Thinking about getting your first tattoo?

Firsts are always memorable, and your first tattoo is no different. Think about your first piercing or the first time you had a professional do your hair/nails/makeup. It’s kind of like that, only times 1,000 because it’s usually pretty permanent.

Remember, you’re putting a piece of art on your body that’s going to be with you for a long time. That’s worth more than a few minutes of serious thought. This is why there are some things that you need to meticulously consider first before getting inked.

Pain

Pain and pain after every pain… obviously, getting a tattoo will hurt. Anyone who tells you otherwise is either lying or only has a one-inch tattoo on the wrist. The process involves multiple needles puncturing your skin in order to insert ink. We don’t know about you, but none of that sounds particularly pain-free. The bigger the tattoo and the more elaborate the design, the more pain experienced.

The design

Don’t rush when picking a tattoo design. Just don’t. You might regret it as soon as the tattoo artist inserts the last drop of ink. You need to spend lots of time researching the design. You can check out all sorts of tattoos on Google to come up with ideas. You can even get a tattoo artist to help you with the design. Actually, the latter is recommended, especially if you want a really personal design.

People often go for meaningful tattoo designs. Like Bible verses, names of loved ones, personal mantras, and symbols that represent their lives. But you don’t necessarily have to go the meaningful route. The important thing is to go with a tattoo design that you won’t regret and won’t be ashamed of having.

Your Reason

There are many possible reasons why people get under the needle and get inked. Some get tattooed because they appreciate it as a form of art. Some get tattooed as a show of love or infatuation. Some get tattooed to openly show rebellion. Some get a tattoo to cover their permanent scars. And some simply get tattooed because they think it’s really cool.

Before getting a tattoo, consider why you want one. You don’t necessarily need to come up with an overly sentimental or profound reason to get a tattoo. Just make sure that whatever reason you come up with, you will be able to stand by it