* How did you know you wouldn't regret it?
Nope - DH and I chose the design, waited a year and then had it done, if we changed our mind, we waited another year.
* Does anyone regret theirs?
All our tats (dh has 2 I have 1) have special meaning and so will never be regretted.
* Visible tattoos & job prospects - does anyone feel its prevented you from getting a job?
I'm a teacher so I can't have visible tats so mine is on my butt, DH's is on his upper arms, so they wont be seen in normal work attire. My GF has her one on her inner wrist (cross) and the other arm has it all the way around her forarm (a flower) and doesn't have any issues getting jobs
* How do you find a reputable artist? Clean equipment etc. What to look for in a studio?
recommendations & go check them out like the others said
* How does weight gain & weight loss affect it?
mine are in places weight gain doesn't affect it. however one of my friends had a dolphin just under her belly button. By the end of her pregnancy it looked like a whale
* Where can i find inspiration for designs?
search the web, tattoo websites and magazines and pretty much everywhere. I found mine in a japanese text book, DH found his latest one in a gardening text book
* How do you think tattoos look on pale skin?
beautiful
* Pain factor - how much did it hurt?
I feel asleep getting mine done, but DH cried over bone it hurts more I'm told
* So its a pretty permanent thing, is there anything else i need to consider?
if you aren't sure, don't get it done, wait a while longer til you find the right place and design. I know what I want - a cross made with my girls names in cursive writing - and the place - my back - but I haven't got the exact design so I'm not getting it done yet. I can always get it done later, but it is much harder to take it off later IYKWIM
* How did you know you wouldn't regret it?
Faith in myself.
* Does anyone regret theirs?
I regret getting my second one - it's ugly and in such a high-visibility spot. My first I love, but wish it was a touch bigger and easier to show off. My third is my favourite - Ianto's name & birthdate in a rainbow
* Visible tattoos & job prospects - does anyone feel its prevented you from getting a job?
I can't comment here, I already had a job when I got my second (the only one that can't be covered)
* How do you find a reputable artist? Clean equipment etc. What to look for in a studio? Shop around a little if you must, but most tattoo parlours won't employ someone who will break rules or do a bad tattoo. Talk to the artist that will be doing it, so you feel comfortable with them.
*How does weight gain & weight loss affect it?
My first, on my thigh, has stretched just a touch, but all that's done is make the black ink seem a little lighter, like a really dark grey.
* Where can I find inspiration for designs?
Online is good. My memorial tatt for Ianto, I got the rainbow from clip art. If you can draw, then drawing it yourself is great, it gives it that personal touch. If not, bring some ideas in to the artist, and they can work with you to create something.
* How do you think tattoos look on pale skin?
I think coloured tatts look so much better on pale skin than tanned. It's like a white canvas to paint on Greyscale or black ones do well on any colour skin.
* Pain factor - how much did it hurt?
My first (20 mins, thigh) and third (4 hours, back) were alright - it really just felt like someone was scraping the side of a fingernail across my skin. My second (10 mins, wrist) was very painful - I'm not sure if it was because it was on my wrist or because the "artist" didn't know what she was doing.
* So its a pretty permanent thing, is there anything else I need to consider? Just make sure that you think through what you want to get. My second is the only one I didn't think through, and it's the only one I regret/hate.
Wow this is advice is better than i could have hoped for! so thank you and keep it coming. It's really got me thinking.
I have another question:
*How do the colours last over time? and with black, does it stay black?
because i've seen a lot of people where it looks dark green, but i think its meant to be black, and it looks like an old tattoo. Is that what happens over time? do you know what i mean?
My tattoo idea:
The quote is basically an affirmation that is helping me greatly through my PND, but its also just something general to live by. Something that i can see my self still appreciating in 10 years time. Its actually a maori saying, but i'd have it written in english because it translates well and i want it as a visual reminder for down times. The reason i wanted to include the sun, is because the sun is the key to the affirmation, its symbolic too. I also like symmetry and think the words around the sun would be nice and symmetrical. I'd like to get it in the middle of my back, so its symmetrical but i need it to be somewhere that i can see it, and i can't think of anywhere on my front that would be in the middle and not stretch (ie, tummy) or chest too painful.
So overall its not sentimental, i want it more as a reminder about being positive, looking ever forward.... I have another idea about tattoos representing my children which i'm sure i won't regret but thats something i want to do later on. The sun thing i'm thinking about seriously now.
It all depends on the tattoist babe. And the ink they use. Some tattoists dont push the outline in hard enough so it doesnt last/needs touchups etc. Mine still look like i had them done a couple of weeks ago. But thats just cause the tattoist is excellent and i looked after them. most of it comes down to caring for them. Its not only just while it's healing. Keep them out of the sun, or if you are going in the sun plaster it with sunscreen. But like i said, you can discuss all you things with your tattoist. I love the idea by the way
=)
I was just going to say pretty much what everyone else has said..
except I do know something about the colours, namely red. Colours are the colours they are because of what light they absorb/reflect. The colour red is red cause it absorbs every other colour but reflects off 'red' and something about the blue? wave length...but long story stort, red fades the quickest. My dad has a tattoo on his upper arm that was red yellow and blue, and now 30 years later is only yellow and blue, the red is completly gone.
in saying that...it has been 30 years.
if its something you believe in, and pull the meaning from, chances are you will get strength from that thing for life, and thus not regret it...obviously not the same for everyone.
