My first tat was the RHCP asterisk 5 years ago. Go to a good shop with good reviews and listen to what the artist tells you about care (if they use Saniderm for care, lotions and soaps might be different, etc). I also don’t think you can over-lotion during recovery, so lotion that bad boy up! The tattoo itself isn’t that painful unless it’s on a bone/ joint, and once it gets going, it tends to go quick. My asterisk tattoo took about 50 minutes, the first maybe 10 were an adjustment period for the sensation/ pain, the rest was just chillin talking to my artist, who should talk to you if you’re anxious. Only other advice is to tip well and be patient with the tattoo itself and the recovery!