The tattoo decision making process challenges people since it involves a decision that will literally mark your body for life. This same challenge compels people to submit themselves to the ever daunting tattooing process and dare themselves to live up with the consequences of their actions whether the outcome is good or bad.

In reality, the hardest obstacle to a first timer would be the one to make or break the experience; that is the tattooing process itself. This is the point when there is no turning back. The tattoo gun which consists of the ink holder, ink tube and the needle, will inject the ink to the deep layer of the skin called the dermis.

It is always recommended that you do your research first to ensure that you will end up with a design you will be able to live with for a long time. Your research should include your design, the tattoo artist, the cost, and the tattoo parlor where it will all happen. You should establish a good connection with your artist so that  you are able to express your concerns, needs and expectations prior to the tattooing itself. Discuss your design and maintain an open mind for suggestions made by your artist. Bear in mind that this person knows what looks best on your skin so his or her advice is valuable. On the other hand, if you don’t have a design in mind, don’t hesitate to ask your artist for assistance. Make decisions with your tattoo artist regarding the color and size of your chosen design.

Once a design is agreed upon, your artist will make a stencil of the tattoo. This is, more or less what your tattoo should look like. If you don’t have any problems with it, the stencil will be traced directly to your skin and the tattooing process using the tattoo gun should begin from here. The client will be asked to sit still for the whole duration of the procedure which can be rather uncomfortable when your design takes time to complete. Small and simple designs are easily accomplished in an hour or less but larger, intricately designed artwork will require huge amounts of time and could even take several sessions to complete.

Prices depend on many factors such as the location of the tattoo studio, the service rendered, difficulty of the design and color variations. Generally, tattoo parlors charge $40-$150 per hour and more but sometimes the artist will set a flat-rate or fixed-price for the whole process. Instructions for care are given by the artist after tattooing.

There have been horror stories about people getting diseases from unsanitary tattoo studio practices. Much of it comes from unhygienic practice of using contaminated needles and other illegal tattoo studio operations. This claim has a grain of truth to it but unfortunately, these reports are often overstated and exaggerated. People get tattoos every day and it is not always that someone falls into the wrong hands of tattoo studios that are unsanitary and operating illegally.

Of course, the dangers of getting a tattoo are there but if you did your research beforehand, you will avoid any issues. It pays to talk to the tattoo artist first and express your concerns about the process. Ask for referrals from your friends and take time to scope out the tattoo studio prior to the tattooing procedure. Make sure the studio is practicing the necessary sanitary procedures such as sterilizing equipments and disposal of used needles every time they do a tattoo.

In reality, it is very rare that you get diseases from legitimate tattoo shops because they are regulated and regularly inspected by the organizations they belong to, particularly the APT or Alliance for Professional Tattooists and by local agencies governing them. Infection can arise after getting a tattoo but is much more likely under unconventional circumstances such as doing them in prison or when you settled for a cheap but unregistered tattoo artist. Unsanitary practices can cause Hepatitis C which is transmitted through infected needles. It was reported by the CDC or Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that transmission of communicable diseases can be prevented if sanitation is maintained. On the other hand, the FDA or Food and Drug Administration states that colored ink are not approved for use although there were no reported cases of problems arising from its application.

Don’t confuse infection from unsanitary procedures with minor skin reactions though. Irritation is common with tattoos and they are usually caused by the ink used for the tattooing process but is never a major side effect. These reactions are as common as those you get from using cosmetics that are not welcomed by your skin too well. Tattoo infections usually occur when the person did not follow the cleaning and caring procedures during the healing period and rarely from a licensed tattoo parlor.