There is a common misconception that many people have when it comes to getting tattoos. A good number say that it is an unplanned action, you do not have to think about it, just walk into a tattoo shop and point to a design you see on the wall and voila, they get it done for you.

Contrary to this opinion, there is a lot to plan when it comes to getting a half sleeve tattoo. There is the process of tattoo shop research, choosing a theme, colors, design, etc. To avoid future regrets, all these and more need to be properly planned out.

In this article, we will explain the planning steps to get a half sleeve tattoo, the process of getting one, and what to do after.

Let’s get into it!

The Planning Process

While this might not seem very significant, it is. You would not want to go through the pain of getting the tattoo only to regret it later because you missed out on an important detail.

So, at the planning stage, you need to take out time to think about the theme, colors, and design for your tattoo. Then the next step will be to discuss it with your tattoo artist and ensure that they are on the same page with you.

Before Getting a Half Sleeve Tattoo

1. Look for A Professional Tattoo Artist: One mistake you should avoid is creating your design before looking for an artist. The reason is that the artist you eventually choose might not have that design in his portfolio or be able to draw it at all.

So, ask questions about tattoo artists in your area, then proceed to choose a design with the knowledge of your tattoo artist. If you do not know where to start from, you can check out inkedmachine.com to learn more about how to choose the right artist.

1. Choose A Style: There are several styles to choose from, you could a traditional style or Celtic and many more like that. This is why it is important to run tattoo research so you get to choose the style that works best for you. Meanwhile, bear in mind that some artists have their areas of specialization. One might be more into Celtic styles than Japanese styles.
2. Choose A Theme: The same rule applies here as well. In case you have no theme idea in mind do some research. You will find a couple of themes to pick from, then proceed to make a decision. It could be a music theme, religious theme, etc.
3. Pick a motif(s): What exactly should your design represent? Is it Joy? Heartbreak? Think about it.
4. Pick some symbols in line with your motif: At this point, you should have gotten a style and theme in mind. So, think about the symbols you would want to be associated with your tat. For example, if you want it to represent love, it could be a heart shape or any other love symbol.
5. Choose the colors: At this stage, your artist might recommend a few if you do not mind. However, if you have your colors already picked, that works just as well.
6. Let your artist know what you want: Now, that you have an idea of what you want to be inked on you. Let your artist in on that vision. Listen to what he/she has to say and together, you can create a couple of designs from which you get to choose.

The Process of Getting a Half Sleeve Tattoo

Getting tattooed is not a one-time thing. It could take your artist a month to be done, however, it all depends on how both of you work together.

1. The first session: Here, the artist measures your arm to get the section of a half sleeve.
2. The second session: Here, the artist shades and draws in details.
3. The third session: Here, the artist adds colors and finishes up the work.

Note: While it might seem like the sessions can be done in a day, they often take more than a day. Sometimes, they are done every two weeks or three. It depends on the schedule you create up until it heals. You can also learn how long it takes a tattoo to heal before you get one.

After Getting a Half Sleeve Tattoo

Many artists recommend aftercare to the tattooed area so it does not get infected. The following are some aftercare instructions you might want to consider:

1. The tattooed area will be bandaged once it is done. Do not take it out until after a few hours.
2. Use a clean towel to wash the area using antibacterial soap and gently dry afterward.
3. Leave it open for about ten minutes, then rub a small amount of lotion on it.
4. Continuously to carry out the above instructions until the skin peels off. Also, do not be worried if you notice traces of ink begin to fall, it’s normal.

Is It Normal To Bleed After Getting A Half Sleeve Tattoo?

It is normal to bleed after getting a half sleeve tattoo. Although, the bleeding stops after the first two nights of getting it.

Swelling and redness are also normal in the first week. However, if you begin to notice extreme swelling or pus coming out of the area, contact the shop or a doctor on what to do.

What to Avoid After Getting a Half Sleeve Tattoo

1. Avoid peeling off the skin yourself. Leave it to come off naturally.
2. Avoid rubbing large amounts of lotion on the tattooed area.
3. Avoid swimming.
4. Avoid wearing fitted shirts.
5. Avoid direct exposure to sunlight.

If you’ll like to know what to expect in terms of pain, click here to find out.

Conclusion

Many people want to get tattooed but avoid it for a lot of reasons. For some, it is because they do not want to risk getting infected. For others, it is the thought of how painful getting one is.

For the former, that is exactly the reason we advise you to carry out your research. Ask questions about shops and the equipment they use. For the latter, it largely depends on your pain tolerance. If you have low pain tolerance, some artists might recommend a numbing agent.

Again, it all boils down to how much information you have. And we hope that having read this article, you are better informed now. If you’re also interested in the beginnings of tattooing, you can visit tattooing101.com for more information.