The #1 Mistake Most People Make When Getting Their First Tattoo, According to a Celebrity Tattoo Artist

Getting your first tattoo is a truly exhilarating experience, but it can also be daunting. Even if it’s a smaller tattoo, if you’ve never had it done before, you might be worried about the healing process and unsure about what’s “normal” and what isn’t. And then there's always the worry that you won’t like the tattoo in 5, 10, 20 years. But when it comes to the biggest mistake people make when they’re getting their first tattoo, celebrity tattoo artist, Eva Karabudak, has pretty good insight.

Karabudak is world-renowned for her micro-realism and cross-stitch style tattoo pieces, even tattooing celebrities like Sam Smith, SZA, Joe Jonas and Chloë Grace Moretz. She cares more about people trusting her work and wants to be known “as a highly experienced and dedicated artist” above anything else.

With her experience as a tattoo artist, she's shared with Parade the biggest mistake people make when they get their first tattoo. She also tells us what to look for in artists and studios and has some great tips for first-time tattoo clients as well.

Related: The Surprising Way Tattoos Impact Your Immune System, According to Scientists

What to look for in a tattoo studio and tattoo artist

Karabudak has been a tattoo artist for years and founded Atelier Eva, a Brooklyn tattoo studio with two locations and 20+ artists between them. The studio boasts a more modern tattoo experience with a wide, open space and tranquil environment that’s meant to help customers feel comfortable while getting their tattoos.

With that said, Karabudak tells Parade that people should look for a tattoo studio that’s approachable and calm.

“I look for a welcoming and considerate space, one with natural light, thoughtful accommodations, and quiet, serene, spa-like qualities,” she shares.

But, of course, you want a tattoo artist that can execute your ideal tattoo, first and foremost. Regardless of the number of followers an artist might have or where they work, Karabudak says that she recommends looking for an artist “whose quality of work speaks for itself.” The way they present themselves is a big key to whether they’re a good fit for you or not, especially in the age of Instagram.

“With social media allowing for a more personal preview into an artist's brand and life, it's important to consider how they view their craft,” she says. “It is a personal and intimate service, after all, and you want to feel welcome and heard.”

Related: Worried You're Dealing With An Infected Tattoo? Here Are the Signs to Watch For and What to Do

What is the biggest mistake people make when getting their first tattoo?

Okay, so we’re looking for a welcoming, calm tattoo studio you feel comfortable in and a tattoo artist who has artwork you know you love and want. Now that you have all of that down, you can’t make a mistake, right? Wrong—first tattoo or not.

You don’t want a tattoo artist who you can’t be open with, in case you want to change a design or have input on the tattoo going on your body. That can actually lead to the biggest mistake people make when getting their first tattoo.

“It's very important to do your research on the quality of art and accommodation,” Karabudak tells Parade. “While price can be a limiting factor, it's important to remember that a tattoo is a permanent fixture on your body. It is incredibly difficult to correct or cover up poor work, and laser removal is time-consuming and painful.”

It might be easy to forget just how permanent a tattoo is, which will leave you with a tattoo that isn’t exactly what you wanted (and for life). Again, that’s why you really want to be comfortable with your tattoo artist so that you can talk about any fears or anxieties you might have about a design so that you’re 100 percent sure you want that tattoo going on your body, forever.

Related: Medusa Tattoos Have Been Everywhere Lately; Here's The Empowering Message Behind the Trend

Tips for first-time tattoo clients

Getting your first tattoo shouldn’t be doom and gloom, though. There are a lot of things to figure out before you get that tattoo, but it should also be a fun, joyful experience with an artist putting a gorgeous piece of work on your body. Karabudak has some tips to help the tattoo process go smoothly.

Before-care is just as important as aftercare

Just like getting your ear pierced, aftercare on a tattoo is so important. You have to make sure you’re cleaning it and taking care of it correctly to make sure that it heals correctly and also doesn’t damage the artwork, colors or line work. But people don’t always talk about the care and cleanliness you have to take before getting a tattoo.

“Follow proper hygiene and health practices before your session,” the tattoo artist says. “Be sure to comfortably communicate all concerns or questions to your artist or studio before beginning your session. Be sure to listen to your artist regarding aftercare.”

Ask your tattoo artist questions!

For those of us who are a bit more shy or introverted than others, especially around new people, it might be uncomfortable to ask questions. But when you’re getting a permanent fixture on your body, you want to make sure you get all questions answered before that needle hits your skin.

“It's important to ask them any and all questions that you may have!” Karabudak tells Parade. “Almost all artists are capable of altering a design to accommodate your preferences better. I recommend asking about specific placements for the tattoo designs to go and the concerns that may come with skin changing over age.”

With these tips from such an experienced tattoo artist like Karabudak, and knowing what the biggest mistake for first-time tattoo clients is, you can go out and get your first tattoo with (hopefully) a little less stress.

Next up, check out these 60 moon tattoos and their meanings for some tattoo inspiration.