There are few decisions that influence your look more permanently than a tattoo. Yes, you can get them removed or adapted if they go wrong (at extra cost), but it’s not a decision that is easy to reverse. For that reason, you need to make sure that you’re confident and happy with going ahead and getting it done. If you’re uncertain, then here are a few things to think about.

Do you know what you want?

First of all, if you don’t have a design in mind, it’s very easy to end up with a tattoo that you won’t like the look of. This doesn’t mean you need to have an exact plan right now. Rather, you can look at inspiration from Inkme to see if there are any ideas that jump out and make you think “I want that on my body.” Your tattoo artist can always help customize things, too.

Does it match your look?

Tattoos don’t have to define your look by any means. If you want to switch things up, most tattoos are fairly easy to cover up (unless you intentionally get one that stands out on a place that you usually keep visible.) However, it’s not a bad idea to get a tattoo that matches your general vibe, fashion-wise, whether it’s something cool and a little tough to go with an edgy-chic look, or  or something more natural beauty-inspired to go with a light, feminine look.
Do you have someone you trust?

The choice of tattoo matters a lot, but not as much as having the help of someone that you trust to work on your body. If you don’t know any good tattoo artists or parlors, then do your research online. Certified Tattoo Studios has over 30 artists, so even when you find a tattoo place near you, you can still have your choice of artist. Get to know their work and you can even go in to talk about what you might want ahead of actually getting it done.

Are you worried about it?

Do you feel like a tattoo might put you at risk of losing your job or having trouble finding one? Do you feel like you’re a little under pressure to get one? Are you worried about the fact that it hurts a little to get one? If so, you should put it off for now, do a little research, and let your decision come naturally over time.

Can you budget for it?

Tattoos are not inexpensive. What’s more, they are worth the investment. If you try going to a cheap artist or someone who isn’t qualified, you could end up with something resembling one of these horror shows from Inked Mag. It’s always better to save up and make sure you can really invest in a great tat.

For some people, tattoos are such a natural part of personal expression that it really doesn’t take all that much thinking to decide to go ahead and get it. If you’re not in that club, however, hopefully, the tips above help.