Cool cross tattoo designs are also a huge favorite among girls and women who are interested to get ink done. But upon making your choice on which tattoo design to go for, there are still a couple of decisions that you got to make. First, which part of the body you would have the tattoo done and how huge would the tattoo be?

With regards to placement, there are some considerations that you need to make when choosing where you would want the tattoo done. First, what is the shape of the tattoo design? Is the design triangular? Oval? Circular? Keep in mind that a horizontal tattoo design would make any part of your body that it is tattooed on appear wider. A vertical tattoo design on the other hand will make the part of the body it is tattooed on appear longer. Do you like the tattoo to be seen in public? Or would you rather keep it hidden? Would you still want to be able to wear a sexy backless dress at an office function perhaps and still be able to hide your tattoo?

When you are inside a tattoo shop, the tattoo artist will be able to give you tips on where you can have tattoos made as well as help you choose among different flash; from cool cross tattoo designs to cute as well as discreet and dainty butterfly body art. Regardless of the design and the location of the tattoo on your body, the tattoo artist would be pleased to stencil a specific design that you have already chosen.

A tattoo, ideally, must be recognizable by someone who is standing a few feet away from it. Usually tattoo artists would prefer doing a larger tattoo rather than a small one. Larger tattoos would give the tattoo artist more room for shading, and is really far simpler to outline and add in details. And people who get tattoos find that it is more fulfilling to get one very recognizable and striking tattoo rather than three small scattered ones.

Which now leads us to I reckon the most vital and make or break question of all: how much money would your tattoo cost? Generally, tattoo artists charge by the piece or they charge by the hour. An experienced tattoo artist can merely look at a design and can tell you how long it would take to tattoo it and how much it would cost. Per hour charging is usually done when you go in and have a large custom made design tattooed; one that would need more than one session to complete (ouch!). Nevertheless, keep in mind that this is body art we’re talking about so do not go and scrimp on it.

After all, you would be stuck with needles and really, would you risk going to cheap tattoo shops to save money only to find out that you have contracted some sort of infection afterwards? Cool cross tattoo designs as well as several other design thoughts are plenty, you need to determine first though, where you want to have it done and how much you are willing to pay for it.

So, you’re thinking about getting tattooed, but have no thought how the whole process works? Since a tattoo is for life, it’s excellent to know what you’re getting into, and the first step is understanding how a tattoo works and what you’re really doing to your body when you choose to get tattooed.

The Tattoo Gun

Tattoos are accomplished by using an electric-powered tattoo gun.  The tattoo gun has a needle at the end of it that is used to place ink inside of your skin deep enough so that it does not come out. When the gun is turned on, the needle moves up and down rapidly (up to 200o times a minute) and is able to deposit a small drop of ink deep into your skin with each puncture.

Tattoo guns have come a long way since the early days of tattooing but are still made a few basic components, those being an electric motor, a sterilized needle, and a tube system. There is also a foot pedal, similar to a sewing machine, that allows the tattoo artist to control the movement of the needle.

Tattoo Safety

Safety has always been a huge concern with getting tattooed, since anytime you are dealing with puncture wounds, you have a risk of infection.
Fortunately, it is much more commonplace these days for tattoo artists to open groundbreaking new, sterile needles from the packaging right in front of you before you get tattooed.

To ensure the safety of both the customer and the tattoo artist, tattooing materials like ink, needles, and gloves are all made for single use only.

Tattoo Preparation

Minutes before your tattoo session starts, your artist will  often  start chatting with you to make you feel relaxed.  The chatter is usually accompanied by the artist washing their hands, checking themselves for cuts and abrasions, and disinfecting the entire work area to start preparation for your tattoo.

When the cleaning of his work area is finished, he will then shave the area of your body that is getting tattooed, disinfect it with soap and water, and open the sterile equipment needed to get the job done.

Getting Tattooed

Once the tattooing starts, you will feel some pain, but how much largely depends on your tolerance and the location of your tattoo on the body, as some areas will obviously be more painful than others.

During the entire tattoo process, the tattoo artist will continue to clean the tattooed area until it is finished.

Tattoo Aftercare

At this point, when you’re tattoo has been completed, the artist will place some ointment on the area and give you a rundown of how to take care of your tattoo so that it heals properly.

