Tattoo Tips – Getting inked is an exciting experience, but it’s important to make sure you don’t rush into it without carefully considering all the factors that can affect your experience, such as the pain level, the healing time, and even the aesthetic quality of your new body art.
To help you get ready to get inked, here are 10 tips to put in mind before getting your tattoo.
1. Design Something Unique That You Love
It’s important to work with an artist who can help you create a meaningful and personal piece of art. Think carefully about what kind of tattoo you want and how it will fit into your life. Creating a custom tattoo design lets you get creative, too—and makes your tattoo something that’s uniquely yours. Your body is your canvas! When thinking about what to get inked on your skin, it’s best to choose something simple and small at first.
2. Consult A Tattoo Artist
An experienced tattoo artist can help guide you through your first tattoo and ensure that you end up with something meaningful and well-executed. While a lot of people decide to go it alone, don’t forget that a professional artist is trained to see things from all angles and can offer advice based on experience.
3. Think About Placement
The position and size of your tattoo have a big impact on how much it will cost to get, as well as its visibility. If you can, give yourself some time to mull over where you want it before going in for your appointment. A tattoo artist will be able to better visualize what you’re after and advise on placement accordingly.
4. Choose An Appropriate Design
A good tattoo artist can adapt any design to work on your body, but it’s up to you to make sure that what you get is appropriate for your skin tone and other attributes. For example, if you have sensitive skin or a preexisting medical condition that may be irritated by some colors or designs, it’s important to consider those factors before proceeding with a new tattoo.
5. Consider Allergies/Skin Sensitivities
Allergic reactions to tattoo ink aren’t common, but they are possible. If you think you’re particularly allergic to certain things, it might be best to avoid inking those areas of your body. Also, keep in mind that some people can develop an allergic reaction from wearing jewelry (whether real or fake). Talk with your doctor or a dermatologist if you have concerns about potential allergies and tattoos/body piercings.
6. Avoid Trendy Tattoos
No one wants a tattoo they can’t show off or that doesn’t look good anymore in just a few years. As tattoos become more popular, trendy pieces will inevitably come and go with each passing season—and if you want your tattoo to last for more than a year or two, it’s best to steer clear of any of these hot new designs.
7. Stay Safe During The Procedure
Tattoos are painful, but if you know what to expect, it won’t hurt quite as much. Make sure you research your tattoo artist. Ask for referrals and read online reviews of their work. If your artist isn’t sterilizing their equipment properly, you could get an infection or a disease.
8. A Good Artist Will Tell You What You Need To Hear, Not What You Want To Hear. Ask Questions!
Before you commit to a design, research your artist and his or her portfolio. Are they well-known in your area? Ask for samples of their work, look at photos of previous customers’ tattoos and discuss whether you’re comfortable with them. Never be afraid to ask questions! It’s better to hear things from your artist than find out they weren’t honest later down the road.
9. Taking Care Of It After
First things first, make sure you take good care of your tattoo. Although it may feel like a minor inconvenience compared to getting a new piece of body art, taking good care of your tattoo will ensure that it stays as vibrant and colorful as possible for as long as possible.
10. Don’t Go Overboard With Ideas, Don’t Regret It Later
Art is something that will be on your body for a very long time and it will represent who you are. It’s important to take your time when getting a tattoo so you can plan out something that suits you well. After all, if you rush into getting a tattoo, chances are it won’t turn out like how you wanted it to and in future years, you may regret getting one at all.
