College is a time filled with decisions. Whether it’s what you want to eat for breakfast (if you even eat breakfast) or what you want to do with your life, these choices have an impact. One of the most popular decisions those entering college seem to make is to get a tattoo. As one of the many who have pondered this for a few years, I recently decided this summer that I wanted to get a tattoo. Luckily, I didn’t even have to worry about what my family would think (for the most part) because my mother and brother also wanted to get tattoos. While I was lucky, some readers might still be wondering if it’s worth it to get inked up or not. So, I present to you, as a newly tatted and hardcore Associate Editor who likes to give advice when no one asks for it, some tips and tricks on what it means to get a tattoo.
 

1. Preparation

When you begin to think about getting a tattoo, it has probably crossed your mind that this is a lifelong commitment depending on where you want the tat. Some of you might not even know where or what you want to get tattooed. That’s why you should do your research on where you want to get inked, when you want to do it and the subject of your tattoo. Start asking those who have gotten a tattoo about their experience. Do some research online to look for prices and regulations. A good rule of thumb during the preparation stage is to wait two months. If after two months you still want the tattoo, not only will you have done the research beforehand, but you’ll have a better idea of what you want. Some random things you might not have thought about:

• You need to be 18 to get a tattoo without a legal guardian’s permission.

• Some tattoo parlors require you to book appointments for the tattoo.

• If the tattoo artist can tell that you are drunk, they legally are not allowed to give you a tattoo.

2. Choosing the Artwork

A huge roadblock to getting a tattoo for most people is that they don’t know what tattoo they want to get. I have come to notice that people tend to fall into 2 groups when it comes to the artwork they want on their body.

The first is those that want something important and sentimental on them, but they don’t know what that would be in their lives. When it comes to this, my advice would be to first talk to friends and family for what their tattoos mean to them. If you don’t have anything you think is important enough to get tattooed, maybe that’s a sign that you should wait it out.

The second group contains those people that don’t really want something too sentimental or important, they are more focused on getting something cool.This doesn’t mean that they are willing to get a tattoo of anything, they just don’t need it to be of a monumental time in their life. My advice to finding artwork is to look for ideas online (Pinterest is super helpful), and even ask your friends and artists for any ideas they have. Having someone you know make your tattoo can add some value to the process as well. Asking your tattoo artist is also very helpful.

Whatever group you fall into, remember that you have time and resources to decide this. If you are going between ideas, try to draw the tattoo onto you for a week or more and see how it makes you feel. It’s a pretty good practice run for the real deal. Also, it’s always helpful to walk into the tattoo parlor with an idea and reference pictures for the tattoo artists to work from. And lastly, NEVER be intimidated or scared when you are working with the artist to tell them you don’t like something or want it changed. Ultimately, they are there to make you happy and you are the one that has to live with a picture of Spongebob on your thigh, so make sure you love every aspect of it before you get it tattooed.

3. Do you actually want it?

This one is going to come down to you in the end. But some helpful tips on how to make the final decision is to first ask friends and family, but take their opinion with a grain of salt. No matter what, there will be people vehemently against you getting a tattoo. Don’t let them keep you from doing something that makes you happy. It’s your body, and you get to decide what to do with it.  Along with this, take time to decide and genuinely think about it. Don’t get ink because you think it will make you look cool or because it will up your street cred. Get it because you genuinely want to see this on your body for the rest of your days.

4. Cost

There is a wide range of how much it can cost to get your tattoo, but the tat can range anywhere from $50 to $300 dollars or more. This all depends on the business you get your tattoo done at, the artist and the the size and amount of colors you are getting done. One important thing you need to remember when calculating this cost is the tip for your tattoo artist. Just like servers, the customary tip percentage is 15-20 percent. You might save some money by bringing in your own artwork for the artist to trace and tattoo onto you. What is important is that you make sure you get a safe and reputable tattoo place. With something that will be on you for the rest of your life, spending an extra 50 to 100 dollars will benefit you in the long run if it means getting a better quality tattoo.

5. What the family will think

Be prepared to field the same questions from friends, family, and strangers for the rest of your life. When it comes to your family, while some people will only have to deal with annoying questions at Christmas and some family gossip about your new tat, others might be dealing with more serious consequences. If your family threatens to kick you out or stop supporting you over a tattoo (sadly this does happen), it might be best to wait it out until they cool off a little to either let them know or get the tattoo. You also have the option of hiding it, but the best route to go with this is to have an open discussion on what this tattoo means to you and why you want to get it. However, be prepared to deal with the fact that there will be people who will never understand why you have one in the first place. Ultimately what matters is that YOU are happy with your tattoo. Aunt Susan will just have to deal with that fact that you got a wrist tat of a swirl for a while.

6. Does it hurt?

This depends on where you get your tattoo and your personal pain tolerance. I got a pretty small tattoo on my wrist and it honestly did not hurt. While it wasn’t pleasant, it felt like I was being pinched. The only time i ever really felt pain was when the artist had to fill in the artwork and go over areas he had already tattooed. Again, the pain is honestly nothing to worry about.

7. The regret

The second before the tattoo gun touches your skin, you might be faced with intense doubt and fear. When it comes to this, the only advice I have is that change is scary. If you have been excited about this tattoo for a while, don’t let game time jitters get in the way of getting something you love done. If you feel regret when you decide to get the tattoo BEFORE you actually get it, that might be a sign that you should slow your roll and think about this a little more. Listen to your heart (no matter how cheesy that sounds and how much of a bop that song is), and don’t do something you don’t want to do.

8. Only time will tell

There are so many tattoo ideas that seem great at the moment, but as early as a month later, are deemed overused and embarrassing. Think about all of the people who are having to live with the fact that they have the infinity symbol tattooed on their wrist for the rest of their lives. When it comes to tattoo ideas, try to really think about how you will feel one year from now and then ten years from now and if that tattoo will really be that cute. Another thing to think about is where you have the tattoo. Aging is great and all, but it is not so kind to tattoos. The tattoo of a grape on your butt might look wonderful now when you’re 18, but it might start looking more like a raisin when you’re 40. Be aware of how weight gain, wrinkles and stretch marks are going to affect your tattoo.

9. Aftercare things to think about

When it comes to taking care of your tattoo after you get it, listen to your tattoo artist. While some people can walk out and feel no pain or scabbing, others will feel like they just got a terrible sunburn that lasts for the next week. Yes, some people WILL experience scabbing for a day or two from the tattoo. After all, you did just get a needle jammed into your skin repeatedly. For the most part, it will feel like sunburn for a bit, but it is honestly not too bad. Just remember to wash it with unscented soap at least two times per day and have Vaseline or unscented lotion on hand for the healing process.
I hope this helped, Tigers. When it comes to getting a tattoo, it can be a scary, yet exciting experience. For those of you deciding, let us know if this helped. For those of you who have gotten tattoos or have funny tattoo stories you would like to share with us, feel free to send them to any of our social medias or through email at [email protected] !
***Edit: A reader pointed out that it is actually a terrible idea to put Vaseline or any other petroleum-based product on a new tattoo, as it does not allow it to breathe. A much better alternative is to wash the tattoo a few times a day and put a small amount of unscented lotion on top.