Tattoos tutorials

This question can actually refer to two different things. One, where (as in location of studio) is one aspect of this question. The other, where (on the body) is the least painful place to get a tattoo is the other aspect of this question.

Attacking the first reference, obviously, the least painful place to get a tattoo is in a licensed, professional tattoo studio. A lot of people will ask why. Here's the reasons. If you go to someone doing tattoos out of their home, or perhaps in a flea market, or an outdoor event, where a tattoo artist is working out in the dirty environment, you risk having an inexperienced tattoo artist butcher your skin. One of the reasons they don't work in a licensed studio may be because their skills just aren't up to par with what is expected of an artist in a studio. Another reason may be that they are just learning. Another reason may be that if they did tattoos in a studio like they do in their homes, chances are they would get no repeat business and this would have a negative effect on the studio. Another reason may be that they cause scarring when they tattoo because of the mistaken assumption that to get the ink to stay better in the skin, they have to go real deep. This is not so.

A professional tattoo artist has been trained to put the ink below the dead layer of the skin at the outside. If the ink is put into the dead layer that sloughs off the ink will not stay and lines and fill in areas will appear splotchy and weak. If the artist puts the ink below the living layer where new skin cells are generated, they are going too deep. This can cause the ink to spread under the skin so edges become spider webbed or there is a bluish or greenish glow around the edges of the tattoo. By going too deep, they also risk causing permanent raised scars on the client. Inexperienced tattoo artists have difficulty in controlling their needle depth and clients complain that the tattoo experience hurts excessively. It also causes healing to take an unusually long time to heal and because the ink is put too deeply into the skin, the tattoo can appear murky and indistinct, colors appear dull, and spread in uncontrollable ways under the skin in the fat layer below the skin.

Now on to the second part of this question. Where does it hurt the least to get a tattoo? The places on the body that seem easiest for clients to tolerate are the upper back, outer arms, outer calves, and buttocks. These areas get more friction in normal daily actions and so are more used to being touched. On the arms and legs, some of the more painful areas are the elbows, inside the elbows, the knees, inside the knees, the wrists and ankles.
Ribs, front torso, underarms are very uncomfortable. Feet and hands are not easy either. Necks can be good or bad, depends on the person. Lower backs seem to also be painful.

Pain is a funny thing. If you have had pain in your life, you tend to take the feeling of getting a tattoo better. If you are young, never had significant pain in your body or are one of those with a low tolerance for pain, chances are you will be uncomfortable no matter where the tattoo is put. Women in general tolerate the feeling better than men. But, men who have been through military or law enforcement training seem to do better.

If you have never had a tattoo, it is difficult to describe the feeling. Some relate it to a cat scratch or bee sting. Some say it feels like being burned or branded. Some say it feels like razor cuts. Without a doubt it is an acquired taste. Since the body has never had this sensation before, it tends to try to relate it to something within your realm of experience. After you get one or two, it gets easier to take. The trick is to relax during the process. A relaxed body is not fighting the pain by tensing up. Tensing up makes the surface of the skin harder and thus makes it harder to get the tattoo ink in the proper layer of skin. Holding your breath will make you pass out. By all means, make sure you have a good meal about 2 hours before starting the tattoo process. Getting a tattoo on an empty stomach can cause problems. The sensation of pain releases endorphins from the brain that is the body's way of protecting itself from pain sensations. It can also cause a drop in the blood's sugar level that can lead to passing out. Many people claim to be addicted to tattoos, and this may suggest that they are really more into getting the endorphin release than the tattoo, imho.

The best thing to remember when getting a tattoo is that there is an end to the process. A small tattoo can take under 10 minutes. Larger pieces take longer. My experience has been that the body has a natural tolerance barrier. This is about 3 hours. After 3 hours, I find that clients become more uncomfortable, more of the plasma leaks from their skin, this dilutes the ink and makes it harder to get good coverage. At this 3 hour mark I also notice that the skin can become pebble-like with areas where it appears to be harder thus making giving the tattoo more difficult.

Large tattoos can be broken into several sittings. The first sitting usually will involve getting all the outline work done. This is because matching up stencil pieces can be difficult to nearly impossible and if only part of the outline is completed in one sitting, chances are the second sitting produces inferior results. Once the outline has been completed, there is no problem letting the outlines heal before beginning any of the fill in process. Dark colors seem easier to get into the skin. Lighter colors may sometimes need to be gone over twice to get the full effect of the pigment. It is not uncommon when doing large black tribal pieces and pieces with large pastel colors to have the customer come back within 3 weeks to have a second 'coat' of ink put in the tattoo. This gives the artist a good look at how you take care of the tattoo during the healing process and the opportunity to 'touch up' any small spots that may need it.

Clients will swear that they followed the after care instructions, but as a trained professional in the business for many years, I have come to recognize the tell-tale signs of neglect or picking at the tattoo during the healing process. Letting the tattoo dry out, using petroleum products, picking at the scabs, exposure to sun and water, wearing tight clothes or shoes over a fresh tattoo, not washing the tattoo frequently, and using too much lotion on the tattoo during healing can all have adverse effects on the final outcome of the healed tattoo.

The final result of where hurts the least are variable. A lot depends on whether it is your first tattoo or not, where you desire the tattoo to be placed, how large the tattoo is, how well you tolerate pain and how well you take care of it during the healing process. During the actual process of tattooing, if you need to take a break, remember, don't take too long of a break or once you sit again to continue the tattoo, you may find it more painful than if you took no break at all. Getting tattoos in unusual locations on the body can be more painful than getting it in the normal locations. You must weigh your desire for placement with how well you tolerate pain. You must make logical decisions based on how large the tattoo will be and whether you are up for sitting for a longer period during the process. You must decide what is best for you. Unfortunately, I know of no areas on the body where it doesn't hurt to get a tattoo, but it doesn't hurt that much, and as an adult, you can always let your mind wander instead of concentrating on the sensation. Go to your happy place and you'll do fine!

