| Every day, thousands of new tattoos are | | | | Buy a quality tattoo stencil (most cost less than |
| completed, but unfortunately for many people | | | | $20). Trying to create a tattoo from the color |
| their tattoo does not meet their expectations. | | | | reference design or trying to trace a stencil is a |
| And while it's possible to make a tattoo fade using | | | | shortcut to a tattoo disaster. |
| laser removal technology, it's time consuming, | | | | A poor stencil will always lead to a poor tattoo. |
| costly and painful. So here's how to avoid the | | | | Traced stencils are not accurate and will translate |
| most common mistakes that people make with | | | | into a shaky looking design. Regardless of how |
| tattoos. | | | | good they are, a tattoo artist can only quality |
| 1) Never Agree To Get A Tattoo When You're In | | | | work from a quality stencil. |
| The Wrong State Of Mind | | | | 4) Test Your Tattoo First |
| Getting a tattoo when you're in the wrong frame | | | | Okay, you've found the tattoo design that you |
| of mind is a shortcut to disaster. | | | | want, but you're not sure where to place it and |
| So don't even think about getting tattooed when | | | | what size to go for. Do you take a risk? |
| you're drunk, depressed or under pressure (it's | | | | No. There are millions of people around the world |
| not a good enough reason just because all your | | | | who wish they'd chosen a slightly different tattoo |
| friends are getting one, or have got one). And | | | | design, gone slightly bigger, or placed it further to |
| don't get a tattoo done on a whim. | | | | the left etc. |
| You know it's a whim when you find yourself in a | | | | So if you want to avoid adding to these regrets, |
| tattoo studio and you hadn't even considered | | | | it's important to test your tattoo before you take |
| getting a tattoo the night before! | | | | the plunge. |
| It's good to be spontaneous, but not with | | | | It's now possible to get special tattoo test paper |
| something that will last you the rest of your life. | | | | that will allow you to turn your design into a |
| So before you get a tattoo, always ask yourself | | | | temporary test tattoo. Just print your chosen |
| "Do I want to get this tattoo?" | | | | design onto the test paper and apply it to your |
| And keep asking yourself that question every day | | | | skin. |
| for a fortnight. And only after you genuinely | | | | Then it just a case of living with it for a day to |
| answer yes every day, do you go anywhere | | | | two and forming your own opinion. How does it |
| near a tattoo parlour. | | | | make you feel? Are you happy with the size and |
| 2) Choose The Right Design | | | | the position that you've selected? Does it catch |
| Choosing the right design is absolutely vital to the | | | | your eyeline when you're not looking at it? Is it |
| amount of pleasure you get from your tattoo. | | | | distracting? And then comes the big question; ask |
| Let's face it, if you want a dragon, you won't be | | | | yourself, "could I live with this for the rest of my |
| happy with a flower design. And if you want a | | | | life?" |
| large tattoo, you won't be happy with a small | | | | Testing your intended tattoo is the only way to |
| design. | | | | confirm whether you've made the right decision. |
| So don't compromise on what you want. The final | | | | 5) The Tattoo And Aftercare |
| choice of tatoo design must be yours and not | | | | On the day your tattoo is created, a better |
| that of your friends, partner of tattoo artist. | | | | overall affect will be achieved if you are well slept |
| After all, you're the one who'll have to live with it. | | | | (it will help to keep you relaxed and to sit still) and |
| It should be a piece of artwork that you | | | | well fed (an empty stomach can lead to feeling |
| absolutely love. And something that you're certain | | | | faint). If you are tense, full of stress or restless, it |
| you'll continue to love for years into the future. | | | | will take longer and the tattoo won't be as |
| Another mistake that many people make is | | | | perfect. |
| believing the they have to select a design offered | | | | Once completed, most tattoos will take up to a |
| by their chosen tattoo studio. If you choose a | | | | month to heal properly. During the first five days, |
| reputable artist, they'll be able to create a tattoo | | | | the area may be uncomfortable, irritated and |
| from any design that you take along with you. | | | | slightly swollen. Make sure that you keep the area |
| In fact, this is one of the best ways to get the | | | | clean during this time. If possible, wash the area |
| right tattoo. | | | | gently with an antibacterial soap four or five times |
| Browse the internet where you can find | | | | a day. Gently pat the area dry with a clean cloth |
| thousands of high quality tattoo designs to choose | | | | or piece of tissue. |
| from. Most cost less than $20. Take time from | | | | It's also suggested that you apply a thin skin of |
| the comfort of your own home to decide which | | | | antibiotic ointment after every wash. A good |
| design you want. Take a few days to think about | | | | quality aftercare product will help to reduce |
| the designs that you like. Then, once you've made | | | | scabbing and protect your skin from infections |
| up your mind, print out both the color reference | | | | which can cause scarring and make your tattoo |
| guide and the tattoo stencil and take them to | | | | appear blemished. They will also help to reduce |
| your chosen artist. | | | | irritation and redness and keep your skin supple. |
| This option is much more relaxed, and you're | | | | The second stage of the healing process (weeks |
| much more likely to select the right design. It | | | | 2-4) will have the biggest influence over the look |
| certainly beats picking a design on the spot when | | | | and lifespan of your tattoo. Taking care of the |
| you're waiting in the tattoo studio. | | | | affected skin during this stage will ensure your |
| 3) Cheap Isn't Always Best | | | | tattoo stays bright and clear for as long as |
| Whatever happens, make sure that you select a | | | | possible. |
| high quality stencil for your tattoo design. | | | | Just make sure that you use aftercare products |
| All high quality tattoo designs consist of two parts, | | | | that are specifically recommended for use with |
| the main tattoo design which includes the color | | | | tattooed areas, as these won't contain any |
| reference, and a matching stencil of the design. | | | | artificial colors or fragrances which might irritate |
| What many people don't realise, is that the stencil | | | | your skin. |
| is applied directly to your skin by the tattooist | | | | Different artists will recommend different |
| using a machine caller a "liner". | | | | aftercare techniques, but the vast majority agree |
| So don't be tempted to do things on the cheap. | | | | on three things. |