HOW TO GET A TATTOO YOU WON’T REGRET
Tattoo remorse is a real thing. rather than learning how to cope with it, learn how to prevent it in the first place.
There’s some epic tattoo being created these days, and tattooing’s rise in popularity means that more people are willing to have works of art inked on their skin. But unfortunately, it’s also becoming increasingly common to see people with terrible tattoos inked on their skin – you know, the ones where there is no way in hell the person owning them could possibly not regret it.
And those people have no one to blame but themselves. When you see a shit tat you could blame the artist, blame the healing, blame what’s happening in the cosmos, WHATEVER, but at the end of the day if you are getting a tattoo you are solely responsible for the entire process (unless you’re getting it because you lost a bet with your mates, in which case LOL unlucky).
Read on if you want your tattoo to be one that you froth over and flaunt rather than cringe over and cover.
who you are MATTERs
Properly choosing tattoos requires a certain level of self-awareness. You need to have an idea of who you are, what your personal style is, what emotionally drives you, and whether you’re honestly mentally prepared for a tattoo.
You’ve gotta do you. Every tattoo you get doesn’t necessarily need to have a “meaning” behind it (like, “I got a Samurai warrior because my great grandfather’s cousin twice removed went to Japan this one time”), but you’re more likely to never regret it if it’s something you at least resonate with on some level. And more importantly, you’ve got to genuinely believe it looks dope as fuck.
FADS DON’T MATTER
Tramp stamps. Tribal tattoos. The Southern Cross. Believe it or not these were the in thing once, but while these fads were short-lived, the people who gave into them have probably discovered that the tattoos themselves last quite a long time. Like, forever.
Choose a subject matter that is timeless, rather than whatever is blowing up on your Instagram feed.
THE LUXURY OF TIME
Woah, easy there tiger. Slow down.
Take the time to decide whether you actually want a tattoo. Take the time to pick your tattoo style. Take the time to pick your subject matter. Then take the time to pick your artist and chat through your idea with your artist.
It’s highly unlikely you have a strict deadline to get your tattoo, so use the luxury of time to your advantage. Avoid rushing into getting a tattoo just for the sake of it, without really mulling it over.
WHAT’S MY AGE AGAIN?
While you’re mulling it over, take a look at your life. A hand tattoo may seem cool now, but it could also come back to bite you in the ass. This especially applies to the younger crowd – when you’re 20, don’t assume that the career you’re in is the one you will want to stick with forever. I’ve heard of a few people with tattoos on their hands or another highly visible area, who decided to make a career change into the police force. Their tattoos were usually problematic.
On the flip side, if you’re older and your skin isn’t shall we say, “what it once used to be”, consider if a tattoo is the best idea. If an artist’s canvas isn’t smooth and clean, the artwork won’t look smooth and clean. The same goes for the application of tattooing on your skin.
Subject matter is also something that can come with age. As mentioned, you should pick something timeless. You may like something now, but do consider whether it will remain relevant and attractive to you as you get older. This is where a degree of emotional depth should be applied to your decision-making; making decisions from your head AND from your heart.
INPUT: THE GOOD AND THE BAD
Don’t bring your mates to your tattoo booking. Don’t ask heaps of friends for feedback – especially if they have different tastes to you. Don’t even mention it to your mum.
This world is full of people who think they know better. The problem is, having different people in your ear telling you what you should and shouldn’t do will only cloud your more than capable judgment.
If you want input, book a consultation with your chosen tattoo artist. They are the ones that will give you completely unbiased, professional advice. And please, listen to their advice. If you’ve done your homework in selecting a good artist, they will know what they’re talking about and you won’t need to second-guess what they say. There’s nothing better than heading into a session with complete trust in your artist.
NO BARGAIN HUNTING!
If you could only drive one car for the rest of your life, would you invest a bit of extra money to make sure it’s a good one? Of course you would. So do the same for your tattoos. I really don’t understand how some people compromise on skill and quality just to save a few bucks. It is honestly beyond me.
The cost of your tattoo directly correlates to the experience and skill of your tattoo artist. The time spent on your tattoo will also directly correlate to the level of depth and detail in the finished product.
Lesson: if you want an epic tattoo, spend the money on getting a highly skilled tattoo artist and let them take their time doing your design justice.
If you don’t want to develop a tattoo regret story to share with the world, follow these tips and you’re sure to get a tattoo you will love.
Jeremy