by Heather M Davis

Created on: August 27, 2009   Last Updated: August 31, 2009

A tattoo is a permanent piece of artwork on your body, and there are lots of ways to make getting a tattoo a wonderful experience...Or a total disaster. The quick list for how not to be a disaster:

1: Do not rush your tattoo selection. It will be there forever, take your time about choosing your design.

2: Do not choose an artist at random. Find one who suits your style, that you connect well with, that you feel will give you the best possible work.

3: Do not price shop. An axiom in this industry is "A good tattoo isn't cheap, and a cheap tattoo isn't good". It's generally true. You are getting a permanent marking, don't try to bargain shop on something like that.

4: Do not be afraid to speak up. Tell your artist if you feel your tattoo isn't the right size, or the color isn't the one you want...BEFORE it's tattooed.

5: Do not forget to double check your tattoo. Make sure any words or dates are correct. Check the spelling, make sure you gave it to them right, and that a letter or number didn't get dropped somewhere in the drawing process.

Once you're ready to go get tattooed (and I mean, within the 24 hours of your appointment)

*Do not skip meals. I know, you're probably a little nervous, but not eating wreaks havoc on your blood sugar levels, and may make you more uncomfortable, nauseous, or likely to faint than eating would.

*Do not drink alcoholic beverages. First of all, artists don't appreciate the booze smell and the inability to sit still that comes from a little 'liquid courage'. Second of all, alcohol (even a beer the night before) thins your blood, and so you bleed out your ink as your getting tattooed. This leads to longer time in the chair, and going over the same places more often to get the ink to stay-which gets painful, and makes it harder to heal.

*Do not take/drink aspirin, caffeine, or ginseng before getting tattooed (Okay, maybe a little caffeine, but say no to the 4 shot espresso beverage), these will also thin your blood.

*Do not forget to tell your artist about any health conditions you have. Being diabetic, asthmatic, or having a heart condition probably won't stop you from getting a tattoo, but it is important that your tattoo artist be able to respond if you start having issues because of it. And in some cases, there are preventative steps both you and your artist can take to prevent blood pressure spikes or whatever is the concern for you.

Mostly...

Do not freak out. Be excited, and have fun with your tattooing experience.

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