7 Solid Reasons to Wait to Get Your First Tattoo ...

One of the reasons to wait for your tattoo is if you’re going on a vacation or plan on spending a lot of time in the water. You can’t submerge fresh ink. If you decide to be a rebel and take a dip anyway, the color will fade and you could end up with an infection. Don’t waste your money or your summer. In a few months, you can still get your tattoo done and it won’t get damaged.

If you’re unsure about the image, words, or font you want, wait to make your appointment. You want your idea to be well thought out, not chosen at the last second. If you’re pretty sure you know, but aren’t positive and keep making small changes, the same rule applies. Wait a few weeks and if you still love the drawing by then, go for it. Otherwise, it might not be right for you.

Hookups aren’t the only drunken mistakes you can make. Getting a tattoo while drunk can end in disaster. Even if you planned the drawing out while sober, avoid getting a tattoo while under the influence. Alcohol thins your blood, which makes you bleed more. That means your skin won’t hold the ink as well and there’s a greater chance of scarring and infection. So wait until you’re sober!

If your friends are urging you to get a tattoo, try to resist the pressure. Decide if you really want an image printed on your body forever. Don’t get a tattoo because everyone else has on and you want to fit in. You have to get one because you want it. It’s your body and your decision.

If you’re too young to legally get your tattoo and have to settle for a sketchy artist, wait until you can go to a reputable parlor. You don’t want to wind up with an amateur drawing or an infection. Use time to your advantage: plan out the exact tattoo you want and where. If you’re still craving it by the time you’re of age, you’ll know it’s worth it. Until then, try henna.

Whenever I get a new tattoo, I make sure it’s in a spot that’s easily concealable. You don’t want to miss a chance at your dream job because of your ink. If you know that you’re aiming for a career that frowns upon tattoos, be extra careful. Reconsider the location if you were planning on getting it done somewhere visible. There’s nothing wrong with keeping it hidden.

Tattoo artists each have their own style. When deciding which parlor to go to, ask to take a look at photos of their past work. If the drawings are done in a way you’re not fond of, wait until you find a parlor that suits your needs better. Even if the artist’s work is fantastic, you may have to reconsider. If they’ve created spectacular drawings of dragons, it may be because they’re asked to do them often and have gotten tons of practice. So if you’re asking for an uncommon tattoo, make sure you like the way they sketch it out for you.

If you love tattoos as much as I do, it’ll be difficult to wait to get one. But try to wait until the timing’s right. Do you have any tattoos? What do they look like?