If you think you want a tattoo, you need to make sure you know what you are getting yourself into.  Hopefully, you do not just decide to get one on a whim without doing research first, or else you will regret your careless decision for the rest of your life. A tattoo is not at all like a clothing item or pair of shoes.  You can change clothes or accessories anytime you want.  A tattoo is something that will be on you forever, and there is nothing you can do to change it after you get it.

You need to ask yourself these questions:

• Why do I want a tattoo in the first place?
• Is there a particular theme I want?
• Do I want something large or small?
• Is there a certain message I want to convey with my choice of tattoo design?
• On which part of my body shall I get the tattoo?
• Does my choice truly reflect my personality?
• Will my choice be something I can live with for the rest of my life?

Another thing you want to consider is the type of message your tattoo will send to others.  If you could care less what others think, that is fine, but if you do not do proper research first, your choice of tattoo could end up being a mistake.

You will not want to get a tattoo design because you think it looks cool, only to find out later that its symbolic meaning is something you do not appreciate or care about.  Also, be careful if you get a Kanji tattoo—they are the craze these days, but some people rush in to get them without making sure the translation is correct.

If you want your tattoo to be special, then do not pick a design out on a website that many other people visit.  Obviously, if a lot of people are viewing the same designs you are, there is the possibility that they will choose the same one you do, hence your tattoo will not be unique!

So, is there a solution?  You can always pay for a membership to a private gallery.  There are far fewer people viewing paid membership galleries, thus your chance of choosing a unique design is significantly increased.  You could also ask a tattoo artist specifically for some ideas.  A custom tattoo may cost you some extra money, especially if takes awhile to design, but at least you know it will be 100% unique.

Once you have the tattoo design picked out, you need to make sure you pick the right artist.  Ask others for recommendations or look online to find out information about the tattoo artists in your area.  Make sure that you choose a clean shop in which the artist uses sterilized needles and other equipment.

As for aftercare, your tattoo artist will probably give you instructions to take home and read.  You can also look online for tattoo aftercare guides.  You will not be able to wash the skin around the tattoo for awhile after getting it.  You probably will not be able to wear restrictive clothing, either.  Make sure you take precautions before, during and after you get your tattoo.

Where to go from here:

• Choosing a Tattoo Design that You Will Not Regret
• The Top 3 Worst Places to Get a Tattoo