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Nervous for my first tattoo!

Hey there guys! I've known from like the age of 14/15 that at some point I'd get a tattoo, I love the art form and have spent many hours pouring over tattoo photos online and magazines. Anyway, in January I found an artist I really like, (Marcus from Custom Inc in Glasgow, if you want to check him out!) and who also specialises in skull artwork, which I also love! So I went for my consultation in April, which I was super nervous for but it went really well! I was so excited after!

Now I'm just getting really nervous, and I think the main reason is what my parents' reaction will be if they ever see it! It's going to be a side piece so not massive but reasonable. Any advice on how I can overcome this? I am determined not to back out, I know it will all be worth it, I'm just so nervous!

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Just imagine how awesome it'll look and remember why you wanted it in the first place :cool:
Reply 2
Original post by Alexandra's Box
Just imagine how awesome it'll look and remember why you wanted it in the first place :cool:


Yeah every time I look at his work I'm like holy **** that's so good! I've organised to go across to Glasgow the night before to stay with a friend and we're going to the cinema so I'll have something to take my mind off it!
(edited 11 years ago)
Reply 3
I should also mention I'm naturally a very nervy sort of person!
Reply 4
Don't get it. The fact that you're this nervous and can't tell your parents in advance shows it's a silly thing to be doing now. Your profile says you're at secondary school so really you should be respecting your parents' wishes more. You're doing it for all the wrong reasons and going about it in the wrong way.

Wait a few years til you're actually mature enough to be getting a tattoo and then get it.
Original post by Juno
Don't get it. The fact that you're this nervous and can't tell your parents in advance shows it's a silly thing to be doing now. Your profile says you're at secondary school so really you should be respecting your parents' wishes more. You're doing it for all the wrong reasons and going about it in the wrong way.

Wait a few years til you're actually mature enough to be getting a tattoo and then get it.


This, completely.

You're just a nervous middle-class kid, trying to feign maturity by ambling around under the moniker of 'independence', despite the fact that you're still tip toeing around your parents.

Wait until you're an adult heading for uni/moving out and can make decisions like that (ones that will affect you for the rest of your life) without needing to worry about what mummy and daddy will think.
(edited 11 years ago)
Reply 6
My parent's don't know and it's on my arm I just bought some tattoo secret (it's specific tattoo coverup make up) for the few times I'm home. just make sure you don't wear flimsy white tops and you'll be fine

It will hurt and your instincts will make you want to punch the poor guy but when you get into it your body releases like a natural painkiller, sucking on lollies apparently helps but don't take painkillers as they thin your blood which will be messy, hurt and ruin the tattoo.
Reply 7
Ooh what are you having done? I love my rib tattoo! It was the most painful one but it's worth it when it's over.

Maybe just say to your parents, you've been looking into getting a tattoo and found the guy you want to do it, you've researched places etc and they should be fine. Even if they're not, you could always say you respect their opinion and understand their concerns but this is what you're sure of.
I got a tattoo on my eighteenth birthday, I had been sure that I wanted this specific design since I was about thirteen and I haven't regretted it at all since. I you're absolutely sure that it's what you want, then there's no need to be nervous- are you sure you couldn't talk to your parents at all about it beforehand? You're an adult now, and they can't say no.
dont listen to the people telling you to not get it, i got one a few days after i was 18 (im nearly 19 now) and i dont regret it at all, in fact i have another one as well.

i didnt tell my parents, but thats because i knew they would be like 'it will ruin your life' but it hasnt, obviously its a tattoo lol. not because i was 'tip toeing around them'

to be honest i think anyone who sees tattoos are more than a bit of fun shouldn't really get them, because if you see them in a very serious way you might end up regretting them. i have a video game tattoo and a band tattoo and i see them as fun. nothing serious.

if you want it that much you will overcome the nerves.
Then don't get the tatoo?
Reply 11
Original post by Juno
Don't get it. The fact that you're this nervous and can't tell your parents in advance shows it's a silly thing to be doing now. Your profile says you're at secondary school so really you should be respecting your parents' wishes more. You're doing it for all the wrong reasons and going about it in the wrong way.

Wait a few years til you're actually mature enough to be getting a tattoo and then get it.


But she's also 19 (presumably doing a 3rd year of further education?), the age at which some people will be going into their 2nd year of uni.

I'd say think about it carefully, but in the end, if you're sure you want to do it, don't think you need your parents' permission. Being nervous isn't necessarily a sign that you shouldn't do it, depends on why you're nervous.
Original post by bananaslug77
Hey there guys! I've known from like the age of 14/15 that at some point I'd get a tattoo, I love the art form and have spent many hours pouring over tattoo photos online and magazines. Anyway, in January I found an artist I really like, (Marcus from Custom Inc in Glasgow, if you want to check him out!) and who also specialises in skull artwork, which I also love! So I went for my consultation in April, which I was super nervous for but it went really well! I was so excited after!