Some tattoo artists will say no. Others will say yes. There are many factors to consider when getting a tattoo and obviously the amount of pain you must go through for that tattoo will vary.

Old school tattoo artists are of the mind, that you must earn your tattoo with the pain you go through to get the tattoo. This is a pretty outdated way of thinking.

Many factors play into how much a tattoo will hurt. One important factor is where the tattoo will be located on your body. Areas such as the outer arms, outer legs, upper back and upper chest are not very painful for tattooing. Other areas such as the lower back, inside the arms, or legs, near elbows and knees, along the spine, along the ribs, the lower front torso are all considered to be more painful areas. The feet and ankles are definitely more painful than other areas. This applies also to inside the wrist and hands.

Another factor is how well you tolerate pain. Women are built to take pain better than men, because women are designed to give birth. This makes a normal woman's pain tolerance usually higher than a man's. Women who have given birth usually tolerate pain better than women who have not been through childbirth.

Additionally, if you already have several tattoos, you know what to expect and have become more immune to the feeling of getting a tattoo because you have had the opportunity to feel what it feels like to get a tattoo and now you can convince your body that the pain is not that bad, because you've survived it before. Those getting their first or second tattoo would be wise to pick smaller designs and put them in less painful areas until they become used to the feeling of having a tattoo needle pierce their skin 3,000 times a minute. But, be careful where those small tattoos go. In the tattoo business, outer arms and upper backs, as well as calves of the legs are considered 'prime real estate' and to plant a tiny tattoo in an area that leaves a lot of untouched skin around it tends to make that small tattoo look even smaller. And, if sometime in the future you decide to get a partial or full sleeve or leg piece, you've just make it more difficult to design around that tiny tattoo smack dab in the middle of your planned large piece.

On the market today there are several types of deadening agents available. Pre-deadeners usually have Lidocaine, Benzocaine and/or Tetracaine in them. Pre-deadeners should be applied to cleaned, shaved skin in a thin coat, then seal the area with clear cellophane and taped airtight. The artist applying this pre-deadener is strongly advised to test a small area first to make sure the person receiving the pre-deadener is not going to have a bad reaction to the cream or ointment. Most pre-deadeners take 45 minutes to one hour to become effective and usually last 1 to 2 hours. Most times you can tell it is taking effect when you see a whitish coloring to the treated area making the surrounding areas appear pinker than normal. On darker skin this is harder to observe. If there is any doubt about whether the person will have a reaction to this procedure, make sure to have them discuss it with their doctor before using the product, several cases of reactions have been reported by those who did not follow these guidelines.

These pre-deadeners are available to professional tattoo artists through their tattoo supplier and are not generally available to the public. These pre-deadeners are designed to be used on un-broken skin, meaning before the tattooing process is started.

Once the tattoo has been started, usually after all the outlining is done, another type of deadener is available. It too can contain Lidocaine (5% concentration is the legal limit unless you have a medical license), Benzocaine and/or Tetracaine. Usually this 'during-the-procedure' treatment is in liquid, spray form or gel. It can be sprayed on or applied to the skin once the skin is 'broken' by the tattoo needle and should also be tested on a small area beforehand to make sure the client will have no adverse reaction. Again, this product is not generally available to the public but can be purchased by a professional tattoo artist working in a licensed studio. This product usually lasts 45 minutes to one hour per application and it is advised not to use the product more than 4 times in one sitting with a client to avoid heart palpitations, and other unpleasant side effects.

Some artists refuse to offer these deadeners saying it will cause the tattoo to heal poorly. Others refuse to offer them because of the cost involved in obtaining them. Most of these deadening products are very expensive for small amounts and because they are sometimes in alcohol or witch hazel bases, they tend to evaporate quickly and don't have a long shelf life. Clients usually don't realize that their tattoo artists will talk about the tattoo experience once the client is gone. Tattoo artists have been overheard commenting about what a wimp a client is because they moaned, groaned, complained incessantly, constantly wiggled throughout the whole tattoo. Some artists will charge more for the next tattoo if the client comes back to the same artist for further work, because the artist knows it will be a difficult tattoo to do well due to the constant pain vocalizations of the client, and trying to get a complaining client to sit still. Sitting still is the number one reason some tattoos do not come out well. Talking on the cell phone, bringing children into the studio and paying more attention to them than the tattoo procedure, and poor aftercare are other reasons why a tattoo might not turn out well. But, using deadeners usually doesn't have any effect on the quality of the tattoo or the healing process afterward.

Some studios will charge up to $100 per application of these deadeners, sort of as a lesson to the client. If you can't take the heat, then you'll pay for the privilege. Some clients report that even after several applications, they still get no relief from the deadeners. Sometimes clients mistake the pressure of getting the tattoo with pain and if the client has never had a tattoo without deadeners, then, of course, they have nothing to compare the sensation to. If a studio does offer deadeners, follow the artist's advice to the letter. If they ask you to pay additionally for the deadeners, don't quibble; pay what is asked, even if it doesn't seem reasonable. There are many shops that simply don't offer any relief, and clients are always free to go to whichever shop they wish. If you do find a shop that offers deadeners, and you feel you really need it, then pay what is asked, and consider tipping the artist more than if no deadeners were used. It takes a lot of extra time for the artist to apply the deadeners properly and extends the total time he/she spends with the client. This means the artist usually has to reschedule other clients or misses out on income from other clients because of the extra time needed to deal with the client wanting deadeners.

