A tattoo is much more than just another body adornment. Unlike
jewelry and clothing, a tattoo is a permanent expression of your
individuality and your style. Choosing the right tattoo is
essential, since you will be living with that decision for the
rest of your life. The process of having a bad tattoo removed is
very time consuming, and very expensive. It is much better to
shop around carefully and choose the best tattoo artist the
first time around.
The choice of a tattoo artist should not be a spontaneous one,
and it certainly should not be influenced by alcohol. The image
of the drunken sailor stumbling into the tattoo parlor is a
cliché, but there is truth in every cliché. Spontaneous spur of
the moment decisions are rarely good ones, and with something as
permanent as a tattoo, it is important to use lots of care and
planning.
Probably the best way to choose a reputable and talented tattoo
artist is to ask around. The most valuable advertising any
tattoo artist can get is the word of mouth variety, and the best
tattoo artists are widely known and respected in their
communities. If you know someone who has a tattoo you admire, do
not be afraid to ask for the name of the artist. Likewise, if
you know someone with a bad tattoo, you may want to ask who did
it as well (just don't tell the person why you are asking).
Hopefully step number one will have yielded you some great
results, and the names of a couple of potential tattoo artists.
If so, be sure to visit their shops and evaluate their talent
for yourself. If you did not get any names, you may have to
resort to the telephone book to find some tattoo artists in your
area. Start by visiting those shops and evaluating the level of
cleanliness and professionalism. While a tattoo parlor is not
likely to resemble a doctor's office, it should be neat and tidy.
It is also a good idea to have a look at the tattoo artist's
portfolio. Tattoo artists are understandably proud of their
work, and they are anxious to show it off. All experienced
tattoo artists keep a detailed portfolio of work they have done,
and it is important for all prospective customers to review this
portfolio and gauge the talent of the artist.
Reviewing the portfolio of the tattoo artist is even more
important if you plan to have a custom tattoo done, one that
requires good freehand skills on the part of the artist. Not all
tattoo artists are equally skillful at doing freehand work, and
it is important to be sure the artist you choose is up to the
task.
It is also very important to assess the safety and cleanliness
of any tattoo parlor you visit. Safety and sterilization
techniques are very important when it comes to tattoos, as bad
hygiene can spread blood borne diseases like HIV and hepatitis.
It is absolutely vital that the tattoo artist uses only
disposable needles, and that all the tattoo equipment is
sterilized after every tattoo.
Looking around the studio can tell you a lot about the hygiene
of the tattoo artist and the tattoo studio alike. While the
studio need not be pristine, it should not appear dirty or
unkempt. Likewise, the tattoo artist himself should present a
neat and clean appearance. The bottom line is this - if you are
uneasy about the tattoo artist or tattoo studio, or if you are
unsure of the hygiene practiced there, find another studio.
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