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Tattoos are about as personal as it gets. You are about to have ink injected into your skin which is intended to be permanent.

With that in mind, my first piece of advice is to treat it as if it is permanent. Yes, there are ways to have a tattoo removed, and these are becoming more effective as new technology develops. However, most procedures do leave scars, and they can be lengthy, painful and expensive, so it certainly isn't a good idea to embark on getting a tattoo with the idea that you could get it removed if you don't like it.

Avoid getting a tattoo of something you like at the moment, for example, a popular band. Think about how you'll feel in 20 years. Will you still like their music? Or are your tastes likely to have changed? I have a friend who is a big fan of Brody Dalle from The Distillers, and she wants a portrait of her tattooed. However, she said that she was going to wait 15 years before making the commitment. If she still wants it then, she will feel confident that it isn't something she will go off easily.

This might seem like a long time to wait for a tattoo, but that's a much better idea than getting a tattoo that you might regret and risking getting stuck with a big design on your body that you dislike.

When it comes to designs, the world is your oyster. Once you've found a tattoo artist who's work you like (shop around, look at portfolios, ask to watch them work), start looking for a design. If you have a vague idea of what you want, discuss it with your artist and see what he/she thinks. They might be able to expand on your ideas. For my first tattoo, I wanted a Chinese dragon, but was unsure of the size. The tattooist drew it freehand on my back, and it looked great. I got it done there and then. However, if you're not happy with the design that your tattooist has drawn, don't hesitate to say. They understand how personal tattoos are, and will be more than happy to rethink. If they aren't happy to do that, then find someone else who is - a good tattooist will recognise the need to get your design just right.

Look everywhere for your inspiration. Think about what your interests are. What are you most passionate about? Look around you, outside, in books, at art.

I wouldn't recommend going on the Internet and printing off a ready-made design. They can be good for inspiration, but think about how people will have visited that site and used their designs. Many require you to pay as well. There is no need to pay for a design that will probably already be worn by many others. Imagine bumping into someone who had an identical tattoo!

Buy some tattoo magazines and try Internet communities. Look through portfolios and see if there's anything you like. When my ex-boyfriend went to get a tattoo, he found a design that he liked in a portfolio, and so the tattooist altered it to suit him.

I would advise against getting a partner's name tattooed on your body. So many couples do this - of course, at the time they are convinced they won't break up - and then they are stuck with an ex's name on them for life. If you really want to do something to show your love, try matching tattoos. Agree on a design that is meaningful for both of you. That way, if you do break up, the tattoo can still be kept. In my opinion, this is a classier way of doing it anyway.

Be careful not to rush into anything - getting a tattoo is a thoroughly enjoyable process, and when it's a design that you really want and have carefully chosen, it's so much more special.

Learn more about this author, Ruth Moran.
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