On Saturday, I finally decided (after 4 years of going back and forth on pros and cons) to get my first tattoo! I got it done at Chameleon, in Harvard Square, and overall it was a really great experience. (spoiler alert: it didn't hurt nearly as much as I expected it to.)

First things first: the pain. It's not really like anything I've ever felt, but I think the best way I can describe it is that it kind of feels like getting one of those vaccinations that leave a little bubble beneath your skin - the sharp little pain from the needle coupled with the burning sensation of the actual vaccination. So that, but like, a lot of times. And for longer. (I guess if you're super queasy about shots you might not want to get a tattoo? But it really wasn't a big deal, pain-wise.) Also, the after-care is super simple and so far, so good - it seems to be healing nicely and there's a tiny bit of scab on top of the tattoo but there isn't any itching or discomfort whatsoever. My long sleeves haven't been bothering it at all when they rub against it, so that's good too. (All in all I'm not very good to my hands/arms in general, so I'm actually pretty surprised that everything looks fine.)

tattoo! Sorry about the gunk around the tattoo - I think it's dried blood? In any case, it washed off