bexter

I have been thinking I might get a tattoo for my 22nd birthday

The thing is, I am extremely paranoid so I want to do as much research as possible before I get it done.

For instance, I wanna know from anyone who has gotten one, what kind of safety precuations that they looked for in the shop they went to, in the artist. Did the artist open all materials in front of you to show you they were clean? Did you visit the shop before you got it done? How many times? How many shops did you look at?

Were you happy with the results?

I know it seems like a lot of questions, but I am weird, so if ya got one please share your experience?

Thanks

Charlize'sAngel

I got my two tattoos at the same parlor which was reputable and had a lot of positive comments about it. I also noticed that they had a lot of plaques and safety board approvals displayed on the walls, when I first made the rounds there.
You should be able to tell if a shop is "safe" just by the surroundings, if it looks in order and sanitary. Also, when they're working on the tattoo, they'll have all the tools on display beside them, so that way, you can see how they're being used. The artists I had were very professional and the second artist even told me to let him know if I was feeling uncomfortable at any point through it.

Quarterley

Becky, what tattoo are you planning to get?

Superabo

If you can find one, go to a place that has one-time use, disposable equipment. That way, you're guaranteed 100% safety.

bexter

hmmm possibly a celtic knot that means eternal love, dunno yet

thanks everyone for the information so far! I think that it is a good idea about the disposible equipment...

I will have to see if my state requires shops to do that

I'm Not Your Boy Toy

get one where you wont see it so when youre all wrinkly at 70 it wont look nasty

Quarterley

Don't get it on your belly. If you get pregnant, it'll blow up, then afterwards, it won't look the same again.

QTgirl

I got mine in the center of my back...i've never really regretted getting it.

Superabo

I never thought about that, Cindy! I'm so lucky I'm a boy.

Lower back is becoming pretty trendy nowadays, but even so, it's a good place to get it if you want it hidden/want to "tease" with it by wearing low-risers or something.

You should get one on your ass.

*Lethe's Bramble*

I got my tattoo a month ago and I so friggin love it! ok so for safety precautions. I didn't do much, I knew the artist cos he's done some of my friends' tattoos and he has a reputation here of being really good so I wasn't scared for infections or what so ever. As for taking care of it, well you just need to make sure you do as the artist tells you. The first 3 days you might have to put some lotion on it but after that you just have to let it heal by itself.

DevoutlyDeviant

I don't have a tattoo. I think they're sexy, but I keep thinking about my grandmother and what her tattoo would look like right now if she had one....

Anyway, just be careful! My friend picked out a nice little butterfly and wanted it on her breast. When it was finished it covered over 1/3 of it and she didn't really expect that. Once it's on, it can't be taken off (or made smaller) with soap and water. She was living with her mother at the time and wanted to hide it while at home. With the results she got, there was no possible way she was hiding that unless she wore shirts up to her chin all the time.

I also have another friend who got a very pretty rose on her shoulder blade. That one looks quite attractive, especially when she has a tan.

Michelle

I have a sun on my right ankle. I've had it for about eight years now, sometimes I forget its even there...then when I'm shaving I'm all like.. "Oh look, I got a tattoo..cool."

Just be sure you let the person doing it know what size you want it to be beforehand and tell them, for instance you could say.."I want this to be no bigger than a quarter or a half dollar." Also know what colors you want before hand..my yellow and red are still bright..but the purple and the darker blue that they use for the outline have faded some.

CrabbyCancer69

Some of my friends had already gotten tattoos done at that parlor so I trusted them...I went with them and looked around the place to find the tattoo I wanted. Yes, they are supposed to open up all the materials in front of you, including new needles and swabs/cotton balls...anything else that goes with it. I got mine on my lower back cuz it's true what some people said, I don't wanna be 80 years old with a saggy looking tattoo on my body. On my lower back, I'll never see it!

Cantbehrit

I got my tattoos about 11 years ago. My mom decided that her, my sister & I were going to get matching tattoos on the back of our necks. The guy was good & the shop was clean.

They should open instruments around you or have them out in a very clean manner.

I will be getting more but I'm really picky about where to get them...I don't like the "typical" places. When we got ours they weren't that popular - we have chinese characters that say "Joy, Love & Peace". Now everyone has them but that's ok.

My sister though...has gotten many more & they are very unique & very well done. She has a shadowed scroll down her arm that a friend of hers did a few years back. Then about 2 years ago...he moved to our area & she had him do her other tattoo on the back of her shoulder...he did it all by free hand with no picture. She wanted a tree with colored leaves & he just did it. Its very big - maybe I can post a pic later.

A couple weeks ago she got a dove on the inside of her wrist. Its a symbol to honor a friend's mother who died of Mulitple Schlorosis (sp?).

You should really look around, like another poster said. Make sure you feel comfortable & talk to them beforehand about all of your concerns.


Cantbehrit