***disclaimer: This is all my opinion, I know other gladers have tattooes, Someone may or may not be more heavily inked than I am, but this advice comes from both me and a friend of mine who may need to hire a small albino if they want more skin to put ink on. Your Milage may vary.***

1. Regardless of what some people will tell you, they ALL hurt. Some just hurt more than others. The area you are contemplating is one of those areas that makes the baby jesus cry (IMO).

2. Go hunting for an artist. You can see if any of your local friends with tattooes recommend someone, but go look at their portfolio. Have the prospective artists draw a picture for you first. Make sure they understand the emotional importance of this piece to you.

3. While hunting, if an artist draws a picture that you are iffy about... do not hesitate to walk away and keep hunting. This will be on you forever; laser tattoo removal is expensive, painful and not garaunteed to completely remove the piece. If you "settle" for something now, you may regret it in the future.

4. Make sure the final drawn picture is EXACTLY what you are looking for. Allow for creative inspiration from the artist, but remember... it is your body, it is your permanent marking. You have the final yes or no on the artwork.

Now when it comes close to the actual day of tattooing, there are some additional guidelines I have had recommended to me.

1. Stay hydrated. Make sure you are not dehydrated at all. Your skin will accept the ink and heal better if it is properly hydrated.

2. Start taking Ferrous Sulfate Pills the ink tends to stay more colorful if you are not iron deficient. Take these even before you look for an artist. That way even if you don't get tattooed, you feel the effects of the vitamin. Do this in conjuntion with Seafood and Meat Step below.

3. Eat Seafood and Red meat. And by red meat I do not mean hamburger. Have a steak, this one is fairly important in the few days before getting a tattoo. It helps to ensure proper levels of nutrients in the skin to help keep the ink from fading too much during healing.

After Care:

There are many healing methods that people use for the after care of a tattoo. Here is how I have done it in the past; YMMV.

I dry heal. It seems to have the quickest heal times (on my body type) Here is my process... recommended by several very reputable artists in Vegas; and by one artist who compares in badass-iosity with Paul Booth:

The first night, once you get home (before bed) take off the wrap most artists put over a new tattoo. Wash it (gently). either let it air dry or use a very soft cloth and DAB dry, under no circumstances should you rub dry on this evening.

On the second day, I will just leave it be. You have a giant open wound on xxx body part, just leave it be. During shower time.. find a way to not let it get wet. This is the pattern I follow until it begins to flake.

When it starts to get flaky, wash it normally. A lot of the flaky will come off, that is good. That means it is getting closer to being healed and will begin to itch like a mofo. DO NOT SCRATCH!!! some people have been lucky and caused no damage to their tattooes by scratching when they itch, but other people have.

When it begins to get itchy go buy a bottle of alchohol free skin lotion (make sure, because if it has alchohol in it.. it will hurt). For the itching you can occassionally slap it gently to relieve the itching, but keep it to a bare minimum

After the flaky time it will begin to get scaly. DO not use the lotion unless it is absolutely neccessary. and only use a very light layer. This is just to keep the skin from cracking; not to moisturize your skin.

***cautions and things to avoid****

**avoid** Any tattoo artist who has no tattoes visible of his/her own

**avoid** Any tattoo 'artist' who prefers to do flash work and dislikes custom work.

**avoid** The Dutch

**caution** I do not know if your state requires tattoo studios to get regular health inspections, but Las Vegas does. Find out if your state requires this and if they do.. make sure you can see the studio's health certificate.

**caution** Pay attention and look for an autoclaver. It is what they put needles into to sterilze them before disposal.

**caution** Since this is your first piece.. being nervous is okay. You can even ask the artist to see the packaging he keeps unused needles in prior to use. Most artists will usually let you see it to help release any fears about health and safety.

**Caution** Swelling may occur, bleeding will occur. Open wound and all that. This is normal. But if after 3 to 4 days the swelling is getting worse, seek medical attention.

**Caution** Color "spotting" may occur. Invest in a cheap set of sheets to use for about a week or two that you will not be sad about potential ink stains.

**reminder** TIP!!! This artist just spent his/her time on you. Yes you are paying them for this time, but consider that he or she probably drew up a picture for you first. And this is something that will be with you forever. Tip accordingly. I personally overtip, and I know I do. Lisa spent $500 on my arm, and I tipped another $200. I got my shoulder done I spent $500 and I gave him a $200 tip. I spent $100 on my inverted cross and tipped $45.

**to look for** The artists I have gone to are not only tattoo artists; they also sculpt, paint and are into photography. I highly recommend this for everyone.

**caution** white ink...These colors are VERY difficult. White ink has the flaw that quite often it does not stay looking white. Natural skin pigmentation will cause white to take on other colors. Does your skin have a pink tint to it? So will your whites. Have a naturally Olive colored complextion... so will your whites.

**Caution** red ink... This color is a pain in the ***. It will heal differently from person to person, even on the same person from sitting to sitting. My inner wrist.. I have a symbol for hear no evil. The red ink on it looked like it was going to heal fine; and then some of it was rejected by my system, and some wasn't. Then on my shin.. I have a zombie splattered with blood and gore. The reds looked like they were going to do the same thing as my wrist, and ended up healing faster than any other part of my body.

**reminder** what Micheal said is wise. Some people just eat through tattooes like they were food coloring. It sucks, but it does happen.