If you have any health issues or are taking one or more medications on a regular basis, be sure to check with your doctor before allowing deadeners to be used on you. Be sure to test the deadeners on a small area to check for reaction, this applies to everyone, regardless of their health or medicines taken. Don't blame the artist if you get no or little relief from the deadeners, it is not the fault of the artist. If you don't think you can take the pain of getting a tattoo without deadeners, don't get the tattoo, period. Be prepared for the fact that not all deadeners are alike and not all work the same way on every person. Every person's perception of pain is different. Some are naturally more pain tolerant. Some have a very low pain threshold.

Is it possible to get a painless tattoo? Yes and no. Now that you have the facts, you get to make up your own mind. If you feel you need it, and are willing to pay extra, call several studios and inquire if it is offered at that studio. If you are already loyal to one artist and would like to try deadeners, ask your artist if they would be willing to use deadeners, then offer to pay for the product in advance and pay for the extra time it takes the artist to correctly apply the deadeners. Most professional tattoo artists make between $100 and $300 per hour, and if they eat up an hour using deadeners on you, don't cheat your artist out of their expected income. Remember, they CAN make a tattoo hurt more than it needs to!

For many years tattoos and decorative piercings weren't a real issue for members of the Mormon Church. Until the year 2000, there was only one reference to tattooing in all of Mormon teaching and that was in the 1965 unofficial personal publication Mormon Doctrine by Mormon Apostle, Bruce R. McConkie. It states; "Tattooing is a desecration of the human body and should not be permitted, unless all that is involved is the placing of a blood type or an identification number in an obscure place. Latter-day Saint servicemen in particular are counseled to avoid the pitfalls of tattooing. Persons who are tattooed are not, however, denied the ordinances and blessings of the temple."

In the October 2000 General Conference the first of many "councils" against tattooing was announced.

"We--the First Presidency and the Council of the Twelve--have taken the position, and I quote, that "the Church discourages tattoos. It also discourages the piercing of the body for other than medical purposes, although it takes no position on the minimal piercing of the ears by women for one pair of earrings." President Gordon B. Hinckley

At the time my husband and I were very active, temple recommend holding members of the church and had been operating a tattoo studio without any prejudice for many years. We were never treated poorly or shunned by the members of our Ward or Stake. Our Stake President's wife more than once brought her children to our studio to get tattoos. It was such a non issue that one of the ways I billed myself in advertising was Kita Kazoo the Mormon Girl Tattoo Artist.

Since then we both have been subjected to many discussions and debates on the right or wrong of getting and doing tattoos and piercings. At first I would defend my choice of profession using the scriptures, but eventually I got tired of it and began asking those who questioned me to explain to me, what horrible thing would happen in our society if everyone had a tattoo? After all, sins are those things that violate the golden rule and keep us from loving one another, not things such as, what clothing we wear or how we do our hair.

Now, 8 years later the whole subject of tattoos and piercings has in my opinion gotten out of hand. Now it is not so surprising to find that the local church authorities, such as bishops, stake presidents and temple presidents are taking it upon themselves to punish members who choose to get a tattoo. Not just in Utah, but all over the world. This has become such a big issue that people are leaving the church over it.

Some people who have tattoos are told not to take the sacrament and others are not allowed access to the temple. Some are being counseled to not marry those who have tattoos and piercings. As having been a 30+ year student of Mormonism and its history I feel that this behavior is not in line with the teachings of Mormonism or Christianity in any way.

Mormons aren't the only religion that superstitiously believes that tattoos are an evil and to be avoided as they supposingly will lead to worse sins. Many Christian Churches and Jewish Rabbi's do also. And there are good reasons for a religion to not want their flock to get tattoos or piercings.

Getting a tattoo not only changes the way you look but it also changes the way you think and feel about yourself. It is a clear message that you feel that you are the owner of your body and worse of all (to religious leaders), your mind!

Historically tattoos have been used as an expression of faith and commitment. One would think that getting a symbol of your beliefs tattooed on ones self would be encouraged. However, because of the recent history of American tattooing and the popularizations of tattooing, tattoos are being presented by the media and politicians as a dangerous amusement. It is not new for counter-culture decorations to be viewed as repulsive to many of the elders of our society.

When I heard at General Conference that President Gordon Hinckley (the current Mormon Church President) does not like tattoos and some piercings I was not surprised. The tattoos he has been exposed to in his youth were usually not very well done or artistic. Unlike today, tattooed people of his generation, especially in socially backwards Utah may have appeared attractive only to criminals or rough military men, not average everyday people with families and lives of good account.

To further the injury of one's personal opinion of fashion being stated as if it is a law from God, President Hinckley allows for one sort of permanent decorative change to ones appearance and not another, which seems hypocritical to me. Mr. Hinckley allows within the church for women to have their faces tattooed with permanent cosmetics and wear pierced earrings, (but one pair only - one in each ear) as those are socially acceptable with in his peer group.

I feel that these religious leaders are ignorant of tattoo history as a spiritual practice and generally trivialize tattoos and piercings as immoral and frivolous behaviors of rebellion because they do not want their followers to look like everyone else. It is a power game and nothing more. If they can control the way you look they will control the way you think and feel.

I suspect that the shunning of persons with tattoos and piercings is really a part of the whole elitist thought pattern of Mormonism in Utah. Those who have not done their homework are sure to believe that if you look like a Gentile (any non-Mormon) you will act like a Gentile, which means to Mormons that you are without God and are basically led by the Devil.

However it has been my experience that tattoos do not lead to sin. Being uninformed and willing to blindly follow without question is what leads to sin and personal disgrace.

