Things To Consider Before Getting Inked/A Tattoo

Tattoos can be a very public way to flaunt
your individuality or proclaim yourself as
part of a group. They can celebrate
sporting achievements , warn people of
your nature or history, remember fallen
comrades and grieve loved ones.
Tattoos may also be used to publicly declare your
undying love for someone or something to
the world, or spice up your love life in
private. So in a way we are not so far
removed from those early tribal humans
who decided to use their bodies as a
canvas.
Whatever your reason for wanting a
tattoo, please remember they are a
permanent addition. A few brief guidelines
may therefore be necessary.

Think Before You Ink

Memories may last a lifetime, and tattoos
will accompany you to your grave. Think
very very carefully before you commit to
the needle. What seems cool and trendy
when you're in your teens may look really
silly on a 60 year old. Avoid making
decisions if you are under the influence
of alcohol or narcotics (even prescribed
drugs may alter your perceptions).

Don’t be a Sheep...

There are thousands, if not millions of
tattoo designs both in tattoo studio books
and on the internet. These stock designs
tend to follow certain themes. In times
past it was embarrassing for socialites to
attend a party wearing exactly the same
outfit as their peers. Clothing is easily
changed: tattoos are not.

Be different in your design

Find a subject
that means something to you. Any good
tattoo artist will help and guide you into
designing something unique.

...And Avoid Trends

Tattoo trends for imitating the ink of the
rich and famous (refer to the Don't be a
Sheep section) are popular at present.
Just because something appears in
popular magazines or newspapers and
looks cool now doesn’t mean you won’t
be sick to death of it a few years later.

Beware the Babel Fish

Tattoos in a foreign language must be
thoroughly researched. Please don't use
translation websites - a small mistake in
the characters or script, especially in
Oriental or Eastern designs, and you
could be laughed at every time you pick
up your takeaway. Find someone you
trust implicitly who can not only translate,
but can write fluently in your chosen
language! Beware regional accents and
slang.

A Picture Speaks a Thousand Words

Whatever your chosen design, spare a
thought for how it will look to other
people. You may indeed NY and that
message has a clear meaning in the West.
However if you have more niche interests
be very aware they may be misinterpreted.

Size Matters!

Think carefully about the overall size of
your design. Small intricate details will
fade and merge with time as your skin
ages. This is important especially for
cursive scripts - the smaller the tattoo the
more definition it will lose over the years.
Also if you want a discreet tattoo, it is much easier to
conceal a small design than one that takes
up a lot of space. Having a large design
may also mean several trips to the studio.
This will have an impact upon your time,
your pain threshold and your bank
account. Tattoos are not cheap, especially
bespoke designs.

Location, Location, Location

Where upon your body should the tattoo
be placed? Again if you're after a private
tattoo that can only be seen when you're
on the beach or by intimate friends,
choose a spot that is covered by clothing
during your everyday life. If you want the
world to behold your body art choose an
uncovered place. There are some taboos
regarding visible tattoos. Some cultures,
for example, direcly link tattoos with
criminality - Japanese people have a deep-
rooted tradition where historically only
organised crime members show their ink
in public. If your profession excludes
visible tattoos you may be forced to
rethink its location.

Another thing to remember, especially if
you have a low pain threshold, is that the
thinner the flesh and the closer to bone
and nerve clusters, the more the initial
tattoo application will hurt. While it is not
a debilitating pain.
it's not the needle that causes this
sensation, it's the heat generated by the
process.
A further point to note: some scars, burn
marks and skin blemishes may not take
the ink. Consult with your studio if the
area to be tattooed has been damaged, as
this may affect the overall finished look of
your design.

What Are You Getting Yourself Into?

Some tattoos have significance for those
who live on the fringes of society, for
example prison tattoos, gang tattoos or
organised crime tattoos. Watching biker
movies and deciding to get an 'outlaw'
style tattoo may get you into trouble in
your local bar/pub. Having delicate tears
tattooed on your face signifies you are a
killer. A little research may keep you on
the right side of the tracks.

Be Prepared for Good and Bad Comments

Decorating your body permanently will
draw attention to you. People will stare
and sometimes comment. Whether it's an
enquiry as to where you obtained your
tattoo or a question about its significance,
be prepared. You will also (probably)
meet people who dislike people with tattoos.
Both these comments
show an appreciation of your choice of
design, the artistry of its application and
the meaning of your tattoo.
Other comments may include 'I’m sorry
sir, you will have to leave the restaurant'
and 'You not allowed in here. Very no
respect!'. These signify that your choice of
design may breach social and ethnic
standards of decency and you will be
asked to either cover your visible tattoos
or find another eating place/national
monument.
Certain workplaces and occupations may
also have objections to visible tattoos. For
example, a satanic or sexually themed
tattoo on one's forearm would be
frowned upon should you apply for
employment in mental hospitals, the
police or clergy.

The Fleeting Nature of Young Love
Everyone likes to think they have found
everlasting love, and in some cases this is
happily the truth. However, dating
someone for a few weeks and deciding to
have their name injected into your flesh
forever, however romantic, may see you
seeking medical advice if and when the
courtship dwindles and dies, or turns into
bitter enmity if lawyers are involved.

Tattoos may be altered (or filled) -
this is
when an unwanted name, for example,
will be inked over or altered to resemble
something different. Large blocks of
shading on a tattooed person usually
means they're literally covering something
up!
See also Tattoo Removal.
So You've Made Your Mind Up?
Before succumbing to the needle, please
research the qualifications and standards
of your chosen tattoo studio. Health and
hygiene are paramount, closely followed
by artistic ability! Seek recommendations
from those who have been 'inked' by the
studio. Most studios have albums full of
photographs of clients. If in doubt find
somewhere else.
A brief mention of self-applied tattoos: a
needle and a bottle of India Ink is very,
very ill-advised. Don't!
See also Tattoo Safety.

And finally, those who are happily living
with decorated flesh often report an
addiction to the process. Whether it's the
adrenalin and endorphins produced
during the pain of application or simply
the desire to take your ink to the next
level, be prepared both financially and
mentally for the next session under the
needle.