I'm getting my 1st tattoo - any advice?

[seaglass]

I'm not that nervous about the pain but I am nervous about it coming out good. The person I am going to did my husband's tattoo. He told my husband for a 1st tattoo I should get it on my back but I think this will be my 1st and last tattoo so I want it in a place where I can see it whenever I want.

I'm planning to get an all black tattoo - very simple wristband with my kid's names.

Any advice? Any regrets?

[Ishoutandscream2]

1. Don't get one

nt

[seaglass]

2. Why? n/t

[Ishoutandscream2]

4. First, I guess, if it's not too intrusive

Can you tell me your age? I think it's important. If you are middle-aged, then I might say it's okay. But everyone I know who has gotten one while young always seems to regret it later on.

[seaglass]

7. Yes I am middle aged and while I probably have some sagging to go,

I think the wrist is a fairly safe place to avoid a distorted tattoo. :-)

[Ineeda]

14. Middle-aged skin

is much thinner than younger skin and this might cause blurring of the ink. I'm middle-aged too, and I got my first (and possible only) tattoo a couple of years ago in memory of my sister. Mine is a simple star, about two inches above the inside of my wrist and I am disappointed that it is blurry. I'm not sorry, though, and it didn't hurt. Text of your kid's names or whatever might blur even more, so keep that in mind for the design. I say go for it.

[seaglass]

15. Thanks for that, it's good to know. And glad to hear it didn't hurt! n/t

[LostinVA]

50. I've gotten all of mine between 39 and 45, and they aren't blurry

All are all black.

[seaglass]

54. That's a relief. Do you know why some tattoos that are black look

bluish-black instead of true black? I don't know if it's different ink that's used, the underlying skin color or the amount of ink.

I will ask the person who is doing my tattoo but thought you might know since you said yours are all black

[LostinVA]

56. I would guess it isn't actually black ink?

I have three by three different artists (the last one is magnificant -- they really are a master), and they are all black black. I have pretty white skin, a bit ruddy when I'm out in teh sun.

[jmowreader]

57. There are a couple of reasons

The major reason is, some people's skin reacts with the ink to turn it blue. Tattoo ink is made of metals--black ink is usually an iron oxide, for instance. If the pH of your skin reacts with the black pigment in a certain way (usually in the presence of sunlight), it turns blue. So...get it somewhere you normally have covered when you're outside--wrists are bad, forearms are okay if you like sleeves, upper arms are great.

The only way you're going to find out if you have this kind of skin, is to get some ink into it and see what happens.

Tell ya true, it took me 35 years to get my first one because I fucking HATE that weird blue color a lot of tattoos turn. Fortunately, I don't turn black ink blue...but it doesn't really matter because I like color rather than black in my work.

[Ineeda]

55. I was being generous with the term 'middle-aged' as I am older

than you by several years. Also, my skin is fairly thin to start with. However, the tattoo artist did warn me of this tendency of older skin to cause blurring before he started.

[Capn Sunshine]

24. +1

at the Private beaches,and the spa at the Four Seasons, we frown on such disgraceful displays. Unless you're one of those famous persons put on earth for our amusement.

[rug]

3. Now is the time to be glad you didn't name your child Rumplestiltskin.

[Divameow77]

5. Get a fairy on your lower back...

Actually anything BUT that should be okay ;-)

I have 5 and the one on my upper back hurt the least

[seaglass]

13. Haha - no fairies for me - nor anything on my lower back - I want to see it.

I actually like fairies but I think if I got a tattoo of one I'd regret it. :-)

[LostinVA]

51. The one on my upper back hurt the most

i almost passed out. The other ones were walks in the park.

[RadiationTherapy]

6. There are more pictorial ways to honor your children.

Perhaps something symbolic for each?

[seaglass]

9. You are probably right. I'll have to give that some thought. n/t

[travelingtypist]

8. I have two. No regrets.

One I got on my shoulder when I was 21 -- wanted it when I was 16, waited till my 21st birthday. Second one is a Celtic anklet I got last year that I've wanted for about ten years. (I'm female, 45-years-old.)

If this is what you want and you trust the artist, go for it and enjoy.

[seaglass]

11. Thanks. I don't know yet if I trust him. I'll have to really examine my husband's tattoo

again. He did make one mistake with centering a word and being the perfectionist I am, I know I wouldn't have been happy with it.

But I understand that they put the tattoo on with some type of template before they actually start doing the work so I think I could correct any mistakes then.

