Getting a tattoo is a serious decision. It’s not something you do on the spur of the moment when you’re feeling adventurous. It’s a decision that you will live with for the rest of your life and should be taken seriously.

The longer you take to think it through, the happier you will be with your decision. 93% of people who regret their tattoo, say they didn’t put enough thought into it.

Here are some of the most important pieces of advice I can give you before you get a tattoo.

1. If you don’t know what to get, find a tattoo design or a few designs you like on the internet or on the wall at a parlor, and have the artist use it to draw you something unique. A good artist should be able to take the ideas you have in your head and draw you up something killer. Don’t settle for anything less.
2. Never get a tattoo from anyone who does not work out of a tattoo parlor. A respectable tattoo artist is very serious about sterilization and cleanliness. If you get a tattoo from some guy in his kitchen, not only are you going to get a crappy tattoo, you’re putting your health, and possibly your life, at a serious risk. It’s not worth the few bucks you might save. I could go on forever on this one, but I’ll save that for another post.
3. It’s going to hurt. Some parts of your body will hurt more than others, depending on how thin your skin is in that area. It’s different for everyone, but at a minimum, it will feel like scratching a sunburn.
4. Don’t settle for just any tattoo artist. Do your research. If you don’t have any good tattoo parlors in your area, find one outside of your area. A 1 or 2 hour drive should not be an issue when you are getting a piece of art that will be on your body for the rest of your life.
5. If you can’t afford the tattoo you really want, then wait until you can. Remember, you will spend the rest of your life with this tattoo. There’s no rush.

If you remember these 5 things and give them serious thought before getting a tattoo, you will be extremely happy with your decision and you will get a tattoo that you will love for the rest of your life.

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