What to know

 

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!

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.

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. 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 Aquaphor. 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. Are you ready to get a tattoo? If your answer is yes, be careful you don't make the one big mistake many people make, and regret later!