If you are LDS and still considering a tattoo you should first be asking yourself these questions. Does my tattoo choice reflect my beliefs or will they distract from my message of who I am. Am I getting tattooed because I want to immortalize an event in my life, a belief or to rebel against the mainstream culture? Will this tattoo or piercing prevent me from being a good person? The answers to these questions will let you know if you are doing the right thing or reacting poorly to your society. It is my opinion that if you feel having a tattoo would be a healthy positive thing for you, then by all means exercise your own good judgment and free agency and get one.

Keep in mind that in reality "Tattooings are not only ornaments...they are not only emblems of nobility and symbols of rank in the social hierarchy: they are also messages fraught with spiritual and moral significance...not only to imprint a drawing onto the flesh but also to stamp onto the mind all the traditions and philosophy of the group."- Claude Lévi Strauss

Personally I believe that tattoos in and of themselves can not be evil and I don't believe that God cares one way or another if you have one or not, unless you got that tattoo to alienate and hurt other people. Then the real problem is how you feel towards your fellow men and not the tattoo in itself.

People have a right to decorate themselves how they want to. Some people like to put pictures on their bodies and some people don't. It is all a matter of personal taste. I feel it is wrong to subject my taste on others and I expect the same courteousness in return.

This attitude is healthy and normal. This is how it is in the big world where the Mormon lifestyle is not practiced by the majority. Wouldn't the world be great place if we could all mind our own lives and appreciate the good things out there instead of picking on others for being different?

You can do good or evil with everything on this earth. As a heavily tattooed person I have had many more opportunities to love and serve others through tattooing and having tattoos than before I had them. I have had to become more patient and tolerant. Especially have I had to learn to be more patient and tolerant with those who claim to be "spiritual leaders" as they put words in God's mouth rather than follow what they claim God has already spoken.

I have found that most people who have tattoos are more open and friendly towards others. I have found that for the most part people who wear tattoos are very nice people. There are a few people that I have met to whom their tattoos serve more as warning to stay away than an invitation to meet them. Which I feel is also a good thing as it has saved me a lot of time by helping me to avoid an unpleasant interaction with them.

Most people have their personal spiritual philosophy tattooed on them and it becomes a way of opening the opportunity to speak about spiritual things. In this world where we are taught to be afraid of our neighbors it is nice to have a way of really getting to know the people around you. It is nice to have a common bond despite all other social differences.

If you already have a tattoo and are experiencing social rejection issues it is wise remember that things in the church change quickly. I would not be surprised to find that in 20 years having a tattoo won't be an issue at all. The evil music that was preached against in the 60's and 70's is now played regularly at church dances and the Coke and Pepsi drinkers that were denied temple recommends in the 1970's can now go to the temple in spite of their soda habits. It is all a matter of generational perspective, which is bound to change as the old guys finally die off.

Home Tattoo Removal or DIY tattoo removal is becoming more well known, has gained respect and is greatly increasing in popularity around the world.
While it used to be a fact that most Home Tattoo Removal methods always caused scarring and severe pain, this no longer has to be true, especially with all that has been recently learned about tattoo removal.
A tattoo can turn out to be a mistake that will seemingly last a lifetime. You may have gotten a tattoo during a tattoo fad or maybe even while you were intoxicated or not in the right state of mind. Now you're to the point that you no longer want the tattoo and you are trying to find an inexpensive way to remove it.
Tattoos can be undesirable for many reasons. It makes it harder to get a job if you have tattoos and many people think tattoos are "trashy." It is ideal to think people should not judge a person for having tattoos, but in all reality many people do!
Removing a tattoo can be very expensive when done by a professional. It can cost up to triple the amount (if not more) of what you paid for the tattoo. Some of the professional tattoo removal techniques that are available are: surgical removal, skin grafting and dermabrasion.
All of these tattoo removal procedures are extremely time consuming and usually very painful. Nearly half a million people spend this extra time and money on getting their unwanted tattoos removed every single year. Even with professional tattoo removal complete removal of the tattoo is extremely rare.
This is why Home Tattoo Removal or DIY tattoo removal is becoming a more well known and respected procedure.
There are some excellent do it yourself tattoo removal techniques that are just as effective, if not more effective than getting your tattoo removed professionally. All tattoo removal processes take time and patience and it is important to stick with the routine if you want to say goodbye to your tattoo.
One of the newest and most effective Home Tattoo Removal techniques is called Fade Away. Fade Away works by applying a series of creams to the tattoo. Like I mentioned before it must be done consistently to be the most effective. The Fade Away works by breaking down the ink in your skin and letting the ink be disposed of by your body. This method seems to be the least expensive and less painful method available for DIY tattoo removal. There are many different types of Fade Away creams that can be purchased worldwide.
Believe it or not, another do it yourself tattoo removal method that is becoming more recognized is the laser removal. Laser removal was previously only preformed by licensed physicians but now can be done in your own home.
It is important to be very cautious when using a laser removal product. There must be appropriate gear worn while performing the procedure. If everything is not done exactly how the manufacturers of the laser state on the product instructions, there could be major physical injury to you and the person helping you to remove the tattoo. Laser removers can be very costly but are effective.
Laser removal equipment, when used properly, breaks down the ink in the skin to where it is small enough for your body to break it down. Laser removal methods can be very time consuming and painful.
In order to decide the best method for your DIY Tattoo Removal it is important to determine the size of the tattoo, the location of the tattoo on the body, what colors are used in your tattoo and how deeply the ink has penetrated into the skin.
If the tattoo is located in a place where the skin is very thin, like on the ankle or the top of the foot, it would be ideal to go with the Fade Away creams as they wouldn't be nearly as painful as the laser removal method.
If the tattoo is deeply penetrated into your skin it would be ideal to go with the laser removal as it can get deeper into your skin to break down the tattoo ink. Whatever the method there are health risks involved and it would be ideal to check with your physician before beginning the treatment.
Regardless of what option you would like to try, it is important that you find the removal technique that works best for you, not the guy down the street. We are all individuals, and therefore, we react differently to different products.
If you would like to get more information to help you make a more informed decision, as well as see what other options you have, visit http://www.tattoos-away.com/index.html

This tattoo removal site is the work of Allen J. Pollick, author of the landmark book about safely and effectively removing tattoos, whether doing it yourself or with professional help.

