Your first tattoo at Lighthouse

Have you spent a while thinking about your first tattoo?

Maybe you’re still undecided or just haven’t been able to take the leap. Well, you’re not alone. So, whether you’re looking to get a tattoo in Brighton, London, or Timbuktu, this blog is for you.

Choosing your first design

Your first tattoo will always be your first tattoo, so you should think carefully before booking it in. Remember, it will be on your body forever.

The first step is to choose a design and speak to the artist. Images are always useful for inspiration, but please don’t steal another artist’s work. And remember, current fashion trends are fleeting, so try not to choose something simply because it is currently “in”. You might regret that fidget spinner tattoo a couple of years.

If you are considering a partner’s name, we would always advise giving this due consideration first. Maybe there is another way you can express your love. A heart or flower design could do the trick for now? A name can always be added later. Perhaps after the honeymoon period.

Of course, our artists will always be on hand to advise on size, placement, and design, so please be flexible and consider their opinion. They are the experts after all.

Placement


This is always important to consider because items of clothing and jewellery can cut off a design. Moving muscles can also make a poorly placed tattoo look misshapen or hard to understand. A good tattoo artist – such as one of the Lighthouse team – will be more than qualified to advise on tattoo placement.

It should also be noted that - even these days - some employers are a bit funny when it comes to tattoo. As such, think carefully about the placement of your tattoo. You wouldn’t want it to affect your job prospects.

Choosing a Studio and Artist


Tattoo artists have different styles and levels of ability. So, it’s a great idea to do your research and find someone who is right for you. Instagram is a great tool for this. Most artists have their own pages which show off their work, so it’s worthwhile following a few tattooists in your area and seeing what kind of styles you like.

Of course, when it comes to tattoo artists in Brighton, we will always back ourselves here at Lighthouse Tattoo & Piercing. You can find our artists’ social links below:

@harriethopetattoos
@brightontattooist
@kid__argos

Our studio link can be found here: @lighthousetattoopiercing

Come Say “Hi!”


Do feel free to pop into our studio. Our studio’s hygiene is top notch, we’re a friendly bunch, and our expert artists will be more than happy to have a no-commitment chat about any ideas you might have.

Oh, and did we mention that we’re completely vegan? That’s right! None of our products use animal products and we do our utmost to ensure the shop is as sustainable as possible. So you can be sure that your tattoo with have a minimal footprint. Unless your tattoo is a big footprint of course!

Price

‘Good tattoos are not cheap and cheap tattoos are not good.’

This one is an oldie but a goodie. When it comes to tattoos, you get what you pay for. If somebody is offering to charge you £20 for your tattoo, not only will it likely be less than expertly done, but the materials are probably going to be of a low quality too.

Of course, you always want to make sure the price of your tattoo is right, but please don’t haggle. Most artists – including our own – are self-employed, so their rates will be non-negotiable.

The minimum price at Lighthouse is £80, but this covers design, tattoo, and aftercare (not to mention rent, rates, equipment, electricity etc). This is the going rate in Brighton and London and we’re sure that you will be more than happy with this after you have your lovely new tattoo from Lighthouse in Brighton.

Please know that we only accept cash for tattoo services.

The Day of Your Appointment

When it comes to your first tattoo, there are a few things that you should know. So, let’s get right into it:

• It’s very important to be well rested when getting a tattoo, so be sure to get a good night’s sleep.
• Avoid alcohol. Not only does it thin the blood – which can cause bleeding – but it also dilutes tattoo ink, making it harder for your tattoo artist to see what they’re doing.
• Eat a calorific meal before your appointment and keep hydrated before and during.
• You may have to lay in slightly awkward positions, depending on where your tattoo is, so wear comfortable clothes.
• Bring entertainment. Tattoos can take a while, so to avoid boredom we would suggest a book or your phone – as opposed to an entourage of mates.

For more information on how to prepare for your first tattoo appointment, please read our blog post here.

STILL HAVE QUESTIONS?

If you have any questions about anything tattoo-related – please get in touch. You can give us a call on 01273 739 019 during normal working hours.

One of our friendly Lighthouse team will be happy to help. Or if you’re looking for a piercing shop in Brighton, please pop into our studio on Queen’s Road.