7 Things You Should Know Before You Get A Tattoo

Who doesn’t want to get a tattoo? If you’re on this page, we know that you’re thinking about getting something that expresses who you are inked on your body. But there are things that you have to consider very carefully before you make the decision.

Here is our list of things you should keep in mind before getting yourself inked.

Choose your design wisely

We put this on the top of the list because a whopping 78% of people regret at least one of their tattoos. Why do they regret their tattoos? Because they don’t relate to its significance any more or have stopped liking how it looks.

So do yourself a favour, and think carefully about what you want on your body. Spend time researching on Google. You can even have your artist come up with a design that is really personal. You should also keep in mind that your body changes over time and this will lead to the tattoo looking different. Make sure that your design will age well.

But the most important thing is to get a design that is meaningful to you, something that you can be proud of. Now, this can sound daunting, but there are some really good designs on people’s skins out there. Use Google, Pinterest, and Instagram to find inspiration. You might even find an already tattooed design that you really want, and you can ask your artist to modify it to make it personal to you.

Placement is everything

Where you get the tattoo matters a lot. Do you want people to see your tattoo? Do you think this would hurt your chances of getting a job in the future? Will the design look good there? These are all things that you have to consider.

If you want your tattoo to be private, you should get tattooed in areas that are normally covered by clothes. But if you want to show off your colourful tattoo, then get it on uncovered areas like forearms and hands. Getting a tattoo on a visible part of your body might affect future job prospects too, so think this through before you make a decision.

Deciding where you get the tattoo goes hand-in-hand with the design. A portrait of your dog will look better on your triceps or chest (for men), while a landscape will look better on your upper back. Again, look for similar designs online and see how it looks on the people who’ve got them.

The most important aspect of the placement is that different parts of your body produce different levels of pain. An area that is covered in muscle will hurt a lot less than one where there are lots of bones. So if you’re getting your first tattoo, don’t get one on your ribs. It is said to be an extremely painful experience.

There’s no escaping the pain

Talking about painful experiences, getting a tattoo WILL hurt. It involves multiple needles puncturing your skin in order to insert ink, so anyone who says that it doesn’t hurt is lying. The bigger the tattoo, the more it hurts. There will also be blood. So if you’re squeamish about blood and pain, you might want to reconsider.

Also, if you have any know skin allergies, you should consult a doctor. Even a small allergic reaction might lead to longlasting problems, so better safe than sorry.

What’s your reason?

As we’ve mentioned earlier, most people regret their tattoos, and mostly because the tattoo has lost its significance. People get tattooed to express their love for someone/something, to appreciate the art, to show rebellion, or just because it’s cool.

But you should remember that a tattoo is almost permanent and that getting it removed is going to cost a bomb. You want to get the tattoo for a reason that you will stick to when you’re 90. Safe to say that we don’t recommend getting tattooed on an impulse.

Who will be your maestro?

Not all artists are equal, and nobody can be good at everything. You should select your artist based on the kind of tattoo you want. Some artists specialise in black and grey designs, while others specialise in watercolour.

So before you choose your artist, do your research and check their portfolio. Artists usually display their portfolio at their studio, but you can check their work online. Look for their social media accounts and reviews that they’ve received online.

Be careful though, some artists put up work that is not theirs. So it would be of great advantage if you know someone who has been tattooed by the artist. Word of mouth is always the best guide.

Sanitation of equipment and studio

Getting a tattoo involves open skin and a lot of blood. This means that it is fairly easy to get an infection. So make sure that your tattoo artist uses fresh needles and wears a fresh pair of gloves. You should choose an artist who has a clean studio, a place that YOU are comfortable in.

It would be good if you watch the artist in action. Visit your artist one day and watch how they work. This will give you a fair idea of what their sanitation practices are.

Aftercare is extremely important

A fresh tattoo is an open wound, so you’ll have to take care of it. Don’t expose your tattoo to direct sunlight, and wash it several times a day with antibacterial soap. Get a tube of Bepanthen+ and use it at least twice a day for several weeks.

You should also know that if you get a tattoo that is exposed to the sun regularly, it might fade and you might need to get touch-ups in the future. So check what your artist’s touch-up policies are.