5 Tips to Getting a Tattoo on your Hawaiʻi Vacation
Posted by Maris on 8th Oct 2024
Whether tiny or huge, getting a tattoo can be a unique and enjoyable way to remember your trip to Hawaii. It remains with you forever, and looking at it will always bring back memories of the time you spent in Hawaii, enjoying the golden sands of a secluded beach far from the troubles of your everyday existence back home. But, if you don't know what you're getting into, getting a tattoo might go wrong. Follow these five suggestions to ensure that your tattoo—and vacation—turn out just fine. There are many problems to watch out for while getting a tattoo during your Hawaiian trip, from infections to subpar craftsmanship.
Don’t Get Tattooed Drunk
While it's commonly believed that being inked after a wild and exciting night is usual, it's not a smart idea. Tattoo artists find it extremely difficult to work with inebriated clients because alcohol thins the blood, and the tattoo usually turns out horribly. A lot of tattoo parlors will turn away customers who are drunk at the door and refuse to tattoo them. As you'll be losing blood throughout the procedure and don't want to take the chance of passing out, you should aim to hydrate well and have a healthy meal before having your tattoo.
Don’t Get Your Tattoo Too Early
Getting inked too soon into your trip is the one thing you don't want to do—this is especially true for Hawaii. You should consider tattoos to be open wounds in your flesh, penetrated hundreds of times by the needle, and susceptible to infection for a week or two following the procedure. Therefore, people who have recently lost hair should avoid swimming pools and the ocean—two places you most likely want to visit while on vacation.
Active outdoor activities like hiking may need to be avoided because tattoos are painful, and the region's inked area may hurt for several days following the procedure.
Go to a Clean Shop
Not all tattoo shops are created equal, and some are not as hygienic as others. Although the cheaper prices can entice you, the increased danger of illness at these places makes the risk worth it. When choosing a place to get inked, steer clear of establishments where tattoo artists don't wear gloves and don't clean their workstations. Waikīkī, OŻahu, has a lot of respectable businesses to pick from, like Sacred Art Tattoo Waikīkī and Skin Deep Tattoo and Piercing.
Choose Iconic Hawaiʻi Imagery—Or Don’t!
Getting a tattoo of a hula dancer, plumeria, or honu—a Hawaiian green sea turtle—is a popular and excellent way to commemorate your trip to the islands. However, don't be scared to collaborate with your tattoo artist to make your ideal tattoo a reality if you want something unique. Anything may become an iconic and memorable tattoo of your time in the islands, from the outline of Leʻahi (Diamond Head) to that mai tai you truly loved drinking away.
Schedule Your Tattoo Ahead of Time
If you have any minor or significant tasks to complete while on vacation, schedule them ahead of time and consider them part of your plan. Walking in for a tattoo can be difficult because many shops and artists in the Islands don't have free schedules; this is especially true if you have a particular store and artist in mind. Thus, schedule your appointment as soon as possible. By doing this, you may also ensure that your tattoo appointment is scheduled closer to the conclusion of your trip—for guidance, go to the second item on this list—rather than depending only on your tattoo artist's schedule.