One thing you can try is getting someone to draw (even getting the tattooist to use a transfer) of what you want where you want it, and test drive it for a week or so. as it will only be a transfer you can get rid of it or decide you want it in another place etc.
or you can love it and get it done!!!
good luck with it!! they are adictive =D
* How did you know you wouldn't regret it?
Truly, I don't think you can ever really say FOR SURE that you never will. I'm a 'go with the flow' kinda girl so I figured provided it wasn't in a spot that might get damaged by weight gain/stretchmarks, or hinder me getting a job, I just went with it
* Does anyone regret theirs?
Honestly, sometimes, yes. Regret about not choosing the right artist (needs touch-ups and it shouldn't), regret about where I put it (as I now have ideas about a better tatt that would go in that spot), regret about the design and WHY I got it (there are days when I look at it and go, 'Umm, just wtf were you THINKING?!' lol)... but I still love each and every one of my tattoos for their own reasons and despite the regrets. They tell a story and even when I think 'Yeah that was a dumb idea', I still adore my ink and enjoy remembering just what I *was* thinking when I decided to get it
* Visible tattoos & job prospects - does anyone feel its prevented you from getting a job?
I've thought about investing in a full sleeve because I'm planning on being a SAHM for a few more years yet. But then I do think about future career options and I know it's not the smartest idea. I also really want to get a tattoo on the inside of my forearm, just below the crease of my elbow, but I worry about, eg, what it's going to look like at my 20-year high school reunion, or my daughter's spring wedding, when I want to wear a glamorous dress or short sleeves and it's just BANG like an ugly mark in full view. That concerns me more than any job prospects, tbh So far I've been quite careful with my ink placement and the only one I have a bit of trouble keeping covered (especially in QLD where it's HOT all year round) is the one on my leg (just below the knee, on the outside of my leg) - I prefer to wear shorter skirts or shorts, so I attempt to cover it with stockings. That doesn't cover it completely but it does make it a bit less in-your-face, kwim?
* How do you find a reputable artist? Clean equipment etc. What to look for in a studio?
Visit the studio several times to get a 'feel' for the place. Your gut is the best indicator. Ask the staff about their practices, read up a bit about what they SHOULD be doing (there are a few sites out there that give you all the right questions to ask). Ask to see each artists' portfolio if they have one, talk to friends, family and anybody you see with a tatt and ask them where they got it and which artist did the job. Just because a particular STUDIO comes highly recommended, does not mean the artist you make an appt with is. I'm spewing because I have found an amazing artist but he's recently moved back to the Gold Coast, and I won't go back to the studio now because the other two artists aren't that great and were pretty much riding his coattails.
Also, different artists have different styles they are comfy with, so by looking at their portfolio you can determine who will best suit the artwork you have in mind - eg, some artists are great with Japanese-style art, others are amazing at doing portrait work, there are some who are great at drawing flowers/nature-themed stuff. Keep that in mind when you start shopping around
* How does weight gain & weight loss affect it?
This is the reason why I have chosen to put my tattoos where they are - to avoid areas that are prone to weight gain. I will say that my chest piece has been slightly affected by the skin sagging/stretching, the butts of the pistols appear to have slightly lengthened, but only I would notice that because I spend so much time inspecting my ink It's not noticeable and easily fixed (wear a push-up bra lol so everything sits where it's meant to!) but it is something to keep in mind.
* Where can i find inspiration for designs?
Google, check out tattoo/body mod ezines/sites with pictures, get a talented friend onside to help out or talk to a tattoo artist you're thinking about seeing. They should be able to help take your ideas and turn it into something you love
* How do you think tattoos look on pale skin?
AMAZING! I have milky, milky skin on my body (face, not so much, it's exposed to the sun too much) and black tattoos. They look great! The lines are clean and crisp, the colour stands out really well against pale skin and it's a lot clearer than on darker skin. Coloured tattoos look best on pale skin, as they 'pop' more and are sharper. Just make sure to take good care of your ink and either keep it covered or slathered in sunscreen - they don't like being exposed to too much sun
* Pain factor - how much did it hurt?
They say it depends on where you get it. I've had a few supposedly really painful spots tattooed (wrists, near the knee, chest - places where the skin is thinner are apparently notorious for being more painful), and it hasn't bothered me much. Your endorphins recognise an 'injury' and pump you up so that the area goes numb after about 15 minutes and you don't feel it so much any more. To me, getting a tattoo feels a bit like scraping yourself with a pin, then sunburn later on. I don't need to use pain relief before, during or after but I have a pretty high pain threshold.
HTH Good luck with it! I hope you get something you love!
What i've decided to do is try it out in Henna (roughly) in a couple of places so i can get a feel for what it would be like having something roughly that size and shape there. I had one done in henna on my pregnant belly and loved it:
You can actually just buy tubes of henna and draw it on yourself, some come with stencils though. My friend did my belly one freehand though.
I guess that's the best way for me to see how i go?
But i'm getting pretty excited, i really want to do this. I think i can psyche myself up for the pain too. I just need to start researching tattoists in my state, tiny city so there should only be a few good ones. Plus people talk here so i'll be able to find out who to avoid.
over bone it hurts more I'm told
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So far I've been quite careful with my ink placement and the only one I have a bit of trouble keeping covered (especially in QLD where it's HOT all year round) is the one on my leg (just below the knee, on the outside of my leg) - I prefer to wear shorter skirts or shorts, so I attempt to cover it with stockings. That doesn't cover it completely but it does make it a bit less in-your-face, kwim?
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