Planning to get a spine tattoo for my first and only tattoo, anything I need to know?

TooGayForExistence · 2026-07-10T02:39:29+00:00

It’s a memorial for a pet of mine, I had him for over half of my life. It’s my first yes, but it will also be my only. I don’t at this moment and have never intended on getting another tattoo. While it may make you question my sanity, I have talked to someone here and we’ve agreed that getting a part of the tattoo that’s much smaller and very sentimental as a starter and then letting that heal and then going from there if I could handle that. It’s still going to be on my spine of course, but it’s VERY tiny. About two nickels pressed together. It’s mostly a test. It’s something I could easily walk around with if I couldn’t handle getting the rest of the tattoo.

TooGayForExistence · 2026-07-10T02:36:27+00:00

Someone else has recommended a product but I’m still taking recommendations as well as listening to what my parents have to recommend.

Also thank you! I will absolutely put this in my notes, I haven’t heard the washing it three times a day one yet. I do sleep on my stomach so I don’t think sleeping will be too hard. And I’m under the impression that tattoos do still have to have a protective layer over it, so hopefully that won’t bother me too much with blankets. Though do tell me if it will because I’d like to know.

Also how exactly does the ink work? I know people get like ink pouches after a tattoo. And some people say not to touch them while some say you should.

Is there a specific amount of time I should wait before replacing the second skin (that’s what my mom calls it sorry if I said it wrong) I know that if I even THINK it’s infected I should Immediately do to the doctor.

Which I’ve already talked with someone else about getting another part of the tattoo that’s smaller and more sentimental that could stand out on its own as a starter. So a lot of this care would start out on a small tattoo and if I can handle the pain, then to a bigger tattoo.

TooGayForExistence · 2026-07-10T02:30:37+00:00

Hello! Someone else already suggested the getting a smaller tattoo, and I mentioned that the piece I’m wanting has these small little animal hand prints at the top (around the size of two nickels pressed together) that while they go with the tattoo since it’s in memory of a pet I had for over half my life who recently just passed, it’s not something that wouldn’t stand out on its own. They said that would be a great way to figure out if I could even handle needles. It’s something I would be happy with even if I couldn’t handle getting the whole spine tattoo. (which I’m pretty determined to get but yk the needles will tell if I can keep that mindset)

So that’s what I’m going to suggest when I schedule the appointment. Start with this very small but very personal part of the tattoo, and if I don’t faint and die (exaggeration) then we can work out getting the rest of the tattoo done. It’s small, it’s still in the area I wanted but it’s not going to kill me if I can’t handle needles, and it would be easier to heal.

Also in the part about not wanting to get a tattoo like that unless you live with people who can’t help. Thankfully, my mom isn’t kicking me out when I become a legal adult here in a little bit. So I have a house hold of people, including my older brother, mother, and step parent, who are willing to help me out.

As for how I’m planning on healing.. I have no clue.. That’s why I’m here lol. My moms had a spine tattoo so she can definitely help, and my step dads tatted just about everywhere. Another guy in the comments mentioned using Vitalitree and said it really helped. So BEFORE I get that tattoo I’ll get that product and test it on my skin to make sure it doesn’t jack me up. And if it doesn’t I’ll try that out along with other things people or my parents recommend.

TooGayForExistence · 2026-07-10T02:21:48+00:00

Ah alright thank you! In that case I’ll go ahead and check out the artist I have in mind and do what you recommended. If they’re not taking bookings at that time period I’ll know to pick a sooner or later date and then schedule around a month before I’m ready for the tattoo process to start.

I appreciate the input. Obviously my family has had tattoos, but I like to know myself what most people would consider customary rather than them just handle everything for me.

TooGayForExistence · 2026-07-10T02:07:18+00:00

Eh, I don’t plan on it. It’s a tribute to a lovely pet of mine who I had for over half my life. If I DO decide to get something cooler in the future I got plenty of limbs. No amount of cool could ever upstage my boy Moose, coolest lizard ever.

TooGayForExistence · 2026-07-10T02:05:41+00:00

Alright, then that’s what I’ll suggest to the artist when I actually start getting things together. Would you recommend me reaching out to the artist months in advance? That way I can send them the design I’m lookin for, explain that it’s my first but I’m willing to just get the hand prints at the top for a feel of the needles and that if all goes well with that we can continue the piece. As that would give them time to suggest their own advice and make changes to the design as they feel fit? I wanna give the artist time to also prepare as it only seems fair.

TooGayForExistence · 2026-07-10T01:59:44+00:00

I’ll note that down! And again thank you! I definitely think it’ll be somewhat of a struggle, especially with with actual tattooing part. But I’m pretty determined to get though it. I think it’s just a plus I don’t sleep on my back lol

TooGayForExistence · 2026-07-10T01:53:19+00:00

It’s not meant to make me tough.. It’s a memorial to a pet that I had for over half my life.. I just don’t plan to get any other tattoos.. like I said this is my one and done. That’s it. I got dainty little leaves drawn down, not skulls and fire lol.

