By Morris Raymond
Chances are that whether it's a co-worker, a friend, a family member, or even a general acquaintance, you probably know someone who has a tattoo. As common as they are now, you might even have a harder time finding someone who doesn't have one. What's more, your curiosity has nearly gotten the best of you, and even though you're secretly wishing you could ask some questions about the tattoo experience, you've chickened out.
That's OK. It can be a little odd asking someone about something on their body, but rest assured, you are not alone in being a bit curious about the whole tattoo process. Not only has this form of body art grown in popularity, but for a time, television shows based on tattoos were all the rage. You gained some insight into the body art world, but you were being given more information about reality show drama than the actual tattoo work.
If it makes you feel any better, tattoo artists are aware of your questions and are more than happy to answer them. So, don't be shy. Given the areas of the body than can serve as canvases, it'll take more than a simple question to make a tattoo artist blush.
Combing through a number of FAQ lists from various tattoo parlors, here are the five things most people have wanted to know about getting a tattoo:
Is It Safe? - The best parlors in the business are thorough in maintaining cleanliness & sanitation. More and more attention is being paid by authorities to make sure parlors are keeping things safe for clients. In a word, yes, getting a tattoo is safe, but check out a prospective parlor's protocol.
Is Pricing Set In Stone? - Parlors usually have a minimum price, but pricing can usually vary depending on the amount of customization & work involved. Ditto on the size & length of time to complete a piece.
Where Does It Hurt The Most? - Areas of sensitive skin (i.e., inside your elbow) and near bone or cartilage (i.e., on the top of feet & knuckles) tend to hurt the most. Everyone is different.
Is The Pain As Bad As It Seems? - Honestly, no. Everyone responds differently to the needle, but for the most part, it's not that bad.
Are Tattoos Actually Addictive? - While many people are content with one little tattoo, many others can't wait to start adorning their body with more ink. 'Addictive' is probably the wrong word, but there's something to being emotionally moved by your body becoming a piece of art.
Bonus: Are Artists Available for Aftercare Questions? Your artist is the person you want to ask questions about when it comes to aftercare. Not only should a tattoo artist provide detailed information about how to take care of your tattoo, but they should be open to provide input afterwards because your tattoo is an extension of them. This is a big question to ask before getting inked.
A tattoo can represent something different for every person who decides to get one. Some might be commemorating a special event while others might be celebrating the life of someone who has recently passed away. Such a wide array of reasons exist for getting a tattoo that it makes sense that someone would be very curious to know what goes on in the mind of the client, as well as what goes on in the mind of the artist. If you are contemplating getting your first tattoo and have questions about the process, the best thing you can do is to ask artists for their input. This way, you to make an informed decision about getting a tattoo.