Tattoos are one of the most fascinating traditions in the world from Tribal tattoo designs to dragon tattoos, flower tattoos, star tattoo to the religious cross tattoos. They are also one of the oldest, dating back thousands of years and have been used for various reasons including rites of passage, religious, punishment, to mark, and of course, decoration.

Inkaholics is one of the best tattoo shops in london, with great tattoo artists that specialize in custom tattoos of all styles.

With such a rich history, its little surprise that tattoos continue to fascinate us. If each tattoo design tells a story, then each tattoo parlor is a library, and each tattoo artist, an author, telling the stories of others and carrying the traditions of millennia.

Before you decide to get a tattoo, you must do your homework first.

Things to consider when getting a tattoo

Once you get the ink, there’s no going back (well not without expensive procedures, anyway). Be sure it is something you really want to do. If you are only getting a tattoo to please someone else, it is probably a decision you will at the least outgrow and may end up severely regretting. Every step in the tattoo process must be your decision. However, the decision doesn’t have to be made alone.

You can ask for input from your friends and even ask for suggestions for things such as placement, colors, sizing, or even ideas as to what to actually tattoo.

There are many different kinds of tattoos: symbol, tribal, portrait, custom, lettering, graphic, cartoon character. Any decent tattoo book should have hundreds of designs. Some of the most popular design today is Tribal tattoo designs to dragon tattoos, flower tattoos, star tattoo to the religious cross tattoos.

Just about anything can be turned into a tattoo idea. And fortunately, many tattoo artists now display their work online. Carefully examine their work, make sure that the work is of high quality. Also, don’t be afraid to ask for references from the shop.

What’s important to keep in mind when selecting your tattoo design, is to find something that not only looks great now but will still look good and be relevant to your life many years down the road.

The tattooing process

It is commonly thought that getting a tattoo is an in-and-out process that can be accomplished as quickly as you walk in, picking out your tattoo design and sitting in the chair. This is not always true. If you are looking for custom tattoo designs, it could take weeks for the tattoo artist to first draw the concept art, then massage it to the point where both you and the artists are happy with the end result.

This can be a good thing. Use the wait time to determine whether the tattoo is something you truly want, or that the design is something that is especially meaningful to you. Consider the most popular types of tattoos today from Tribal tattoo designs to dragon tattoos, flower tattoos, star tattoo to the religious cross tattoos.

Make sure not to drink any alcohol or take any medication prior to your appointment, as it can lead to a thinning of the blood which may cause you to bleed more than necessary during the procedure.

As you get started with your tattoo, the tattoo artist will place a stencil on the desired area so that you will be able to easily verify that it is being placed in the right location and that it is what you were wanting. It is always a good idea to have a friend with you to offer a second opinion in such circumstances.

How long does getting a tattoo take?

Tattoos can take anywhere from 15 minutes to several hours, depending on their size and complexity. Tattoo artists often break up larger jobs to several sessions.

Does getting a tattoo hurt?

Yes, getting your tattoo is going to hurt – a bit. Some areas of your body tend to be more sensitive than others, but if you would like to get a tattoo, you will have to deal with at least a little bit of pain. The good news is that the pain is relatively minor and won’t last forever.

Tattoo artists don’t have to do the whole tattoo at once. Oftentimes, people choose to break up the application of their tattoo over multiple visits. This can be done to minimize time or simply to allow.

Taking care of your tattoo

Tattoos inflict damage to your skin, which means they will take time to heal. Tattoo healing time can range from a couple of weeks to several months, depending on your age, health, diet, and alcohol consumption. Your tattoo artist will be able to help you determine your healing time based on your specific details.

Your tattoo artist will also tell you how to properly clean and maintain your tattoo in order to both keep your skin healthy and to also preserve the appearance of your tattoo.

Whether you’re interested in getting a tattoo or becoming a tattoo artist yourself, this site will let you all you need to know about the world of tattoos.

Author's Bio: 

So, you're thinking about getting your first tattoo. If you're feeling a little bit uncertain or nervous, don't panic!