Does your first tattoo really hurt?

Yes, a little, and the tattoo artist is actually required to warn you that the procedure may be painful before they begin. The good news is that for most people, the sensation is more like a sharp, repeated scratch than actual acute pain. Its intensity depends mainly on three things. Firstly, the area: fleshy areas such as the forearm, calf or shoulder are much easier to tolerate than the ribs, feet or sternum. Secondly, the duration: a short one-hour session is nothing like a five-hour one. Finally, how you’re feeling on the day: tiredness, hunger and stress make everything more unpleasant. For a first tattoo, choosing a comfortable area and a reasonably sized design is enough to make the experience largely bearable. Many people even come out surprised that it went by so quickly, and a little annoyed that they’d worried so much the day before.

Can you get a tattoo if you’re underage?

Yes, but not on their own. In France, the law does not set a minimum age: Service Public states that it is possible to get a tattoo at any age. However, a minor must have the written consent of a parent or guardian, who must also be provided with information on the risks of tattooing before signing. The tattoo artist must keep proof of this consent for three years, so that it can be produced in the event of an inspection. In practice, however, many tattoo artists still refuse to tattoo minors, even with parental consent, or reserve this for very specific cases. This isn’t down to a lack of willingness: it’s a permanent decision on a body that’s still changing, and most professionals prefer to see you again in a few years’ time. If you’re 16 and have a specific design in mind, keep it under wraps, refine it, and come back with it: it’ll be all the better for it.

How long does it take for a first tattoo to heal?

According to the French National Health Service, a tattoo takes three to four weeks to heal. During this time, the design goes through several stages that may come as a surprise the first time round: it oozes slightly for the first few days, forms fine scabs, peels and itches during the second week, then looks dull and hazy before regaining its contrast. All of this is normal. Deep down, the skin continues to regenerate for several months, so even a tattoo that looks healed is not yet one that can be exposed to the sun without protection or rubbed without taking care. Healing times vary depending on the area: a design on the hand or foot, which is constantly moving and rubbing, takes longer to heal than one on the forearm. To find out exactly what to expect, day by day, and to recognise the rare signs that mean you should seek medical advice, our healing guide details each stage along with the official recommendations.

Can you enlarge or add to your first tattoo later on?

Yes, and that’s actually the story behind many tattoos. A small design on the forearm might one day become a cuff, whilst a standalone motif might end up forming part of a larger composition. The secret is to think about it right from the start, even if the rest won’t happen for another five years. Simply mention this to your tattoo artist when you’re designing it: they’ll position the first design to leave space around it, choose a consistent scale and avoid cramming it into the middle of an area that will later need to be worked around. Without this foresight, you often end up with a small tattoo lost in the centre of your shoulder, which complicates any more ambitious project. If you change tattoo artist in the meantime, it’s not a problem: a professional knows how to work around an existing piece. But a first tattoo designed to grow always leaves more freedom for the future than a design applied without a plan.

Should you reschedule your appointment if you’re ill or exhausted?

Yes, as far as possible. A tattoo session takes its toll on the body, and a body already busy fighting off a cold, a fever or the effects of a long sleepless night is less able to cope with the pain and heals less easily afterwards. Service Public also points out that the tattoo artist must check for any potential contraindications linked to your condition or any ongoing treatments: if you’re taking any medication, tell them before the session. As for organising the appointment, give as much notice as possible. Most tattoo artists would much rather reschedule a session than tattoo someone who can barely stand up, and many will agree to carry over your deposit to the new date if you give them proper notice. The problem arises when you send a message just an hour beforehand, or don’t send one at all. A self-employed tattoo artist who misses a booking loses half a day’s work, and they’ll certainly remember that.

What should I do if the result isn’t what I’d imagined?

Firstly, wait until the healing process is complete before making a judgement. A fresh tattoo is red and swollen, then becomes scabbed over, and finally fades slightly for a few weeks: what you see in the mirror during the first month is not the final result. Next, discuss the matter calmly with the tattoo artist who did the work. An uneven line or a lighter patch can often be corrected with a quick touch-up, and some tattoo artists include this in their price if it’s done within a certain timeframe. If the disagreement runs deeper, regarding the design, size or placement, another tattoo artist may offer to redo it or do a ‘cover-up’, i.e. a new design that covers the old one. We know a thing or two about this: our first three tattoos all required touch-ups, costing around a hundred euros each time. The best way to avoid ending up in this situation is to choose your tattoo artist carefully from the outset.

Can you get a tattoo if you have sunburn or irritated skin?

