TATTOOS: Got any?

I'm thinking of getting a couple, I've been thinking about a particular design for a couple of years and finally created it in photoshop. It's a cherry blossom set against a black background inside a circle. I can't decide where I want it, but I think I would like it on my left wrist so that I can look at it. I have heard that the wrist hurts a lot - is this true?

I also want a swallow; I know it's cliched at this point, but it's meaningful to me, because of the story of Thumbellina, how she nurses the swallow back to health and at the end it flies her to fairy land.

So, anyone with tattoos or tattoo advice, I would appreciate it. Also, tell me about your tattoos and what they mean to you.

I had my first one when I was about 39 ish, (late developer) its hubbys name just above my bottem at the base of my back, and it hurt.

Worth doing though I have no regrets.

Im am thinking of getting one its in japanese and its religious and I want to put it on my upper left arm. I am in my middle forties and have been thinking about this for about two years.
I have a recommended tattooist who will be doing it but havent yet found the courage to actually do it yet don't know if I need to take someone or do it on my own. I really want my partner there and he said he will be wiling to get one done as well.
So yeah its just a matter of when for me.
I have done my homework on the risks and all that and I feel I am prepared.

I actually just got my first tattoo, a feather on the base of my neck. It didn't hurt at all, which shocked me since the artist had to use very small needles to get the detail I wanted.
My feather means a lot to me, it symbolizes a bunch of different things,
I am glad I have it, to always have my feather with me

I have 2. one of a baby that symbolizes my granddaughter that passed away and one of a mix of tribal with dolphins. I think that pic is in the gallery.

Ive got a tattoo of a tribal dragon on my left shoulder blade. It didnt really hurt, if anything it kinda tickled lol. I got this tattoo because it reminds me of my boyfriend because he loves dragons. My nxt tattoo wil be my sons name =) cant wait to get another, they are ver addictive lol. I have a friend with a tattoo on her wrist she said it hurt a bit but you get used to it after a few minutes.

cant stand them...think they are disgusting...pirates and sailors can have them, but not me...

No...I prefer my art upon the wall...easier to change that way..

I appreciate the concept of commitment but I feel that I change so consistently that anything so pernament put upon my skin would at some point fuel regret...

I prefer photographs for remembering specific points in my life,,they are easily put in a drawer....

But,,I have no bias for those that find some enjoyment in them...they will certainly be some interesting points of discussion in future assisted living facilites,,,beats talking about recent operations...

Lenny

I looked over my post and realized it contained very little advice, sorry :3

But in the advice category

MAKE SURE IT'S CLEAN!! Check out all the credentials, talk to the artists, look at their portfolio's. Don't let a tattoo artist push their ideas on you, a good artist won't do that, they will offer suggestions but not totally dismantle your original idea.

THINK THINK THINK, don't jump into it, I played with the idea of getting my feather for over three years, this is a permanent commitment, it is on you FOREVER.

Don't settle for any sketch you don't like. Make sure you love it, and ask yourself, if this is on my body for the rest of my life, I wouldn't mind looking at it or knowing it's there, and I wouldn't mind other people looking at it or knowing it's there.

Think about how you can cover it up for jobs, or other related environments.

The most important thing of all is follow the instructions they give you to keep it clean, and DO NOT PICK AT IT. Picking at it will take off color, and ruin the tattoo and you'll have to have work redone on it.

I know you've probably heard it all before, but lol I just wanted to pass along what I was told

Yea I'm thinking about getting the zelda triforce tattoo

i got lots. all my arms, chest, back neck and stuff. on the wrist ain't so bad. its more like a weird feeling of the needle vibrating your bones more then the pain of it.

I had my first one when I finished boot camp (a eagle on my forearm). That was in '82, I know have 7 or so, one is a full sleeve (arm from wrist to sholder) another is a full back tribal. When my sons decided I helped whem pick the best place. Here are my suggestions,

Stigma - many people are judgemental and apply a picture of what you are when they see it(them).

Design - think think think, then think. I go for a year with an idea then look into getting it.

Artist/Shop - This is big for two reasons, health, and good art. Make sure they have an autoclave to sterize the tools. Make sure they use new ink bottles each time or they pour into cups and throw the cups away. Make sure they clean the area then wrap the chair, work table, tatoo machine in plastic. See if the artist does art as well as tatoos. Many are tracers and fill in the colors. My artist draws on my arm until we like the art (in color). Then we work on the outlines shading and intensity of color. Look at past work(portfolio).
When a session is done, make sure they clean you well and cover the tattoo first with sterile petroleum Jelly (little one time use packs), then wrap in cellephane.

After care - I leave the plastic on for 24 hours, then I clean with soap throughly, then use Bacitrcin or other antibiotic cream, and keep covered in gause untill I get peeling. Then I just let it finish healing. There are products for care after that but the big thing is UV(Sun). Use a high SPF to protect from fading.

Long note but I am experienced, at least 150 hours under the needle, never had a infection or excellerated fading.

I really recommend, above the hands, below the neck.

Read up on the history of tattoos in the world and their meanings. You will find that body art has been around for many thousands of years, for many reasons, decoration, religion, medical, making a statement.

I have 26 years of them on me and each one gives me a memory of that time in my life.

Hope this helps.

Ed