WHERE ON MY BODY SHOULD I GET A TATTOO?

This may seem VERY trivial, since the answer can be "anywhere you
please!" The ONLY places you cannot technically get permanent tattoos
are your hair, teeth and nails (even the cornea used to be tattooed
years ago for medical purposes). Interestingly, women and men tend to
get tattoos in different locations. This, according to sociologist
Clinton Sanders, is because men and women get tattoos for different
reasons. Men, he says, get them to show others, while women get them for
the sake of decorating their body--and often place them where they can't
normally be seen, so that it doesn't prompt comments about her
"reputation." However for the sake of this FAQ, the following is a short
list of areas to get inked. I am included the statistics from Clinton
Sanders' study on the body location of the first tattoo for men and
women as well (there were 111 men in his survey group and 52 women).

Head: The "head" here refers mostly to the area where your hair grows.
 You'll need to shave the area for the tat to be most visible. If you
 need to hide your tat, you can grow your hair out. Areas more commonly
 inked are the sides of the head (above the ears), and above the nape of
 the neck in the back. There are people who have their entire heads 
 inked. I am told that the tattooing process vibrates your skull!

Sides of neck (nape).

Back of neck: I've seen some tribal pieces, and bats done on the back of
 the neck. You'll need to keep your hair short or tied up to keep it 
 visible.

Face: Various areas possible. Facial tattoos could fall into the 
 cosmetic or standard categories. Cosmetic would include darkening of
 eyebrows, eyelining, liplining, etc. Getting a tat on the face is
 serious business and crosses a portal because people will never look
 at you the same way.

Upper chest: One of the standard areas for tattoos for both men and 
 women. Allows lots of flat area in which to get a fairly large piece. 
 One of the areas where you can choose to get symmetrically inked on 
 both sides. (Men: 5%, women: 35%--chest & breast combined)

Breasts (women): Used to be trendy to get a tiny tat on the breast. 
 Women (particularly larger breasted ones) need to be careful about 
 eventual sagging of the skin in the area. Don't get a tat that will 
 look silly when it starts to stretch (like a round smiley face that'll 
 turn into an oblong frown).

Nipples: Usually the artist leaves the nipples alone--the omission of 
 ink tends not to be so noticeable. There HAS been work done with 
 tattooing a facsimile of a nipple onto a breast in reconstructive 
 surgery for those who have lost their nipples, tho--for aesthetic and 
 self-esteem purposes.

Rib cage: Can be rather painful because of all the ribs you work over. 
 However it offers a fairly large area, and can be incorporated into a 
 major back piece, wrapping around toward the front.

Stomach/Abdomen: Some people choose not to get work done on their 
 stomachs for a couple of reasons. Area is difficult to work on because 
 there's no solid backing to hold the skin down. It is a sensitive area 
 that may feel uncomfortable. The tat may look horrible after your 
 metabolism slows down and you develop a - er-- "beer gut." (Men: Less 
 than 5%, women: 14% Women concerned about the effect of pregnancy on a 
 stomach tattoo can read the section specifically devoted to this in the
 Tattoo FAQ section 7.

Genitals: Yes, some people do  get inked in their genital area. The 
 idea may sound very painful, but it's really not all that bad.
 However,  do consider that, due the to the stretchiness of the 
 skin and the amount of movement the area experiences, it's not
 really possible to do anything with a lot of fine detail.  And 
 no, the penis does not have to be erect during tattooing, although
 a tattoo artist I know who has done several penis tattoos said that
 he did have one customer who had a full erection the whole time. The
 only female genital tattoo I've seen (inner labia, I think) was in 
 _Modern Primitives_, and it looked rather blurry. Note: Some artists 
 refuse to do genitals. (Men: 0%; women: 5 %)

Thighs/hips: A popular area for women to get larger pieces (often 
 extending from the hip area). Shows well with a bathing suit but easily
 concealable in modest shorts. The entire area of skin around your 
 thighs is bigger than your back, so you can get quite a bit of work 
 done. (Men: 3%; women: 10%)

Calves: Nice area to get a standard size (2" x 2"). However if you have 
 very hairy legs, it may cut down on the visibility somewhat. (Men: 7%; 
 women: 8%. Category simply listed as leg/foot)

Ankles: Currently trendy. I think you have to have an ankle tat before 
 you can go to the Eileen Ford Agency with your modeling portfolio. :) 
 You can either get a spot piece on the inner or outer ankle, or get 
 something that goes around in a band. Vines and other vegetation seem 
 popular (pumpkins, anyone?)

