If you're thinking about getting some ink, take some advice from a 19-year-old girl who's already spent over $500 on her tattoos.

8. DO tip your artists.

By now, you should be pretty aware of how costly tattoos can be. But while you are paying for ink on your body, this person is spending an hour or five on drawing lines over and over again on you. It can be a very long and tiring process, and just like any other worker who takes care of you, they deserve to be tipped.

7. DO be aware of your pain tolerance.

Some people say that it's almost unbearable, and some people say that they can barely feel it. It mostly depends on the placement of your tattoo. For instance, a foot tattoo is generally going to be more painful than an arm tattoo. After the tattoo is done, it feels like a minor sunburn for a few days, and then it starts to itch. Trust me, there are worse kinds of pain.

6. DON'T go to multiple artists for one piece.

If you are planning to have more than one session for a piece, whether it's a sleeve or just a really big design, stick with one artist through the whole process. Once they start it, odds are they have a pretty good idea how to continue and end it. Also, every artist has their own style that might not fit with what you started off with.

5. DO look into your artist and location ahead of time.

You probably don't want to walk into a tattoo parlor that looks like this. You want it to look bright and welcoming. But, don't be fooled by the interior design—look into your artists, too. Most artists have a portfolio in the shop that you can look through. Also, you can look them up on the tattoo shop's website or look at their Instagram.

4. DO take time to think about your tattoo.

Especially if it's your first time, because most people regret their first one. Once people turn 18, they think they should just go be rebellious and get a random tattoo. What they fail to remember is that it is going to stay on them for the rest of their lives. A lot of people like to get a piece that means something to them. It doesn't have to mean something, if you don't want it to—you just have to like it—forever.

3. DO take good care of your new tattoo.

After your tattoo is done, your artist will wrap it up in Saran Wrap and give you a care sheet. You should keep the wrap on for at least three to four hours. After you take it off, wash the tattoo gently with water and unscented soap and let it air dry. Continue to wash it with unscented soap for about two weeks, and don't use any scented body washes or lotions. Apply A & D lotion on it at least twice a day or whenever you feel it drying up.

2. DON'T pick, peel, or submerge.

Your skin is going to blister and peel. This means your skin is healing over the tattoo. Like a sunburn, it is going to be tempting to pick at and peel it. Don't! This can change the look of the tattoo by fading the color or permanently scarring your skin. Also, do not submerge it in water, especially a pool, for a few weeks. The water will speed up the peeling process, which you don't want to happen, and the chemicals in the pool can infect your new tattoo and permanently damage it.

1. DO embrace it!

I'm extremely proud of my tattoos every day. Hopefully, you will be too, so show them off! And remember, if someone doesn't like it, you do. That's why you got it in the first place, isn't it?