"The Truth about Tattoos"

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So you feel like being bad. Rebelling. Making a statement of your very own. And what better way than to express yourself than getting something etched into your skin for the whole world to see?


Today, tattoos are all the rage. Its as if in the last 5 years have seen a revival of this raw, albeit painful, almost amimalistic art form. But just like any other major decision in your life, this is a biggie. So take some time to prepare yourself before you make that final call.


Think about it – do your research: Think very carefully about what you want as your tattoo. Remember that these things are permanent (unless you have a lot of extra cash for painful laser removal which isn’t of course without its own risks!) and you really want to be sure of what it is you want put on your skin.


Plan, plan, plan (where, how, when) – clean, cleaner, cleanest: say it with me guys. The single most important thing to consider when trying to decide which parlour to get your skin inked at is its hygiene standards. Make sure to check that the artists there are minimizing the health risks of tattooing by using disposable needles and sterilized instruments, as well as maintaining a superclean environment in general. You also want to go to a place which has a reputation for its craft (ie. Make sure if you are going through all that pain – and trust me, there is some pain --- you want the job to look fantastic and not like some schoolkid scribbled on you with a needle!).



The Big Decision - Numbing gel vs None: Basically you have a choice. You can either choose to go with using a numbing gel, which dulls the sensation in that area of the skin which is getting tattooed. Or you can choose to go gel-free. It really depends on the kind of person you are, and how you look at the whole process. I for one, felt strongly that a crucial part of my getting my tattoo was to be present, and fully aware of the entire experience. And after two and a half hours of work, I don’t regret my decision for a minute. But here again, if you are a person with a low tolerance to pain (hmmm, so a tattoo, really??) you would probably be better off using the gel.


After Care: Almost as important is picking the right, reputable, clean place to get your tattoo art done, is what you do after the job is done. You need to treat your tattoo just like an open wound. Make sure to follow the instructions given to you by your tattoo artist. These would include to clean it regularly with damp cloth, use anti-bacterial soap and cream, and avoiding direct sunlight on it for a few days. Do this with a strict discipline and you can be sure you will have a gorgeous new tattoo to show off, infection-free and something you can be proud of :)


Alternatives: Finally, if you are not 1000% (yes that’s a thousand and not a typo) sure of wanting to get that tattoo done, just don’t do it. Wait. Think it over, and wait some more. Maybe try some fun alternatives to see how you would like it. Stick-on tattoos usually last about a week and can look pretty convincing too! You could also try a henna tattoo which lasts even longer. And when, and only when, you are sure, go ahead and get yourself inked!