THE possibilities really are endless when it comes to getting a tattoo, but that doesn't mean you should throw complete caution to the wind.
According to tattoo artist Alissa Jung, there are eight things all first time clients should know before committing to an inking.
Writing for Insider, Alissa said people make the same mistakes time and time again, and they're completely avoidable.
Research is key, so taking the time to view a variety of artists' work and how to properly take care of a fresh tattoo is always the first step to get the ball rolling.
Don't be a copycat
According to Alissa, who has been a professional tattoo artist for two years, asking for an exact copy of another artist's work is a huge no-no.
The problem is that a lot of tattoo artists spend a lot of time creating the perfect one-off design for clients, who fork out a lot of cash for the pleasure.
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"This request is disrespectful to the original artist, as well as the client, who paid for a tattoo they thought would be individual," she explained.
Either work with an artist you like to create an original design for yourself, or stick to flash designs – it's ok to bring in a picture of another artist's work for inspiration though.
Don't get a tattoo before or after a holiday
Keeping a fresh tattoo out of the sun will allow it to settle properly, so avoiding sun exposure for two weeks is a must.
And if you've just returned from a summer getaway you might have to reschedule if your skin is sunburnt to give your skin a change to heal.
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For this reason Alissa recommended avoiding getting a new tattoo immediately before or after any holidays.
"Your tattoo is essentially an open wound and needs to be kept clean to avoid infection. It'll take four to six weeks to fully heal, so plan ahead for your aftercare," she said.
Reschedule if you're not feeling well
All too often clients show up for their tattoo appointment when they're feeling under the weather, hungover or even drunk.
The tattoo pro recommended avoiding booze for 24 hours before your inking to give your body the best chance of healing quickly.
Don't forget to eat and hydrate
The last thing anyone wants is to pass out during a tattoo session, so you should take the time to eat a proper meal and drink plenty of water beforehand.
You can also bring water and snacks with you to nibble on throughout your appointment, although it might be worth double checking with your tattoo studio if they have any restrictions.
Ask for a break if you need to
It's not just the pain you might want a quick break from – sitting perfectly still in the same position can get uncomfortable, so taking five minute to stretch might be needed.
Just let your artist know you need to pause and take the opportunity to use the loo, have a snack and check the progress of your ink, if you want to.
Don't feel pressured into a design
Tattoos are pretty big commitments, so you'll want to make sure you're 100 per cent happy with the design.
After your artist has applied the stencil you'll have a better idea of the placement and look of the finished thing – but if you don't like it you should speak up.
Alissa said: "A good tattooer will give their honest opinions and be willing to work with you to get the piece you envisioned."
Bring something to keep you busy
Depending on the design you go for, you might be in the tattoo chair for hours.
Bring something to keep you occupied like a book, handheld game or headphones to listen to music or a podcast.
Not only will it make the time go faster, but it can help distract you from any pain too.
Prepare your skin properly
It's best to prepare for a tattoo in the weeks leading up to your appointment, not just the morning of.
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Many clients forget this, according to Alissa, but moisturising for a couple of weeks before your session will make the skin more hydrated, which will likely give you "better results," the pro explained.
You can ask for numbing cream as well once you arrive for your appointment, but not all artists like to use it so it's best to double check first.
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