If you are going away on a glamorous vacation or an adventurous backpacking trip, you may feel tempted to get a tattoo to commemorate your travels and capture the memory of it all. But before you rush into anything in a spontaneous manner, here are some things you need to consider first:
What Tattoo are You Getting?
We have all heard the stories about people getting tattoos they think mean “love” or “peace”, but actually end up with something much less desirable to be inked permanently on the skin like “chicken noodle soup” – yikes! It is so important that you know what you are getting and will still want it on you in 10 years’ time. Always plan ahead and think carefully about what you want; this is definitely not a choice to be made on a whim whilst you are drunk and partying.
How Clean is the Tattoo Studio?
Tattoos use needles, so don’t go anywhere that is not sterile; the last thing you want is to end up getting more than your bargained for when you walk into the tattoo shop, like Hepatitis C! If the hygiene isn’t up to par, then you should go somewhere else. If you plan ahead and do your research, you will probably find that there are plenty of high quality, reputable shops not too far from where you are travelling to.
Who is the Tattoo Artist?
Doing your research also means that you can find out a little more about the artists that will be doing your tattoo. You want to go to someone who you can trust, with previous work that is attractive to you and you can be confident that they can achieve your desired art style. Whilst the idea of getting a tattoo abroad may seem a great way to get a bargain, the reality is that you will need to spend money to walk away with something good. It also helps if they speak your language, to make sure you are both on the same page about what you actually want. You need to be able to trust your artist, so a place with a great reputation is the right way to go. For example, tattoo Thailand firm All Day Tattoo have their own website so you can read reviews and get to know the artists and their work.
When are You Getting Your Tattoo?
Tattoos require aftercare and are an open wound until healed. If you get your tattoo on the first day of your trip, only to spend the next week trekking through rainforests and climbing mountains, an infection is waiting to happen. If you spend the time and money and go through the pain to get the tattoo you want, making sure you can take care of it afterwards will keep it in the best condition, because you really don’t want to ruin it afterwards. You also need to stay out of the sun and avoid swimming after getting a tattoo, so even if your holiday is more luxurious, that doesn’t mean you can get a tattoo on the first day and spend the whole week sunbathing and relaxing in the pool. Once again, plan and do your research. Leave getting tattooed until the last leg of your trip, so you can make sure you can properly take care of it and look after it during the healing process.
Getting a tattoo can be a great thing to create a lasting memory, just make sure you do it the right way and follow this advice. Happy travelling!