Checkout Lane: Tips on getting tattoos

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Checkout Lane: Tips on getting tattoos
November 2, 2010
By Ashlee Fairey
MPNnow.com

For those who are looking to get a tattoo, there are some things to know before the first session.

“A lot of people get nervous because they don't know what to expect,'' said Ryan McNamara, a tattoo artist at Cobra Custom Tattoo and Piercing in Plymouth, Mass. “Tattooing is uncomfortable, but it's not all that bad.”

While there isn't a universally most-sensitive spot, the ribs, feet, chest and inside of the upper arm tend to be tender areas, said Reed Gosmire, manager of Broad Street Tattoo Parlor in Bridgewater, Mass.

“But I wouldn't recommend letting that steer your decision too much,'' he said.

McNamara tells clients to eat beforehand to fend off dizziness or fainting.

Gosmire said first-timers should avoid the face, neck or hands.

“It's a whole different world when you have a visible tattoo,'' he said. “Those aren't the best places to start jumping into it.''

There are myriad styles to choose from: traditional Americana, traditional Japanese, pop art and hyper-realism, among others.

“Cursive lettering is kind of 'it' right now,'' Gosmire said, referring to the lyrics, poems and prayers people are requesting. Color options are virtually endless. Pigments will stand out on lighter skin; for darker skin, colors will look more muted, and Gosmire and McNamara recommend using more black.

Though it's possible to remove tattoos with a laser, “it's a lot more uncomfortable than getting the tattoo, and it burns the skin,'' McNamara said. He tries to make sure his client has carefully weighed the decision.

When selecting your artist, it's important to browse through portfolios and get a feel for the style, Gosmire said.

Perhaps even more important, however, is making sure the parlor is clean.

The shop should look and smell clean, and everything should be single-use and sterilized with high pressure and heat, McNamara said.

Ask the artist to open the needle package in front of you to ensure it was properly sealed, Gosmire said, and check that the artist is licensed.