Tattoos?

Who here has tattoos?
Post a pic please!

I am going to get one for my next birthday and am planning it now.
I am very indecisive about what I am going to get but know that it will be on my lower back.

Does this spot hurt?
What do you look for in a good tattoo place?
I am thinking all blackwork at this point...Is that a problem?

WHat questions should I ask?
Any other things I should know?

When You get old, does it shrivel up and look faded and icky?
(I am 32..NOT old )

my friend has tatoos nearly all of his body.

When you go out you should wear sun screen even if its just a warm day because the sun fades the tatoo.

annd yes they do go ugly when you get to 60!

But each to their own

I will have to ask someone to get a pic of mine because it's just above my left bum cheek - it is a small, black salamander lizard. I have had it for about 5 years now. It does not bother me as it is in an inconspicuous place

(ohhh I typed a long word!)

My tattoo is on my lower back. I wouldn't say that it hurt per se but it didn't tickle either. lol It was uncomfortable. Sore at first but then after awhile it kind of went numb. It was tender for about one week afterward. It got a little itch too so I warn you, DON'T SCRATCH IT. You can pick the ink off.

Hi--when you go for a tattoo, take your time in choosing a place! Look through all of the artists portfolios. Too many people just go into their local shop and pick something out of a book--the artist in that shop may not be good at what you want to get done. Some are good at portraits, some do small pieces, some fantasy . . . its all different! You want to make sure that they can do what you want, because you don't want something that has bad lines and color--which will get worse with age.

I only have one tattoo, also on my lower back. Make sure not to get it too low down! It is better to have it slightly higher on the lower part of your back than too far down--easier to cover up with shirts and such if you dont want people to see it like at work, etc.

Also, when you start scoping out shops, talk to the tattoo artists and see if they do custom work and describe what you want. They should be able to do sketches and such for you. Don't agree to something until you are really happy with it. I got my tattoo when I was living in Japan, where tattoos are taken extremely seriously. My tattoo artist drew my design freehand (a coy with cherry blossoms around it) and we discussed color, size and placement before he started. It really does hurt though!

What kind of designs do you have in mind?

25 tattoos, some of which are in some pretty strange places
No pictures.
None on my lower back, can't help you there.

Hi all,
Thanks for the suggestions and opinions!
I am torn between two types of tats...I really like the celtic kind of black backwork I have seen...But everyone seems to have those and I would like something closer to my personality..
When I was in Vancouver, I went into a shop that had many old school sailor type tattoos of pinup girls...Seeing as this is what I collect (all items from the 50's as well as pinups), I thought some kind of neat silhouette or even a full coloured pinup kind of thing..
But I don't know if this would look good on the lower back area..
I don't want it on upper body really as I think it will look really butch as I age..
But if I found something I liked, I might change my mind...

And my back is one area that still looks great and is toned..and I feel that its one area where you might not gain and lose weight drastically as to stretch the skin out.

Arlyn: 25!!! I don't even have that many pictures hanging in my apt!

Further opinions welcome and appreciated!

I don't have one, I use the stick-on kind that little kids do, because I fear needles so very badly. I envy y'all who can face down a needle with no-fear and get this done.

I had my belly button pierced, which was a major huge deal for me cuz of the needle thing, but that wasn't a needle; it was a skewer!!!

I like the celtic knot tattoos, If I were to get one I'd get a celtic butterfly or something on my lower back. But I will never deal with needles again unless it's against my will ... like in the hospital.

Good luck and post pics once it's healed! I hear they take a while to heal, they are all crusty and ugly and funky and then finally weeks later, they look normal.

Heavy black tatts are not all they are cracked up to be.
First of all, black isn't applied the same as shaders, so it tends to be slightly more painful.
The second thing is that if you get anything in the tatt, like a blemish, or a mosquito bite, the heavy black will scar more easily.

I love the pinup idea, I like Varga's work, I like all of the 1940's pinup artists.

If I was younger I'd probably get one, my nephew (in the Army) has several tats. If you want sample pics of tats I think there's a gallery and forum on about.com that is tattoo oriented.

Heavy black can also fade unevenly over the years, meaning you may have to go under the needle again to do touch ups. Pinups are a really great idea, since it is unique to you. I would suggest talking to a tattoo artist you feel comfortable with and hopefully the can give you some ideas for how to do it really cool.

One weird thing about a back tat is that you can go a really long time without thinking about it and then suddenly you get a flash of it in a mirror or something and it makes you remember all about it. Or, you can bend over to pick something up off the floor, and your middle-aged boss can gasp "a tattoo?? you? oh my god!" lol.

I think getting a tat feels like kitten claws--so small but sharp. I can take that, but I could NEVER imagine getting a piercing--it looks so painful! lol. you are smart to stay away from needles after an experience like that!

I have 6 tattoos in a variety of places. Hate to say it, but my lower back tattoo definitely hurt the most. It's also the biggest though. The upper back/shoulders really aren't that bad painwise. As far as looking for a place- visit different shops, get an idea of the work that they do. If you happen to see someone with a tattoo you like ask them where they got it! Don't be afraid to ask questions, make sure you see them taking out the new sanitary needles, etc. Also get a basic idea of what you definitely want b4 you go in. But also let the artist make suggestions, what they draw is most often better than what we can envision.

This tattoo is on my hip/lower stomach area (my least fave tattoo)


This is my latest tattoo. Right foot, picture is about a week after I got it.