Feet: I've seen some incredible footwork (pun intended) in some of the 
 tat magazines. Concealable with shoes. Probably don't have as much wear
 and tear as hands so you might get less blurring and color loss. This 
 however, is the TOPS of your feet. You will have trouble retaining a 
 tattoo on the bottom of your feet.

Armpits: Usually reserved for those who want to get full coverage around
 the arm and chest area, & need the armpits filled. Probably not 
 strongly recommended for the highly ticklish.

Upper arms: One of the most common areas for men, although I have seen 
 some nice work on women as well. If you decide to get a piece done on 
 your upper arm, consider how much sun it's going to get. Will you be 
 able to put sunblock on it regularly? Otherwise, expect some color loss
 and blurring. If you want some serious work done and you wanna show it 
 off, you may want to consider getting a "half sleeve"--full tat 
 coverage throughout your upper arm. (Men: 70%; women: 18%. Category 
 simply states arm/hand)

Inner arms: A more unusual location than the outer upper arm area, this 
 area is often not easily visible. Be careful if your genes are prone to
 "bat wing" flab, however.

Forearms: Popeye sported his anchor on his forearm. Probably not as 
 popular as the upper arm but common just the same. You can have your 
 upper arm "sleeve" extend down for a full sleeve. For an example, check
 out the heavy metal veejay on MTV (who has a nose pierce, BTW).

Wrists: Janis Joplin had a dainty tat on her wrist...easily concealable 
 with a watch.

Hands (fingers and palms):  Some artists don't do hands because the ink
 will have a tendency to blur or fade easily. Consider that you probably
 move your hands the most out of your entire body. A friend of mine had 
 a multi-colored tat on his finger by Ed Hardy (who cringed upon hearing
 about where my friend wanted it), that is only several years old and is
 now barely noticeable. Some people want to substitute their wedding 
 bands with tat bands. Your palm doesn't retain ink well--if you can 
 find an artist who will do it, you can expect it to be a rather basic 
 line, and that it will not last too long. Perhaps just matching tats 
 someplace else would be okay? There *IS* a photo of a tattoo on a palm 
 in Sandi Feldman's book on Japanese tattooing. This seems to be an 
 exception.

Shoulder blades: The back shoulder blade area is another popular spot 
 for women, who can show off the work with a bathing suit or tank top, 
 but cover it up with regular clothes. If this is the case, be 
 particularly careful with sun because you're not gonna be wearing that 
 unless it's warm & sunny. It's a "safe" place--but may get in the way 
 if you decide to commit yourself to a large back piece. (Men: 15%, 
 women: 15%. Category listed as backs/shoulder)

Back: You can get any part of your back done, or find yourself an artist
 you really like, and save your money for a "back piece" that 
 encompasses your entire back. Expect to pay several thousand dollars 
 for a full back piece (not to mention many tat sessions).

--Buttocks: Again, beware of potential sagging in the area.

WHAT TO LOOK FOR IN A tattooist's PORTFOLIO.

When you do look in their portfolio, there are a few things to keep in
mind. Do you see any photos of pieces that you recognize in the flash
(on the wall, or in a flash book)? If so, how is it rendered in tattoo
format? Before anything else, check to see that the lines are clean. Are
they well-defined? Straight where they should be; not shaky or blurry?
Are the borders all uniform in width? Do the colors seem true? Are they
bright? Proportionately correct?

Look at the people in the book. This can be an indicator of the
clientele in the shop (besides looking at the ambiance of the shop). Is
there a fair mix of women and men in the book? Are they all sporting
"biker" tats, or any one particular genre/style?

Again, keep in mind that anyone can stencil an outline of an
illustration onto your skin. The skill in the artistry comes in the
shading, use of colors and other subtle things that set an artist apart
from a simple tattooist.

Do you see anything in the portfolio that is not in the flash? These are
the custom pieces that the artists have done, and they should be their
crowning glory. How do they look? Do you like what you see? If there is
more than one artist working in the shop, and you see some photos you
like, make sure to find out which artist did the work.


