Terrible Things Nobody Tells You About Getting Tattoos

People get tattoos for various reasons. Some get inked to express themselves, while others do it as a form of art. There are those who get tattooed to preserve memories or pay tribute to their loved ones, too. Whatever the reason may be, this form of skin art is definitely a fascinating subject. We’ve compiled a list of things your tattoo artist won't tell you that just may save you from tattoo drama and regret.

#1 Your tattoo can get you in legal trouble for copyright infringement.

Using pop culture images and works by other artists for your tattoo can get you in serious legal trouble. There are reported cases of companies and individuals that were sued for copyright infringement after using popular images and works of art for their own tattoos or business endeavors (video games, movies, and television shows, for example).

#2 Your Tattoo Artist Wants To Make Money, Not Your Decisions

You may be wondering why your artist wouldn't prevent you from making a decision he or she might assume you'd regret — this is a job. Artists have slots to fill; if they're turning away people just because the tattoo is questionable, that's money heading out the door.

#3 Stretch Mark Distort

If you think you might want to be pregnant someday, consider avoiding tattoos on your belly region—or pretty much anywhere on your abdomen. Stretch marks could turn that dolphin into a malformed manatee. Not the look you were going for when you made that pre-baby commitment.

#4 Color Can Change

Keep in mind that over time, colorful tattoos can fade. You can preserve your vivid ink by staying out of the sun, for instance—good advice in general. But know that that fresh, brilliant landscape you pick today stands to show your age over time as much as fine lines on your face. Designs on your hands and feet will fade the fastest.

#5 Recovery Can Take Long Time

Aside from being really painful to get, tattoos can also take a long time to heal. The lucky ones will only take weeks to recover, while those forsaken might have to wait for up to four months until all the medical side effects of getting inked disappear. A survey of 300 ink bros and ink girls saw that 10 percent of them suffered from adverse reactions, like blisters and rashes, even long after getting inked.

#6 Keloids Can Form

Tattoos can prompt the formation of keloids, or irregular, enlarged scars. If you know you’re predisposed to keloid scarring, you might want to avoid ink altogether.

#7 You'll Bleed A Little

Since you're being stabbed with a needle, you will bleed upon getting inked. It shouldn't be a lot. It will kind of be like a slow bleed situation, almost like what happens when you get a paper cut. Your tattoo will scab over like any normal injury.

#8 They're Painful

Okay, yeah, everyone knows tattoos hurt. But they really hurt. Certain areas are more painful than others like feet, ribs, or anywhere with thin skin or a lot of bones. Areas, where you have more muscle, are far less painful, but will still hurt. It's not necessarily a terrible pain, but you are getting a hot needle stabbed into your skin.

#9 Risk Of Infections

Blood plus needles equal risk of infection. You’re fine if all the equipment is clean and sterile—so ixnay on that spontaneous vacation tattoo on some remote beach. Make sure you’re at a reputable place to guard against diseases like hepatitis and HIV.

#10 The Price of Art

The price of a tattoo depends on the size, area of the body you want to be covered, and the artist, but typically a good tattoo will cost you anywhere from $50 for a tiny design to a few month's rent for more elaborate art.

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