Remove the bandage after about 1 hour. Wash with liquid antibacterial soap and water using your hand only. Wash gently but throughly. Pat dry with a clean paper towel. Apply an unscented, dry skin lotion lotion 2-3 times per day. Rub the lotion in so that no lotion is standing on the skin. You want the tattoo moisturized, you don't want it to appear wet. The tattoo should start peeling like a sunburn in 3-7 days. If it starts to scab you are using to much lotion and need to use less and less often. It is possible that some ink may stain your sheets for a night, maybe two. This is normal. A white, waxy film may develop over the tattoo after peeling, this is normal and will go away. If you have any questions, message me.

Think about what inspired you to want a tattoo in the first place. Chances are, you saw a tattoo you liked on someone else – what style was it? What did you like about it? If you know someone who has a tattoo and you like theirs, ask them where they got it.

When it comes right down to it, that's what most people really want to know! Actually, getting a tattoo is not very painful nowadays because modern tattoo equipment is such that the needles go in and out of your skin very quickly. You'll be completely able to carry on a normal conversation while getting your tattoo. Of course, depending on your tattoo designs and location, the amount of discomfort can vary to some degree. Generally speaking, tattooing over bone – where there's little flesh or fat – hurts a bit more. So getting a tattoo on the fleshy part of your arm probably won't hurt much at all, but directly over your ankle bone or collar bone may be more painful – though still quite bearable. Tattoo designs can also make a difference with regard to how it feels. Tattooing lines produces a different sensation from 'filling in', or tattooing blocks of color. Interestingly, though, there's quite a lot of disagreement over which hurts more! It seems to be a subjective reaction – some people find the lines more comfortable than the filling in, while others say just the opposite. Remember to eat before getting a tattoo, low blood sugar is one of the largest reasons for an unpleasant tattoo experience.

When it comes to tattoos, you get what you pay for. Yes, there are plenty of people tattooing out there that will ink you cheap, and you'll be crying to a real artist to have it covered up. Look for quality, and be willing to pay for it. NEVER haggle over the price of a tattoo. It is disrespectful to the artist. If you can't pay for quality, don't bother. This is not a bargain bin. It is a piece of art you will wear for life. Tattoo prices vary according to the size and tattoo designs. Of course, a larger and more complex design will cost more than a smaller, simpler one – that stands to reason. To give you an idea, relatively simple tattoo designs that are quite small (about the size of a silver dollar) will usually cost about $70 or $80. Prices vary though, so the best thing to do is to ask. Bring your design and most tattoo shops will be able to quote you a price right then and there.

It's true that skin and flesh may sag in some places as you age, but that doesn't necessarily mean your tattoo will look bad. Just use your common sense. You know roughly where skin tends to sag as you get older, so don't get a large tattoo in those areas. A small one is usually okay, though, and there are several places where you can get a tattoo that won't change substantially over the years – such as your ankle, shoulder or upper arm. These are the most popular tattoo locations at any rate. Keep in mind that any tattoo may fade over time though, and you may need to get it re-inked. Colors tend to fade faster than black.

Unfortunately, your options are limited. Depending on the tattoo design, it's possible that it can be added to and that might make the appearance of the tattoo more to your liking. Or you can look at tattoo removal methods – they are rather costly, but the results tend to be much better than they used to be. The key, however, is to make sure that you're getting the tattoo you want before the inking process actually starts. That's why the artist will apply a stencil to the surface of your skin before they starts tattooing – you'll get to see what the tattoo will look like and to adjust the positioning of it if you need to. The artist will then use the stencil lines as a guide.

Eighteen in Kentucky and state issued photo id required.

You shouldn't get a tattoo if you're drunk or high (and most tattoo shops have a policy in place about this; they'll refuse to tattoo anyone who appears to be drunk or high or just plain stupid). The other reason for not getting a tattoo is if you're not sure. Wait until you do feel sure or just don't get one. This is not a good thing to feel ambiguous about. There are no specific medical considerations, but use your common sense. If you're sick, wait till you get better.

No! Technically it may be possible, but certainly not advisable. You should have your tattoos professionally done – otherwise you're just asking for trouble in the form of an infection or slower healing time. Do-it-yourself tattoos hurt a lot more and they seldom turn out as well as professional tattoos. All in all, it's definitely not worth it!

It isn't true in the sense of a real addiction, but it is a fact that people who already have one tattoo are more likely to get another one … or so. It is possible to get 'hooked' on the excitement of getting a tattoo, just as some people get 'hooked' on shopping, but that's not a real addiction. Most people who end up with multiple tattoos do so simply because they like them.

These kinds of products are really not recommended. You have to wait for them to absorb into the skin, usually about 30 minutes, and only work for about 30 minutes. This turns a process that might have only take 2 hours into a process of 4+ hours. Not to mention these creams alter and distort the skin making it harder to tattoo.

Tipping is a really nice gesture! But, there are no real solid ground rules for tipping. A tip should be based on (1)how much you can afford and (2)how much you feel it is worth. A $5.00 tip would certainly be accepted more graciously than nothing at all. When you look at the finished product, thank the artist. Tell them it looks great! Let them know you are happy with the work they did. (Only if this is true, of course!) Tattoo and piercing artists put their heart and soul into what they do - it can be very disappointing to them when a customer looks at it and says, "Eh. It's Okay". If you're really happy with a job well done, let them know it. It all comes down to showing appreciation for the work you received. Artists have been given a wide variety of "tips" from t-shirts to sculpture. If you have a specialty in some field yourself, such as car repair, you can even offer a discount or free service of some kind. To sum it all up, you don't have to tip but it is greatly appreciated. You don't have to give a monetary gratuity - a handshake, a "thank you" and your referrals can be worth much more than money. If you want to give cash and you can afford it, your artist certainly won't turn it away. Any way you show your artist you really appreciate the work they did will be a great tip.

Although you can get a tattoo any time of the year, your skin gets a lot more abuse during the summer with swimming, tanning and just being exposed to the elements more. Winter time is really the best season to get a tattoo. The less exposure your skin gets to the elements, the better off your tattoo will be to heal. Sweat can aggravate a new tattoo and so can the sun. During the winter, your body isn't exposed to these things as much and tattoos can heal much more quickly without as much chance for infection. Appearance is certainly a good reason. During the healing process, your tattoo goes through several stages, peeling being one of the longest. If you get your tattoo during the colder months, it will be covered up during this healing process and by the time summer rolls around - your artwork will be completely healed and ready to show off! Waiting time is another thing to consider. The winter is the slower season for most studios, which means you won't have to wait behind a bunch of people to get your artwork done. Artists are not nearly as rushed during this season, and it is easier for them to give you their undivided attention. Since this is the holiday season for many, you might be receiving some money from friends and relatives. This is as good a time as ever to put that money toward the tattoo you've been wanting but couldn't afford. Even if you don't get enough to cover the entire tattoo, it gets you started in the right direction and you have 3 more months to save before winter is over. Enjoy the cold of winter and get your artwork done now. When summer comes and you start pulling out your shorts and tank tops, you'll be all set to show off your new body art!