As long as you go to a recommended artist that is following all recommended safety precautions inkings are perfectly safe.  Follow these tattoo recommended steps and make sure you do your research on the tattoist artist before you get inked Remember getting rid of a tattoo isn’t a simple procedure . You could end up with having a ugly tattoo to mask the old one which you may well not like or surgery may be your only choice . The expense of dermabrasion or laser surgery can be extortionate and will leave scars. Just be absolutely sure before you get inked. In the United Kingdom you must be at least 18 years of age to get a tattoo . Any tattooist who doesn’t check your age if you’re young, isn’t likely to be one of the most reliable and your welfare will not be of concern to them. So although this may seem a great way to have your tattoo sooner rather than later it may not be the best thing to do .

Tattoo kits are not safe so stay away from them!  If you try these at home with no experience you could be putting your life – and anyone else’s you experiment on – in danger. If you want to be a tattoo artist you need to get a valid apprenticeship.

Are tattoos painful?   Everyone has a different pain threshold. Tattoos can hurt but its obviously not enough to put people off otherwise there would not be an ever increasing trend of people going to get them over and over again!
Some describe it as a hot scratching feeling.  If you are nervous take a friend or ask a friend or relative to go along with you. It is quite normal and the tattooist will be quite used to others coming along for moral support. They will also constantly check with you to see if you need a break. Just ask!  Numbing creams are not recommended.

The least painful places are “supposed” to be the outer shoulder/arm, the back, the inner arm and forearm, the collarbone. The lower back, on the sides where it doesn’t cross your spine because the muscles at the bottom are smaller and less tight.

Painful tattoos are “supposed” to be the ankle or top of the foot, the eyebrows, the chest or rib cage (for some), the elbow, the eyelid, across the spine. the knuckles and “those” other parts of the body ! Usually, bony places of the body are the most painful. Wrist skin is so thin and the nerves are closer to the surface so it can hurt more on the wrist.  Anywhere on the body where lots of veins and arteries are together will hurt more, the nerves run alongside bones and arteries, so be wary of where your lines are.

Tattoos have a good and bad time of the year . When  the best time is to get a tattoo is not something a lot of people give consideration to.  The skin gets a lot more wear and tear during the summer with swimming, tanning and sun exposure. All of these elements can prevent a tattoo healing and cuase your new piece of body art to fade. The winter time is really the best time of year unless you intend to keep covered up!

Don’t get your tattoo if you are feeling under the weather . Your immune system is flagging and your white blood cells need all the help they can get to heal your tattoo (it is art but it is also a wound that needs to heal). Your body will struggle with this if it is already busy elsewhere working against a virus and bacteria. Your tattoo artist will not thank you either if you take all you germs to him as they will be working in close proximity to you! The tattooist would prefer you to reschedule !

Never haggle over the price of a tattoo . It is disrespectful to the artist. If you can’t pay for quality, don’t bother. Remember that this is a piece of art that will be with you for life.

Tattoo prices vary considerably.  When it comes to the quality of your tattoo you get what you pay for. Its advisable to aggree a price upfront. . The majority of reputable tattoo artists are happy to agree on a price before you go for your tattoo appointment and that way both of you know how much the tattoo is going to cost you. Watch out for the ones who tell you “it depends on how long you are there”. This will allow them to keep you there for longer than necessary , even if you went in for a tiny butterfly tattoo  they could charge you the earth for it.  Also beware of tattoists out there that will ink you cheap. You will regret it and will have to go to a good tattoo artist to cover it up which ultimately will cost you more than it would have done in the first place. A full sleeve tattoo and full back tattoos can cost a lot and can take more than one session.

Shop around tattoo design studios first to compare prices and get a feel for the place. Always ask some questions about their safety and aftercare policy.   

Tattoo removal costs can be more than the actual tattoo itself so quality is key when it comes to getting inked.

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