So I'm getting my tattoo... Options

[PsychWardMike]

Yep, I've finally decided. I'm getting my ear pierced and a tattoo before I go to college, and I've decided of what:

Pretty sweet, huh? I'm obviously not getting the space tattooed on me, and I'll probably have black lettering, but you get the point. Anyway, I was wondering if anyone had any tips, and information on the approximate costs of a tattoo and ear piercing, and just some general what not.

[Ashbless]

Your image isn't displaying there Mike.

I'm not inked so can't answer your questions, sorry.

[trunks_girl26]

Piercings cost only as much as the earing that's going in (at least most of the time).

Now, however tempting it may be to get the cheapest earing, I'd get a good-quality one, simply because you don't know how your body will react to it because you haven't had one before. You may be allergic to the cheaper metals they put in (namely nickel).

Also: don't be fooled by gold or silver 'plating,' for a starter earing, it may seem like it's the best of both worlds (fairly cheap and not full of cheap metals). However, because of the length of time needed to wear a starter earing (varying depending on where on your ear you have it done), the body will end up stripping away the plating and then get annoyed at the nickel underneath. I learned this the hard way >.<

[Greeneyes]

Interesting choice. Very...original. It's this if you can't see it Ashbless.

[Ashbless]

The image of Calvin, the image of the guy holding his back in pain or the MacMonkeys logo?

[EvilSpork]

You'll have to copy and paste...

http://www.macmonkies.com/Fun/DontPanic_1024.jpg

Anyway, I think it's a bizarre tattoo choice, but that's the fun part! It's unique.

Good luck with that.

[pgrmdave]

Get the tattoo somewhere that you won't be embarrassed about when your thirty and in a career.

[PsychWardMike]

Was Greeneyes being sarcastic?

Anyway, I'm getting it on my upper left bicep. It was originally going to be this:

(same place, and only the Z?) and I might eventually get that as well, but for now, just Hitchhiker.

[Greeneyes]

Nope, I just type how I talk. Also I am not very good at expressing my opinion. Just to clarify: I think it's interesting and original .

[Mata]

In the UK, a 'normal' ear piercing is pretty cheap, usually around £5 I think (US $9ish). Piercings in places other than the usual earlobe tend to cost more.

My ones cost about £40 to get them done together:



They would have cost more individually, and I got a discount because the piercer was so relieved to be doing something other than belly-buttons! They are in a more tricky spot to pierce, because it has to go through cartiledge, as many of the more interesting ear piercings do, so they cost more than an earlobe one.

My tip would be to get the peircing done by hand, even though this will probably cost more. The trauma to the body tissue is massively reduced, which speeds the healing process greatly. Never get piercings done with guns; the blunt trauma of the impact is huge and very damaging for the ear, and the process only survives because it's cheap and requires next-to-no skill to be able to do.

[Cath Sparrow]

Damn I wish I new that 10 years ago I still cant change my peircing at the top of my ear. It doesn't bother me most the time but if I get stress or it gets knocked it goes all oozy and infected.

[LoLo]

Never get piercings done with guns; the blunt trauma of the impact is huge and very damaging for the ear, and the process only survives because it's cheap and requires next-to-no skill to be able to do.

And amazingly a lot of places (at least in the U.S.) still use plastic guns which can't be properly sterilized and can pass on many scary things.

[Cookieflair]

Bizzare choice for a tattoo but i like the individuality that goes with it.

For ear piercing definitely get surgical steel earings, and as mata said needles are much better than guns.As for the price it varies from place to place, i'd shop around.

Ooh post piccies!

[Pixelgoth]

You know me...always happy to offer tattoo related advice...or any advice for that matter. Just can't guarantee the usefulness of it

pgrmdave said "Get the tattoo somewhere that you won't be embarrassed about when your thirty and in a career."

I wouldn't worry to much about having a tattoo at any age. I'm already 30 and I'm not at all worried about what little children will think! If their parents are narrowminded enough to consider people with tattoos are nasty and teach their children that then that's their problem not mine. They are special to me and when I'm old and haggered I'll still be very proud of them! Having said that I wouldn't advocate anyone just getting one for the sake of it. It's a very special permanent thing that should be thought about long and hard My boyfriend's Dad has recently had a tattoo done and it was his 70th birthday last Friday!!

[Kitty]

My dad has always been against tatoos. We'll sit there and watch Miami Ink on tv and he has this disgruntled look on his face the whole time and sometimes he'll burst out in something like "THAT'S SO STUPID!"

Though sometimes people really do get stupid tatoos, I hate the fact that he's not open minded enough to think that people can do what they want with their bodies and he doesnt have to yell at them about it every time.

I'm not against tatoos but I think there are some places you shouldnt get them, like right on the part of your shoulder that is _ALWAYS_ covered by the strap of your tanktop when you decide to show it off (that bugs me) And right above your bottom so that no matter how low-rise your pants are half of the tatoo will always be hidden. I think if you're going to get a tatoo you should be able to show it off easially or cover it up easially.

[Cookieflair]

I disagree about the small of the back tatoo thing i think it can look v nice there.
I am going to get one on the back of my neck someday.

I an very lucky with my mum she is like a parent yet not.. not like a friend either. We have this huge respect for one another. When i got my eyebrow pierced she said 'cool i cant wait to see it'.
Now she and my uncle want tattoos of thier own! Its as if i have broken the ice on body art.

[{Gothic Angel}]

Small of back tatoos do look nice, but they seem to portray a certain image around here now which I wouldn't necissarily want to be associated with. All the "chav/townie/'slutty'" girls in my locality seem to have them - it's become almost like a rite of passage - once you turn 18 you *have* to have a tatoo, and if you're female it *has* to be on the small of your back. I would want something permenantly inked on my skin to have a bit more meaning than that.

I have pierced earlobes, just the once although I fully intend to increase this number when funds and not-living-with-parents permit. Mine cost £12 for both ears, with sterling silver studs and a certified (as in "qualified", though she is certifiable >.>) piercer.

Also - I have three friends with tatoos inspired by things I drew on them

[Cookieflair]

Small of back tatoos do look nice, but they seem to portray a certain image around here now which I wouldn't necissarily want to be associated with. All the "chav/townie/'slutty'" girls in my locality seem to have them - it's become almost like a rite of passage - once you turn 18 you *have* to have a tatoo, and if you're female it *has* to be on the small of your back. I would want something permenantly inked on my skin to have a bit more meaning than that.

I know its so true!

[{Gothic Angel}]

I am going to get one on the back of my neck someday.

That's a neat idea. My old hairdresser had a star on the vertebra which sticks out on the back of your neck. She said it hurt like *expletive deleted*, but looked really cool.