WHAT KINDS OF QUESTIONS TO ASK

Whenever you ask to see their collection of photos, the person in the
shop will hopefully immediately recognize you as someone who knows a
little more about tattoos--at least enough not to be satisfied by
looking at just the flash. If the shop is not too busy or if the artist
is not in the middle of working, they might stand on the other side of
the counter to have a conversation with you. This is a wonderful
opportunity to ask questions of the artist.

Some reasonable questions to ask in your conversation that shouldn't
take too much time for the artist to answer:

What is their favorite style?
 If what *you* are looking to get done happens to be their specialty you
 are in luck; be it tribal, wildlife or whatever.

Is there any one particular subject they like to do?
 One artist, without hesitation, told me his favorite was skulls. I 
 would've jumped for joy had that been what I wanted.

How long has the shop been here?
 This may be an indicator of the stability of their business. The tat 
 industry in itself fluctuates, but continuity implies business acumen, 
 responsible practices and that they are not a fly-by-night operation.

How long have they been at the shop?
 The shop may have been there for 20 years, but the artist may only have
 been there for a couple of months. If they have been there for what you
 consider a short period, ask them where they were before.

How long have they been tattooing?
 It might not matter so much that the artist has only been there for a 
 short while, if they've been tattooing for several years. They might 
 come from various backgrounds--anywhere from working on friends to 
 having a fine arts degree. This type of information will give you more 
 insight into the artist's attitude as well as aptitude.

Do they get to do much custom work?
 This may depend on where the shop is located, but it also depends on 
 how good of an artist they are, and whether they have their own style 
 for which they are known for.

Do they use apprentices at the shop?
 It is often difficult for new artists to break into the business, and 
 an apprenticeship is often a very good way to learn not only about 
 tattooing itself, but also about the day-to-day operation of a small 
 business. For artists to take apprenticeships means they're interested 
 in expanding the artform, in giving a new person a break (so to speak) 
 and feeling confident enough about their own skills that they feel they
 can offer some insight and experience for the new person. This again 
 goes back to the attitude of the artist and the shop.

Don't let the looks of the artist intimidate you. Tattoo artists usually
have a lot of tattoos themselves. In fact, I would be somewhat leery of
an artist who has *NO* tattoos at all. The main thing is that you need
to talk with them and get a feel for what they are like. As you talk
with the artist and build a rapport, if you feel comfortable you may
want to broach the subject of what you're interested in getting done.
Bounce your idea off with the artist and see what they are willing to
help you with.

Remember however, that the artist is running a professional business! Be
polite--don't linger and overspend your welcome if you don't plan on
getting any work done at all.
[Note: Don't base your decision according to 

what tattoos you see on the
artist--they were not done by that person!]

"Vick" 

THE DECISION PROCESS--MAKING THE BIG PLUNGE: WHERE CAN I FIND A GOOD ARTIST, AND WHAT SHOULD I LOOK FOR IN A TATTOO ARTIST?

The bane of the tattoo world is the shadowy, unprofessional person
called the "scratcher." A scratcher is somebody who:
--Does not have the proper training in either tattoo art or of running
  a professional operation;
--Does not know and/or care to use responsible sterilization methods;
--Promises to provide tattooing services for an incredibly low fee, for
  free, or in exchange for drugs (ack!);
--Chooses not to apprentice through a legitimate tattoo shop because of 
  one excuse or another (but lacks the knowledge one needs to work in or
  run a professional shop);
--Will hurt you because they don't know what they're doing;
--Will give you a permanent tattoo you will regret for the rest of your 
  life;
--You should stay away with a ten-foot pole.

Never, never, never get work from a scratcher unless you are willing to
accept all the hazards listed above.More than two-thirds 

of them regretted their tattoo because of poor quality!

Looking for an artist can be as easy as checking the Yellow Pages, or as
complex as checking references, magazine photos, and reading RAB. There
are a number of ways to find good artists, including (but certainly not
limited to):

--Perusing tattoo magazines. While not all tattoo magazines are of the
National Geographic quality, the photos will speak for themselves. Some
issues highlight specific artists' works; a good way see the type of
work someone does. Use the photos in the magazines to compare with those
of the artist you are interested in. These magazines have done a lot to
show what is *possible*.

