Should I get a Tattoo?

Tattoos may look cool, but getting a tattoo is a lifelong decision. If you’ve been wondering whether or not you should get a tattoo, there are a number of factors you should consider before taking the plunge.

A tattoo is permanent and many people forget that designs that look cool on a college student seem ridiculous when you’re approaching middle age. If you’re considering getting a design that is overly trendy, think twice. It may be what your friends are pressuring you to do, but they’re not the ones who will have to live with the choice. It’s usually best to avoid generic art and pick a design that has a personal meaning for you.

While tattoos are quickly becoming a part of mainstream culture, it’s worth pointing out that they are far from universally accepted. Some people still feel men and women with tattoos are rebellious, uneducated, and unprofessional. In fact, some of the nation’s leading employers will not hire people with certain types of tattoos. If you’re planning to work in a conservative industry such as banking or insurance, getting a large or highly visible tattoo may not be the best career move.

Obviously, getting a tattoo is painful. The pain is relative, but many people believe tattoos on the lower back, ankle, or inner thigh are the most painful. However, if you’re the type of person who faints at the site of a needle, a tattoo probably isn’t right for you regardless of what location you choose.

Tattoos are also potentially dangerous. Hepatitis, a serious and chronic disease that causes inflammation of the liver, is one consequence of getting a tattoo from an unsanitary parlor. Allergic reactions are also a possibility.

If you do decide to get a tattoo, you’ll need to follow the tattoo artist’s recommendations for cleaning the area in order to avoid an infection and promote proper healing. Even after your tattoo has healed, you’ll need to use sunscreen on a regular basis to keep the colors in the ink from fading. If this is something you don’t think you will do, getting a tattoo isn’t a good idea.

Of course, whether or not you want to get a tattoo really isn’t the main concern if you are under 18 years of age. Teenagers generally need parental consent to get tattoos. However, in states where it is illegal for a minor to get a tattoo, even parental consent isn’t enough. You’ll simply have to wait until you’re older.