Member Advice on Tatoos

I wanted to post a quick review on this topic just to give my opinion on getting and having tattoos. I don't think there is any point on giving a full blown account on how to get one and what to do as there are a few here already that cover it very well (Playgirl27: A 50th Review Tattoo, Tattoo, Tattoo With Playgirl) for example. So this is just some advice from me from experience and things I have picked up along the way.

I have had four tattoos now and like you may hear, it is addictive.
The first was a sort of tribal band around my right arm just above the t-shirt line. I got his done in New Orleans when I was on holiday. It was a little rough around the edges but hey I liked it.
The second was one I designed myself, a sort of arrow creation type thing with Japanese Katana dialect spelling out my wife's name. I managed to get a hold of a Katana lecturer in a Japanese University to verify that I had it correct.
The third was a cover up for the first………..idiot. Nah, I liked the first but wanted another tattoo so got a clever guy in Stirling to design it in to another tattoo and then it was gone. I got a big dragon for good luck and a load of tribal type art for it to hang about on.
The fourth I ignored my own advice and did it on a whim when I was feeling down but I like it all the same (lucky though). Its another dragon affair but this time we have it holding the good old Scottish flag.

So here goes but missing out all the stuff that has already been mentioned in other reviews. Even then, a good tattoo artist will always guide you through after care of the tattoo.

PLANNING
Get a plan of action in your head as to why you want a tattoo. If you really want one then give yourself a good valid reason for it and justify it to yourself.
Avoid thinking of it one night then getting it done the next day. There is always a good chance that you will regret the choice.
Always choose your Tattoo artist by reputation or from a personal reference.

DECIDING ON THE DESIGN
For the tat that I designed myself I made the ultimate choice to get the best criticism. I drew it out, got the writing correct and printed it. I then located it on the fridge just in time for the arrival of my mother in law. I figured I couldn't go wrong. What's the worst that could happen…………

But seriously, that's a great way to decide if you like it or not. Print it up and look it when your passing, that's pretty much what other people will see on you. It gives you a chance to decide on the size to. If its to small print it again but make it bigger.

Have a think on whether you want it black or in colour. Some folk reckon black ones are better as they always look newer. I did think that but not so much now that I have some colour too. As long as you take care of them then there is no problem.
Decide where you want it placed and try to imagine it there and see what it looks like.
Ask your other half about it before you get it done………(don't always do that myself)

I know everyone says it but "you have it for life". Don't make a mistake when picking your tattoo, if you do you are seriously stuffed. Take your time and you can get it right.

DOING THE BUSINESS
For your first tattoo I would always recommend getting it done where nobody else can see it. That way only you know its there and you cant be judged and you have time to get used to it.
This is a matter of personal choice but I have had all of my tattoos done where others can't see them unless I decide to show them. If I wear a T-shirt with shorter arms you can just see them, sleeveless then there all out there. I just see it from the business angle so that you can't see them when I am working. That and I can't stand these idiots who get them done for some kind of fashion gain or to boost there presence down the pub or on holidays. Sorry, no offence to anyone intended.

Don't worry about the needle thing before you get there. I don't think that getting a tattoo is that painful. I have a high threshold for pain so maybe its not as bad for me. I generally don't look at the actual tattooing until the guy (or girl) is taking a break for ink. I would say that getting the outlines done is worse than the filling in. To be honest I have had more pain hitting my thumb with a hammer than getting a tattoo done.

Take along a bottle of water or the likes as its always a good refresher if your getting a bigger tattoo. My cover up / big tat took 2 and a half hours. I started to become a little agitated which I think was down to being thirsty, sleepy and some discomfort.

Wear an old top that isn't to woolly when you go for your tat. Then tend to bleed a little for an hour or so after it is done. Whilst the tattoo artist does cover this up it can seep through and stain your clothes a little and or stick to you.

WHEN ITS DONE
Listen to what the tattoo artist tells you…..they know what they are on about, bit like a Kwik Fit guy knows about tyres.
Put moisturiser on the tattoo now and again after it has healed, brings out the colours and avoids dry skin, makes it look newer.

Tattoos are addictive and that's it, anyone who says they are not is lying. Don't ask me why, I don't know, I tend to find it relaxing when I get it done. I like the uniqueness of my own design…….still don't know why though.

Good luck if your going for one…..plan plan plan though…don't get one done then regret it by the time you get home.