt like FUCK. Lmao. I thought I had a good pain tolerance until that first needle on my chest (covers right pec, lower clavicle, and upper right back down almost to elbow. Can't see it with a standard polo style shirt on).
I love it, I get a lot of compliments on it from women mostly but I'd never do it again. Lol. One was more than enough.
lol, see that's why I don't know what to expect. Some people are like, meh, it burns like sunburn but no big deal, while others say it hurts like fuck. i guess it doesn't matter in the end...have to just deal with it.
I'm going for just the arm...shoulder down to wrist area most likely
i went into shock after each session (5-7 hours per) .. meaning just was shaking because i was freezing cold.. just be prepared
LiveWire - Oh some actual advice. As I said, I researched my guy well in advance (4 months booked out until he could start on mine).
I paid for a hour of his time in advance (no refunds) for him to fully draft the near final work. I would suggest you go that route so you know exactly what your piece will look like or almost exactly since body contours will change it somewhat.
Think it through carefully, it's forever.
yea, I did the same as you...looked for a LONG time, finally found one guy with a style that I really like. I'm giving him some basic ideas of what I like, but basically just letting him come up with the design on his own and then I'll approve it or offer my comments. I told him I want to pay for his design time regardless of what I end up deciding about the tattoo.
Really all I told him is that I want something that's more like a lot of smaller pieces that fit together into one cohesive look rather than a mono-piece, and that I like to see some skin between the tattoos on the sleeve, not just have solid ink for the entire arm. It's gonna be mostly black with a little color here and there.
turducken -LiveWire -turducken - I found an artist that I really like and am planning to get a sleeve done. This will be my first tattoo.I got one piece. A single half sleeve, I waited until I was 40 for it. I researched my artist carefully (my piece recently finished third in Large, Japanese category at a major East Coast convention), he's got over 42 awards besides mine.
How bad does it actually hurt? I'm traveling out of town to get it done, so it's gonna be a couple of marathon sessions start to finish, not something I can do piecemeal over time.
Is it worth drinking or taking anything before?
Does anyone know anything about the different ink types available? I've read that some contain carcinogenic compounds...definitely want to avoid that.
Any other things to know?
I will say this from my personal experience. It hurt like FUCK. Lmao. I thought I had a good pain tolerance until that first needle on my chest (covers right pec, lower clavicle, and upper right back down almost to elbow. Can't see it with a standard polo style shirt on).
I love it, I get a lot of compliments on it from women mostly but I'd never do it again. Lol. One was more than enough.
lol, see that's why I don't know what to expect. Some people are like, meh, it burns like sunburn but no big deal, while others say it hurts like fuck. i guess it doesn't matter in the end...have to just deal with it.
I'm going for just the arm...shoulder down to wrist area most likely
Different areas hurt more than others. I have a 3/4 sleeve and it wasn't bad at all, with the exception of my inner bicep up around my armpit. That shit sucked.
The rest of my arm - even the elbow, which I thought would hurt - was nothing. I just got bored sitting in the chair for so long. I didn't take anything before it either, but I did have beer afterwards.
Nothing like a beer after you get tattooed. You get a little loopy from the endorphins or whatever after 4-5 hours of needles, so that first beer is like a goddamn orgasm.
The only place I've ever been tattooed that really hurt was my ditch (inside of my elbow). Nothing is unbearable, and no, you don't need to take anything, especially for your arm. Inside your armpit will be sensitive too. The ink doesn't matter. Go to a reputable shop and artist, it is fine. I also did longer sessions, and have a full sleeve. The top 1/4 was done in two sessions, and the bottom 3/4 were outlined in one, shaded in one and colored in two I think.
The only thing that I'd suggest that you may not realize is to eat beforehand (some people get dizzy and lightheaded if they don't) and to bring snacks.
is it possible to get it done on consecutive days, or do you need to space it out with time for healing in between? I'm gonna fly to a different city to get it done, so obviously the faster the better, but I don't want to destroy my arm or end up with shitty work
sreiter -Exactly what happens to me.i went into shock after each session (5-7 hours per) .. meaning just was shaking because i was freezing cold.. just be prepared
The worst tattoo pain I had was finger tips. Nothing can compare. And I have my hands, arms, back, kegs and feet all covered. The 20 minutes on finger tips was more intense than all the rest combined.
LiveWire -Pics, bro!turducken - I found an artist that I really like and am planning to get a sleeve done. This will be my first tattoo.I got one piece. A single half sleeve, I waited until I was 40 for it. I researched my artist carefully (my piece recently finished third in Large, Japanese category at a major East Coast convention), he's got over 42 awards besides mine.
How bad does it actually hurt? I'm traveling out of town to get it done, so it's gonna be a couple of marathon sessions start to finish, not something I can do piecemeal over time.
Is it worth drinking or taking anything before?
Does anyone know anything about the different ink types available? I've read that some contain carcinogenic compounds...definitely want to avoid that.
Any other things to know?
I will say this from my personal experience. It hurt like FUCK. Lmao. I thought I had a good pain tolerance until that first needle on my chest (covers right pec, lower clavicle, and upper right back down almost to elbow. Can't see it with a standard polo style shirt on).
I love it, I get a lot of compliments on it from women mostly but I'd never do it again. Lol. One was more than enough.
Before committing to a sleeve, consider how it will affect you and your job/career, especially if you are relatively young, your job requires interacting with a diversity of people that might have different sensibilities, and the field of your career itself.
For example, you might be the best cardiologist in the nation, but in your initial consult with a patient and his or her family, your sleeve showing under your scrubs might initially produce some mistrust.
If you are a college professor, your sleeve might be a poor look according to your soon-to-retire Department Chair, but make you a hit and sexy with your students.