How do I decide what tattoo to get?

The World of Aesthetic Body Art

Getting your first or next tattoo can be a difficult decision. If you’ve finally decided that you want a piece of permanent body art, your next step is to dedicate yourself to a particular cause, design, and style that you will want to wear forever. A tattoo tells people about you as a first impression, and you can educate them on what it means to you personally. Having a connection to a particular style or design is a great way to find out precisely what you want to get, whether that’s something more traditional and easily recognized or more abstract and meaningful to you. If you don’t know where to start, pick up some tattoo design books to get your creative juices flowing, and remember there’s nothing wrong with copying a style that you happen to like once you see it. You can always change things up beforehand if you want to make it more personal, or you can go all out and get something that everyone will know.

Placement of Your Tattoo

Choosing where you want your permanent body art can also be a challenge, but it’s incredibly important as to whether or not you want others to see it or for it to be in a location where you can view it smoothly before and after the healing process. Some people wish to have tattoos all over their bodies, while others choose to be more conservative and only want something small that is usually covered up by clothing. No matter what type you want, it’s best to consider the style and design type when it comes to where you end up placing the tattoo. Sleeve tattoos are best for telling a story, one that goes upwards or downwards, and is best for those who are going to show off their art more often than not. Because we often expose our arms, there is a big incentive to get the best body art you can on your arms to represent your taste. Bigger and smaller tattoos work for different parts of the body, so get your artist’s opinion about it, too, if possible.

Finding a Good Tattoo Artist

As soon as you figure out what design you want, you’re going to have to do even more research in finding someone who can do the best job possible for you. Permanent body art is an investment in yourself, and you should only want the best of the best. Look online for businesses that have good reviews as well as a professional online presence. Once you’ve narrowed things down to a few good tattoo shops, try to find some time to go in and check them out for yourself and speak with the artists and employees. Familiarize yourself with the tattooing process if it’s your first rodeo, and ask any questions you may have. In the end, you should leave feeling comfortable and ready to get your work done. Sometimes artists have their tattoo portfolios that you can look at for yourself. Doing this will give you a better idea as to where their specialties lie and if the style you want is relevant to their design process. Talk with your artist about scheduling a consultation for a sketch session of the art you want.

What to Expect at Your First Appointment

Once you book your tattoo appointment, you’ll consult with your tattoo artist to finalize any changes to your design. Once things settle, they’ll begin work on your body art. Tattooing involves using sterile needles to penetrate through multiple layers of skin to deposit a permanent pigment. There are many different types of ink used in tattooing, all with different colors and levels of adherence. Absolute blacks will appear more black and last longer than others. Typically, if you’re going to a professional shop, they will have the darkest colors available for your body art, and you’ll be able to tell the difference from other tattoo work right away. Since most tattoos tend to fade over time, it’s best to start with as bright a pigment that you can.

Aftercare Hints and Tips

Once your new art is complete, you’ll start the healing process. While this might not be the most fun time, your artwork needs to look as lovely as possible once it’s fully healed, and that means taking care of it during this crucial time.

• Keep your new tattoo clean, but don’t overdo it. You’ll want to make sure it’s disinfected and allowed to heal naturally.
• Don’t cover up your tattoo for long periods, as it will need to be exposed to the air for a more extended period to scab over and heal effectively.
• Prevent yourself from excessively scratching and itching your tattoo so that they do not become irritated. Scratching can also open up wounds and cause an infected tattoo.

If you suspect that you have an infection, talk with your artist and doctor. Typically, all it takes is a small dose of antibiotics before you’re back on your way.

Coming Back for a Touch Up

Depending on the size of your tattoo, it might take a longer or shorter time for you to heal. Healing is also dependent on how experienced your artist is at the tattooing technique, which means that you won’t have as many complications as you might with someone newer to the scene. After things have healed up, you can talk with your artist about any additions or touch-ups you want to make. Some people initially outline their tattoo design, then come back once it’s healed to color it in, which makes the entire process easier. No matter what choice you make in the type of tattoo you get, you can be proud of the fact that you’re joining a demographic of people where individuality is represented and respected tastefully and without judgment.