Tattoos...?

Question

I've been thinking about getting a tattoo but I don't exactly know anybody who has one so I was wondering if anyone here could tell me about theirs. Like has anyone you met ever asked you about it (I want to be a teacher so I don't want it to interfere with me getting a job)? Do you now wish you hadn't gotten one? Would you get another? Did you have any health risks? Do you want it removed? Do some find it... immature? Are they easily viewed depending on where you have it?
What's your tattoo of? Did it take long and how long? How much did it cost? How big was/is it? Black and white or colors? Does it hurt more depending on where you got it? Do certain places pose greater health risks? How old were you? Did anyone try to talk you out of it? Did it look like you wanted it to? Pretend I know nothing, about tattoos I mean, which is pretty much the case. Tell me about it. Is there a story behind it?

-Alika613

Answer 1

True story: I always wanted a tattoo. Not a million plastered all over my body, just one awesome tattoo. I was debating over the art and graphics and finally decided on a sun around my belly button. (I was 20 years old).

While I was in the chair, waiting for the guy to set up, I had doubts...I mean, I was going to be a third grade teacher after all (our stories are alike) and the same exact "what if's" that you are worried about right now were scurrying about my brain, so I sadly packed up and left...without my tattoo.

I left still wanting one...I just didn't trust myself that in my 20 year-old moment, what I wanted that day would be longlasting. To make it easier for me to deal with not getting it at that split second, I made a deal with myself. If I still wanted one at 30, I would proceed.

Well, today I am 32 and I just got my first (and last) tattoo! After four children, I am SO HAPPY that I did NOT get the original tattoo around my belly button because Lord knows I have no reason to show that off anymore, BUT I did get a tattoo that I will love forever...

My kids' names on the small of my back in Japanese. I am part Japanese so I wrote it out myself to ensure they got it right. All black except red hearts that separate each name. Time? 20-30 minutes. Cost $100.

There are risks, but if you go to nice clean place, it is fine. I pasted a link below to research things you need to look for when choosing a parlor.

I do not regret it at all.

SO, my answer (sorry so long-winded), once you are SURE what you want, go for it and don't be afraid to wait for minute or two...your tastes will change and evolve as no doubt you will as a young woman. Maybe you too can set a date for a tattoo when your flirty and thirty! :) Good luck!

Answer 2

As a 40-something woman with 2 tattoos(one I have had for 20 years, the other one just a year)...nothing crude and strategically placed (so that they can be covered by most clothing choices)...I say if you want it, get it. Also, I see lots of people claim that you cannot donate blood if you have a tattoo, that is false information. I work in the health industry, and having a tattoo does not poison your blood, or make you ineligible to donate.
Before getting a tattoo, get as much information as you can, and really think about what you want permanently inked onto your body. It should be something that has meaning to you. Also, find a good tattoo artist. Tats can be expensive to get, but well worth it. Tats do hurt more in some areas of the body than others, but honestly, it's not that painful. A little bit like the feeling you get when you get scratched by a kitten...over and over again.
Good luck on whatever decision you make, and remember, don't rush into it....take your time, figure out exactly what you want, and then go shopping for it.

Answer 3

I got my tattoo at 45. It was a birthday present from my youngest daughter.

A tattoo always needs to have personal meaning, or why else are you getting it? My favorite reading material has always been science fiction. And my favorite author Anne McCaffrey, with her dragon series set in Pern, sitting at number one. I shared these books with both of my daughters when they were still small, and they love them as much as I do.

My tattoo is of a small dragon (referred to by Anne McCaffrey as a fire lizard). My oldest daughter drew the template using the 1970's cover of Dragonsinger as inspiration.

The tattoo is about 3 inches across, and sits directly behind my left ear, in the space that has no hair. (The tatooist shaved the hairline just a bit to fit it in.)

It is coloured in red and golds, an unconventional colour according to the story line, but I happen to also be an Aries/Dragon, so the colouring fits my personality.

The tattooist was concerned that I wouldn't be able to handle the pain of getting the tattoo done on my skull, but it turned out being no more annoying than a minor toothache.

He was also quite amazed that I was not bleeding during the procedure, as this is very uncommon with head tattoos.

The whole procedure took about one hour. The cost was $120 (and I gave him a $30 tip).

You need to find a reputable shop. One where they will open the sterilized needle pack right before your eyes. My tattooist also wore gloves and a face mask while he was working. He said it was only fair for my safety.

I think if I had another tattoo done now (I'm nine years older), I would probably end up going whole hog and getting an aboriginal face tattoo. Maybe something on my forehead to start.