Some things to look for in magazines:
  -Style (realistic, black & gray work, tribal, etc.)
  -Placement on your body
  -Ideas for images
  -Size in proportion to your body
  -Artists whose work you like.

You can approach this one of two ways. You can either go to a shop
because someone recommended the artist to you, or you can go in cold.
For obvious reasons, you will have a little more information with you if
you already know something about the artist. This may make you feel more
at ease when going into a shop for the first time.

The most important aspects
of a good result are to:
 o Choose an experienced, knowledgeable performer who knows about 
   sterilization and avoidance of infection.
 o Avoid infection during the healing process.

With both of those bases covered, healing of either should be
non-eventful and the desired appearance should be guaranteed.

*WHY* DO I WANT ONE? A "TATTOO"

People get tattoos for different reasons. Is it to please your partner?
Is it because you want to belong to a group that has tattoos? Do you
identify with a certain subculture known for tattoos? Do you want to
show your independence, individuality or uniqueness?

These are all valid reasons, and why many people get tattooed. However,
because of the permanency of your tattoo, try to look at yourself in
five, 10, or even 20 years. What will you be doing at that time? You
might be a free-spirited college student now, and a web of vines on your
wrist would look really lovely. However, are you planning to work in a
very conservative field after you graduate? Will others look at your
tattoo in a bad way? Will you have to hide it with long sleeve shirts?
Are you *willing* to wear long sleeve shirts if the environment is
negative?

Do you want a tattoo of a tiger because your partner's nickname is
"Tiger," and you love the way s/he scratches your skin? Do you think
you'll be with this person in five years? If not, how will you look at
that tattoo? With fond memories, symbolizing a special period in your
life? Or a shameful or painful reminder of somebody who hurt you and
didn't care for you?

You're a headbanger (or a nose-smasher, ear-bopper or whatever) and you
*REALLY* want a tattoo all over your arms just like Axl Rose, but you
can't afford a professional artist so you get your friend with the
mail-order tattooing machine to do those designs for you? Or perhaps you
get spider webs tattooed all over your hands (or your face, which has
happened) because you want to be "different" in school. What if you
decide to "straighten out" and get a real job; train as a chef or
something, and then no restaurant hires you?

*GETTING IT REMOVED* is *NOT* easy, and is *NOT* cheap. Expect to pay
$1,000 (Rs.300,000) to remove even a fairly small-sized tattoo 

if you're looking at
laser surgery. Expect to have a noticeable ugly scar if you go with a
non-laser technique. Expect to pay for every penny out of your own
pocket because health insurance companies will not pay for tattoo
removal. There may not be a laser surgery specialist in your area. Then
think of all those laser-surgery doctors who are going to get rich off
of a person's foolishness or lack of careful thinking.

...Maybe tattooing isn't for you.

...Maybe you shouldn't get that $10 (RS.1000) tattoo your friend's been telling
you he'll give you, in his garage.

...Maybe you shouldn't let your buddies tattoo your hand with India Ink
and a needle at this weekend's party.

...Maybe you should get a tattoo on your back instead of on your hand.

...Maybe you should get a tattoo on your left wrist so it can be covered
by your watch if you have to...

...And maybe after reading this you'll think
carefully about it, and make some informed, wise decisions about what to
do with your body.

  *Tattooing can be beautiful.*

    *Tattooing can be exhilarating.*

      *Tattooing can open a whole new world for you.*

             ...but make sure to do it *RIGHT*.

"VICK"

GETTING A TATTOO ... DOES IT HURT?

This is the first question that people ask. The answer is yes. 

Having needles pierce your skin *does* hurt. 

But what you *really* want to know is, "How MUCH does
it hurt, and can I handle it?"

It's not nearly as bad as what you might imagine. The pain comes from
the cluster of needles on the tattooing machine piercing your skin very
rapidly. This sensation, however, doesn't feel like the poking pain of
an injection--it's more of a constant vibration. You will be amazed at
how quickly your body releases endorphins, (pain killers), which dullens
the pain significantly.

The pain will also vary according to where on your body you get worked
on. Skin right above bones (collarbone, anklebone, etc.) tend to be more
painful than other areas. In addition, certain types of needles seem to
hurt more than others. I personally think the needles used for outlining
produce a sharper, more noticeable pain, while the needles used for
shading seem to be much more like an electrical buzz (nearly painless).

