where to get a tattoo??

I was considering getting a tat on my side. Like a long tattoo going from just under my armpit to just above my waist,like possibly a cute cherry blossom design. Or a Ouroboros design on my hip. I wouldn't recommend a 'slag tag' or 'tramp stamp', (a tat on the lower back) as every chav in the country has them lol ^_^

I'd spend a long time thinking about the design though. Lots of my mates went out and got tattoos when they turned 18 and regretted the designs because they got tats of say bands and films they liked at the time but no longer like them now. I'm 21 and I still haven't fully decided on a design. There's no rush so take your time over it.

that sounds like a good idea.... oh those tramp stamp ones are usually YUCK anyway so i definitely wasnt planning on one of those! i'm just doodling at the moment, i want something really nice that i wont regret too!

I almost got a tattoo on my lower back - everyone said I shouldn't because they look horrible but I didn't care, the only reason I decided not to get it there was because I don't wear low trousers/short tops so you'd never be able to see it. I got mine at the top of my spine instead, it looks quite nice there and you can show it off easily but it's also easy to cover up.

It depends what design as well, some things won't look right in certain places.

i got mine on the back of my neck/back whatever lol its my last name with flowers i want one by my eye but maybe you could try your ankle.. i heard it hurts right there but i dunno..

I'm hopefully getting my ankle done next...I expect it to hurt!

My hubby does tats and it all depends on how much pain you can handel, I would suggest you make your first one a small one. I have a small ladybug on the inside of my wrist, it was probably the least painful and I can hide it with a bracelet. I would reccomend against finger, foot, ankle, and ribs for a first tat...they HURT!!

I got mine when I was 16 - had a bit of a rebelling stage. I got a cute heart, a inch in size all around, on my hip. I'm not really sure if it'd stretch and all of that jazz, but it shouldn't too much, it just pretty much depends on if you have kids! Other places where to get them where they won't look bad after a few years would have to be at the top of your spine (base of your neck), your wrist (bit of an issue when it comes to covering up for jobs though - you'd need to wear bracelets or foundation) or on your ribcage.

i'm afraid to get one on my side although i would really like one because i'm afraid of it stretching when i have kids. i like the idea of getting a tat on my feet. but at the moment i'm thinking of getting some on my hands as an old island tradition of where i live to honor my ancestors

A lot of places require you to be 17, some require 16 but both need forms to be notarized and signed by both a parent and the tattoo shop that the form is from. Look around for awhile before you pick a tattoo shop, ask to see their portfolio, license and how many years theyve been tattooing. I have a lot of tattoos and Im not trying to sound like a mom but my boyfriends a tattoo artist and hes had to fix a lot of peoples tattoos that theyve gotten at places that arent qualified enough. When you think about something you want, think about having that same thing for a year and if you still want it I would say go for it, just remember its going to be there for the rest of your life. If you arent sure if youre going to like hello kitty when youre 65 years old, I would rethink your tattoo! ;p Dont get anything band related, and NEVER get anyones names unless its your parents, siblings, or your own. As for placement, maybe something on your ankle, hip etc. and dont go big. Its your first tattoo, and theyre tolerable, but they DO really hurt in certain places. Make sure you figure out what you can handle before you go all out.

if i'd get a tattoo(which i'm not allowed to because i had heart trouble as a little kid), i'd probably get something like cherry blossoms and oleifi di boneiru (i think that's what they're called there on curaçao) blossoms. those are gorgeous white flowers, 5 petals each, yellow in the middle, oleander-like.
in each case. i'd get flowers that remind me of things. cherry blossoms i just adore, and oleifi di boneiru are for the place my mom was born. and so on.

Wow they let you get tattoos done young wherever you lot come from. The legal age in England is 18 - though you get the odd place that does underage but there tattoos aren't as nice. My friend Sophie has about 8 tattoos now, she had 2 (I think) done underage and they look awful!! Seriously it looks like a child has doodled on her arm with a needle...

Not only consider carefully what you done on what part of your body (do think about this carefully because I've changed my mind at least 3 times), but I would most importantly and carefully consider the place you will get it done.
My other friend Angela got a tattoo somewhere in Notting Hill (I was with her) and it looked like some dodgy place, it had typical London souveniers stuff at the front, a couple of bong pipes and stuff nearer the back with a few back rooms - I think one was a peircing bit and the other was the tattoo studio. It was pokey and it just looked dodgy. Her tattoo came out ok, but thats besides the point!!

thanks everyone, i still havent decided any further yet! but thats ok cause i do have like 3 years to wait.

I have one tattoo, on my right shoulder and I can only give the following advice...

1. Ask around and find the most reputable Tattoo studio you can. If it looks and smells like a doctors surgery/hospital then chances are, you're in the right place.
2. Ask to see the most popular tattoos, the ones that everyone else goes for..... then avoid them!!! Your tattoo should be special to you and have meaning. Do not get one the same as everyone else. I picked one that the tattooist had never put on anyone else.
3. When you go for a tattoo, speak to the person inking your body. Ask for their advice and their opinion. The transfers they use for the outlines they follow can be moved and repositioned until you are happy, they will also be able to advise on the best places/positions on your body. After all, this is their job and they know what they are talking about.
4. If you have any doubts AT ALL, don't get it done. After all, you can go back another day and still have it done, but you cannot go back and get it undone without it being a very painful and expensive experience.

Sorry, being all mumsy and stuff.

K/x

With all the other posts, there isn't much more to tell you.

I have 6 tats and love all of them because they all have a special meaning to me. The most painful one was on the back of my neck, but it's also one that has a lot of meaning to me, so it felt most satisfying (if that makes sense to you). To make sure I had originals, I designed one myself, then asked my tattoo artist to design the others or at least give me advice on what would look best.

When I was younger, I got a henna tattoo in the place that I was thinking of getting the permanent one, that way, I would know how it would look and feel since henna usually stays on for several weeks.

Try the henna first, then research different artists to find one that has a very good reputation and also a style that suits you.

Another thing to remember is that tattoo artists must open their tools from sterilized packages in front of you, so you know they are clean.

Good luck and keep me posted on what you decide!


Ah yes, and one more thing -please PLEASE avoid the lower back, breasts and ankle -lower back seems to imply tramp, ankle is more of a stripper mark and the breasts are just wrong unless very tastefully done (if possible).