Tattoo removal is as easy as it can be with Tattoos Away covering 15 different methods of tattoo removal, including 7 do it yourself tattoo removal methods.

Throughout this site, you'll find all the information you need to make an informed and intelligent decision as to which method you may want to use to remove that unwanted tattoo.

The best way to overcome fears of the tattooing process is to read books and articles and become familiar with what exactly will be involved in the tattoo experience. This way you will be aware of each step in the process and know precisely what to expect before the needle starts buzzing. In this article, I will tell you, from start to finish, each step involved in tattooing.
Please bear in mind though, that I will be describing just exactly how the process should generally proceed. There will always be possibilities that different tattoo artists will do things differently than I describe or in some instances even skip some of these steps. This does not necessarily mean that the artist is wrong; it just means that there is more than one way to skin a cat. So to speak. But do be aware that any major variations from the process described below could be an indication of a problem. You may want to discuss with your artist, their procedures in advance.
Let us assume that you have nailed down your tattoo design and have your desired artist picked out. A truly professional artist will require that you show valid identification and proof of age. You may also have to fill out other paperwork and give some other types of personal data. This will vary from shop to shop and has little bearing on the actual process.
Most tattoo parlors will require payment for their services before they begin. This again will vary from shop to shop and each will vary in the types of payment that they accept. You should always request a receipt for your payment.
Now you are ready for the chair. This can be in an open area or a separate room. This will vary between shops and also vary with the part of the body you are having tattooed. If you prefer a private room, you should talk to parlor personnel about this in advance. There are varying styles of chairs for different tattoos, so a private room may not always be convenient for the parlor to furnish. Your artist should do everything in their power to make you feel comfortable and accommodate your requests or tell you why they cannot.
Preparing the tattoo area. Rubbing alcohol is the most common substance used to clean the area that will receive the tattoo. Once the area is cleaned, then the area will be shaved with a new disposable razor to remove any hair. The area has to be clean shaven because any presence of hair can cause problems. The immediate and surrounding area will be cleaned again, making sure there is no hair remaining and everything is set to proceed.
Making a stencil of your tattoo design. The artist will most likely use a thermal-fax machine to make a stencil of the tattoo design. The machine will transfer your design onto a special thermal type paper to be used as a stencil. The artist will then use the stencil to transfer the design onto your skin. To aid in the transfer process, the artist will use soap, water or even stick deodorant to moisten the skin. These substances allow the design to transfer better and provide more color on your skin. When the stencil is removed, you will have a purple-ish blue impression of the future tattoo remaining on your skin.
Your artist will begin preparing their tattoo equipment. The ink will be put into little small cups they call "ink caps". They will remove the needles and tubes from the sterile pouches and place them into their tattoo machine. A clean container of distilled water will be another of the items on the work table. This will be used for cleaning the needles during the tattoo process and for changing colors.
Now for the line work! A small amount of ointment will be placed over the transferred design. The ointment will help the transfer to stay longer and prevent it from being accidentally rubbed off. The ointment will also allow the needle to slide along the skin more smoothly. Now that the ointment is in place, the artist will begin their line work. At this point, is where your heart will start to race and panic will set in. Take slow, nice, deep breaths and try to relax. Do not hold your breath. The first minute or two will be the toughest. After a few minutes, your nerve endings will get used to the process and the pain will slowly subside.
Time for shading and color. After the line work is complete, your artist will breathe a little bit easier knowing that you have grown accustom to the process and they are done with the transfer. Now the artist can do their thing and begin adding shading and color; if your tattoo is going to have color. Depending on the size of your tattoo, your artist may switch to a different set of needles. The needles used for shading and color are called magnums (or mags). There is a possibility that they may even switch tattoo machines. The shading and coloring usually moves along quite rapidly and then your tattoo will be complete.
Now that your done, it is time for a little fun! The artist will clean the tattoo good, and some will even apply a hot towel to it. Then, if your tattoo is somewhat of a specialty or the artist needs to build up their portfolio they will ask to take a picture. If you brought a camera along, you might ask the artist to take a picture for yourself. The ointment that will be applied to the tattoo will cause a glaze. So, if you want a picture of the tattoo, it would be best to do it before the ointment is applied. If for some reason you do not want the artist to take a photo, just say no. You are not obligated in any way to let them do this.
To your body, your tattoo is a wound and will require care for proper healing. A protective layer of ointment will be applied to the tattoo to prevent airborne bacteria that may cause infections. A securely taped bandage will then be applied. Follow the recommendations of your artist when they tell you how long to leave the bandage in place and prepare for your tattoo aftercare.
Your artist should give you tattoo aftercare instructions. These instructions should be given both verbally, and written so that you can follow them at home. It is important that you listen, understand and follow these instructions. If they give you instructions or you want to make sure that you are doing the right thing to heal your new tattoo and preserve its lasting beauty you can read very detailed instructions on Tattoo Aftercare at http://www.thetattoooutlet.com/Tattoo-Aftercare-Instructions.html.
Tattoo aftercare is your responsibility and it is a very important period in the tattooing process. Caring for your tattoo properly will make your tattoos' appearance stunning and also ward off medical repercussions with infection.
If you are pleased with your tattoo and your experience as a whole, before you leave, thank your artist, and do not forget to tip them. Show them that you appreciate a job well done.

