I waited until I was 19 to get my first tattoo. I am glad I did too, because I wanted no regrets that would cause me pain and ridiculous amounts of money years later to get removed. I had a roomate one time who had several of those. So I carefully thought out my wants and tried my best to keep patient to make sure what I wanted wasn't a changing trend through my eyes. Finally I decided on a star on my upper back. I thought I wanted a nautical star, but they are so overly done. Finally I decided on a star with an inner lining. Therefore it was a little different from all the other stars out there.
At A Glance Author amandaleigh5 Contact amandaleigh5@yahoo.com Artist Can't recall Studio Northern Virginia Location Outside of DC I was visiting some friends up north when I decided to go get it done. I wasn't too nervous until we got there. I have had other mods and have had some painful surgeries, so I felt I have a pretty high tolerance for pain. Atleast most of the time. We drove down to the shop around 4pm. We waited and looked through the picture books. There were some pretty good coverups in there. However it reminded me of mistakes you can make. I was reassured in knowing what I wanted and the artist drew up a picture and then put it on a transfer. It looked good to me so I sat down and he got started. It didn't hurt at all on that area of my back, but i was so nervous I kept shaking. Finally I calmed down enough for him to actually do the tattoo.
He told me a story about this guy who he does work on that has cancer and he somehow saved his life by giving him a tattoo and detecting the cancer or something. I thought that was pretty cool or whatnot, and he was genuinely nice and didn't act all snotty like I didn't know anything since this was my first tattoo. He told me pretty much everything and made me feel really at ease. My friends were all there with me, and they're smiles made me feel pretty good. It wasn't very long and it was over, not painful at all. Actually I think my piercings were more painful. More than anything, I believe the reason for this was the spot I got the tattoo and the smaller size of it. I was glad because I didn't want alot of pain.
After all was said and done I paid obviously and me and my friends all went to Mcdonalds next door to celebrate. haha. My back stayed a little sore, but healed really nicely. I was really pleased because i am a paranoid person and do not like infections and things of that sort. Luckily though, there were no problems whatsoever.
Since getting this tattoo, I have really enjoyed showing it off. I like wearing backless or halter tops or low back dresses. The best part is if I want to cover it up, it is easily done. I am working in a professional dental office so tattoos are somewhat looked down upon. Mine is completely hidden for my professional life, but after hours I can show it off. I have a few more tattoos planned out now, but I still think your back is the best place to get them done. I hope to get my lower back filled and then perhaps a small sized tattoo on my big toe.
I definitely agree with people when they say tattoos are addicting. I think maybe because there are so many different loves and joys we each have as humans and have a need to express them in so many different ways. Plus there are so many amazing artists out there that can turn your body into something really amazing as well. I never feel like I will look at my tattoos when I am fifty and wish they were gone or regret my choices. I know I plan out and take my time. For my star tattoo I waited 4 months to make sure and I plan on doing the same with my others. Next month I hope to get my toe done and later I will get my larger, more elaborate backpiece.
I think the main thing about having no regrets with tattoos is planning. If you do things on a whim, you will more than likely have some sort of regrets down the road. However, if you are patient and plan out your wishes and wait to make sure that is what you without a doubt want, you are able to have something that is more meaningful and you are less likely to not like it years later. I think many drunken mistakes turn peoples body into something they don't like, which is sad, because tattoos can be and should be the exact opposite. I think getting a tattoo is like expressing who you are and giving your skin some of what comes on the inside, your personality. Face it, you can't really choose your appearance too much, you are really just born with it, but body mods can help you express who you are on the inside where everyone can see it...on the outside. I think they are the supreme being of self expression mainly because tattoos are basically permanent. Unlike clothing or even piercings which can change, a tattoo is often with someone forever. So I think planning carefully, and wisely and being patient can give you something so beautiful and amazing it's unlike anything else. And the truth is, that is what tattoos are.