If you are thinking about getting a tattoo, there is a good chance that you already know that there are a lot of things that you need to think about. A tattoo, no matter how large or how small, represents a great degree of investment from you; essentially, you are declaring that there is an image or phrase that you want with you for the rest of your life. Many people hold the view that if you feel that you can always get it removed via laser surgery later on, it's not the tattoo that you want!
There are many tips and tricks to figuring out if you have the right image to immortalize on your skin. Some people wait for a full year between conceiving of the tattoo and getting it done, while for other people, three months is enough. Think about the tattoo image and everything it reminds you of. Is this an association that you want to carry forward with you as you go through life? Make sure that your tattoo doesn't have associations that you will grow sick of or that will make you melancholy when you look at it.
When it comes to the tattoo design itself, you will soon realize that bigger is almost always better. The tattoo artist will most likely tell you this, but the truth is, they are not trying to get extra money out of you! The size of a tattoo directly influences how much detail you can put into it. The larger your tattoo is, the better the detail will be. You'll also find that if a tattoo is done too small, or has design elements that are very densely inked, that there is a good chance that the lines will bleed into each other, blurring the entire design.
Remember that while your tattoo might have deep personal meaning for you, that the symbol you choose might have meanings for other people, too. It is worth doing a check online and off to see what your chosen image might mean. Regardless of what you find, remember that it is your personal comfort that is of the utmost importance. If you can deal with the alternate meanings of your image and of the reactions from the people know it, then the tattoo will pose little difficulty for you.
After you have decided on the image, the next step is finding the right artist for your design. This is not a place where you can bargain shop or cut corners; the tattoo artist will be putting something into your skin on a permanent basis, so being comfortable with this person is paramount. If it is necessary that you drive five hours to get to the artist that you think can execute the design, the long drive is definitely worth it. Luckily, with so many tattoo parlors these days having online galleries, you can send a lot of information back and forth.
Make sure that the artist that you work with has performed work in a similar style before. Remember that just because a tattooist can do old school sailor girls and anchors that there is no reason that she should be good at bold, slashing tribal work. Every good tattoo artist will have a portfolio that you can look at during a consultation. A consultation is essentially where you go in and discuss the tattoo design with the artist in question, and it can take several consultations before you have a design that you like and that your chosen artist can do.
Visit the tattoo parlor before you walk in to get the ink. If a place looks like it's in bad repair or you feel that health precautions aren't being taken, turn right around and leave. It is important to be aware that the needles that are used will be piercing your skin and that it will make you vulnerable. Remember also, though, that a well-run tattoo parlor is hygienic to the extreme. If you feel strongly about it, ask the tattooist if he or she autoclaves their equipment and whether their needles are single use.
When the big day comes, your preparations will actually take place long before you make it to your chosen tattoo parlor. First, remember that you shouldn't fast before hand; getting a tattoo on an empty stomach is a good way to risk fainting. Then, remember alcohol prior to a tattoo is a very bad idea. Alcohol is a blood thinner, and you will find that because a tattoo makes you bleed, the alcohol will make you bleed more copiously. Keep your blood sugar high and remember to bring along sweets and a water bottle to keep you hydrated.
The question of will a tattoo hurt is one that many people new to tattoos wonder, and it is one that many tattoo artists field on a daily basis. The answer is that yes, it will hurt, though pain feels different to different people, and while some people will sit through a tattoo humming cheerfully and others will groan and hiss. Once it gets started though, it is much easier to bear. Remember that tattooing done over bone is much more painful that getting tattooed over flesh.
After the tattooing session is over, remember to tip your tattoo artist. This is a common courtesy that many people new to tattoos are simply unaware of. After you have had a chance to admire your tattoo in the mirror, the tattoo will be covered with gauze that has been taped into place for the trip home. For the next few days, you will notice the top layer of your skin that has been tattooed sloughing off. During this point, it is important not to scratch at the healing scab in order to preserve the color. Your tattoo artist will give you a run down of the type of care that they recommend, whether it involves Vitamin E lotion or emu oil. For the first few days, remember to avoid hitting the design with water directly; instead aim the water at a point above the tattoo and let it run down over the design.
There are many things to keep in mind when you are planning a tattoo, but by simply remembering a few main points, you'll be able to get through the process beautifully. Make sure that you feel confident about the design, what it means and your tattooist, and you'll find yourself in a great position to add some permanent art to your body.