A Tattoo Is Forever - So Beware

Tattoos have been all the rage now for years. They’ve survived the spike in popularity they enjoyed after the whole Nirvana, Pearl Jam, and grunge rock craze. That was the era that started it all. People wore flannels, got pierced every which way, and then got ink on their backs, their butts, their necks, faces, foreheads, you name it. Then the craze went mainstream. Frat boys and girls started popping up with pierced belly buttons and nipples at spring break. They’d flex their biceps to show off the wraparound tattoo on their arms, or they’d bend over in their bikinis to show off the spread on their lower backs.

And yet the craze continues, despite the fact that R&B and rap is the new top 10 music of choice, and despite the fact that people finally came to realize that yes, tattoos are forever. Sure, you can take a piercing out of your eyebrow, but you need a laser beam to burn that ex lover’s name off your ankle.

That leaves you—knowing the realities of tattooing, but still seriously considering the move. That’s nothing to be ashamed about. We’ll assume you’ve thought through the decision and came up with a kick-butt piece of art to stencil into your body. But have you put serious thought into where you will get the tattooing done? This is a serious consideration, because as the number of people wanting tattoos has skyrocketed, so has the number of tattoo parlors. And many of these parlors aren’t up to snuff, especially considering some of the tattoo artists out there.

So your job now is to track down those artists, the tattoo parlors that can put a piece of art on your body, and can do it in a clean and sanitary way. So first, ask around to your friends who have had work done before. See where they went, what they thought, and how their tattoos look now. Are they faded? Blurred? Raised? Or in any other way disfigured or not as crisp and attractive as the tattoos were when they were first drilled in?

Once you have a short list of parlors from friends and family, check out each one. Make sure that they have autoclave and sterilization certifications. Watch them perform on someone. Did the tattoo artist wear gloves while they were working? Do the artists have certifications to prove they’re the real deal? And once last question you should ask: are the artists vaccinated for hepatitis B? That can be a tricky question to pose, but if they’re professionals, the tattoo artists shouldn’t mind answering that one.

If they’re willing, also ask the tattoo parlor for a tour of the place. Take a look at their instruments. Are they clean and sanitary looking? Are all the inks, water, and ointment stored in different containers? Are the needles taken directly from autoclave, and sterilized, bags, and are the needles then immediately disposed of after use?

And believe it or not, ink should be fresh for every person, too. Watch how the tattoo artists use their ink. For every new person, colors should be poured into separate cups. Any ink that is left over should then be thrown out. Just as with needles, sharing ink is not a good idea.

Once you’ve done the rounds at several ink shops, you should find one that you feel comfortable with. If not, it’s worth it to wait, ask around some more, and track down that perfect parlor for your first tattoo.

Make sure you read up on all aspects of getting a tattoo before you finally lay needle to skin. You can find more information on the best tips at the top Tattoo site - Tattoo Body Art

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