No. Skin that is sunburnt, irritated, scratched or experiencing a flare-up of eczema is already in the process of healing. Asking it to cope with a tattoo on top of that only makes the task more difficult: the ink won’t take as well, healing takes longer and the risk of irritation increases. Most tattoo artists, in fact, refuse to work on damaged skin and will suggest postponing the session by a few weeks. This isn’t a whim; it’s a sign of a professional who prioritises the end result over filling a slot. If you have an appointment in September, bear this in mind as early as the summer: a sunburn on the intended area the week before is enough to postpone everything. And if you have a skin condition such as psoriasis, speak to your doctor beforehand: the National Health Service states that certain skin conditions can flare up on a tattoo.

How to choose your first tattoo (and get it right)

Choosing your first tattoo means answering four questions in the right order: which tattoo artist, which design, which location, and what budget. Yes, the tattoo artist comes before the design. Even the best design in the world, if badly tattooed, is still a bad tattoo. And your ex’s first name, even if perfectly tattooed, is still your ex’s first name.

We know this all too well, as here at Tat’s It, we all had a bad experience with our first tattoo. All three of us. Here’s how it happened, and, more importantly, how to avoid making the same mistake.

Why all three of us got our first tattoo wrong

Between 2021 and 2022, each of us got our first tattoo on our own, using a different method. Three methods that many people consider to be safe.

Quentin put his trust in Instagram. He chose a tattoo artist with lots of followers, who had tattooed celebrities. He thought that was a guarantee.
Hippolyte opted for a local option. He walked into the first tattoo studio he found in his town.
Léo took a chance on the do-it-yourself approach. He had a tattoo done at home by someone who’d just bought a tattoo machine.

The result for all three: botched tattoos, poor healing, a bad experience, and touch-ups by another tattoo artist costing around a hundred euros each. A perfect score, in the wrong category.

What we’ve taken away from this can be summed up in one sentence: neither the number of followers, nor proximity, nor price indicates whether a tattoo artist is qualified. What matters is their training, their adherence to hygiene standards and a portfolio that matches what you’re looking for. That’s how Tat’s It came about, and it’s the central theme of this entire guide.

How do you find the right tattoo artist for your first tattoo?

This is the step that makes all the difference, so let’s start with that.

Check that they are operating within the law

In France, a tattoo artist isn’t simply someone who owns a tattoo machine. According to Service Public, they must:

have completed training in hygiene and health standards, including a practical component;
have registered their business with the Regional Health Agency;
inform you, in writing, of the risks and precautions to be taken before the session, with this information also displayed on the premises;
working in a dedicated studio, cleaned every day, with surfaces disinfected between each client;
wear disposable gloves, which must be changed between clients and at least every two hours;
Follow a protocol for sterilising equipment.

You can check all this in two minutes: a training certificate on the wall, a clean room, new gloves, and a treatment form handed to you without you having to ask for it. If you have to press for an answer, you’ve already got your answer.

That’s exactly what was missing from Léo’s tattoo, done on a coffee table. A ‘scratcher’ (someone who tattoos without any apprenticeship or training) might have a nice Instagram account. They can’t have a certificate.

How to view a portfolio like a pro

A good portfolio, or book, shows healed tattoos, not just photos taken straight after the session in flattering lighting. A fresh tattoo always looks good: the ink is shiny, the outlines are sharp, and the skin is slightly swollen. It’s only a few weeks later that you can see whether the lines remain fine and whether the solid areas hold up.

Also look for consistency in style. An excellent realist tattoo artist isn’t necessarily the right choice for a minimalist fine-line design, and vice versa. For your first tattoo, look for someone whose portfolio already features several pieces similar to what you have in mind.

Ask any questions

During the consultation, no question is a silly one. How long have you been practising this style? How many sessions will it take? What is the final price? What happens if a touch-up is needed? A good tattoo artist gives clear answers and takes their time. Vague answers or those that change from one message to the next are a red flag. Our article on warning signs to look out for before choosing a tattoo artist goes through them one by one.

What design should you choose for your first tattoo?

The one you’ll still want to look at in twenty years’ time, which rules out quite a few late-night jokes straight away.

Before contacting a tattoo artist, try to answer four questions: exactly what design, what size, where on your body, and why it’s important to you. You don’t need to have a finished design. A good tattoo artist can draw, it’s their job, after all: just bring them an idea and some inspiration, not an architect’s blueprint.

Our favourite find on social media

Falling in love with a tattoo you’ve seen on Instagram or Pinterest is the most common way to discover a style. The pitfall is wanting the exact same one. Someone else’s tattoo was designed for their skin, their body shape and their story. Copying it exactly raises issues of respect for the artist who created it, and rarely looks good on someone else’s body. Instead, use it as inspiration and let the tattoo artist create something unique from it.