Your first tattoo can be the most enjoyable thing that you have ever done in your life or it can turn out to be a total disaster. This will depend upon the amount of research you put into your decision to get a first tattoo. There are numerous tattoo books and valuable information available on my site at http://www.thetattoooutlet.com Use these resources to gain all of the knowledge you will need to make your first tattoo experience exciting and memorable. There are also 700 Free Tattoo Designs that you can download to help with your search for that perfect tattoo design.

Getting a tattoo is not as simple as giving permission to an artist to draw and prick their needles into your skin. A tattoo is a permanent mark in you skin that you will be wearing for a long time and you should do some serious thinking before getting your tattoo. Although there are procedures now to erase a tattoo, it is expensive and painful and of course you have to avoid going through this process as much as possible.
Getting a tattoo is a life-long decision and you should avoid rushing yourself to get one and then later on regret wearing a tattoo that you don't like. Here are some tips that you need to know before getting your tattoo.
Reason for getting a tattoo. Before subjecting yourself under the needles, think why you want to get a tattoo. You will wear this mark for a long time or maybe for lifetime and you need to know the reason and the message you want to express before getting your tattoo.
Legal age. You must be of legal age before getting your tattoo and you must comply into this to avoid getting into trouble with the law. The legal age is usually 18 years old, but still check with your country or state before getting your tattoo.
Safety. Before getting your tattoo, you need to consider your safety. Make sure someone tattooing you is using sterilized needles to avoid catching infectious diseases. You should be physically fit to withstand the pains of tattooing. Take vitamin C and zinc to increase your immune system. Bring a friend or someone you trust to give you moral support.
Budget. You should know the total tattoo cost before getting your tattoo. It is important to prepare your budget or work within your budget to avoid disappointment and surprises.
Get a professional artist. It is important that your tattoo will be done by a professional tattoo artist who is qualified to do the job. Find out about the reputation of the tattoo parlor before getting your tattoo. Find a tattoo parlor which abides with the law about tattooing and who cares more about your safety than your money. Word of mouth; is one way to know if customers are satisfied and happy with their tattoos.
Placement of tattoo. Before getting your tattoo, decide where you want to place your tattoo. Placement of tattoo is a critical decision and you should know the pros and cons of tattoo placement before getting your tattoo. For instance, tattoo on hands and feet are more painful, prone to infections and easily get dirty since we usually use our hands and feet for our daily tasks. Getting a tattoo on your stomach need a lot of thinking for women, imagine how your tattoo would look like after pregnancy, a tattoo over stretch marks is unsightly. You also need to consider your profession and job before getting your tattoo, it is important that you can easily conceal your tattoo if needed. There are a lot of factors that you need to consider about the placement of your tattoo.
Choosing the best tattoo design. Of course you need to choose the best design before getting your tattoo. You don't have to rush about the design. Give yourself time to shop around, look at other tattoos or carefully work with a tattoo artist about the best tattoo design for you. Remember that a tattoo is a definition of who you are and the feelings you have and you have to carefully choose the best tattoo that will convey the message that you want the world to know about you.

Do you want to find and select the right tattoo design for you and avoid regrets? Do you want to have an access to unlimited tattoo designs? Chopper Tattoo provides you with the largest selection of award winning tattoo designs. Search through our database to find thousands of tattoo designs! Visit Chopper-Tattoo-Huge Tattoo Gallery [http://www.squidoo.com/your-tattoo-gallery]

Getting a tattoo is not as simple as giving permission to an artist to draw and prick their needles into your skin. A tattoo is a permanent mark in you skin that you will be wearing for a long time and you should do some serious thinking before getting your tattoo. Although there are procedures now to erase a tattoo, it is expensive and painful and of course you have to avoid going through this process as much as possible.
Getting a tattoo is a life-long decision and you should avoid rushing yourself to get one and then later on regret wearing a tattoo that you don't like. Here are some tips that you need to know before getting your tattoo.
Reason for getting a tattoo. Before subjecting yourself under the needles, think why you want to get a tattoo. You will wear this mark for a long time or maybe for lifetime and you need to know the reason and the message you want to express before getting your tattoo.
Legal age. You must be of legal age before getting your tattoo and you must comply into this to avoid getting into trouble with the law. The legal age is usually 18 years old, but still check with your country or state before getting your tattoo.
Safety. Before getting your tattoo, you need to consider your safety. Make sure someone tattooing you is using sterilized needles to avoid catching infectious diseases. You should be physically fit to withstand the pains of tattooing. Take vitamin C and zinc to increase your immune system. Bring a friend or someone you trust to give you moral support.
Budget. You should know the total tattoo cost before getting your tattoo. It is important to prepare your budget or work within your budget to avoid disappointment and surprises.
Get a professional artist. It is important that your tattoo will be done by a professional tattoo artist who is qualified to do the job. Find out about the reputation of the tattoo parlor before getting your tattoo. Find a tattoo parlor which abides with the law about tattooing and who cares more about your safety than your money. Word of mouth; is one way to know if customers are satisfied and happy with their tattoos.
Placement of tattoo. Before getting your tattoo, decide where you want to place your tattoo. Placement of tattoo is a critical decision and you should know the pros and cons of tattoo placement before getting your tattoo. For instance, tattoo on hands and feet are more painful, prone to infections and easily get dirty since we usually use our hands and feet for our daily tasks. Getting a tattoo on your stomach need a lot of thinking for women, imagine how your tattoo would look like after pregnancy, a tattoo over stretch marks is unsightly. You also need to consider your profession and job before getting your tattoo, it is important that you can easily conceal your tattoo if needed. There are a lot of factors that you need to consider about the placement of your tattoo.
Choosing the best tattoo design. Of course you need to choose the best design before getting your tattoo. You don't have to rush about the design. Give yourself time to shop around, look at other tattoos or carefully work with a tattoo artist about the best tattoo design for you. Remember that a tattoo is a definition of who you are and the feelings you have and you have to carefully choose the best tattoo that will convey the message that you want the world to know about you.