Answer 4

holy moly that's a lot of questions!
I thought about getting one for over a year before I did it. It's a lifetime commitment so make sure you really want it. Imagine yourself at 70 or 80 years old with the tattoo.
Mine is around my left ankle. It is a ring of flowers. Very simple, very pretty. Not huge. It has purples, yellow and green with black outline. The part that hurt the most was the outline, but it wasn't bad at all. Mine took less than an hour. The front of my ankle/leg is where it hurt the most, as there isn't a lot of fat there...just bone. Less skin/fat=more pain.
No one tried to talk me out of it, but I am an adult and make my own decisions anyway. I do not regret it. If I had gotten it somewhere else, like on my arm or somewhere more visible, I may have. At first when I got it and got dressed up in a dress, I felt like it took away from my "dressiness", but it just took me some time to get used to it. People always seem surprised when they see it. I'm pretty quiet and they think a tattoo= wild woman. Get it somewhere where you can hide it if you want/need to. I would not like having one that was on my back or somewhere where I could not see/enjoy it.
Make sure you go to a reputable tattoo parlor. Ask to see the needles that will be used on you. They should be sealed. They should have a machine...can't think what it's called right now...that sanitizes/sterilizes the equipment. Ask around-if you see someone with a great tattoo, ask them where they got it. When you walk in, they should be professional. Even though they may look sort of bizarre, still professional.
(Autoclave-that's the machine I was trying to think of-Drs have them, too)
I may get another one in the future, but don't know what yet or where. I would definitely go back to the place/guy who did my first one. He has a great rep. and was very clean & professional.
Good luck!!

Answer 5

Check the place out, and make sure clean establishment, rubber gloves, plastic covering the equipment, and Saran wrap is good to see, clean is clean. If you are going to be a teacher get it put i a place you can cover it up. I have 5 and all are visible in skirt and sleeveless shirts, but you can only see one when I have short sleeves, and pants. You can give blood a year after getting tattoo. And I plan to get more. Immature is in the eye of the beholder. I choose pretty designs, and things that I will love thru my whole life, symbols that mean something to me. Set your standards high on the quality of the tattoo. It is costly and painful but the outcome if done to your standards are wonderful. You stare at it like a new ring. I like all of my tattoos and continue to for the almost 10 years I started getting them. I'm working on a new one on my leg. I have those veins you get on a spot and hate to look at it, plus I can get a beautiful tattoo I have been considering for awhile but now I know where to put it.

Answer 6

I have 2 tattoos. . just put the tatttoo somewhere you on your leg or arm something like that.no i dont wish i never got them.yes I would get another. I dont have any health risks but if you do most tatttoo places wont tattoo you. no I dont want them removed.My first 1 is of a heart and it didn't hurt and my 2nd one is an In Loving Memory of a friend my first 1 took like 20 mins my big 1 took an hour. 1 was $80 the other was $175. colored. yes it hurts in certian places but not everyone thinks it hurts mine didnt hurt. when i got my first 1 i was 19 my 2nd one i was 21. nope no one has ever tryed to talk me out of it. yes they did. my first tattto was of my first love my second one is of a good friend that I will never forget he was the greatest guy friend I had he always knew what to do.

Answer 7

I have a tattoo. I was 19 when I got it. I will eventually get 2 more. No, I didn't have any health risks. I never want it removed. No mine is not easily viewed, b/c it is on my lower back on the right side. My tattoo is of a heart with eagle like wings that are in the shape of a horse shoe. I got my tattoo b/c my biological dad whom I had never met, finally found me after 19 years and came to South Dakota and decided to buy me a tattoo, and get his old one covered up, and my step-sister got one too.

Answer 8

i myself have 2 tatts.
.
the 1st one is of a unicorn head/neck on my right shoulder blade
it took exactly 60 minutes to complete and has red, white, yellow, purple, blue and green in it.
got it in sept 1995 it was $35
(about 2 in square)

the 2nd is on my right ankle
a mouse holding a flower
it is a black and white
it took all of 18 minutes to complete
got it in sept 2001 it was $20
(about 3 in square)

pain? that depends on your tolerance i suppose; i fell asleep during the unicorn and the mouse was done so quickly that there was really no time to feel any pain.

i desire 2 more; 1 on my lower back and 1 over my heart

as for my unicorn, being on my shoulder blade, it cannot be seen unless i wear a tank top, then depending on how the back is cut, you may or may not be able to see it.

and the mouse can be covered by wearing jeans.

oh! i am now 38 yrs...

as far as how they looked, i had my friend draw the stencil of the unicorn and chose the mouse from a book


no real stories behind them 'cept that i wanted them...

Answer 9

i am a 45 soon to be 46 year old female, and just got my first tattoo. it is on my left shoulder easily hidden by clothing, and it is chinese symbols that say prosperity. i have done exceptionally well in my life, i am still married, have 3 wonderful adult children, a nice home, an awesome career,and i make a 6 digit income. the tattoo is just the statement of my life and i wear it proudly. the only one who should be concerned with about your tattoo, is you. it is your body, and you should do what you want. my tattoo cost only $80, took 15 min, and it didn't really hurt that much. please go to some place reputable. my children thought i was going through a midlife crisis, but i am an intelligent woman whose is decisive about the things in my life. and it looks just like i wanted it to. and finally, yes i would definetly get another.

Answer 10

I got mine 4 years ago and it's on my lower back it's about 2 inches tall and about 7 inches across. It didn't really hurt it's more of an irratation kind of like having a hot iron on the spot (a burning sensation). I know sounds painful but it's more annoying thou. Mine is a tribal symbol (no meaning, I just saw it on the wall of the place). It was about $120 or so and took about 25 minutes (that is pretty short, the guy was just good). No one tried to talk me out of it actually I went looking with my mom (I was 17) and I watched my mom get one then went back to get it and watched my mom get another one.

If your going to be a teacher I would go with some where were you can cover it up. Alot of people say they hurt more on the bone but for me it burned ore when it got in the muscle b/c you have to relax but your muscles tend to tense on their own and that makes the needle harder to go into the skin.

Good Luck