Browsing Kat von D and company’s LA Ink website today I noticed a feature called “Tattoo Mistakes,” which was a brief article outlining some common mistakes that people make when getting a tattoo. The advice was certainly good:
5. Poorly Sized Tattoo - getting a tattoo that is too small or that doesn’t fit well on the body part where it is placed. A tiny tattoo can certainly be beautiful if done well, but getting a dime-sized flower on your thigh just for the sake of having a tattoo is likely to lead to future regret…or a tattoo that from a distance looks like an ugly bruise.
4. Cheap Tattoos - a common tattoo shop sign says “a good tattoo ain’t cheap, and a cheap tattoo ain’t good.” Be thrifty when it comes to car insurance - don’t skimp when you are permanently marking your body.
3. Lover’s Name Tattoos - A Harris poll from 2003 cited getting having a former lover’s name in a tattoo as the biggest reason for tattoo regret. Opinions differ strongly on this one, but that tattoo is going to stay forever so make sure you’ll still want to read “Lisa” on your arm even after Lisa has left you for your brother.
2. Impulsive Tattoos - I wonder how my friend from high school likes the Kermit the Frog she had tattooed on her inner thigh now that she’s in her thirties. While it may seem cute or funny now, are you going to think so a few years down the road? Or even the next day? My personal tattoo litmus test is if I have an idea for a tattoo I have to like it for at least a few months before I decide to get it done.
1. Being Drunk - Tattoo parlors simply shouldn’t tattoo someone who is obviously intoxicated, but the real responsibility lies in the customer. Don’t make any decision that you have to live with forever while you are drunk.
While the LA Ink suggestions were excellent, other artists have had additional suggestions to avoid making tattoo mistakes:
Be comfortable with your artist and his work. If you aren’t sure about your artist’s work - if you don’t like his style or you aren’t comfortable with his take on your tattoo idea - don’t do it! Don’t get pressured into someone else’s vision of your tattoo. Shop around - there will be someone out there who understands what you want and who can help you make that idea work for you.
Do your homework on the tattoo shop. Tattoos really can be hazardous to your health if done in an unclean environment. Be sure that your tattoo shop has a good track record of cleanliness and compliance with health codes. If there’s anything about the shop that makes you feel uncomfortable or question its cleanliness, leave. There are other tattoo shops that will be happy to help you out - don’t risk your health on a bad one.
Ask questions. Particularly for a first tattoo, if you have questions about the tattoo procedure, about aftercare, or about anything, don’t be afraid to ask. It is better to ask than learn something the hard way later. The tattoo guy may look scary, but if he’s truly a professional he’ll have an answer to your question.
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