Most of the time, you will receive an information sheet so you don’t forget what’s needed to be done. It is extremely vital to follow the instructions you were given for tattoo aftercare. Not only are you lowering the risk of infection, but you will be decreasing the chances of your tattoo not healing properly and losing ink or not looking like it’s supposed to.

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Your tattoo is fresh, and looking just how you wanted it to. You’re checking it out in the mirror at the tattoo studio, admiring the artist’s work. Now, it’s time to show it off to the world.

But, in order to keep your tattoo looking vibrant and avoid any complications like infection or fading, you’re going to have to follow some tattoo aftercare rules.

When the tattoo artist finished your tattoo design, he likely cleaned it with soap and water and applied a small layer of  healing ointment or moisturizer.
During this time, he should have been giving you a rundown of how to take care of your tattoo until it heals. There also should have been a sheet of tattoo aftercare instructions given to you so that you can remind yourself at home what you need to do to help your new tattoo heal properly.

Here are a few of the vital basics of tattoo aftercare:

1. Say No To Bandages
You may leave the tattoo studio with a bandage on your tattoo, but after you remove the first one, you do not want to apply another bandage. It is better for your tattoo to exposed to the fresh air and able to breathe.

2. Stay Out Of The Sun
Although it’s a excellent thought to have your tattoo exposed to air, you will want to keep it out of the direct sunlight for at least the first month.  Even after it has completely healed, be sure to always cover it well with sunblock to avoid fading and color loss.

3. No Swimming
You will also want to avoid swimming or any other activity that would submerge your tattoo in water for about a month as well.  A shower is ok, but you do not want to soak in a hot bath. Another no-no while we’re on the subject is rubbing down your tattoo too hard with a towel. Simply pat the area and let the excess moisture air dry.

4. Keep It Clean
It’s vital to keep your new tattoo clean and moisturized with a non-fragrance lotion or a light layer of healing ointment like Neosporin. Also, be sure to avoid scratching your tattoo if it itches. If a scab forms, do not peel it off and let it heal naturally.

The most vital thing about getting tattooed is deciding on a design that you know you will be pleased with for life. But, even if you were absolutely sure at the time, sometimes people change, and you end up with a tattoo that no longer suits you and your lifestyle.

In that case, you may be considering tattoo removal and wondering what your options are.

The common consensus is that tattoo removal is extremely painful, but that notion comes mostly from the ancient days before technology provided us with better ways to remove a tattoo.

There are currently two well loved tattoo removal options at the moment and those are performed using laser technology and light based technology. Both of these methods use light energy to remove your tattoo. The ink inside your skin will absorb the light and then break it up, allowing it to be easily filtered out of the body.

Most people who have had one of these types of tattoo removal surgeries describe the feeling as an annoying rubber band snapping at your skin repeatedly. But, similar to when you’re getting a tattoo, the size of it will make a difference of how much pain you will feel and it’s intensity.

Also, if you have a large tattoo that needs to be removed, you may have to spend a night or two in the hospital so they can monitor your skin afterward.

Luckily, advanced technology has made it so these methods work without leaving much of a scar, but there are risks of ending up with a different skin pigmentation in the area of your tattoo.

It also can be quite expensive and require several visits to permanently remove the entire tattoo. If you choose that you want to go ahead with a tattoo removal surgery, it is extremely vital to question questions and research the procedure. You will also want to choose a doctor who is experienced in performing the procedure and has had successful results.

Once you’ve chose that you’re ready to get a new tattoo, you’re going to have to make a few more decisions before really getting permanently inked. One of the huge ones is deciding on your budget.

So, how do you find out how much your tattoo is going to cost?

The first thing you’re going to need to do is choose on the tattoo design that you want. Before anything else, choosing a tattoo that you are 100% sure of is more vital than the cost. Your tattoo is forever and it’s not a choice that you want to base solely on cost.

Once you are absolutely certain of which tattoo design you want, you can go on to choosing the studio and the artist.

Regardless of what anyone may tell you, when it comes to tattoos, you get what you pay for. That doesn’t mean that your tattoo has to be expensive to be excellent, but there are a few things that will determine the price:

1. Custom tattoo design
If your tattoo design thought is one that is 100% unique and you need the tattoo artist to design it for you, you are likely to pay quite a bit more for his time and skills to make that design for you.

2. Artist Reputation
Artists can charge whatever they want and it can can range anywhere from $50 to $300 and up per hour. Typically, the more reputable and well-known the artist becomes, the more you’re going to pay to have that artist do your tattoo.

