Tips & Info
- What tattoo to get? People will always tell you to get a tattoo that means something to you, and I personally agree with that because I think it's a lot easier to become bored with an image that has no meaning. It obviously doesn't have to be a deep meaning; it could be your favorite song lyrics or something you've drawn yourself. When you have something in mind, print it, cut the design out and hold it onto the area where you want it to go to make sure you like the position. You could also draw the design onto yourself with washable pen to try and get used to having a mark on your skin. Give yourself time to consider the design and if you're not bored of the idea after at least a few months and you're absolutely sure, then go for it :)
It's definitely not a good idea to walk into a tattoo parlour when drunk or on a whim and choose a random flash image from the typical selection provided. Names are also tricky unless they are names of your kids - it's best not to choose boyfriend or girlfriend names. Also, if you are planning on getting something in another language, triple check that it means what you think it means!
- What about the pain? Tattoos are made by a needle repeatedly moving up and down against the skin, pushing ink down under the surface by about 1/16". The pain is likened to scratching sunburn or bee stings and although it may be completely bearable to start with you have to take into consideration that this can go on for hours depending on the size of the design. I wouldn't suggest getting a big tattoo first - check your pain barrier with a small one first.
The most painful places to have a tattoo are bony areas like the ribs, spine, collar bone or hip, as well as sensitive areas like the back of the knees or the inner elbow. Least painful should be the upper arm, bum, thigh and other fleshy areas. Different people have different experiences though.
- Getting the tattoo: The most important thing is finding the right artist. Recommendations from trusted friends and family are a good idea, and you should also visit as many as you can to check they are sanitary and friendly. Always check the artist's work very closely to make sure the quality is good. This is your time to become an art critic! You don't want to see bad art, or jagged rather than smooth lines. It's always a good idea to choose an artist who does tattoos in the style you want. For instance, some specialize in text, some in realistic images, some in fantasy or animals etc. Always eat a good meal and hydrate yourself before getting the tat. With regards to price, they usually cost at least $50, with the cost rising as the tattoo size gets bigger, or the artist gets more popular/renowned.
- Where to get the tattoo? Always think about the future when deciding on the position of your tat...and I don't just mean about what it will look like when you're older like most people will warn you about (although it's probably best not to put it anywhere that's going to sag too much!) The most important point to think about will be jobs. Tattoos on show are often disallowed in many jobs, and in job interviews they may prove a hindrance. You really don't want a tattoo to damage your career prospects, so even if right now you think you're going to be an artist forever so it doesn't matter where you have your tattoo, if you later decide to be a doctor/MP/model etc then it may be a problem.
If you are a woman who may want kids in the future, then it would be better to avoid tummy tats as they will stretch during pregnancy and distort the image.
Click here for a beginner's guide to getting a tattoo.
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