• Select a design that's original -- that means no flash, no copying your friends and no swiping designs off the Internet. If you see something you like, ask an artist to customize it for you.
• Read about common sterile procedures, like what an autoclave is (psst ... it's a machine that sterilizes equipment at extremely high temps). Know that your artist should unwrap new needles in front of you and change his/her gloves frequently if cross-contamination could occur. If they don't have an autoclave or won't show it to you ... don't get tattooed there.
• Once you've selected/created your design, hang it up somewhere where you'll look at it every day. If you get tired of it in six months, how do you think you'd feel in 10 years?
DON'T:
• Don't go to a shop that breaks the law. If the law says you have to have parental consent, and a shop says don't worry about it ... don't go there! If a shop is willing to break the law, they're probably willing to scrimp in other areas.
• Don't use a fake ID to get tattooed. Do we even need to tell you why this is a horrible, horrible idea?
• Don't get a tattoo on a whim or because you're on vacation/graduating/were dared/are bored/just feel like it. A tattoo lasts a lifetime, and removal is expensive and painful. If you have doubts, wait until they clear up.
• Don't feel like you absolutely have to get one now. You have your whole life ahead of you, remember?
EDITOR'S NOTE:
In some states, you must be 18 to get inked. Make sure to follow all laws and be safe!