3. Size matters
Yes, this is one of those times where size really does matter. For instance, a small heart tattoo on your wrist is going to cost considerably less that an intricate full back piece design.

Is it possible to find a tattoo studio that has super cheap pricing? Of course, and it’s even possible that they have professional artists with fantastic talent, but never rush into choosing a tattoo studio, especially based on cost.

The majority of tattoos heal without any complications at all, but understanding that there are risks involved is vital. Regardless of how safe you may reckon you are, there is always at least a slight element of risk when you’re dealing with needles, puncture wounds, and possible infection.

The number one issue to be concerned about when you’re getting tattooed is your tattoo artist using unsanitary equipment. All of the equipment needs to be sterilized after every use, otherwise there is a high risk for the spread of disease and infection.
In fact, the entire tattoo studio should be clean and disinfected on a regular basis.

So, how do you know if there’s a problem with your tattoo?

If you notice any excessive redness or swelling in and around your tattoo, it’s vital to see your doctor immediately. Do not shrug it off as it can quickly lead to something more serious if it is infected. If you see the doctor during early stages, then it can likely be cured by taking some medicine.

If your tattoo infection is severe, then you may have to have surgery in order to remove the tattoo and prevent further infection and more serious problems. Another downside of a severe infection is that although the tattoo removal is usually a safe procedure, surgery always comes with risk as well.

What other risks are there when getting a tattoo?

Aside from the health risks, another huge concern for most people getting a tattoo is the outcome of the appearance. Let’s face it, everyone has seen an example or two of a botched tattoo and it’s not something you want on your body.

Remember that your tattoo is for life and don’t reckon that removal is your back up plot because it can also be risky, expensive and you will often still end up with a scar in the same area anyway.

So how do you avoid getting a terrible tattoo?

Like every other choice you make in life, reckon it through. Question yourself why you are getting the tattoo and if it’s something you will still want on your body in years to come.

Visit several tattoo parlors before deciding on an artist, and question lots of questions. Be absolutely sure that you are 100% sure you want the tattoo and that you have chosen a professional artist with a stellar reputation and a spotless tattoo studio.

There’s absolutely no question that getting a tattoo is a huge choice that requires a lot of thought. Not only do you have to be 100% sure that you want a tattoo, but you have to be certain of the design as well. Once you’ve made it to that point, there’s still another vital step you have to take, and that’s choosing a tattoo artist.

Choosing a tattoo artist is not something to be taken lightly, and it’s wise to take the time to research your options. It may seem dull compared to the excitement of getting inked, but if you skip this step, you are putting yourself in a risky situation.

If you choose a tattoo artist that doesn’t do a excellent job on your tattoo design, there’s no going back.

So, here’s a few tips to keep in mind when you’re looking for a tattoo artist to give you a tattoo:

Reputation And Professionalism

Word of mouth spreads quick in the tattoo world and developing a stellar reputation means everything to a tattoo artist. So, the first thing you should do is question around. If you happen to know people who have nice tattoos, question them where they got them done and who they reckon is the best artist in your area.

Find out the names of all the tattoo parlors in your city and Google them. Try and find reviews and photo galleries from past customers and if it’s a forum environment, question questions.

Go down to the tattoo parlors. Give them a call beforehand as well to see if you can make an appointment to speak to a tattoo artist for a few moments. Write down any questions you may have so that you don’t forget them when you get there.

Pay attention to the professionalism of the shop. Is it clean? Is the artist you are talking to helpful, friendly, and polite?

Question to see their portfolio of past customers to see if their work is high quality.

Experience And The Right Style

Question the tattoo artists that you are considering how long they have been doing tattoos and what kind of experience and training they have as an artist. Typically, they will be more than pleased to chat with you and answer your questions.

You will also want to question what style of art they do best. For instance, an artist that can tatoo the most gorgeous dragon design you’ve ever seen, might not be able to design the black and white portrait tattoo that you want. Always question to see portfolio examples that match the style of art you want to get.

Take A Trip

A tattoo is for life, so if you can’t seem to find a tattoo artist in your city that makes you feel confident about getting the tattoo, then head out of town to reputable shops outside of your locale. It may be more time consuming and expensive, but it will be worth it in the end when you get the perfect tattoo.