March 6, 2017
How many times have you looked at a full sleeve, a back piece or even a small, simple tattoo and wished you had one? It’s hard not to think about because many tattoos are beautiful works of art. Some are intricately detailed while others are vibrant in color. For those of you who have the tattoo-bug, just remember that making a life-long commitment to get a tattoo is an incredibly big decision.
Although it’s possible for tattoos to appear after a long, wild night of spontaneity and intoxicated decisions, most of the time tattoos are planned investments, especially because tattoos are wonderful, permanent ways to represent something meaningful to you. Angelina Jolie, for instance, has a series of tattoos with deeply personal significance. According to Style Craze, the simple “XIII” tattoo on her arm represents her disbelief in superstitions. Another tattoo, a Bengal tiger, was done to “celebrate her Cambodian citizenship.” It was done in Bangkok as the tattoo artists chanted an ancient hymn to bless it.
So, before you get inked, really consider these eight tips so you’re certain you’ll love your tattoo for the rest of your life:
As Cosmopolitan writes, don’t use these two search engines as sources for inspiration “unless you want your tattoo to look like everyone else’s.” Because tattoos are typically very personal, you probably don’t want to have something as generic as feathers or geometric shapes.
So instead of looking online, ask a trusted artist to design something for you. Tell them what message you’re going for and work with them to develop the image. Many tattoo artists such as the ones you see competing on Ink Master are known for their drawing abilities and specific styles. Every artist will interpret the same image and idea different.
First of all, if you’re thinking about getting a tattoo, then you should already know it isn’t cheap. Tattoos vary in sizes and prices. Some artists will charge depending on how large the tattoo is and others will charge based on difficulty and how long it takes to complete. According to Cost Helper, most tattoo artists charge an hourly rate of $75 to $150 an hour. For those who don’t charge hourly, the minimum price could be at least $80.
So if you’re really looking to pay for quality, then expect to invest the money. We’ve all seen the “no ragrets” tattoo from We’re the Miller’s, right? How many of you will want to end up with something like that on your body? If you need to, ask the artist how much it will cost for a tattoo you want and save up for that amount. If it’s not currently in your budget, then it’s better to wait than to risk paying for a cheap tattoo.
A good way to get a trusted tattoo artist is by asking a friend for a referral. However, if you don’t have any tatted friends, you can always look online (Instagram!) for artists whose designs you like. Many tattoo locations also have portfolios of the artists’ work available for you to peruse through before committing.
Although this may seem like a lot of work, it’s absolutely important that you are satisfied with their work and style because you don’t want to risk hating your very expensive, very permanent, and possibly very painful tattoo after it’s already been completed.
So do extensive research. Look at pictures, look at past work, read reviews, talk to people, etc. Also, don’t be afraid to ask questions to get all the information you need. At the end of the day, it’s your body and it’s your tattoo. You should be able to make all the decisions.
If you want something that’s going to take up half your body, then be prepared to make the time and money commitment. Depending on your pain tolerance, your artist, and the design you want, your tattoo may not even be remotely finished after the first session.
Before deciding on a big tattoo, ask your tattoo artist the estimated amount of time and see if you two could plan together. It’s really all about communication at this point.
Many large tattoos can last up to four to six hours to complete. If you don’t know how long you can last before you give in, perhaps think about getting a smaller tattoo first. Also, you might want to consider the location of the tattoo. According to a tattoo artist’s interview on the Cosmopolitan article, “Your ribs, feet, and butt will hurt the most.”
As great as it may sound to have a tattoo on your ribs, expect it to be painful. If you’d like, bring along some Advil to take after the session. According to the same article, you shouldn’t take it before the session because it will thin your blood and increase the chances of you bleeding more during the process. So be prepared for however long and painful the process will be and decide if it’s worth it to you.
According to the tattoo artist in the Cosmopolitan article, “While the tattoo is healing, it’ll scab like a cut and feel sensitive like a sunburn.” So that means you need to take it seriously when artists tell you to stay out of water (except for showers) and sun.
Don’t pick at your scabs or they won’t heal correctly. Keep it clean, and moisturize with unscented lotion. Following these instructions to a tee will help avoid infections and any unnecessary pain and misery.
You’re going to need the energy in order to push through the pain. Also, stay away from alcohol because it can thin your blood in the same way as Advil. Basically, it’s good to do what you can to prevent you from bleeding any more than you have to.
Lastly, after getting all the information you need to on tattoos – sleep on it. Do your best to make sure this decision isn’t something you’re doing on a whim. Unlike dyeing your hair, for instance, your skin won’t grow back without the tattoo. Not only that, but laser tattoo removal will hurt worse than any tattoo and will also be insanely expensive.
There’s no doubt that tattoos are beautiful and wonderful forms of expression. So, why not give your next tattoo the extra thought it deserves? Think about how much money you need, think about the kind of design you want to have, and research the person you are trusting to execute this design. Because of the risks you’re taking on your body and your wallet, getting a tattoo is worth thinking about. So do your research and make sure you leave that tattoo parlor with #noragrets.