I agree, visit different shops, never get one done if you aren't 100% comfortable with the artist or the shop.
Most states do not require any sort of health department permits, but the better shops will have gone to the trouble of obtaining them anyway and will proudly display them
Look for an autoclave onsite, if you don't see one, ask if they have an autoclave.

I have a pretty big tattoo of a bat on my lower back (well big for a lower back tatt anyhow).. It's all black. It didn't hurt much except for the right side, that was a killer, and I was told that was because I was right handed But on my spine it didn't hurt

I have 3 tattoos- one on my ankle, one on the back of my shoulder, and one on my lower back. I can tell you that they hurt the most in the order listed. Holy Schmoly! I had no idea how many nerve endings were present on in the inside of my ankle. I always say that the most recent one will be my last, but who knows!

I agree with most everyone in this thread - do heavy research! Make sure it is absolutely spotless and sterile and take a look at their albums, not necessarily the art on the walls. Or if you see someone on the street who has a great one, there's no shame in getting a recommendation! My husband's an artist and he drew all three of mine (and all three of his). We like the fact that ours are original. I will say, though, that before I got my first one, I carried the drawing around with me for a year to see if I really wanted it forever.

Good luck!

If I remember correctly, there are several really good artists in your area. My s/o is a tattoo artist and communicates with other artists all over the world. I will ask him if he cam recommend someone.
I LOVE the old traditional style stuff, particularly the pinups. I am having my whole back done in the old traditional eagle fighting the snake. It is a huge coverup. I love it, though. A friend of mine is drawing me a female version of the traditional "Man's Ruin." It will cover the entire back of my calf. I have about 8-10 more hours to go on my back, then I can get my calf done. I already have about 20 hours on my back, 7 of those being outline.

I have two fairly large, black ink tats that I want to get removed because they were done during a period of self-dustructiveness many years ago.

It sucks because they're detrimental to my healing, serving as a constant reminder of a bad time in my life.

Originally Posted by Loveysmummy

Hi all,
Thanks for the suggestions and opinions!
I am torn between two types of tats...I really like the celtic kind of black backwork I have seen...But everyone seems to have those and I would like something closer to my personality..
When I was in Vancouver, I went into a shop that had many old school sailor type tattoos of pinup girls...Seeing as this is what I collect (all items from the 50's as well as pinups), I thought some kind of neat silhouette or even a full coloured pinup kind of thing..
But I don't know if this would look good on the lower back area..
I don't want it on upper body really as I think it will look really butch as I age..
But if I found something I liked, I might change my mind...

Click to expand...

Generally, if you're going to get a pinup, here's what I suggest.. if you're putting it ther, have it laying down, an asshat (sorry, that's what it's called!!) should generally be wider than tall, for the sake of balance. Personally, I wouldn't get a pinup on myself, though, as much as I love (and draw) them. Not my style.. have you thought of getting like an old style pinstriping design? that's very 50's without being a person (and really, there are lots of artists that could do lovely jobs, but the pinups that I see aren't really vargas quality at all the tattoo parlors.. they're actually quite ugly, I think. Ask around..

look at portfolios,
make sure that they use fresh equiptment that has been hermetically sealed,
and that the actual gun has come out fresh from the autoclave.
Discuss the design you want witht hte artist, show him samples and have him SHOW YOU HIS DRAWING before allowing it to be applied.
Discuss the shading style as this certainly alters the type of lines he will initially lay down.

Before going in for the tattoo, find a design you like and hang it up in a place you see regularly and MAKE CERTAIN that you will want the design when you're 82!

Get something with meaning to you

Never get anyone else's name (except maybe..maybe your children's)

Wow..I can't believe how knowledgable you all are!!!!
I don't even know what the hell an autoclave is...
I imagine its some sort of sterilizing machine

Turtlecat: Did you mean to say Asshat? or am I reading that wrong?
sorry, I am green to this...Also, you are right about all the pinup tats not looking very nice..all that I have looked up or seen aren't that pretty or they seem distorted...
What is old school pinstriping? Can you point me to an example?
I would appreciate it..

Vespa: sorry to hear that! I hope you can take care of it quickly with little to no discomfort

Krazycat: A recommendation would be great...I don't know if you realize that I am in Winnipeg, Canada but travel frequently to Vancouver so wouldn't mind a recommend there also if there is more to choose from. Thanks!

Redhairedgirl: THanks for the tip! That is a great idea to carry the pic around for a year...

Arlyn: Yes, I plan to research the shop well. Thanks for the heads up! See above as in I don't even know what the hell an autoclave is yet

Annabelle: That is very strange about the righthanded thing! I am not a big suck, but want some indication of if it will kill...I am worried about the spine hurting too..Eeek..
maybe I am a suck ?

Thanks all again and look forward to your answers/suggestions!

Originally Posted by milopixie

I have 6 tattoos in a variety of places. Hate to say it, but my lower back tattoo definitely hurt the most. It's also the biggest though. The upper back/shoulders really aren't that bad painwise. As far as looking for a place- visit different shops, get an idea of the work that they do. If you happen to see someone with a tattoo you like ask them where they got it! Don't be afraid to ask questions, make sure you see them taking out the new sanitary needles, etc. Also get a basic idea of what you definitely want b4 you go in. But also let the artist make suggestions, what they draw is most often better than what we can envision.

This tattoo is on my hip/lower stomach area (my least fave tattoo)


This is my latest tattoo. Right foot, picture is about a week after I got it.

Click to expand...

I like the heart wing one even though you say its your least fave..I have seen ALOT ALOT ALOT worse...

I love the stars and wouldn't wear shoes if i had those