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“Tattoos have a power and magic all their own. They decorate the body but they also enhance the soul” -Michelle Delio

Getting a tattoo is something that you need to be absolutely certain about. A tattoo is a permanent mark on your skin and you should be able to relate to it many years down the line. If it is visible to others, they are bound to ask you what it means, and it is nice when you have an interesting story to tell them. It is also a rather expensive affair. Also know that getting it removed is an even more expensive affair, and painful to boot.

What should you get?

You are the best judge to decide what kind of tattoo you want—not your friends and family, not even the tattoo artist. While it is not necessary to go to the artist with the final design, have a basic idea of what you want to get. It could be something that you love, or a quote you have read or even something that you have seen on somebody else.

Also consider where you want to get inked. Some parts of the body are more susceptible to pain than others. The more the flesh, the less painful it will be. Artists typically recommend the forearms, below the knee, the upper back and shoulder blade. Those parts of the body which are bony, like the knees, the shins, below the ankles, the neck, the collar bone, the wrist, the tailbone, groin areas etc are bound to be painful. Rethink your decision to get tattooed on your belly or the inner bicep – as you grow older, the skin tends to sag, and with your skin, so will your tattoo.

Dos on Tattoo Day

• Ensure you rest and eat well before you get your tattoo. Stay hydrated as well.This helps the body rejuvenate quickly.
• Have a shower before you go. Just as you find body odour unpleasant, so will your tattoo artist. Go easy on the perfume too, considering the the artist will be in close proximity to you.
• Wear comfortable clothes. If you are getting your tattoo on a usually covered part of the body, consider wearing a vest or a tank top so it is easy for the artist to access.
• Do attend nature’s call before the artist starts tattooing. You do not want to interrupt the artist, mid-session.
• Take a friend or family member along for moral support.
• Getting a tattoo is painful. While men do get bigger tattoos, women can apparently tolerate the pain better. Prepare yourself mentally for the pain as well as the discomfort, considering that you may have to remain in one position for the entire duration of the tattoo.

What are the don’ts?

• Do not consume any alcohol for at least a day before you get tattooed. Alcohol thins the blood, so you are likely to bleed more; this also means that the dye will not sit well.
• Do not take any painkillers to numb the pain. In all likelihood, the artist will apply a local anesthetic before he begins work.
• Do not ingest any narcotic substances. Narcotics cause the skin to become insensitive, so despite how much effort the artist makes to push the dye into the skin, the skin will not respond to it and will reject it.