On Listening

In an effort to continuously work towards creating the best tattoo experience possible, I’ll be taking on common questions as a series of blog entries on LastLightTattoo.com

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Question:

“Is it okay to wear headphones while getting tattooed? What's this playlist we’re listening to? Can I talk to you while your tattooing?” 

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All my clients in the past few weeks have asked at least one of these three questions; popular questions indeed! Thematically, all three questions focus on listening.

As with anything in life, the answer is never black or white. My aim here in responding is to share insight and help clients make their own informed decisions. Remember, this is your tattoo experience; I’m happy to guide you through it, but ultimately it’s your journey.

While tattooing, I’m engaged with more than just my eyes. I’m also feeling what’s happening in my hands and listening with my ears. With my hands, I’m feeling the vibration of the skin in order to gauge the depth of the needle and  consistency of line and shade. I’m also listening to the sound of my tattoo machines, and based on the fluctuation in pitch I may adjust settings here or there to keep everything running smoothly.

There’s a lot of variables to juggle during a tattoo session and it’s a full body effort to do so.

I'm also making a consistent internal effort to bring my awareness back to my body over and over again. Are my feet flat on the floor? Am I sitting in a relaxed manner? Slouched? Am I breathing? What’s the quality of each breath?

Creative energy is akin to a garden hose: when it's pinched by any sort of tension or stress, the flow is restricted. Tattooing is an imperfect science, and in every moment I'm solving an evolving visual puzzle. Physical, mental and emotional relaxation is imperative and helps keep the creative energy flowing. 

Should you choose to bring headphones to your session, I assure you: I won’t be offended! More than half of my clients bring headphones, even if they don’t use them the entire time. They commonly report it helps them find their “happy place” by blocking outside noise. Choosing your own music also gives you a feeling of autonomy and control during the tattoo process, which can be empowering and a source of comfort. I always recommend bringing headphones to longer sessions, even if you don't end up using them.

Aside from the hum of tattoo machines, you’ll always hear music in the studio. Should you choose to forgo headphones, the music playing varies from day to day, but the tunes overall encourage relaxation without being dull or sluggish. Think easy going vibes with an upbeat groove. Call me old school, but I still very much enjoy curating my own playlists. Music helps me maintain focus as well as set the tone for a relaxing atmosphere.

There's quite a bit happening during a tattoo session and my attention is being pulled in many different directions. Honestly, it can be difficult to hold a long form discussion while working, but I'm more than happy to chat in small spurts. I love getting to know my clients, it's one of my favorite parts of my job, so I take advantage of the moments where  there's less of a demand on my attention and I can be more social (like when someone first arrives, the stenciling process, and during breaks). If I chat while tattooing, I choose spots where I’ve found a groove and can confidently focus on both what I’m doing and the conversation at hand.

It’s helpful for both parties to be mindful of what topics you bring up while getting tattooed. Uplifting subjects such as: art, music, creativity, or perhaps a favorite vacation you recently went on raise the vibration in the room and can help distract from the discomfort of getting tattooed.

On the contrary, topics that feel charged or intense (such as politics, a recent workplace dispute, or past trauma) are best avoided. The connection between our minds and bodies is strong, and recounting these stressful topics can trigger your body's fight or flight response. This can elevate your heart rate, restrict your breathing and releases adrenaline and cortisol into your system which elevates your physical senses and makes the tattoo even more painful and unpleasant.

In my own experience getting tattooed, I rely on a combination of all of the above. I always bring headphones for the more difficult parts of the experience, especially for longer sessions. If it feels right, I'll pick the artist’s brain here and there about art.

I also enjoy simply being in the moment and taking in the experience for what it is. Sure, getting tattooed can be physically unpleasant, but it's also pretty magical. You're taking part in a physical transformation happening in real time. Pretty cool! In a world where our attention is constantly being yanked in different directions, it can be really nice to just sit and share space with another person. And just Be.

Hopefully that gives you some greater insight into my process and helps you make a plan for your own best experience.

Remember to follow your own intuition and ask questions. I'm happy to be of service.