I LOL’d

PP/BA has jumped the shark. True believers can stay, others may choose to read blogs whose writers don’t make themsleves the dominating topic.

I want to get a tattoo but I’m far to indecisive so I commend you!

My tattoo did not cause much pain – the weirdest thing was the slight vibration from the needle (sort of like the drilling at the dentist, only less creepy somehow). The only wussy part for me was the bleeding, I get light-headed and occasionally my vision fuzzes out when I have blood drawn, etc. and the same thing happened to me when I got my tattoo (and I didn’t even see the blood).

So, any prep you do should be about the same as what you would do before having blood drawn – not so much as donating blood, more like a doctors visit when they have to run a few tests – it will make a difference if you are in any way susceptible to blood loss.

Also, don’t go work out before – just don’t, you’ll probably want a nap after they’re done. Don’t strain yourself before you go in.

I’m excited to see your choice! Whoo! And of course, as many others have said – Breathe deep and slow! (Especially if you’re nervous about it!!)

Take an anti-inflammatory; acetaminphen is not one but ibuprofen is.

Don’t drink alcohol. Be well- hydrated and in a good mood. Sleep well the night before.

I prefer piercings because they’re reversible and they’re quicker; they’re painfully pleasurable and the interaction between you and the piercer can be intimate to the point of eroticism – trust is essential for the job to get done.

I saw a guy on the subway with a salamander on his leg. It had a “shadow” surrounding 1/2 of it, giving it depth. It looked as though he had a pet sitting his calf. If I were to get a tatoo I’d probably have a shadowed dragonfly.

Can’t wait to see the pics!

I am a well educated person, with a middle management job. I am clean, tidy and middle class. My tattoo wasn’t a rush decision – I took 6 months to choose it, and was very careful to match it to my life. It’s as relevant to me now, as the picture was 20 years ago, and still will be relevant to me 50 years from now. I call it my “piece of body art” to anyone who questions my sanity.

My advise is to try and regulate your breathing – that’s the best I could do without being allowed alcohol or painkillers.

Anam has the same advice I would give you. Except, use sunscreen on the tat if you are out in the sun. It makes it last longer especially if there is color. The pain isn’t that bad and it’s worth it. It is kind of addictive. I actually like the pain. I just can’t explain it but then again I can tolerate A LOT of pain.

I loved this quote from above and it is true. “Tattoos are like potato chips. You can never have just one.” – Paul Jeffries @ Smilin’ Budda Tattoo

Enjoy. Looking forward to the photos.

I know it is bit late but I want to add few thoughts.

It never stops to amaze me to see tattoo haters preaching on what to do and not to do on someone else’s body. Nobody is asking them to get a tattoo, so what is the complaint for?

I have four tattoos, and I am a medical doctor. And I am alive, I didn’t get any diseases b/c I got a tattoo and I don’t live in a trailer park either.

After you get your tattoo, you will get even more reactions like those, so you should get used to it.

Getting a tattoo is a very personal thing. So I hope you decided on something you really like and want, something with a special meaning for you. People do get bored of shapes but if your tattoo has a deep meaning for you, it is not a shape anymore, it is part of who you are.

Upper arm doesn’t hurt much. Much better than back or waist. As a rule the more muscle under your skin the less it hurts. If yu are closer to the bone, it hurts much more.

The feeling will be a buzzing-burning feeling. You don’t need a medication for it, you get used to it after five minutes.

Absolutely no alcohol, and no aspirin. Tattoo artists refuse to work on people with alcohol, and aspirin makes you bleed more.

Have a balanced meal before the tattooing. Take a bottle of cold water with you. Your mouth will get dry, and hydration will make you feel better. Also take some candies, if you have a hypoglycemia they help. And do not hesitate to ask for a brake if you need one.

After a week you will start to itch. I think itching is the worst part. But if you hydrate it well it will feel more comfortable.

People will ask “What if you regret that you have a tattoo when you are 70?”

Personally, I hope that would be my biggest regret in life. Seriously.

Good luck with the new tattoo!

P.S. definitely no alcohol, The artist who did mine said something I’ll always remember which is “there’s no easy way to get a tattoo” and to try and dull it with anything is not only dangerous for the obvious medical reasons, but you’ll miss out on what makes the experience so memorable.

But, I thought I’d come out of lurking to offer my own little tattoo story. My grandpa was in the service and had a tattoo on his forearm. I was fascinated with it when I was little and loved hearing him tell stories about him and his friends when they were young and how they’d all gone together and gotten their tattoos at the same time. I didn’t find out until I was much older that both his friends who got tattooed with him were killed in action. It was the last tangible reminder he had of them. And yeah, it was a blob of faded colors and blurry lines. It was a exactly what a tattoo that had weathered so many years should look like. It was a badge and he was proud of it.

My tattoo is nothing so important, nothing so visceral but I’m still proud of it. I’m even looking forward to being an old lady and having a blob of faded color on my arm to remind me of why I got it.

Enjoy your tattoo, Phil. I hope it makes you happy for years to come.

BA is probably old enough to be referencing the original source.