Frequently Asked

We're not going to sugarcoat this: a tattoo is a permanent "wound" on your body; a deep one that penetrates right down into the second layer of your skin, otherwise known as the dermis. A healthy body can heal most wounds, and typically anything that penetrates your skin at that level will be broken down and flushed out of the body by the bloodstream, but the ink molecules in tattoos are too big to discharge. A healthy immune system recognizes that the ink is not poisonous or harmful and allows most of the ink to stay there ... forever. Are you sure you fully understand the true extent of the tattoo commitment? The decision you make now will be with you in your next relationship, at your future children's high-school graduations, and with you as you rock on the front porch many decades from now.

If you feel okay about making such a long-term, permanent commitment, a tattoo may

be right for you.

It's so important that you are one hundred percent honest with yourself about why you want a tattoo, and make sure that you're really comfortable with that reason before you go through with it. Are you looking to commemorate a loved one or a special event in your life? Are you sure that in ten years what you want to celebrate today will still resonate? Can you even imagine yourself in ten years? Is there a particular image or symbol that you identify with and want to express? Are you a spiritual person who wants a reminder of something greater than yourself? Are you like Mark Wahlberg and want to tattoo your name on your arm to remind yourself of your own greatness?

The fact of the matter is that there is no right reason to go under the needle. It's an individual choice that has to be made by the person getting the tattoo which means you'!! never need to justify it to anyone. If you are true to yourself when you decide on your ink, and honest about why you want one or why you chose a particular design, then you'll be confident as you get older that the tattoo is an honest expression of the person you once were .. even if you're different now.

If you can be comfortable with your reasons for getting this tattoo later in your life, you might be ready to get a tattoo.

Your tattoo should not reflect the desires, views, passions, feelings, thoughts, or worldview of anyone but you. We can't stress this enough. No one else will have to live with your tattoo as closely and as intimately as you will. No one else should be able to decide, or influence you in deciding, what your tattoo should be, and no one should be making you feel either that you need to get a tattoo or that you had better not get one. Friends may pressure you to get one. Family may disown you if you have one. Regardless of external pressure, it's all up to you. Everyone you know will have their own opinions about tattoos, including how big it should be and where you should get it. But while trusted people can provide useful advice, if you don't put your opinions first when weighing the factors and making final decisions, you're going to end up disappointed.

If you know beyond a shadow of a doubt that you're getting this tattoo for you —not for or in spite of someone else— you may be ready to get a tattoo.

Like any type of learning process, getting a proper tattoo education can take some time and effort. Between researching the design you want and speaking with different tattooists, there is much to learn, and we'll cover what you need to know. Also, running your ideas by trusted friends and family can be a good idea, provided they can give you objective views and not force their opinions on you. Just be prepared from the outset that you're going to need to invest time and energy in order to get the best results.

If you're ready to make a time commitment to study up on all you need to know about getting inked, you might be ready to get a tattoo.

Getting tattooed doesn't tickle. For most it isn't excruciating, like breaking a leg or childbirth, but there is an element of pain involved. If you're sensitive to pain, even minor pain, a tattoo may not be right for you. Getting tattooed is like "art surgery." There are rubber gloves involved, some blood and bandages and needles, and the process can take several hours or even a few days across multiple sessions. While the pain associated with each tattoo varies, and everyone experiences pain differently, there is almost always some level of discomfort. After all, your skin is being punctured thousands of times by little needles. Even if you're okay with the direct pain, you still need to consider that you may be sitting in a very uncomfortable position for an extended amount of time.

If you're sure you can withstand some minor to moderate levels of pain and temporary discomfort, a tattoo may be for you.

As we said, getting tattooed is like art surgery. As with any procedure that involves breaking the skin, when getting a tattoo, you must have the utmost trust that the person working on you is doing so with sterile instruments in a clean environment. If you know what you want and the right questions to ask (we'll help you with that), then it could be as simple as going to one tattooist and making sure you're satisfied. If they don't meet your requirements, then we can have a consultation until you are. Higher demand for tattooing could potentially create more unsafe conditions for tattooing than ever before. We'll get into this more when we discuss choosing a tattooist, but keep this in mind: anyone can pick up a tattoo machine and go to town on your skin if you let them. In many states, you don't need a license or any professional training.

It's a sad fact that not all tattooists are reputable. Some adhere to local health regulations (if any even exist), while others may not, Enforcement of regulations through official inspections also isn't guaranteed. Some cities, counties, and states in the United States have health mandates on tattoo shops, but not all, and in general, the tattoo industry isn't strictly regulated. Poor sanitation or misuse of tattoo equipment can lead to more serious and even life-endangering blood diseases like hepatitis. And, while you can be tattooed in a safe, reputable tattoo studio with little health risk, the greatest risks often occur after you've gotten your new tattoo. Improper healing and aftercare can lead to infection and long-term skin conditions, not to mention unsightly damage to your new artwork.

If you're comfortable about taking a risk (made less risky by educating yourself about tattoo safety and finding the right person to ink you), a tattoo may be right for you.

Experts Know...

If you have special health considerations such as diabetes, hemophilia, epilepsy, or immunity deficiency problems, you should speak with your health-care provider prior to being tattooed. You will also need to notify your tattooist of any conditions that could complicate the application or healing of your tattoo.

How well do you deal with being the center of attention? Perhaps more important: how well do you deal with being the center of scorn? Some people despise tattoos, and they're very vocal about it. They might be appalled that people would "deface" their bodies, and they won't be shy about letting you know their opinions. On the other hand, there will probably be those who feel as though they share a common bond with you because you both have ink. Some may simply be interested in your tattoo, while others may feel like it's okay to roll up your sleeve or push away other articles of clothing to get a better view—- and they might do so without asking you. For better or worse, by getting a tattoo, specially if it’s going to be highly visible to others, you will be drawing attention to yourself and, weather you like it or not, potentially being labeled and stereotyped. Sometimes you need to have some patience and a thick skin to wear your tattoo with pride.

If you're okay with others openly expressing their views on your tattoo (whether they're positive or negative), then a tattoo may be for you.

The design you choose, the artist, and the studio that you decide to work with ... all of these decisions are yours. With the potential of getting bad work or a health complication, it's important that you are prepared to take full responsibility for the ultimate outcome.

There may be other people involved, like friends and family or your tattooist, but you're the one calling the shots and the ultimate success of the tattoo experience is up to you. Educate yourself and make smart decisions about your design reference, placement, tattooist, and aftercare. The choices you make will have permanent rewards and consequences, ultimately determining whether you'll have the best possible tattoo experience.

If you're willing to accept full responsibility for how your tattoo comes out, you may be ready to get a tattoo.

Like your body, tattoos are going to change as they age. The skin is the largest organ in the body, and it reproduces itself. Your body will slowly break down some of the ink pigment of your tattoo, making it look dull, faded, and blurred over time. Your artwork may also stretch or sag, which will make it appear much different than it did when new. There are ways to increase the staying power of your tattoo, which we'll look at later in Tattoo friendly designs, including choosing design references best suited to hold up well over time. Whatever happens, it's definitely possible to get your tattoo touched up, rescued, covered, or removed. The results will vary, but it's important to know from the beginning that your tattoo will age with you and may eventually need more work to keep it looking good.

If you accept that, like the rest of you, your tattoo will not look the same in five, ten, or forty years, you may be ready to get a tattoo.

Whether you decide to modify an existing tattoo design or go with the original artwork reference because you think it's perfect "as is" your ultimate result should be a tattoo that you really treasure. Don't cave to suggestions or even pressure that you might get from others if you're happy with your tattoo choice. Your opinion matters most.