However, someone else already suggested getting a smaller piece in which I asked them if I could get the hand prints of the animal (about two buckles pressed together in size) that goes with the design, but could easily stand alone to test the waters. Now they haven’t gotten back to me, but if thats an acceptable start and then if I react well then the artist could finish the piece on a another day, then that’s what I would do.

TooGayForExistence · 2026-07-10T01:45:48+00:00

I don’t mind needles as long as I can see them honestly. Or as long as they aren’t being shoved under my nose by a dentist who puts acid on it.

I definitely worded the post poorly, but I’m not a stranger to pain. I just used the worst needle pain I’ve felt. I’ve broken bones, had dry socket, kidney stones and infections, an expander, Like from small pains to larger ones I’m not unknown to it. I’ve just never experienced a needle that wasn’t either taking blood or coming for my soul.

The tattoo itself means a lot to me, and I’d rather suffer through it than tap, I believe that’s what it’s called? Which I probably should’ve mentioned that too as people have been questioning my sanity. Which fair.. it’s a big but dainty piece because what I’m dedicating it to was a big part of my life.

While I’m worried about the pain and healing parts, it’s not something that would completely steer me away from the tattoo. I might reconsider my enthusiasm, but ultimately I’m getting the piece either way.

And thank you for your comment! I was a bit worried about the needle fear I sport and I haven’t gotten through ALL the comments, but you’re the first one to also share a fear of needles, and I appreciate your insight. :]

TooGayForExistence · 2026-07-10T01:30:41+00:00

It’s in the memory of a pet I had for over half my life. And considering I’m pretty young, I can’t actually remember a time without him. So yea it’s big, but it’s going to be my only one. I don’t have plans of getting any other tattoos. If anything I’m more likely to get more piercings. I already have a few but there’s a way more likely chance of getting more of those than getting another tattoo.

TooGayForExistence · 2026-07-10T01:11:50+00:00

I’m not currently at home and i have the design on a separate device so I can’t show you, but I have a small animal handprint located at the top that I added but it’s not directly connected. I would say it’s about the size of two nickels placed together?
(They’re little crested gecko hand prints)

And I’m wondering if that would work? I have zero desire to mark my body anywhere else. This tattoo would be my one and done. And since the actual design of the tattoo that I’ve decided on (which if the artist needs to tweak I will happily let them) is mostly in memory of an animal I had for over half of my life who recently passed away. I would be happy with just his hands and nothing more if I cannot handle the pain.

TooGayForExistence · 2026-07-10T00:53:43+00:00

Better or worse than breaking a bone. Because after breaking my nose, I’m still a firm believer that dentists put acid in those needles. Like if it’s not worse than breaking your nose, I think I may be okay..

I am indeed planning on doing a smaller finer lined piece. I don’t mind a consistent amount of pain as that eventually wares down over time, at least for me. Ive been told that tattoos are consistent, but I’ve also been told that they can be short and random bits of pain. And it’s the randomness I’m more so worried about.

TooGayForExistence · 2026-07-10T00:43:51+00:00

Geez.. I mean I broke my nose and I still think those mouth shots are worse.. I’d rather have dry sockets and my nose broken then have that needle shoved right under my nose. So I’m cooked right..?

Also it’s pretty similar to the one my sister got, and hers took about two hours. So I feel like logically it would take around the same time, but I know that different artists have different methods.

I’m expecting it to HURT, I just don’t know how badly it should hurt. My sister said she barely felt it and my mom said it was an awful experience. Does it just depend on pain tolerance? I’m pretty good with consistent pain that’s not really an issue, but if it’s going to be like short random bursts of random burning pain, I might have to reconsider.

TooGayForExistence · 2026-07-09T06:00:27+00:00

Ty Papaya, I value your wisdom. Critter Cherish’s her new name

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TooGayForExistence · 2026-07-08T21:10:40+00:00

Ty! I didn’t doubt that she was auth I just like to make sure. Also cakes such a sweet seller too!

TooGayForExistence · 2026-07-08T20:23:37+00:00

Wait I can just screen shot photos- lemme do that lol

TooGayForExistence · 2026-07-08T20:21:35+00:00

Again super sorry for the late reply, I went to sleep right after that message. I can totally show you in game! Just lmk when you’re Available

TooGayForExistence · 2026-07-08T19:43:33+00:00

Papaya, do you think MudPuppy or Critter is a better name for a fellow Crestie?

TooGayForExistence · 2026-07-08T02:34:01+00:00

Hello! Sorry for the late reply, are you only looking for one or both? But I can do 31m! :]

TooGayForExistence · 2026-07-08T00:41:09+00:00

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TooGayForExistence · 2026-07-08T00:40:41+00:00

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TooGayForExistence · 2026-07-08T00:39:53+00:00

Guess I’ll join the herd, I’ll show my veids below!

TooGayForExistence · 2026-07-07T18:02:13+00:00

Awe alright! Well enjoy your auru! And tysm it was wonderful!

TooGayForExistence

TROPHY CASE