Tattoos look incredibly badass and when you consider the fact that someone put themselves through the avoidable pain of getting one, well you’ll be giving them their street cred that’s for sure.
But it isn’t always as straightforward as “just getting something drawn”, nope there are a few things to keep in mind.
Here are a few.
1. Yeah, tattoos are permanent, like until you die permanent
Tattoos are very permanent and you should consider what that really means before you get one. Yes, you can get them removed, but laser removal can be expensive, tedious, and painful. If you’re not sure you can handle having something on your body permanently, try using temporary tattoos for a bit to see if you like it. You might realize that you don’t actually want ink.
Even if you do want ink, you may change your mind about what you want. Whatever you get on your body will be there forever, unless you choose to go through a potentially painful removal process. It should go without saying that your tattoo should be something you want on your body for the rest of your life.
2. Think about where you want to have it placed
Before you get a tattoo, you’re going to want to decide what you want. But where you get a tattoo can be just as important as what you get. Some locations on the body can be more painful than others.
You also might want to consider placement based on your workplace. I’m fortunate I work in a creative industry where tattoos are welcomed and displayed proudly. However, if you work in a more conservative field, you might not be able to show off your ink.
3. Of course it hurts, I mean obviously
Everyone’s pain tolerance is different, but it’s important to know before you get one that tattoos can really hurt. You may get a little numb after a while, and the pain can subside after your adrenaline kicks in.
It really can depend on your pain tolerance and where you get your tattoo. Softer, more plush areas with thick skin may not hurt as much. You may also be sore afterwards too.
4. It’ll require care for a while
Before you get a tattoo, you should also think about what you’ll need to do for it afterward. If you’re not prepared to deal with caring for your tattoo, you probably shouldn’t get one. It’s not like having a puppy or anything, but you will have to be diligent about the aftercare, especially for the first two weeks.
Your tattoo will likely flake and peel. This is totally normal. After your tattoo has healed, it’s important to still keep it moisturized.
