| A tattoo can be a beautiful, deeply personal | | | | know what I'm going to get yet". You're kidding, |
| expression of permanent art on your body. | | | | right? This is permanent! Do you want generic |
| Unfortunately, a tattoo can also be a permanent | | | | flash that is displayed on the studio wall? The |
| reminder of a stupid mistake. To avoid tattoo | | | | exact same tattoo that the person in front of |
| regrets, please keep these practical rules in mind | | | | you and the person behind you will get? There is |
| before you get inked. | | | | certainly a market for classic tattoo symbols such |
| 1. Never drink and ink. A reputable tattoo studio | | | | as yin-yang or cross tattoo symbols, but for the |
| will require a general health questionnaire be | | | | most part people want a tattoo to be a unique |
| completed before they will ink you. If they have | | | | expression. Do your research before you get to |
| any suspicion that you are either underage (proof | | | | the studio and have an exact idea of what you |
| required) or under the influence of alcohol or | | | | want. Better yet, take a picture or even a printed |
| drugs, they should refuse to ink you. Now, we all | | | | flash template with you. Nowadays it is easier |
| know that not all tattoo studios are reputable, and | | | | than ever to find top quality, unique tattoo |
| if you are at a drunken "tattoo party" no one is | | | | designs. Check out tattoo forums and consider |
| going to check your breath. It should be common | | | | joining a premium tattoo design site. The best |
| sense that making decisions that will affect the | | | | sites offer money back guarantees and unlimited |
| rest of your life should not be made while under | | | | downloads. If you don't find what you were |
| the influence of alcohol or drugs. (Think Brittany | | | | looking for these is no risk. |
| and the infamous lip tattoo). Think! Wait! Sure a | | | | 4. Try before you buy. Henna tattoos or even |
| tattoo seems like a great idea now. If it still | | | | Sharpies work if you want to wear your design |
| seems like a good idea when you are sober you | | | | around for a few days to get a feel for the size |
| can always pursue it then. | | | | and location. You can even get transfer sheets |
| 2. No names, please. If 50% of marriages end in | | | | for your printer if you find a design you like from |
| divorce, it follows that at least 50% of people | | | | an on-line gallery. You might feel silly wearing it, |
| with their loved ones' names permanently on their | | | | but not half as lame as you'll feel getting laser |
| body will live to regret it. A good rule of thumb to | | | | surgery to remove a permanent tattoo. Trust |
| follow is this: if it's not the name of either your | | | | me on that. |
| parents, your kids or someone you've lost | | | | If you avoid these common tattoo mistakes you |
| (memorial tattoo) then a name has no business | | | | stand a good chance of making the right decision |
| being inked on you. No one finds it charming to be | | | | that will give you years of pride and enjoyment, |
| staring at you ex-lover's name on your arm when | | | | not regret and embarrassment. If you are still |
| they are snuggling with you. | | | | looking for the perfect tattoo design, check out |
| 3. Avoid "impulse buys". I was recently very | | | | my reviews of the top on-line tattoo design |
| perturbed by my cousin's Facebook post that | | | | galleries. The link is in my bio-box. Ink responsibly! |
| read "Excited to get a new tattoo today. Don't | | | | |