by Lynda Mc Donald

Created on: July 30, 2009   Last Updated: July 31, 2009

Getting a tattoo is not a walk in the park. It's painful and needs a lot of effort to remain in good condition and to heal properly.

A lot of people don't educate themselves about tattoos properly. It's not very smart to just decide on impulse to get a tattoo and not know how to care for it. So the first thing you need to do is find out how to care for a tattoo during the healing process and afterwards, because not knowing is just careless.

Do not get tattooed while high or drunk. It may seem like a good idea at the time, but you will probably end up with a random 'cool' design you picked off a flash, which you could grow to hate over time. Also if you're drinking alcohol directly before you get tattooed it will thin your blood and cause you to bleed profusely.

Don't walk into the first tattoo parlour you see, or the one that gives you the cheapest quote. This design will be on you for ever so remember you're paying for the quality of the work. Start asking around and see what people think of certain artists' work, and take a good look through their portfolios.

Make sure that the parlour you choose uses properly sterilised equipment, don't be afraid to ask to be shown how they sterilise everything. It is also important to check they have any relevant licenses.

Don't try to pass yourself off as older, with a fake id or otherwise. If you're under-age and an artist tattoos you they could get in a lot of trouble.

Don't scrub the or add any lotions to the area you're planning on getting tattooed. Also don't shave the area, unless it is somewhere you frequently shave, such as your legs or underarm. If you shave somewhere and cause razor burn, you will have to wait for it too heal before it can be tattooed.

Don't be afraid to ask your tattooist to change the design if you don't like it; remember they may be tattooing it but it will be a permanent part of your body for ever. If they seem very unhelpful about this, then leaving is always an option. It is also important to remember some artists have specialities; so if you are looking to get a portrait done then it would be a very good idea to look for an artist who specialised in portraits.

Don't pick an area of the body to tattoo because you think it will be the least painless. Your decision on placement should be based on how visible you want the tattoo to be. This can be very important if you have are planning to enter a formal career where a very visible tattoo would be considered inappropriate.

Don't forget to eat before you get tattooed. Having a bunch of needles repeatedly perforating your skin is uncomfortable, but if your blood sugar is low you also run the chance of passing out. If you are really worried about this, bring along a lollipop to keep your blood sugar level up during the session.

The last thing I have to say is take time making your decision, on both the artist and the design because if you don't you could regret it later.

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