The same applies to AI-generated images: whilst they can help convey a certain atmosphere, they often contain details that are impossible to tattoo or that won’t stand the test of time. The tattoo artist will know how to sort through them.

Consider how the design will age

A tattoo lives on your skin. Very fine, tightly packed lines tend to thicken over the years, tiny details can blur, and a tiny, highly detailed design can quickly become illegible. A good tattoo artist will tell you frankly whether your design needs to be enlarged, simplified or repositioned to age well. Listen to them: they’ve seen tattoos that are ten years old; you haven’t.

Try it out before you commit

If you’re unsure about the size or placement, a temporary tattoo lets you try out the design for a few days before committing. We explain how to do this in our guide on trying out a temporary tattoo before getting a permanent one.

Which style should you choose to start with?

Certain styles are better suited to a first-time experience: shorter sessions, a lower cost, and less risk of surprises.

Style	Why this is a good start	Good to know
Minimalist, fine-line	Quick, discreet, fits anywhere	Very fine lines require a specialist tattoo artist
Short description	Simple, easy to navigate	Check the spelling. Twice.
Delicate floral design	‘Intemporel’ is available in a small size	One of the most popular styles
Light dotwork	A delicate effect, created using dots	The session can sometimes take longer than you might think

Realism, blackwork, Japanese-style tattoos or large colour pieces take more time, require more sessions and cost more. There’s nothing to stop you dreaming about them, but they aren’t the easiest place to start. To give you an overview of the possibilities, our guide to tattoo styles presents twelve different styles.

As for the Chinese character whose translation you’ve never checked, it’s not a style. It’s a gamble.

Where should you get your first tattoo?

In a comfortable area that is easy to cover if necessary. The outer forearm, calf, shoulder, upper arm and thigh are the most tolerable locations: there is flesh and muscle over the bone, and the sensation is more bearable there.

The ribs, sternum, hands, feet, spine and the inside of the wrist are more sensitive. There’s nothing to stop you getting a tattoo there one day, once you know your own pain tolerance, but these aren’t the best places for a first tattoo. Our pain map explains why, area by area, and our guide to tattooing by body part helps you choose based on the look you want.

Also think about your day-to-day life. Having your first tattoo in an area that you can show or hide depending on the situation gives you time to get used to it and see how you feel about your new skin.

How much does a first tattoo cost?

The price depends on the size, level of detail, time taken and the tattoo artist’s experience. Most studios charge a minimum flat fee for small designs, regardless of the time actually taken, and then an hourly or per-piece rate for larger projects. A deposit is almost always required to secure the appointment slot. It is usually deducted from the final price, and is often forfeited in the event of a late cancellation.

Two tips to help you make the right choice:

Ask for a clear quote before your appointment, stating the final price and what it includes (design, sessions, any touch-ups);
Be wary of unusually low prices. A tattoo offered at a bargain price often hides a lack of training, sterile equipment or proper registration. Léo found this out the hard way, and having it touched up ended up costing him more than he thought he’d saved.

For price ranges and everything that affects the cost of a quote, see our guide to tattoo prices in France.

How should you prepare for the day of your appointment?

A few simple tips can make the session much more comfortable:

Eat a normal meal before you come. Feeling unwell on an empty stomach is a classic scenario, and there’s nothing heroic about it;
Make sure you get a good night’s sleep the night before and avoid alcohol, which the French National Health Service lists as something that slows down the healing process;
Please disclose any ongoing medical treatment: the tattoo artist must check for any possible contraindications;
Wear loose-fitting clothes that allow easy access to the area;
Please bring your reference images with you, even if you’ve already sent them. This is your last chance to adjust the size or placement before the stencil (the tracing of the design) is applied to your skin.

If you’re not happy with the stencil, just say so. The tattoo artist would rather reposition it three times than see you regret it for sixty years.

After the session: what to do

Follow your tattoo artist’s aftercare instructions to the letter: they must provide them to you in writing. Wash your hands before each aftercare session, shower using a mild soap, pat dry, avoid baths for the first month, and avoid swimming pools and sun exposure until the tattoo has fully healed. According to the French National Health Service, healing takes three to four weeks. Our week-by-week healing guide details each stage and the signs that indicate you should seek medical advice.

Find out more

We made every mistake listed in this guide before writing it. You don’t have to follow in our footsteps. To find a certified tattoo artist near you, view their portfolio and message them before booking, download Tat’s It, the 100 per cent free app: the links are just below.

An idea, a tattoo, Tat’s It.