Want to express yourself by adding art to your skin? Ready to take the step to get a tattoo? First, if you are considering getting a tattoo most states require you to be 18 or older. However, there are some states, including Arkansas, Florida and Idaho, that allow you to get a tattoo under the age of 18 with your parent's permission.
Tattoos are meant to be permanent, so when considering what to get, also consider having it for the rest of your life.
It is okay to start with a small tattoo to get a feel for the process. Starting small gives you a chance to learn how your body will take to the ink and how it will heal.
Knowing your pain tolerance is a key factor in choosing where to get your tattoo. If you don't have a high pain tolerance, or are sensitive, avoid getting your first tattoo on your ribs, elbow, hands, feet, or the back of your knee. These parts of your body lack the cushion of muscle and fat causing the needle to consistently go over thin layers of skin and bone. Your back, upper arm, thigh, and even hip are all well cushioned areas on the body that are less painful to get a tattoo on. When thinking of a placement also consider how visible it will be and how easy it will be to conceal, for some jobs you can't have visible tattoos.
When looking for a shop to get your tattoo done at, make sure you do your research. Read the online reviews and visit in person to check out the health standards, clientele, and tattoo artists. It’s important to make sure you’re comfortable in the shop, so do your tattoo research well ahead. Don’t be too thrifty. You don’t want your first tattoo to end up on "Fail Blogs." Go ahead and shop around until you get an idea of fair pricing, but it’s a great idea to choose a shop based on the artists’ skills, experience, and health standards, rather than price. If the price for the tattoo sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
Deciding on when to get your tattoo is also very important. Sun exposure and water submersion can damage a new tattoo, so keep it out of the sun and stay away from bodies of water.
Once you've decided on what tattoo you want, have the artist sketch it out to make sure you both have the same vision of what the final product will look like.
When you are finally ready to get your tattoo remember these tips: eat a full meal beforehand, some artist recommend drinking orange juice, don’t bring an audience (one or two people for support is fine), be sure to follow care instructions afterwards, a good tattoo isn't cheap, and a cheap tattoo isn't good, and don't forget to tip your artist.