[TorchTheWitch]

41. find another tattooist

Why in the world would you use a tattooist whose only work you've seen had a mistake? And the fact that he told you where you should put it... uh, no.

Most importantly, you are already unsure about whether or not you really want to do this and that means don't do it. My own tattooist told me that, and he's right. If you aren't absolutely certain you want it and get it anyway, you are very likely to have regrets.

This sounds like very spure of the moment idea for you, and that's never a good thing when it comes to getting a tattoo particularly is such a very prominant place.

[JCMach1]

48. Exactly, get the best tatooist possible that you can find if you are serious

[proteus_lives]

10. Make sure it's unique for you.

Remember, tattoos are for you, not other people.

I have one and no regrets.

[AlecBGreen]

35. what is it?

If you dont mind my asking :P

I agree with the need for uniqueness. I cant imagine ever going in, seeing a piece of pre-drawn flash, and saying "Yeah, Ill take that panther with the yin-yang in its claws. How much for that?"

[proteus_lives]

37. I don't mind.

It's my family crest and it's on my back.

I got it on my eighteenth birthday.

Yeah, I don't get that either nor do I got getting something like Chinese characters when you're not Chinese. Feels like stealing culture to me.

[AlecBGreen]

39. My wife is Chinese

Any time she meets sombody w a chinese tattoo, she is always asked if its right. If its not, she'll just kind of mumble and try not to piss the person off. If its REALLY bad she turns red then tells me 5 min later. You'd be suprprised if you knew what some people were walking around and had inked into their skin!

[pgodbold]

12. If you are ever arrested law enforcement will describe it in your file. They aren't kind.

[applegrove]

16. A wristband with your kids' name on it sounds really cool.

[carlyhippy]

17. make sure they spell it correctly before they start tattooing

C

[MiddleFingerMom]

21. What carlyhippy said... in fact, I would go as far as asking to see...

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...his or her high school transcript.
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Pay particular attention, not to Art... but English grades.
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[PassingFair]

23. Is that Kim Kardashian's tattoo? n/t

[Arkansas Granny]

30. Good point. I know a guy who wore a misspelled tattoo for years before

finally having it fixed.

This is not the same neighbor who wore my absolute favorite tattoo slogan "Born Too Loose". I doubt that he ever realized his was misspelled.

[PRETZEL]

32. My son can vouch for that,

his first tattoo he wanted to honor my daughter by having her name engraved into his body. He forgot to double check before the guy started.

Spelled it wrong.

My ex has our kids names tattooed on the outside of her leg just above the ankle. She said it didn't hurt at all and actually it looks kind of nice.

[Generic Brad]

18. Wait at least an hour before going into the water after eating

Get a flu shot annually. Don't invade Russia just before winter.

You asked for advice, I gave it.

And my two cents on the tattoo - if it makes you happy I say go for it!

[Deep13]

33. Is it okay to run with scissors? nt

[mitchum]

19. Make sure that they are reputable; Hep C is no fun

[gvstn]

20. Is it possible to try a non-permanent

Henna type tattoo first before going all in? A 3 week, or whatever they last, trial might not be a true test but it could be something to consider.

I've just got a thing about women in formal attire with tattoos showing. It just doesn't look right to me and there is nothing they can do about it. It is my personal hangup but I would think long and hard about it.

[gmoney]

22. http://tattoofailure.com/

Proofread it very carefully...

[seaglass]

26. That's why I am a little nervous there are A LOT of bad tattoos

out there - and not just spelling mistakes.:wow:

[Lucian]

25. I have flames going up my forearms...

a cross/ankh combo on my left bicep, and a Godsmack tribal sun with a pentagram in the middle on my right bicep, and I love them. I don't regret getting them. I'm 28, and people don't look twice at them.

Why seek our advice? If you want to get one, get one. :)

[wickerwoman]

27. I would go for high on the shoulder

since it's easier to cover up.

I went with over the left ankle for mine because I wanted it where I could see it and the tattoo artist said it wouldn't be too effected by weight changes or aging skin. The text is still clear five years later but he had to do it bigger than I expected so it wouldn't blur.

I got it when I was working for a very casual, laid-back jeans-wearing Internet start-up. Now I'm looking at applying for much more formal office jobs and can't wear skirts to interviews (except with very dark tights).

Anyway, if I was going to do it over again, I would do it someplace I could see it but that didn't limit my options for work clothes so much.

