21 Things To Know Before You Get A Tattoo

If you're new to tattooing, there's no shame in starting small. Give yourself a chance to learn the process, how your skin takes ink, and how your body heals.

1. Know your pain tolerance.
   https://www.instagram.com/p/t3v4EFx0r1/
   Nothing wrong with pushing yourself, but on a first tattoo it's more than fine to respect your body's limits. If you're very sensitive, avoid choosing ribs, backs of knees, elbows, or groin areas for your first tattoo.
2. Consider timing.
   Sun exposure and water submersion can damage a new tattoo, so beach bums in particular will want to avoid getting a new tat in the summer. Spring and early autumn are the most practical. You won't burn, but you can also leave any arm or leg tattoos exposed rather than covering them up with irritating fabric while they heal.
3. Don't do it on the cheap.
   https://www.instagram.com/p/upqF7CKAvQ/
   Unless you have several trusted friends who can vouch for a suspiciously cheap tattoo parlour, if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. You're altering your body for life. If that's not worth a decent investment, I don't know what is.