Remember, you are volunteering for the experience. The amount of pain
will depend on your psychological attitude.

NOTE: Do not drink alcohol or take illegal drugs for pain relief
purposes prior to your tattoo sessions. Both aspirin and alcohol thin
your blood and promote excessive bleeding. Aspirin also decreases the
clotting of blood, which will slow down your healing as well. In
addition, artists do not appreciate dealing with drunks and is illegal
in many states.

WHAT ABOUT ANAESTHETICS?

Some people say that taking a couple of over-the-counter analgesics
before tattooing can take the edge off the pain.  Acetaminophen,
commonly sold under the brand name 'Tylenol' is generally recommended,
but not aspirin, ibuprofen, or other NSAIDs, as they tend to inhibit
clotting.  In short, you may find yourself bleeding like the
proverbial stuck pig.

For instance, Bactine contains some
lidocaine, and it is possible to buy benzocaine preparations
over the counter.  The drawback of these is that they do not
work on unbroken skin, but if they are applied after the first
pass with the needle, they *can* make a tremendous difference.

HOW DO I CARE FOR MY NEW TATTOO?

The artist that did your tattoo will have something very definite to say
about the care of your new tattoo, and it is probably a good idea to
listen to him/her. Many shops will have an information sheet listing
care instructions.
The information provided in this section may or may not be the same
method your artist offers. Regardless, there are three things to
remember about caring for your new tattoo:
 

o Moisturize it
o Don't over-moisturize it
o And whatever you do, Don't pick your onion peel scabs! 

Basically, as long as you follow these three points, you will be okay.
However as people get more tattoos, they begin trying out slightly
different methods. I have included several examples, and not all of them
will work on everybody. Some people will find that they are allergic to
some products. For example, I have always had a problem with Noxzema
skin cream, which makes me break out with water-filled pimple-like
things on my skin.
How do you know which method is best for you? It depends on the type of
skin you have, and how sensitive it is. I suggest you try a patch test
on your skin for a week or so to see if you react to the ingredients.
Having said that, I have personally discovered a very nice "new tattoo
kit" that I now use whenever I go to get a tattoo. And the added benefit
was that I discovered this "kit" in a sample size travel set, which I
can easily pack in my travel bag.
The set that I now use is the Johnson's baby product line. The kit
includes baby powder, baby shampoo, diaper rash ointment, baby lotion,
baby bath, and a bonus (in this case, a baby bib). I don't need the baby
bib, and the shampoo is just an added bonus for me. However, this is how
I use the kit, especially when I'm getting the tattoo in another city:
Baby powder: I sprinkle a liberal amount on the hotel bed sheets to
prevent my skin from sticking to the sheet.
Baby bath: A fruity-smelling liquid soap, it's very mild and has minimal
lathering. I pour a bit on my hand, rub into a light lather and wash the
tattoo this way. It rinses off very easily with non-pressurized water,
minimizing the risk of losing scabs.
Baby lotion: The Johnson's brand feels non-greasy. MY skin does not
like a layer of oily lotion, and until this, I used to pay lots of money
for oil-free Oil of Olay (is that a contradiction in terms?). Goes on
very lightly but keeps the skin moist.
Diaper rash ointment: Zinc oxide-based, I use this thick, non- greasy
ointment on certain "contact spots" of my tattoo that may rub against
clothes (i.e. bra strap, waist band). 

DO TATTOO NEEDLES BECOME DULL WITH USE?

Tattoo needles do not dull with age, but instead become sharper by the
repetitive honing motion they experience in the tattoo machine.
This happens because the metal of the sanitary tube rubs against the
needles, and the softer metal (the needles) will wear. The problem with
these sharpened needles is that they sharpen into flat razor-like edges,
and begin cutting the skin instead of piercing small holes.

Since a tattoo is created by the conical shape of the needle
transferring pigment into the skin with the aid of a wetting agent, the
needle's shape is as important as its sharpness. Pigment does not
transfer into the skin as efficiently when the shape is altered, and can
also lead to scarring.

Another problem with needles is the occurrence of burs or barbs when the
needles hit the side or bottom of the pigment caps.
While it is possible to use the same set of needles for more than eight
hours (on the same client, of course), correct needle configuration,
setup, and alignment of the needle and machine are very critical.