| Before rushing off to the tattoo parlor, I invite you to answer a few questions. There are no one answers for these; they are designed to make you think before you act. • Why do I want a tattoo? • What do I wish to express with my body art? • Will the tattoo/piercing affect my social life? • Am I secure enough in my career to have exposed body art? • Is this an appropriate place on my body? • Does the size of the artwork fit my body part? • Am I absolutely sure I want my boyfriends name on me for life? • Am I positive I want a tattoo for life? • What if I don`t like this tattoo in the future, what are my options? • I know I want a tattoo, why don`t I know what I want? • With my health issues, should I get a tattoo? • Can I take the pain of body modification? • Do I feel comfortable with the artist I have chosen? • Have I done all the necessary research for this lifetime commitment? • How can I better prepare myself for a tattoo/body piercing? • Can I afford a tattoo/body piercing at this time? These are just some of the questions one should ask themselves, before going to the professional tattoo parlor. The more confident you are in this lifetime decision, the happier you`ll be. I`ll usually ask my new clients at least five or more of those questions listed. If they have a hard time with their answers, I will suggest they wait one month before receiving their new tattoo. I`ll usually offer to do the tattoo cheaper if they wait it out. Every time my new client made the choice to wait, they changed their mind on the first design and selected something different. As the professional tattoo artist, I personally feel obligated to my new client with helping them to understand what they’re about to get into. Tattoos and body modification can change the way society views a person. Although you’ll never find a prejudice tattoo, you will run into prejudice people that will judge you over that new neck tattoo or that tongue piercing. Sounds pretty silly doesn’t it. We get to hear all the regrets in the tattoo parlor. So if the artist is trying to talk you out of doing that face tattoo, it’s because their fully aware of the effect it will have on your life. They’ve heard the stories more than once. It’s like asking the artist to do something they know you’re going to regret. That is most certainly not what the professional tattoo artists want for their clients. For the professional, there is a deep respect for this ancient trade of body modification and when we are tattooing there is great satisfaction in giving someone a lifetime gift. There is much more to the story than just drawing a picture in the skin. A unique relationship between client and artist develops over a few tattoos, and it feels like you have a lifetime friend. It is my goal to prepare you so you will feel confident in your decisions regarding body art. I’m going to discuss with you all of the things you’ll need to prepare yourself before, and after receiving your new body art. Approaching professional tattoo parlors can seem a bit intimidating, but most professional artists are friendly. They can be very helpful and informative. Remember there is no such thing as a dumb question. I’ll discuss some of those commonly asked questions and talk about choosing designs and how the process of receiving a tattoo or body piercing actually works. We’ll cover the healing of new body art and what to do if you get an infection. I’ve placed some easy reviews at the end of a few chapters that will provide quick reference when doing your research. I put in some personal information to help with understanding everything from paperwork to proper care. Now it is up to you. Be patient in your search for the right professional tattoo parlor and artist. Look at several designs before you decide on a tattoo. Feel great about all your choices along the way, and you will be rewarded with a beautiful lifetime gift. I wish you the best of luck. |
| Collecting Tattoos.com |
| Excerpt from the book |
| Getting started Chapter 1 |
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