To tatoo or not to tatoo

I love mine, it hurt a little but well worth it. Just make sure you know what tattoo you want, its not easy to get it off.

1) All pain goes away, just deal with it if you want one.

2) Pick something you really like and know you will like it forever. And sleep on the tattoo idea for a while, then think about it some more. You may think something is so cool right now but a few weeks later you might hate it.

3) If you want a small discreet tattoo then you can put it almost anywhere, women can hide tattoos easily. Neck tattoos can be hidden by hair, wrist and ankle tattoos with bracelets or jewelry, and torso area with clothing.

I have 8 so far and working on a half sleeve from my wrist to my elbow. Love all of mine. Some hurt worse than others, it all depends on location and your pain tolerance. I would make sure it is definitely something you want. If you have any doubts don't do it. Something I always tell myself when I go to get a new tattoo, especially the painful ones, is you only have to sit through the pain of the tattoo for a short time, then 2 weeks of healing (feels like sunburn when they heal) and then you have it forever. Good luck on your decision.

ETA: don't drink alcohol before you go. You'll bleed a lot more

I've been thinking about getting a tatoo for a couple of years, but I'm still not sure if I should.

1.) I'm afraid it will hurt too much and I will be bloody and crying

2.) I'm not sure what I should get

3.) I'm not sure where to put it

Those of you with tatoos...What advice can you give about what NOT to do. I only have one body and I only want 1 small, discreet tatoo. Therefore, I'd like to learn from mistakes others have already made instead of making one myself. Any thoughts?

based on # 2 and 3, you aren't ready for a tattoo at all. you need to be pretty certain of what you want and where you want to place it.

as far as the hurt goes, yeah, it'll probably hurt. especially at first, until the area gets numb. they you'll be fine. but even still, when they move to a sensitive spot, it still hurts.

ones on the back tend not to hurt as much. not as many nerve endings there.

I have one on the back of my neck, my right shoulder blade, my chest above my left breast, my inside of left forearm, and above my right ankle. The ankle hurt the worst. The rest really didn't seem to bother me much, except for the small part of the tattoo on my chest that met the sternum. It seems the fleshier the area, the less it hurts? Definitely take your time and decide exactly what you want, you're going to have to look at it the rest of your life unless you have it removed (which I've heard is even more painful).

If you decide to do it...

...just make sure someone proofreads it first.

I'll echo what others have said about being sure of what you want before you go ahead. It took me years to get up the nerve and decide on what to get. I'm glad I didn't rush into it. I have no regrets and my tattoo has meaning for me. Something I'm not sure I would be able to say if I'd done it years earlier when I was in love with the idea of a tattoo.

As for pain, that's pretty individual. Don't listen to what everyone says. Do your research and choose a reputable place and artist.

FWIW, I don't recall any significant blood. When the needle stops, the pain stops. Then it just stings like a sunburn.

It looks like you've been getting some great advice!

I really echo everyone else- make sure it's what you want! Just because you loved Tweety Bird as a kid doesn't mean you may want it permanently on your body for the rest of your life. Orrr maybe that's reason enough for you, and you decide to go for it. Make sure you're sure!!!

Also, think about career choice and/or location- will you have to hide it regularly? Will the area be irritated (I got one on my foot where I have a bit of eczema. The tattoo artist told me it'd be fine. WRONG!) As for pain, it's all rainbows. Really, easy going. Sunshine and unicorns. Oh, and I'm sarcastic. It's like someone scratching the top layers of your skin- the bigger the tattoo, the longer the scratching. One tattoo artist told me it'd feel like a cat scratching me. Once he started, I leaned up and replied, "you didn't tell me it'd be a f@#$(@) tiger!!!" haha. After the tattoo is done, it'll fell like a sunburn- kind of "raw." Give it an hour or so and you'll forget all about it. I have three tattoos- one on my hip (OUCH!), one on my lower leg above my ankle (SO easy), and one on top of my foot (I burst into tears. I cried it hurt so bad!). A lot of the pain depends on your pain tolerance as well- some people feel nothing, I'm a big baby and felt ev.er.y.thing. It never "went numb." Take a friend with you, and have them talk to you. It's helpful to take your mind off of things- listen to what someone else is telling you. Whatever you do, make sure that you also put the tattoo somewhere that you'll be able to sit still- if you do not have a high pain tolerance, you'll want to make sure you can sit without moving. I moved on one of mine- big mistake! it was "fixed," but I'll forever know what it was SUPPOSED to look like.

Just a few thoughts. Good Luck!

I have a very small phrase tattooed in cursive on my side and absolutely love it:) I mulled it over for close to six years though before getting it done. Just a few thoughts:

- they do hurt, at least mine did. First thing my artist said when she pulled up my shirt was "Ermagherd you're tiny! You may or may not cry...".
- know your artist! I'd gone with a friend to get his done by the same woman who ended up doing mine
- make sure it's significant. People will want to know the story behind it, and if it's some lame one about how you got trashed and wanted Ducky from Land Before Time on your butt, then that probably won't fly well. And yes, I know a guy who did exactly that *facepalm*
- take a friend! Or ten! I had a whole posse with me, and it made for an awesome experience

Good luck OP:)