Looking to get a tattoo by a licenced artist? Basics for the beginner

Tattoos are a common art today though I wouldn't enter into it lightly. Just because something is a fad or popular, I wouldn't reccommend it, for you may really regret it later especially when you're a lot older and your interests and priorites are much different.

But! If you like the idea of a tattoo~ just because...or you know you like the idea for yourself and not because "everyone's doing it" then this article is for you =)

What are the ways to go about getting a tattoo? This may seem obvious, but there are a few things you should defintely keep in mind:

1. Find a reputable place (you can look online too) where they use sterile needs and have a license
2. Take your time when deciding on the tattoo and the design; there are tattoo artists you can look up online and see their work and locate the one you like near you
3. I would take it slow on your first one, don't get a huge one covering a large area at first; I'd start out with a smaller one so you won't have a "huge" regret...
4. For me, it hurt a lot, but it was worth it
5. This is permanent- so think of something you know you won't regret like a butterfly or a flower for a woman; the idea is something not political or religious because sometimes those opinions or beliefs change, and tattoos are hard and very expensive to remove so 'If it's gonna be with you for life, be sure you like it'.

I got my 1st tattoo, a rose, (see picture above), about 6 years ago...in 2004, at a place in Provincetown, MA while on vacation in Cape Cod and a few friends and me went.

One of the friends got her girlfriend's name tattooed on her back.....she said it didn't hurt at all, that it was in a fleshy area. I looked the tattoos over, I noticed right away this was a good artist, I chose the rose. It originally had a Phantom of the Opera mask next to it--the whole tattoo was $75 which is a good deal really for a quality tattoo of small-medium size. But I opted out the mask, even though I loved and still love Phantom of the Opera, I wanted to be sure , absolutely sure I wouldn't grow to dislike or get sick of the mask.

I've been very happy with my rose, it is my name after all, and Rose is my favorite flower,etc.

WANNA KNOW ABOUT THE PAIN?!!

I guess since this was the first one, I was a bit nervous about the pain or how it would feel. (That's why it's good to bring friends along!) Well, the guy told me not to move my leg and keep it still. They always do the black outline first and then color it in. It felt to me like razor blades in my flesh, sorry that's the best way I can describe it! It hurt but it wasn't too overwhelming. It only took about 20 minutes. (I had one done a couple years later of a butterfly (small) on my back--so the pain really wasn't an issue--to me it's part of the experience and kinda "cool"!)

HOW TO CARE FOR YOUR TATTOO ONCE IT'S DONE

They put a small bandage and reccommend you don't swim or wet it for a few days to allow the ink to set or stay and not smudge. You can put sunblock on it after to keep it bright and not fade in the sun (if you're in the sun alot). Mine hasn't faded but I'm not in the sun alot.

WHO GETS TATTOOS?

I think it's primarily a personality thing. I don't want to get too many, I think it's sexy to have a few in different places...Out of my 9 siblings and I, only 2 of us have tattoos, and us two are both Capricorns!! LOL

I think tattoos are cool, that is, well thought out, meaningful, and beautiful looking tattoos. If I had a spectacular idea for one, I would get another. My only thought at this time is to maybe add to the small butterfly by adding a couple more next to it and a small tiny "baby" butterfly. I've thought of getting a different flower but I don't know where to put it.

IF YOU HAVE ANY COOL TATTOO IDEAS

for me, on in general, please share them in the comment box below!! You may just have a really cool idea I would want to use sometime! Thanks for reading :-)