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 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.