If you are
thinking of getting a tattoo,
then take the time to talk
with your tattoo artist.
During this important conversation,
make sure you have a list
of questions that you would
like answered prior to moving
forward with your decision.
Here
are a few questions that
you should consider asking:
How
long have you been in business?
This is important in determining
how professional the work
will be and what type of
reputation the business
has. If the tattoo studio
is a member of the Better
Business Bureau, check out
their record to see about
any complaints that have
been initiated in the last
few years.
What
are your qualifications?
Before you see a doctor,
isn't it important to know
that they are qualified?
Absolutely. The same is
true with a tattooist. Even
though the two professions
are completely different,
there are similarities in
that both parties use needles
and both professionals must
be absolutely knowledgeable
in their approach at sterilizing
their equipment. An individual's
qualifications and training
history will tell you a
lot about what to expect.
Do
you guarantee your work?
If the final image is not
exactly as you had hoped
for, will it be fixed at
no charge or what is the
process if you are unhappy
with the tattoo? Is there
any type of refund policy?
These are all important
in determining service after
the sale.
Can
I see samples of your work
or do you have references?
If you want to
know about the quality of
work, you should always
ask for references in any
business.
How
much will this cost?
Before agreeing to a tattoo
design, you will want to
know the full cost involved.
Large tattoos can be very
expensive, but even the
smallest design can be costly
if you are on a budget.
Do yourself a favor and
avoid any surprises - ask
about the costs up front.
How
many tattoos have you done?
This will give you a good
indication of the experience
level and how much design
work the artist has done.
What
is the likelihood of an
infection and how may I
prevent one from occurring?
Every good tattoo artist
should provide this information.
They should be able to tell
you what to do to lessen
the likelihood of an infection
and what to do if you suspect
that one may be developing.
Is
there anyone who should
not get a tattoo, such as
someone with certain medical
conditions? This
is very important, especially
if you are asking because
you have a condition that
concerns you. People with
thin blood, for instance,
may be more cautious about
anything that involves breaking
the skin or needles. The
same should be true for
individuals with other conditions,
which should be addressed
prior to agreeing to be
tattooed.
If
I have a fear of needles,
is there any way to help
me through the process of
getting a tattoo?
Don't feel bad about this.
Many people have a fear
of needles, which is essential
in creating tattoos. If
you are afraid, it never
hurts to explain this to
the tattoo artist beforehand
so that they can try to
take extra steps to make
you feel at ease or to make
the experience a less painful
one for you.
How
long will the tattooing
process take? This
is important, especially
if you are getting a tattoo
on your lunch hour. You
will want to know how long
to expect the process to
take so that you can plan
the rest of your day accordingly.
Some tattoo can take many
hours and may be administered
over a few days.