Do you want to find and select the right tattoo design for you and avoid regrets? Do you want to have an access to unlimited tattoo designs? Chopper Tattoo provides you with the largest selection of award winning tattoo designs. Search through our database to find thousands of tattoo designs! Visit Chopper-Tattoo-Huge Tattoo Gallery [http://www.squidoo.com/your-tattoo-gallery]

In 2009, Mattel launched a new Totally Stylin' Tattoo Barbie. The doll came with temporary tattoos for both the doll and child. It also included a tattoo gun in which the tattoos were to be applied. Many parents were outraged, but others saw the new doll as a sign of the times. Mattel kept the Barbie on the shelf due to the number of sales. Mattel believes the Tattoo Barbie gives young girls a chance to express them selves. Many parents like the idea of their children expressing themselves, but believe it can be in a different form than tattoos, especially the heart tattoo bearing Ken's name. Tattoos of significant others is the most regretted tattoo later in life. The argument continues on whether these dolls influence children on getting tattoos.
Another large influence on teens and tattoos is the amount of teen celebrities donning their ink. Just last year, at the Teen Choice Awards, which as the name implies, has an audience of mostly 11-17 year olds, a Jonas Brother, a heartthrob amongst young girls, was tattooed on stage by none other than celebrity tattoo artist, Kat Von D. It wasn't revealed to the viewers at the show or at home that the tattoo was not real. Many parents were again outraged.
While the Jonas Brother tattoo was not real, many teen celebrities do have real tattoos. But not only do they have tattoos, they love to show them off. Of course, the media loves to show and point out celebrity tattoos as well. Justin Bieber, only 16 years old, already has his first tattoo. His family was fully supportive of him getting a tattoo at such a young age. They actually went on to explain the bird tattoo that Justin got was a family tradition. The other family members with the bird tattoo had them inked on their wrists while Justin opted for the lower side of his stomach. Miley Cyrus, 17 years old, already has at least two tattoos. Miley's family was also completely supportive of her decision to be tattooed before she turned eighteen. Miley was actually with her father who was getting a tattoo when she decided to have "love" tattooed on her ear.
The tattooing of teens is such a large issue that some states have decided to ban tattooing minors under any circumstances. Many states let teens get tattooed with parental consent. However, in Minnesota, starting July 1, 2010, teens will no longer be able to get a tattoo even with parent permission. Minnesota believes that this new law will prevent those teens that feel the need to express them selves through a tattoo without thinking of the later consequences in life that tattoo might bear. Minnesota does not dislike tattoos but the state does believe that a person should be an adult when making the decision to get a tattoo.
Whether influence from a doll, teen celebrity, or another factor, tattoos are on the rise amongst today's teens. Many teens believe that a tattoo expresses who they are, but they often get tattoos without thinking of the lifelong consequences. Many teens see getting a tattoo as a step in growing up. States like Minnesota agree that tattooing is a decision for an adult to make therefore passing a law stating so. Teens are so easily influenced by their peers and celebrities and the number of teens with tattoos is continuing to increase.

In the past it was mainly men who decorated their bodies with tattoos, however over the past 50 years or so tattoos for girls have also become incredibly popular. The rise in the popularity of tattoos among girls followed the women's rights movement, as social attitudes changed to embrace equality. While many girls still prefer the classic tattoo designs styles and body locations that are also popular among men, recent decades has also seen an explosion in incredibly feminine and elegant tattoo design styles that have been developed especially for female tattoo enthusiasts. There are so many different design styles around that there really is something for everyone.
There are so many options for girls planning a new tattoo that choosing a design and where to ink it can be rather daunting. It is incredibly important to really take your time making a decision. Tattoos are permanent and girls who get inked on the spare of the moment usually live to regret it.
The two biggest choices to make when planning a new tattoo are which design to ink, and where on the body to ink it. Some girls prefer to pick the design first, and then think about where best to have it tattooed, while other girls pick the body location first. There is no right or wrong way, although I personally recommend considering both the design and body area simultaneously when planning a new tattoo.
There are a wide range of tattoo designs available, and I strongly suggest you browse through as much top quality artwork as possible to get some initial ideas about what you like. A tattoo is a very personal thing, and I recommend choosing a design that not only looks fantastic, but also has some significance to you. Some of the most popular design styles that make for fantastic tattoos for girls include (in no particular order) bird, butterfly, Celtic, cross, dolphin, eagle, fairy, fish, flower, heart, rose, star, tiger, tribal, and zodiac tattoos, although many more design styles are widely available.
In addition to the design itself, it is also important to think about the colours that you want to incorporate in to your tattoo. Some girls love really colourful tattoos, and choose to ink designs such as butterflies, birds, and flowers. Other women prefer more classic tattoo designs inked in black, such as the very distinctive tribal and Celtic design styles.
Some of the most popular body areas for girls include the wrist, arm, back, lower back, belly button, foot, leg, neck, and shoulder. When choosing where to site a new tattoo, there are a number of factors that must be carefully considered. Firstly, many girls must consider how visible they want their tattoo be to. A large number of women have employers who enforce strict no tattoo policies, and will therefore need to select an area of the body that can be covered up easily. Other girls prefer to ink highly conspicuous designs that are easily shown off to the world.
Another factor that will greatly influence your body location options is the size of the tattoo that you plan to ink. Very large tattoos will obviously need a big canvas such as the back, chest, arms, or legs. Many girls, especially girls planning their first tattoos, prefer to ink relatively small designs, and these can be sited pretty much anywhere. Some areas of the body can only accommodate small tattoos, such as the wrist, ankle and foot.
Pain is another factor that is important to many people, especially newbies inking their first tattoos. Generally speaking, bony areas of the body, such as the ankle, are more painful to ink than more flesh areas such as the upper arm. The size of the design is also important, as larger designs take longer to ink, meaning that the associated pain has to be endured for longer.
I hope that you found the information in this article helpful, and that you will heed some of the advice given. I cannot stress enough the importance of taking your time to think about your options. Far too many people rush the planning stage and end up with tattoos that the don't like. Don't be one of these people, think long and hard about what you really want, and never be afraid to seek advice. Tattoo artists are great sources of advice, and I recommend that you talk with a reputable artist in your local area. I also strongly recommend browsing as many top quality designs as possible. By showing your artist some of your favourite designs, they will have a better idea for the sort of tattoo that you want. Carefully planning your new tattoo should ensure that you will ink a design that you will love forever.

