So, you’ve decided you really, really want a tattoo. It’s not a decision to make lightly or casually. The tattoo art you have inked onto your body will be with you for the rest of your life, for good or ill. The first step is to talk to people whose tattoos you admire for quality workmanship and rich colors. Feel free to approach people who display exceptional tattoos. Most tattoo recipients are more than happy to tell you where they received their tattoo and the artist’s name.

It is far better to take your time and do your research. Ask the tattoo artist to show you their tattoo collection or search for your favorite tattoo online. Most tattoo artists are more than happy to do rough sketches of different ideas until both of you are satisfied. The next stage is a detailed transfer of the tattoo design using a tattoo stencil, also known as line drawing, of the selected tattoo design. Some tattoo artists will draw these for free, while others will charge you a reasonable fee. Once the transfer is completed, it is applied to your skin to use as a black-line master. Take a few minutes and use mirrors to ensure that this is exactly what you want..

The next step simply requires you to sit still and breathe while the tattoo artist goes to work. Some people find tattoos to be extremely painful, others find them pleasurable. The effect of the needles causes your body to release endorphins, natural pain killers, which some people find ineffective and others discover to be very enjoyable. You won’t know how you will react until you are there. Again, don’t get your tattoo while drunk or high. The alcohol will interfere with the color absorption and with healing.

Larger tattoos will require several visits to the tattoo shop, while smaller tattoos can be completed in as little as 15-20 minutes. It simply depends on the size, detail and coloration of your tattoo. Depending on your career and religious activities, you may want to be sure that the location of your tattoo allows it to be covered with clothing when the situation requires discretion.

Tattoo Aftercare

Once you have received your tattoo, it is important to care for your tattoo properly, giving the ink time to settle and to maintain the intensity of the colors. Many tattoo artists claim that bathing and swimming should be avoided for up to 24 hours after receiving a tattoo, while other experts claim that applications of hot water should be repeated frequently, soon after the tattoo is completed. The bandage may be removed after a couple of hours and the area should be treated with A&D ointment, lanolin or other zinc oxide cream to help the healing process and to prevent infection. Most tattoo artists and recipients agree that the scab that forms on a new tattoo should be left alone and that sunlight should be avoided to maintain the color intensity of your tattoo.

Tattoo Removal

The cardinal rule of tattoos: No names other than family or children.

Too many times, individuals have more confidence in the longevity of a relationship than is warranted. Getting a boyfriend, girlfriend or spouse’s name tattooed on your body makes the break-up all the more frustrating. Removing tattoos is far more expensive and painful than getting the tattoo in the first place. Tattoo removal used to require dermabrasion (sanding the skin), salabrasion (scrubbing skin with salt), cryosurgery (freezing the skin) and excision (surgical removal of the skin). Obviously, none of these procedures is pleasant and most of them are only partially successful. Laser tattoo methods are most effective and far more expensive. Clearly, taking the time to really think about what you are getting tattooed on your body is far simpler than having something removed after the fact.