Tattoo Checklist Before Getting a Tattoo | Page 3

Body art is a very personal thing, and there are many reasons people choose it. It is important to be clear about your reasons for getting body art and to know how to get work that looks good, and doesn’t harm your body and health. If body art is not done properly you could suffer nerve damage, scarring or infections. Be sure to choose someone who has extensive experience working in the body art industry. Your body art will be as good as the artist you go to, and the way you look after it while it heals.  Preparing yourself for body art Do not rush into getting your body art done. A tattoo should be considered Permanent. Although tattoos can be removed, it is expensive and your skin will never be the same as it was. Think before you ink. Body artists suggest you consider these points before getting anything done. o Be as healthy as possible, if you’re sick it will slow down the healing and you’ll have more risk of getting a local infection. o Avoid alcohol for 24 hours before a procedure; alcohol in your bloodstream tends to increase bleeding during a procedure. o Certain medications (including over-the counter ones) can also increase bleeding and/or slow down healing. You should discuss this with your doctor. o If you are considering multiple piercings or tattoos, start with a small one to see how you manage the procedure and its care. o If you know you have multiple allergies and want a tattoo, see if the studio will do a patch test with the dyes, before you have the full procedure.