Tattoo Help

I got mine almost 20 years ago and it's about the same size as what you're planning. I know it was uncomfortable, but not unbearably so. Mine is on my hip and very few people know that I have it, which I like. I wouldn't put one in a place that is exposed all the time, but that's just me. If you want to put it in a place where people will notice, then go for it but beware of the possibility of something sagging as you age - a shoulder works, but an upper arm that will probably be saggy when you're 80 might not.

Good luck and have fun!

I don't know anywhere in Dallas, but I can say, it's not too bad. Take some gum and it will be over before you know it. Good luck!

May I give you a piece of advice?

I have five tattoos; all are in places which can be covered relatively easily if need be. I got my first tattoo in 1989 and this was the cusp of the current tattoo/pierce trend we still seem to have going. Being that having tats was unusual, I chose my ankles, shoulder blade and hip, figuring that none of these would prevent me from working.

Also consider that color will fade, lines will lose their sharpness. Fresh ink can look fantastic, but go for stuff which will age well; detail doesn't.

Remember too, that the pain of tattoos is different depending on which part of the body is done. My ankles weren't horrible, the hip had a lot of referential twinges in my shoulders, interestingly enough. The shoulder blade hurt the most. I would imagine the more sensitive the skin, the more it will hurt. I would never have my feet done, ha.

Find someone with a good reputation who is licensed and bring a drawing or reference sketch. This will clarify what you want as a customer and help a lot. Some places want time to sketch something out, some tattoo artists go mostly by appointment. Figure out where you want to go, do your research, and make wise choices in design so you don't end up with something that fades ten years later. Have fun!

my experience comes entirely from my extensive research on behalf of my older son, who got his first when he turned 18. i made him wait until then, but then we found a really, really great artist, and it was a lovely coming-of-age ritual.
i think the most important thing to do, in addition to selecting a personally meaningful design, is to pick the right artist. i confess to a sneaking addiction to the tat shows like inkmaster even though i'm not inked myself. i'm always so surprised at how egotistic many of the professionals are. they really seem to look at clients as 'canvases' who should be grateful to get the artist's awesome design permanently embedded in their skins, whether or not the client likes or wants that particular design. you need to find someone whose style is in synch with yours, and who is willing to listen to what you want and why you want it.
i would never get one of those generic designs out of a book. find an artist who can listen and then sketch something that's perfect for YOU.
khairete
S.

my tattoo advice is: don't get one. Sorry, I know thats not the answer you were looking for. Just don't know why we need to be adding permanent blemishes to our ever changing tastes, stretching and sagging skin. I don't like my moles and freckles, let alone ink. But thats just me. I say, buy yourself some jewelry or art to mark the occasion. That way, If your taste changes, you don't have to display it. But thats just me. I have a hard time committing, let that be a husband, a new baby, a couch, new carpet, or throw pillows for goodness sake. Ink is straight out for me.

Some people have various judgmental views about tattoos. Those of us who have chosen to do it usually have some reason and are open minded about it. I don't judge people who have tattoos, it's not my business and some people have very good reasons to choose a tattoo.

I am in the Dallas area.

I got a tattoo about 8 yrs ago at Obscurities (Mark Thompson) off Oak Lawn. It did hurt like hell getting it done and it's not very big. I followed the directions faithfully and never had any issues. I do not regret my decision.

Cat Tattoo in Addison is good. I don't have experience with tattoos there but my daughter did get her belly ring and earrings done there.

This was the 3rd attempt fir her earrings because she went to Claire's in 5th grade and again on 8th grade and it never worked due to allergies and constant infection.

She's never had an issue with her ears or belly ring from Cat Tattoo. If I were to get another tattoo, I would go to Cat. It's off Beltline around Inwood.

Good luck!

I have two. I guess not everybody views this the same, but I think that it's just such a personal journey that YOU have to feel comfortable at and with each step before moving forward. Nobody can walk it with you.

Continue to visit multiple places to find the right fit for you. If you are intimidated, then it's not your time, and that's okay. Part of earning and owning your permanent commitment to a voluntary mark on your body is going through all the motions and emotions--and sometimes excruciating physical pain--to get it done. It's like losing your real virginity. There's nothing wrong with waiting until you feel most comfortable.

Gee I hate tattoos - the human body is such a beautiful thing - I have yet to see a tattoo that improved upon it - what a shame to "mark it up" with a tattoo. Why not a lovely necklace with the dove that you wish to commemorate your important life event ?

I have 2 tattoos. I got both of them with in the last year. I was scared of the pain the most. I did a lot of research and looked up reviews and called around and if I got a weird vibe from any of them, I didn't go there. Maybe even go and visit to see how clean the place is (I did). I have 1 small flower about an inch big and it was mostly just uncomfortable and annoying when they did it. I have another 3 inch tattoo that are 2 flowers in my kids birthstone colors. That one hurt SO bad I was seeing spots. Both are on my upper back.

