5 Things to Know Before You Get A Tattoo

Are you thinking about getting your first tattoo, or maybe just wanting to learn more about tattoos in general? Getting your first tattoo can be scary, exciting, or even dangerous. Sometimes the temptation to get a tattoo can be irresistible, especially if you might have indulged…a bit too much. Let’s explore 5 very important things that you should consider before getting a tattoo.

Stigma

There was a time when tattoos were considered rebellious, associated with criminality, immoral, or simply just frowned upon. While this is still true in certain parts of the world, in most cultures, tattoos are becoming increasingly accepted. But there is still a certain stigma associated with tattoos, and not all situations are as accepting.

It’s also important to realize that life is full of changes, and decisions that are made today can have implications for tomorrow, or even many years down the road. Some things you might want to consider before getting a tattoo include:

• Future Job Impact: How will the tattoo affect my chances for a job in the future?
• Friends and Family Reaction: Will my family and friends be accepting?
• Is it Hidden Easily if Necessary: If required, will it be easy to cover up?
• Can I Live With it Forever: Am I absolutely sure that I want this on my body for the rest of my life?

Safety

It is important to know the risks involved with getting a tattoo. Tattoos break the skin, which can open you up to several dangers. Tattoos can also cause an allergic reaction in some people. In fact, this reaction can happen even years after you get the tattoo.

Because the process involves breaking the skin, there is always the risk of a possible infection. Although rare, tattoos can also lead to keloids, which are raised areas caused by an overgrowth of scar tissue.

Tattoos can also interfere with certain medical procedures, such as MRI’s. Either the ink can contain metals, which can cause injury, or issues with the images themselves.

Lastly, it is absolutely critical that you research the artist and studio that you intend to go to for your tattoo. The risks of bloodborne diseases are very real, and strict hygiene is critical. Do your research ahead of time. Ask questions such as:

• Who is My Artist?
• Does the Artist Wear Gloves?
• Are the Needles, Trays, and Tubes Sealed Before Use?
• Is non-disposable equipment sterilized before use?

Remember, the FDA does not regulate the practice within tattoo parlors, so the responsibility lies on you to do your homework.

Pain and Placement

Think ahead before you choose a place for your new tattoo. Of course, you are going to want to show off your new artwork, but this could cause problems later down the road. You may want to start with an area that is easy to cover, should you ever decide you need to. Job interviews, military enlistments, and even new relationships could be affected by a glaring, obvious tattoo in the future.

Don’t think that getting a tattoo is going to be a pleasant experience. It is going to hurt, at least for most people. After all, a needle is going to pierce your skin thousands of times. The larger the tattoo, the longer it will take, and the longer the pain will last.

It is critical to take good care of the region after the procedure. Keep the area clean with soap and water, and use skin moisturizers. Be sure to avoid the sun at all costs, at least for a few weeks. It’s going to take a couple of weeks for the area to heal, so be patient, or you could wreck your new design.

Remember that any life changes such as gaining weight or becoming pregnant could alter your tattoo as well.

Cost

The cost of a tattoo depends on many factors, a few being the size, type, and the artist that you choose. The most basic of tattoos can cost as little as $50, depending on the minimum rate of the parlor that you choose. This would be a simple design of course, and don’t expect any color at this price point.

A full-sleeve tattoo, which runs from the wrist to the shoulder, can set you back anywhere from $2000 to $4000, and that’s for an outline only. For full color, it might cost $6000 or more.

Back and chest designs can top $2000, while a forearm tattoo can cost about $1300.

The common shoulder tattoo can start around $800 and can reach much higher in price depending on the design.

There is a common theme here, and that is that tattoos can be expensive. All but the simplest of designs can cost you a considerable amount of money. This is all the more reason to be completely sure of what you want, and where you want it, before you commit.

Permanence

Getting a tattoo should be thought of as a permanent procedure. There are ways to remove them, but they are not cheap. In fact, removing a tattoo can cost more that it did to get the tattoo in the first place.

Some laser treatments can cost from $200 to $500 per session, with multiple sessions usually needed for satisfactory results. There are also surgical methods for removing the skin that contains the tattoo ink, but these can leave scars.

In the end, there is no guaranteed method for removing tattoos. This is why we urge you to be absolutely sure of your decision before you go under the needle.

It’s Your Choice