Now I'm just getting really nervous, and I think the main reason is what my parents' reaction will be if they ever see it! It's going to be a side piece so not massive but reasonable. Any advice on how I can overcome this? I am determined not to back out, I know it will all be worth it, I'm just so nervous!


Why would you even want to get a tattoo? its like a tramp stamp! :biggrin:

Edit: loving the negs! :smile:
(edited 11 years ago)
Reply 13
Original post by bananaslug77


Now I'm just getting really nervous, and I think the main reason is what my parents' reaction will be if they ever see it! It's going to be a side piece so not massive but reasonable. Any advice on how I can overcome this? I am determined not to back out, I know it will all be worth it, I'm just so nervous!


If you're 100% certain that this tattoo is something you really want (and since you've been wanting one for years it sounds like it is), and you've already had a consultation and found an artist you like and trust, then you have nothing to worry about :smile:

Obviously some people don't like tattoos but you're not doing this for anyone else, you're doing this for you, so don't let anyone else bring you down. I'm assuming you're over 18, so it isn't really any of your parents' business what you do with your body.

However, if you're not over 18, I'd definitely advise against it. If your tattoo artist is willing to compromise on age laws, how do you know they're not willing to compromise on quality and hygiene laws too? But if you're doing this legally then go for it! Of course it will hurt, but it will be worth it. :smile:
I'm just about to turn 20 and going on to 3rd year at uni and have been living away from home for two years but still keep a good rapport with my parents. I'm not tip toeing around them, I just can't be bothered with the stress of them finding out. It's more my mum than my dad, I've got about 10 piercings and she is always so shocked by them (I'm not like the rest of my family at all). I don't feel I'm being immature when I recognise my personality is a nervous one so I understood no matter how old I was going to be when I booked my tattoo, I would be nervous. I've wanted it for so long as I stated before!
Original post by Jellyfish4
If you're 100% certain that this tattoo is something you really want (and since you've been wanting one for years it sounds like it is), and you've already had a consultation and found an artist you like and trust, then you have nothing to worry about :smile:

Obviously some people don't like tattoos but you're not doing this for anyone else, you're doing this for you, so don't let anyone else bring you down. I'm assuming you're over 18, so it isn't really any of your parents' business what you do with your body.

However, if you're not over 18, I'd definitely advise against it. If your tattoo artist is willing to compromise on age laws, how do you know they're not willing to compromise on quality and hygiene laws too? But if you're doing this legally then go for it! Of course it will hurt, but it will be worth it. :smile:



Yeah it really is I took my time researching and made sure I was sure of the artist I wanted - he's great. He offered for me to just email him my design but I opted to go there and get a consultation so I could actually meet him and discuss the design properly. I am over 18 I'm 20 on the 24th of this month haha... I don't know where people are getting these ideas that I'm still at secondary school from! (Maybe my profile is outdated.. meh). All I want is advice from others who've had a tattoo and how they coped with nerves before!
Original post by Juno
Don't get it. The fact that you're this nervous and can't tell your parents in advance shows it's a silly thing to be doing now. Your profile says you're at secondary school so really you should be respecting your parents' wishes more. You're doing it for all the wrong reasons and going about it in the wrong way.

Wait a few years til you're actually mature enough to be getting a tattoo and then get it.



Original post by bananaslug77
I'm just about to turn 20 and going on to 3rd year at uni and have been living away from home for two years but still keep a good rapport with my parents. I'm not tip toeing around them, I just can't be bothered with the stress of them finding out. It's more my mum than my dad, I've got about 10 piercings and she is always so shocked by them (I'm not like the rest of my family at all). I don't feel I'm being immature when I recognise my personality is a nervous one so I understood no matter how old I was going to be when I booked my tattoo, I would be nervous. I've wanted it for so long as I stated before!


Any one else :lol: at this?
Original post by blueray
Any one else :lol: at this?


Why is that funny? Scottish university systems are in a world of their own... you can go to uni at the age of 17.

EDIT: haha sorry didn't see the other quote in your post. I had no idea my profile was so outdated haha, no wonder everyone is tripping about my age!
(edited 11 years ago)
Reply 18
You are nervous about it, not for it.
Reply 19
Original post by bananaslug77
I'm just about to turn 20 and going on to 3rd year at uni and have been living away from home for two years but still keep a good rapport with my parents. I'm not tip toeing around them, I just can't be bothered with the stress of them finding out. It's more my mum than my dad, I've got about 10 piercings and she is always so shocked by them (I'm not like the rest of my family at all). I don't feel I'm being immature when I recognise my personality is a nervous one so I understood no matter how old I was going to be when I booked my tattoo, I would be nervous. I've wanted it for so long as I stated before!


It's your body, you can do what you want with it. You'll probably find it easy to keep it hidden, but if your parents find out, they find out. It's not as if you rushed into getting it. My dad freaked when he saw mine (my mum loved it though) but then he warmed to it and now he likes it, and he was disappointed he didn't come with me to get it done. :biggrin:

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