I just got my first tattoo this weekend. About the same size. It helped that my sister was there who has many tattoos. It did hurt, more than I expected. I figured childbirth had desensitized me but not so! Their bandages are weird! Try to get it done when you won't have to be in public for a while, I felt strange walking around with this giant plastic wrap bandage on my foot!

I have a tattoo about 4" x 4" on my calf. It didn't hurt at all - tingled kind of like when your foot falls asleep.
After being inked, it was covered loosely with a bandage for a few days, and I iced it several times a day to keep it from swelling.
Then washed it gently and kept it moisturized while it finished healing. Have had it several years now and the colors are still as vibrant as the day I had it done.

Being in my forties I know lots of people who got tattoos and have recently had them removed. Many who haven't are living with a blurry, dark blob on their bodies.

To each her own, just not for me. I was never certain that I loved any particular picture enough to wear it for the rest of my life.

i have two tatoos. both small and both gotten in my early 20s. mom was so glad there wasn't a third.. ;-) i digress...

one is on my thigh which didn't hurt too badly. the other is on my ankle and it hurt A LOT! i don't know if you've considered placement but the, forgive this word, fleshier areas hurt less thank the bonier areas.

congratualtions on your important event....would love to know what it is in swh?? just a nudge. :-) S.

I have 4 and the one on my big toe hurt the worst but healed the quickest.
Tattoos should be very personal and you need to research where to go and then go in and look around and watch. Make sure everything is new, clean and then pick out your artist. One you would feel comfortable with. When I got the one on my foot/heel (inside, below the ankle bone) my artist was awesome and my tummy started to get upset. She gave me a piece of hard candy. She said the sugar would help and it did! So, take some hard candy in your pocket :) and a good friend to sit with you and talk to you during the process.
Good luck and go for it ~ if you want a tattoo don't let anyone talk you out of it. It's your body, your decision.

you would be so surprised in how kind the staff is in a tattoo shop. i would go a little bigger then an in (maybe 3 wide) because the tattoo will shrink as it heals a tiny bit. there are places that hurt worse then others. the ankle is always a good starter spot.
it stings a little but its not unbearable and if your in too much pain all you do is ask the artist to stop for a minute. also you can expect to be a little more sore if your getting a detailed one or color (opposed to just an outline).
watch them take their tools out. are they using sterile needles for their gun. look at the albums of their work. if you want the tattoo get it! no one will be living with it on them but you.
I have 2 tattoo i want more lol

I have 6 tattoos. I'm not in the Texas area, but i can give you a few pointers on pain, etc. It all depends on where you want it, can depend on the pain levels. I have an elephant on my wrist about an inch or so. small. it was on the bone nerves so it HURT, but if I had to describe the pain of a tattoo, it's like someone rubbing on a bad sunburn on your skin. it's not that bad.
hint: shoulders don't hurt as much, chest has a LOT of nerves and hips are almost as bad as the wrist.
:3 enjoy your ink.

I have 3 and would get another one in a heartbeat. As for the pain, mine was minimal, uncomfortable but not unbearable. I would be a millionaire right now if I had bet that someone was going to advise you not to get one...your body, your choice. Good luck and let us know how it went.

I have 10. Some of them I do regret and would love to get removed and some of them I love and have had for almost 20 years. Usually when it is to mark a special event or something very important to me like heritage or family, I don't dislike years later. If it was something on a whim, I have a little bit harder time with. As an example, I have I Celtic shamrock on the back of my neck that I love and it has to do with heritage. It was one of the least painful and it would actually tickle my ear while he was doing it. Also I have sea turtles on the inside of my right wrist that I adore as well as they are a symbol of me, my hubs and my 4 girls. I also love my very first one that is tiny and on my upper left breast. None of these 3 hurt very much. I also have a rose on my upper arm, a butterfly on my right breast, a rose on my ear (stupid), 3 on my ankles, 1 on my shoulder blade and 1 in the middle of my back. I still love the daisy on my right inside ankle and the girly koi with cherry blossoms on my outside left ankle. The other ankle piece, I have since covered up and like it better now. I want to remove the one on my spine, the one on my shoulder blade, my upper arm and right breast. As far as pain goes, the spine hurt the worst, then the shoulder blade. (I was sun burned--yet again stupid...) my ankles were ok getting them done. It was the healing process that was painful. (they swell and just ached for days.) Easily covered is best, saggy areas later on should be considered. Usually once you get the first one you want more. Try not to do anything on a whim though.
As far as places to go, I have one guy that I have used for my more recent stuff since I have been back in Texas. But he moved from Fort Worth to Arlington so I have to find out exactly where he went. The others that I love, I got from one artist in Boynton Beach Florida and if I had the money would fly out just to get him to do them.
Hope this helps....