My First Time....

As the title goes, today was my first time...getting inked :). Certainly was not a spur of the moment thing. I was always interested in tattoos through my teenage years, went to one or two tattoo conventions where I witnessed people being tattooed, including some relatives.

I had said to myself that I would get my first tattoo once I turned 18, nearly 8 years later, I've only now took the plunge. Reason being, I wanted to pick something I knew I wouldn't regret, something that had meaning attached to it. Having gone through a number of ideas, one always stood out...a paw print. It seemed to make sence, I have been around dogs all my life, studied and worked in animal related environments. The original idea was to get an exact copy of my own dogs paw print, but unfortunetly she was put down last year and I never got the chance. Instead I found a print online from the same breed and tweaked it to my liking. 

Of course, in all that time, I've had to factor in my psoriasis. Over the years I have researched online and conversed with those who have had psoriasis and gotten tattoos and those who had tattoos prior to developing psoriasis. It is different for everyone, something to take into account, only way I would know what will happen was to just do it...you only live once after all (a line I seem to use to make many decisions!)

I've researched everything possible; designs, aftercare, artists, studios, anything I had to take into account when going ahead with it. I choose the local studio, many friends had gone there, the place has a great reputation and the artists work was perfect. After months of walking past, I picked up the courage to walk inside last Thursday and got booked in for today.

After a weekend of thinking about it and getting extremely nervous, building myself up for a world of pain, 5pm came and before I knew it I was in the chair and my foot was getting inked. The pain, really wasn't as bad as I was expecting and it was all over about 30 minutes later. The artist was great, kept asking if I was alright. Some areas of my foot were fairly sore but it didn't last long.

My foot was wrapped up and I was on my way after having the aftercare (and a sheet with details) explained to me. I couldn't be happier with the tattoo, and plan to take good care of it during the healing period. Right now, its been cleaned and unwrapped before I have to cover it again for bed, to prevent bedsheets/clothes sticking to it.

Will try and get a decent picture of it up once it is all healed up. I guess now I play the waiting game as to whether the psoriasis will affect the area. As said previously, my skin is surprisingly clear, with a few small spots here and there. Hoping that it does stay that way!

Its been a loooong one, so until next time....

Sarah