Getting A Tattoo

So, what do you need to think about before getting a tattoo? Well, mostly, do you really want a permanent mark on your skin? This won't 'heal over', like a piercing location would. By definition, a tattoo is permanent marking your body. As far as surgically tattoo removal, there can be scarring and perhaps a skin graft to remove the remnants of a tattoo.

For the past 10 years, tattoos have acquired a kind of fad status and it seems as if everyone under the age of 30 has one, or at least knows someone who has one. I can't stress how important it is to know as much as you can before you make the commitment to getting one. It bears repeating that tattoo removal methods can result in scars worse than your original bodyart.

Examine why you want to get a tattoo? Is it to be one the in-crowd? Think about what your tattoo will look like after you've had children, and have aged. A large tribal design on your arm won't look as hot, shot through with stretch marks if you should gain weight.

Where will you put your tattoo? Be prepared for future employers to use it as a reason not to hire you if it's a visible tattoo. Are you looking to be a doctor, lawyer, police officer or do you want to join the military? This may determine how visible you want your tattoo to be.

A tattoo should have special significance to the wearer.

Remember, trendy tattoos go out of style as quickly as fashions or any other pop culture item. (Remember barbed wire tattoos?) If your tattoo is in a visible spot, a trendy tattoo can date you better than your birth certificate.

Another thing to think about is your tattoo artist. While the "flash" art may look great on the wall, how will it translate to a tattoo on your skin, with your skin color, and is this artist really capable of executing the design that you want? Ask the tattoo artist if you can see their private portfolio. Just be prepared that these pictures are taken immediately after someone has been tattooed and you will also see irritated skin and a little blood.

As far as the tattoo studio is concerned, make sure they're clean, sterile and observe basic tattoo studio safety precautions. They should be using disposable needles and single serving ink cups. These are thrown out after every client. The area where you sit or lie, should also be cleaned before a new client gets a tattoo. Needles should be single use, everything else should be sterilized in an autoclave - this is the same sterilization device you'd see in a doctors office.

Does your state require that tattoo artists be licensed? If they do, the artist must display their license. If you feel uncomfortable in the studio or around the artist - stop and walk away.

I don't care what anyone else says to you, getting a tattoo is painful. Be prepared for this, and if it becomes unbearable enough that you have to move, ask the tattoo artist to stop.

After you get a tattoo, you must look after it. Aftercare instructions vary from artist to artist. The following information is generic and you should plan on following any instructions you get from your tattoo artist, to the letter.

Keep your bandage or wrapping on for at least an hour or so and then wash with an antibacterial soap. At this stage you never rub your tattoo, so dab it dry with a clean towel. Never go into a pool or the ocean with a healing tattoo. Keep it out of the sun, even after it's healed. Ice, ibruprophen and a wet towel should be enough to help you cope with swelling, irritation and itching. (Use the wet towel to slap at the tattoo when it itches.)

After the final scab has fallen off and your tattoo has healed, look over the design carefully to make sure there was no ink fall-out during healing and that your lines are sharp and crisp. This is the time where any "fix it" work should be discussed with your artist.