I always urge you to think carefully about your purchases: I want to be sure that you can wear them often, be proud of them or at least not regret them.
My opinion is the same for a tattoo: take as little risk as possible so as not to regret it.
It must therefore remain invisible in any professional situation (unless you plan to become a tattooed model, but the competition is already very fierce).
What does it mean ?
Nothing should be seen in summer, with a work shirt with the first button open and the sleeves rolled up. (with two buttons open it’s ok, since you’ll be in a casual setting, but it’s on the plexus and it hurts ULTRA).
It therefore leaves you a good part of the torso, back, and arms (up to the elbow): it really leaves plenty to do.
We will especially avoid the face and the hands which are generally seen as signs of rebellion in relation to society.
Otherwise, I don’t really see the interest of the legs, and even less of the ankles, (which are generally more feminine tattooed areas)
Finally, favor places that will not move, whether in case of weight gain or loss, so as not to deform your tattoo.
AND THE PAIN?
It obviously depends on the location: the less skin there is, the more it hurts. And the more tendons and nerves there are, the more it hurts.
Ouch:
- The plexus (my first tattoo)
- The collarbone
- The ribs
- The forearms and hands (but that, as we have seen, is excluded)
- If you’re wondering where to go for your first men’s tattoo , I’d start with these first:
Bearable:
- Arms
- Shoulders
- Back
- Chest
Pain and sensitivity to pain is a genetic matter , unique to each individual. Some will just find the sensation unpleasant and cringe and others will find it unbearable. (there is no misplaced pride or particular complex to have in relation to that)
Also distinguish outlines and filling : when I first tattooed the plexus, drawing the outlines was unpleasant but completely bearable, while the filling, with several needles, was long and excruciating (imagine a kindergarten kid scribbling on your plexus with needles and make several passes over your bloody skin).
The two tattoos I have done (machine and bamboo) have always left my skin bleeding. Theoretically, this shouldn’t happen with a very good tattoo artist who will stick the needle only in the first two layers of your skin, and never beyond, which stays away from the blood vessels.
My worst pains by far have been during the bamboo tattoo, since the depth with each stroke with this type of instrument is ultra rough.
There’s really no way to alleviate the pain (really effective creams don’t exist). You just have to arrive in better shape and with a full stomach.
WITH WHAT TOOL?
I would have done a whole part on it but in the end all the tattoo artists in France offer the machine (and I’ll talk to you more about bamboo on Monday).
The machine
- The classic method used for 99% of tattoos (a figure barely balanced at random): it allows you to go fairly quickly and make you shadows and colors.
- Depending on the location, it’s usually not too painful.
- On the other hand, if you venture to make a drawing ultra filled and loaded with shadow and color in a sensitive area, expect to drool (a shadow filling on the plexus took 2 hours).
- Here is a nice preview (it already looks a bit gory seen like that, but tell yourself that this is the soft method):
Bamboo
This was a traditional method in Southeast Asia (and probably elsewhere in the world) to get a sacred man tattoo of protection.
Everything is human unlike the machine.
Let me explain: with the machine, the needle will sink many times into your skin, at a more or less regular (and lesser) depth. It’s quite mechanical and you get used to it quickly. (the real pain comes with the famous coloring which usually involves three needles at the same time)
With the bamboo each pressure on your skin represents a point, and the goal is to represent a design that does not look dotted but in solid lines.
But each point is therefore subject to the skill of your tattoo artist who must manually go to the right depth so as not to hurt you or bleed you white.
And let me tell you that, even for an outstanding tattoo artist, the challenge remains complete and that it will be missed once in 20 (which is roughly every 20 seconds).
Obviously, no shade or colors here.
In short, it hurts a lot, but the result is really different from a machine tattoo. The game is worth the candle but it is especially the tradition around which is really interesting.
AFTER: THE INTERVIEW
To maintain your tattoo with all the precautions it deserves, see it as a wound that you must help heal.
Bepanthene will be your best friend: you must constantly grease your tattoo to prevent it from drying out in the next few days. Also leave the skin exposed to facilitate healing.
The sun is absolutely to be avoided. Why ? Because the skin that peels a few days after a tattoo will also make the pattern go away ? And the tattoo ink tends to turn green on contact with the sun.
Also avoid perspiration: it’s not very serious to have a heat stroke in the subway at this time but it is better to avoid heavy physical exertion.
You can also cross out the swimming pool, the baths and the sauna.
II Types of tattoos for men
- We get to the heart of the matter: indeed, all tastes are in nature and a tattoo is supposed to reflect your passions.
- You are free to choose, but understand that the more a tattoo refers to a niche culture or an ephemeral culture, the more difficult it will be to explain and assume afterwards.
- On the other hand, all tattoos are not equal in terms of durability: getting a Jon Snow tattoo on your chest will be much more difficult to present to your grandchildren than a rock symbol, or even a Buddhist symbol.
- The longer a cultural (or religious) movement lasts, the more it is a wise investment in terms of tattoos (but this is no reason to get an ultra generic tattoo if this movement does not tell you about the everything).