I love tattoos. If you hate them, I ask that you please just move on to the next blog.
Allow me to make this perfectly clear--I am not an expert in tattoos. I know little to nothing about them, or the process of getting one. Like many others, I am familiar with the thought process behind considering one. With that said, I have compiled a short list of things to think about before one gets his or her first tattoo.
1. A friend of mine does tattoos. He told me that when someone tells him that s/he wants to get a
tatt but doesn't know what s/he wants, my friend suggests "a cowboy riding a tube of toothpaste." Tattoos don't score anyone cool points, and just like herpes, they are forever. Therefore, they need to have meaning. Getting a tattoo just for the sake of having a tattoo is like wearing a Vera Wang gown to your wedding, but not taking a shower. It's a bad idea.
2. If you refuse to have your legs waxed or use an
Epilady (or one of the nifty modern versions) because it would hurt too much, perhaps a tattoo isn't such a brilliant idea for you. Unless the technician is a freaking idiot and makes the wax too hot, getting waxed doesn't hurt. Stop cringing, it really doesn't. Never mind the baby soft skin you're left with, waxing is totally worth it (although I don't know about the bikini area--I'm way too chicken to try it). Now getting a tattoo, on the other hand, is like a thousand fiery rubber bands shooting into one spot. Waxing and the
Epilady are uncomfortable, but getting a tattoo can be painful.
3. Choose the artist wisely. Word of mouth generally works best. If you see someone with great
tatts, ask where s/he got them done and more importantly, ask for the name of the artist. Believe it or not, some people can draw beautifully, but can't tattoo worth a darn. For instance, my nephew has a talented friend who learned how to do
tatts by watching videos on YouTube (*ahem*). In a shop, look for overall shop cleanliness and check out the artists' portfolios.
4. If the artist sketches something that is exactly what you asked for but you don't like it, speak up. If the end result is less than satisfactory, let the artist know immediately so s/he has a chance to make changes. Refer to the herpes analogy from #1. (Note: Letting an ugly tattoo heal then going to another artist and badmouthing the previous artist [without expressing your concerns to said artist] is just terrible behavior that could result in bad
juju. Don't say I didn't warn you. But if you told the artist that you don't like your
tatt and s/he refuses to do anything about it, talk all the smack you want.)
5. The person who made the rule "Go big or go home" is an asshole. Yeah, you can make your first tattoo as big and elaborate as you want, but you can also drive a car with your feet. Does that mean it's a good idea? Seriously, if you're paying good money for someone to poke you with needles so you can have permanent art on your body, you can go small. Those jerks on TV make getting a tattoo look easy because they don't want to look like pansies. If you've never had a tattoo, you don't know how you're going to respond to the pain. I don't care if a hundred people you know, including your mom, say that it's not a big deal. Until the rule is abolished, it should be modified to state, "Go big, or small, or something in between."
6. Sal, from Tattoo Nation in San Antonio (210-499-4653, 19314 Us-281 N, #105, on 281 and
Redland), suggests that the best things to do when you're getting a tattoo are to relax and breathe. I do not recommend chewing gum because most people hold stress in their jaws, so the gum chewing makes it hard to get mellow because those muscles are working instead of relaxing. Focus on the deep breathing--yes, a little like childbirth--and relax those muscles. If you need to listen to Kenny G. to get in the zone, you might want to bring headphones.
7. Don't bother bringing someone with you. Unless your friend/family member/significant other loves watching paint dry, it's pointless to have someone tag along. Plus, it can be annoying when they hover (not to be confused with observing). Anyone who watches
L.A. Ink wants to kick Aubrey
every time she sticks her face in
someone's work. Now, I know that the artist is getting paid to do the tattoo and your buddy should be allowed to watch, but that person needs to respect personal
boundaries because there are some people you just shouldn't piss off. Your tattoo artist is at the top of that list, along with the person who serves you food.
8. Let's say you have a brand
spankin' new
tatt, just glistening with A&D ointment, and it's your new found glory. Take good care of it. The first few days are like having a puppy. It'll do some crazy things (i.e. ooze, fade a bit), so it needs extra care.
9. ETA: Make sure your tetanus
inoculation is up to date. I'm just
sayin'...
Again, none of these little tidbits are Bible truth. They're just a few points to consider before getting tattoos. I hope this helps.