For more information about planning a new tattoo, please visit the Tattoos For Girls section of the Premium Tattoo Designs website. For more information about ankle tattoos for girls, please check out the Ankle Tattoo Designs For Girls page of the Premium Tattoo Designs website.
Pete Wood is a passionate tattoo enthusiast. Pete's passion for the art of tattooing, combined with his anguish at the huge number of people that end up regretting their tattoos, lead Pete and a friend to create the Premium Tattoo Designs website. The ethos of the Premium Tattoo Designs website is to provide high quality information and advice so that people can make informed decisions when planning a new tattoo.
The premium tattoo designs website contains a vast amount of information and advice about a wide range of tattoo designs and commonly tattooed areas of the body. The website also contains detailed information about selecting tattoo artists and shops, tattoo safety considerations, tattoo aftercare, and much much more.

This article will give some tips that will help you come into a decision about your first tattoo. However, you have to bear in mind that with any kind of design, make sure that you place some twist to it to make it your own.
Different Tattoo Designs
There are so many pictures or images that you can choose from, you can even design it yourself, or make changes to some of the pictures that you already have chosen at some tattoo shop or online designs so that it can be unique. You can choose from the different tattoos like tribal, celtic, animal, sci-fi, geek or portrait tattoos.
You can also choose from the black light UV tattoo which will look prominent under black light. Some of the popular tattoos today are stars, wings, kanji, crosses, names, words, dragons, butterflies and skulls.
Selecting the Right Tattoo for You
Here are some of the factors that you have to consider in choosing the right tattoo.
The Reason Why You Want the Tattoo
Since it is going to be your first tattoo, it should be something that is full of meaning. It can be something that may express time; your memorable experience in life that has change you or made a big difference in your life. Do not just get a tattoo because someone has just persuaded you to do so. Do not also do it just because you already have reached the right age and you could easily get one without asking permission from your parents or guardians. Think of every reason why you want to have that particular tattoo before getting it inked on your skin.
How This Tattoo Could Possibly Affect Your Present or Future Job
Think About the Design
Is the design something that you really want, did you design it or someone else just design it for you. Is the design something that you got from a particular picture? Does the meaning say something about you, or do you think it is perfect for you.
The Location of the Tattoo
When it comes to the location, you have to consider if the tattoo is something that you want to show to people all the time. If you want it to be private, then you can place it in an area where it will not be visible all the time. You also have to consider the type of body that you have, your body and type and your body curves.
Choosing the Right Tattoo Artist
Choose the artist that specializes on the type of tattoo that you want. You can always ask any recommendations from friends or relatives who already have tattoos. The cost of the tattoo will also play a vital role in having one. Make sure that the tattoo artist also is an experience one when it comes to tattooing.
What You Have To Do Before Getting a Tattoo
Before having a tattoo done, you have to make sure that the procedure will be done safely. You might think that your new tattoo is cool because it looks like a big scab, but still, it is considered a big wound. So just like any other wound, puncture, scrape, cut or penetration done to your skin, your tattoo will be prone to infection.
Get your immunizations up to date and decide where you will have your medical care done, if ever your tattoo gets infected.
Medical problem like heart disease, diabetes, allergies, skin disorders, immune system defects and other types of infections must be addressed to the doctor first so that he can give you proper precautions before you can have your tattoo.
If you are susceptible to having keloids, it is advisable to avoid having a tattoo.
You have to make sure that the tattoo studio where you will get your tattoo is clean and safe, see to it that all equipments that are going to be used are disposable and sterilized first. It is better if you could get some recommendations on some licensed tattoo shops or try to research whether the tattoo shop has any complaints about them.
Tattoo shops which are professional will take pride in their cleanliness. Some of the things that you have to look for in these tattoo shops are the autoclave, this is a device which utilizes steam, pressure and heat for the process of sterilization. Make sure that the tattoo artist who will get you the tattoo is licensed. The tattoo shop should follow the Occupational Safety and Health Administration's Universal Precautions.
Once you see that the tattoo shop does not observe cleanliness, or if ever, you do not feel that comfortable, you can always have the option to choose another tattoo shop.
One of the major things that is probably holding you back from having your first tattoo is the fact that it is permanent, it stays on your skin forever.
Yes, tattoos, may last forever, however, if you have the resources to have laser tattoo removal done, then you can always get rid of it.
It is important that when you choose your first tattoo, it is something that you really want and it says something about you, so that you will not regret it.
If you take into considerations all of these factors, you will be able to decide without any problem. Just keep in mind that first tattoos should be something meaningful to you.