So, I finally did it. Got that Mikey tattoo I’d been thinking about for a bit. It wasn’t some snap decision, took me a while to actually get it sorted.
Getting the Idea Rolling
It started pretty simple. I was watching Tokyo Revengers, like a lot of people I guess, and Mikey’s character just stuck with me. Not gonna lie, thought he looked pretty cool. The idea of getting something related popped into my head. Wasn’t sure exactly what at first. Maybe his dragon tattoo? Or just something simpler?
Spent a fair bit of time just scrolling, looking at different fan art, manga panels, you know how it is. Saved a few pics that had the kind of vibe I was going for. I didn’t want anything massive, just something recognizable, kinda subtle if possible.
Finding the Right Person
Okay, so finding an artist. This part always feels like a bit of a gamble. I asked a couple of friends who have ink, got some names. Then I did the usual thing, looked up local tattoo places online. Just looking at their past work, seeing if their style matched what I had in mind. Some artists are great at realism, others more cartoonish, some do amazing line work. I needed someone who could handle clean lines, maybe a bit of that manga style.
Found this one artist whose stuff looked really sharp. Clean lines, good shading, seemed versatile. Decided they were worth talking to.
Talking Design and Making it Happen
I booked a consultation. Just went in, showed them the ideas I had saved, and talked about what I wanted. We chatted about size, placement – ended up deciding on the forearm, felt right. The artist sketched something up, mixing a couple of the elements I liked. We tweaked it a bit here and there until it looked spot on. Felt good about it, so I put down the deposit and booked the actual appointment.
Tattoo Day
The day came. Honestly, always a mix of excitement and nerves before the needle starts. Got to the shop, they prepped the area, put the stencil on. Checked it in the mirror like fifty times to make sure it was straight and exactly where I wanted it. Yep, looked good.
Then it was time. Settled into the chair. The buzz of the machine started. Deep breath. The first lines went on. Honestly? Wasn’t too bad on the forearm. Some spots sting a bit more, sure, but mostly it was manageable. Just kinda zoned out for a bit, listened to music, chatted with the artist now and then. They were pretty focused, which is what you want, right?
It took a couple of hours, maybe a bit more with breaks. Watching it come together bit by bit is always cool.
The Aftermath and Healing
Once it was done, they cleaned it up, took a quick picture, and wrapped it. Got the usual instructions:
- Keep it wrapped for a few hours or overnight.
- Wash gently with unscented soap and water a couple of times a day.
- Pat it dry, don’t rub.
- Apply a thin layer of aftercare lotion.
The first few days are always the slightly annoying part. Keeping it clean, making sure clothes don’t rub against it too much. Then it starts to peel and itch like crazy. Resist the urge to scratch! Seriously, just keep moisturizing lightly.
All Healed Up
Took a couple of weeks to fully heal, maybe a bit longer for the skin to totally settle. But yeah, it healed up nicely. The lines are crisp, the shading’s solid. Looks just like the design we agreed on. Pretty happy with how it turned out. It’s a cool reminder of a character I liked, and the whole process went smooth. Worth it.
