A TATTOO IS FOR LIFE! MAKE SURE, YOU ARE SURE...

Does it have any personal meaning? Many people make the mistake of choosing a tattoo especially the younger generation and end up regretting the decision later in life for example, red devils, names etc.

Names, lettering, etc.What can be typed by computer and written on flat paper and what can be done on skin are two different things altogether. Most areas of the body are not flat so the amount of lettering is restricted by the words and area you would like them.
If you try to do lettering too small it would spread and become unreadable.

Asian, Afro Caribbean SkinImagine having a light or dark brown piece of paper and a set of felt tip pens. Colours will obviously be darker drawing on these tones compared to white or slightly tinted flesh skin tone. The darker the complexion, the less chance you have of having any colour showing and any lettering has to be large and bold to show against the dark background. Also, everybody goes darker when exposed to the sun especially the neck and outer arm areas so if your skin is very dark brown then it is not advisable to have any tattoos on the neck area as it will only show under certain lighting at certain angles.

Cover ups - points to consider:

a: The cover up will be larger than the original

b: When you go over on old tattoo it will bring the existing colour to the surface of the skin and mix with the new colours so it never 100% successful at the first attempt on most areas as you have to wait for the new tattoo to heal before you can tell whether it needs a little more work.

c: If your tattoo is very old and quite heavy looking, then you have to have something very busy such as a design with lots of lines and colours to take your eye away from the existing tattoo. The second option is to visit a laser clinic and have the tattoo lightened somewhat which is very successful nowadays and not as expensive as you may think, it does give you the option of lighter work being done.

Copying other people, i.e. Beckham, Cheryl Cole:
Try to be individual if you can, if you see a tattoo you like and in an area that appeals to you then by all means use it as an idea but make your own pattern or have something drawn at the studio or bring your own ideas and drawings in and we will be only too pleased to help and advise you achieving your personal tattoo. We have many customers wanting sleeves tattooed but do not know what subject to use. We recommend that again you make that personal and try to use something that has influenced your life or tells some sort of story about you, i.e your life style, your heroes, favourite artists or musicians for example. Cheryl Cole has a tattoo on the side of her hand which seems to be a popular place to have a tattoo but be aware that areas such as this and the side of the foot contain sweat pores which make it difficult for the skin to retain all of the ink. The hands and feet are used so much with everyday movements so again this does not help when trying to adhere to the aftercare instructions see tattoo aftercare and the principal of a tattoo.

Names
There will never be an end to people having loved ones names being tattooed.
Be 100% sure before you go ahead and have any name tattooed as a tattoo is a permanent ink marking of the skin. Your children will always be your children and your parents will always be your parents. Marriage, girlfriends, boyfriends, lovers do not always last forever in some circumstances, so be sure about what you are going
ahead with.

Tattoo Studios
Before going ahead with making a decision to have a tattoo, check out that the studio has a website and then check out the quality of work and whether the studio has quality galleries and that they are informative and professional.

Holiday tattoos
Tattoos done by friends or at tattoo parties do not work out as cheap tattoos.
By the time they are healed you will probably realise that it has either faded, has wobbly lines or scratchy looking. If this occurs then you would have to have it reworked or covered up in a reputable studio and therefore it does not work out cheap and you also are putting yourself at risk in an unlicensed premises.