[HopeHoops]

28. Buy Curel - one bottle for each bathroom. Use it liberally.

[wysimdnwyg]

29. Two pieces of advice

1. Be absolutely sure about what you choose for the graphic. Obviously things like a current significant other's name are risky. Children's names or birthdays (or whatever you choose to use to represent them) are usually safe, but consider the possibility that there might be another child someday. If that's not likely, then you're probably OK with their names.

2. Almost as important as the graphic is the location. Not only is a tattoo permanent, but certain areas of the body are not well suited due to sagging and wrinkles as we age. A tattoo around the wrist is unlikely to distort enough to look bad, but that is an extremely prominent location. Many people choose to get their first tattoo on their shoulder. It's hidden if you don't want people to see it, but it's still prominent enough that you can show it off if you like. (Placement can be tricky in this area on women, as even attire that shows off the shoulder can at least partially obscure a shoulder tattoo with straps.)

Another consideration with placement is the pain factor. Any time you get a tattoo directly over bone, it's going to hurt more than when it's in a softer area. However, the pain of a tattoo is not as bad as many make it out to be. I'm sure that anyone who can handle child birth can deal with getting a tattoo.

If you decide that the pain is not a significant issue for you, then I would suggest having your idea of a band of your children's names around an ankle instead of your wrist. It will still be visible when you want it to be, but not so prominent as your wrist. And as with the wrist, distortion that comes with aging is unlikely to be appreciable.

[AngryAmish]

31. Don't. Many people think they look cheap.

Plus, are you likely to forget your children's names if you don't get it? If so, go for it.

[Deep13]

34. Try to avoid this: ...

BTW, I'm glad they covered his eyes. It would be embarassing if someone recognized him on the street. :eyes:

[JustABozoOnThisBus]

36. Are you done having kids?

Ya know, uh, kids happen.

So you may have to go back and get a bigger tattoo.

Anyway, sometimes I think it would be neat to have a tattoo. But I can't think of anything I want permanently etched onto my skin.

Good luck with yours. Maybe an angel or two sitting on the band ....

:hi:

[Bucky]

38. Check the spelling!

There's a picture of girl with the nickname "Sweet Pea" on her ass antlers. Only the tattooist spelled "pea" wrong. She's grateful, I'm sure, that he at least spelled "sweet" right, of course. But think about all the asparagus she'll have to eat now in order to earn the nickname "Sweet Pee."

(on edit: evidence)

?w=342&h=450

[Curmudgeoness]

40. Just don't.

[Kali]

42. a possible alternative:

jewelry

[Name removed]

43. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Lucian]

45. Man, that's nasty!!!

:puke: :puke: :puke:

[Jamastiene]

47. I could have lived my whole life without seeing that.

:scared:

[The Midway Rebel]

44. Spend some time surfing here first.

http://ugliesttattoos.com/

[fizzgig]

46. familiarize yourself with the artist

look through their portfolio, ask about clients willing to give a reference, etc. make sure you trust the artist.

once you are actually sitting down to get it done, they'll put a stencil of it of your skin and don't be afraid to say you don't like the placement or how it looks beforehand. the artist is working for you.

[JCMach1]

49. I have a lot of tatoos and had/found artistic designs done that I really like

In the designs that are symbolically significant, I had the names of my wife and daughter's inscribed.

For my wife, there is a Raven carrying a blue Crystal. Her name is Crystal and her mom chose her name because the song Crystal Blue Persuasion was her favorite.

As for my daughters, I worked their initials in with an infinity symbol on the second raven I have on my chest.



My suggestion, work the names somehow into something you like.

The one on my left is by Mohan in Kathmandu who is simply awesome. http://www.mohanstattooinn.com/index.php?link=gallery&id=1

[LostinVA]

52. Do not scratch when it itches

And, it will itch like hell.

Slap it and grit your teeth.

[Amaril]

53. Only one bit of advice

if you're prone to allergies, get the artist to do a test patch first (usually just a small dot in the spot where you're planning the tat is sufficient). Even though the inks are hypo-allergenic now (with the exception of red), it is still possible to have a nasty reaction if you're sensitive to any of the stuff they use as pigment.

Wish someone would have given ME this advice -- 'cause I could have avoided spending an absolutely miserable few days walking around Key West with ink -- and lymph fluid -- draining down my ankle/foot, and I wouldn't have a tattoo on my ankle with noticeable patches of missing ink that I can't have fixed because I'm afraid will react again.