Thoughts about tattoos

[SilentHamster102]

For me it should be a solid thing. But again, I'm talking only for myself.

[Penni]

I knew when I was about 8 or 9 that I would have tattoos. I saw a documentary on the history of tattoos and that's all it took. I drank the kool aid.

As some have said before, the experience is different for everyone depending on where you get the tattoo done, your tolerance for pain, and how the artist operates (some can be heavy handed and that can make it hurt more). It's not going to be comfortable, and at times it can hurt. I have a tattoo that takes up my side and a portion of my back. Having my ribs tattooed was ROUGH, I'm not gonna lie, there were a few tears and I needed a candy bar after that. However, it was a full colored piece that is massive so it was going to hurt.

If you want the tattoo, you'll sit through the temporary pain.

My advice would be to start small, it will take a lot less time and give you an idea of how the process works. The upper arms and shoulders is a pretty common area that people have done since it tends to not be as painful.

Things to remember when getting a tattoo:

• Do your research on tattoo artists. I always make sure I really look at their work to ensure it's the quality and style I'm looking for. I also talk to the artist in depth. This person is going to put something permanently on my body so I want to be comfortable with them.

• Don't jerk around and move without saying something. It could potentially ruin your tattoo, not to mention it's incredibly frustrating to the artist.

• Remember to breath (especially if it hurts), and tell your artist you would like a break. I've never heard of a tattoo artist who wouldn't allow their client to have a break

[kissatr]

I'm a tattoo artist and most of my clients say that it hurts less than they thought. Don't be afraid, just do a research on who is gonna make the tattoo, don't pick some random artist. And ask about the ink they are going to use, it is important to be sure you're not allergic. Follow their instructions after the tattoo and that should be ok.

[phen]

Oh yo, that tattoo concept is wonderful, I really dig the composition and space it uses a lot. Will you be going with colour or are you considering black, too?

Now the weird thing personally is for as long as I can remember, I always had this silent understanding that everyone gets a tattoo at some point (despite neither of my parents having tattoos?!). I would agonise over it sometimes, like... obsessing on what it would be, where I would get it, if I'd like it that long. Literally, 9 year-old me, staring out the window feeling mild panic over the inevitable permanence of a tattoo I had to have.

Fastforward 20 years, the main character of one of my comics has a tattoo (lovely spider lily), but I still don't have one. Talk about wimpy. Heh, no, I've had the joy of creating tattoo designs for others. It wasn't until very, very recently that a friend got one for their birthday and I immediately realised what I would like to have on myself. Music's a heavy constant, my favourite musician would definitely have a welcome place.

[TheFalseVyper]

I personally don't have any tattoos, but I've been with many of my friends when they got theirs. All of them say that some spots hurt worse than others, such as on places where there's less skin and muscle covering the bone (like along the spine /shoulders).

Best advice my friends have ever given me in regarding their tattoos is to choose something that has meaning to YOU. This usually helps prevent regretting the tattoo later on in life.

[Klaustasya]

I have two tattoos: a cherry blossom branch on my ankle and a japanese kanji on my waist line ^^ i always tend to avoid places where it easy for me to look at them, because i don't want to get tired but besides that the spots i choose are pretty much ok and with a bit of fat.
About pain, it depends from each person, but whati would totally not suggest is getting your first tattoo in sensitive places or thin-skinned spots (example: the rib-cage is absolute pain for many people) the back is a safe placemente for a first tattoo ^^ and not much exposed too, but this depends on if you want to see your own tattoos or keep them hidden :3

[baasinsimple]

Just whatever you do- never get a tattoo on the back of your knee.

[whiskeyjack]

The amount of pain will depend on where you get it done, and how heavy handed your artist is. Some replies have mentioned to take ibuprofen after, but when I got mine done, I took some before as well, so that it would kick in while I was under the needle.

Both of mine are on my forearms, so did not hurt much. The worst of the pain was on the inner side of my arm, up just below where the joint of the elbow is. The skin there is very soft and thin, so it hurt much more than the tougher skin around the outside. But ymmv!

Make sure you mention to your artist that it's your first one, that way they are aware and may be gentler with you. And do plenty of research on your artist as well.

[demthorshie]

I don't have a problem with tattoos, most of my friends have them. I guess the reason why I don't have any yet is because I haven't thought of a good enough design to burn in to my skin so far. I'm going to commit to getting a tattoo, it's going to have to be an awesome design that I'm not going to regret getting far down the road. I also have to consider getting a design that won't age badly as well, since the shape of the tattoo can get a little distorted with age.