10 quick steps to [title goes here in sentence...

…to getting a tattooBY THOMAS R. WILES – MP3 version read by David Lawrence

Get a great tattoo while avoiding the many potential traps and pitfalls, and make your tattoo experience fun and guilt-free – all in 10 Quick Steps.

10 Quick Steps to Getting a Tattoo page 2

Copyright, Legal Notice and Disclaimer

This publication is protected under the US Copyright Act of 1976 and all other applicable international, federal, state and local laws, and all rights are reserved, including resale rights: You are not allowed to give or sell this Guide to anyone else. If you received this publication from anyone other than 10 Quick Steps.com or Audible.com, you've received a pirated copy. Please contact us via e-mail at [email protected] and notify us of the situation.

Please note that much of this publication is based on personal experience and anecdotal evidence. Although the author and publisher have made every reasonable attempt to achieve complete accuracy of the content in this Guide, they assume no responsibility for errors or omissions. Also, you should use this information as you see fit and at your own risk. Your particular situation may not be exactly suited to the examples illustrated here; in fact, it's likely that they won't be the same, and you should adjust your use of the information and recommendations accordingly.

Any trademarks, service marks, product names or named features are assumed to be the property of their respective owners and are used only for reference. There is no implied endorsement if we use one of these terms.

Finally, use your head. Nothing in this Guide is intended to replace common sense and legal, medical, or other professional advice. This Guide is meant to inform and entertain the reader and listener. So have fun with the 10 Quick Steps, and get your stuff done.

Copyright © 2004 Thomas R. Wiles. All rights reserved worldwide.

For other 10 Quick Steps™ Guides, visit http://10QuickSteps.com on the web.©2004 Thomas R. Wiles and 10 Quick Steps.com. All Rights Reserved.

http://www.10QuickSteps.com/

mailto:[email protected]


Welcome!Hello. I'm David Lawrence.

I'm tired of working so hard. Aren't you? It would be great if someone would take the everyday problems we have with technology, work, play, family, relationships and life, and give the solutions to us in easy to read, plain-talking step-by-step instructions.

I've done just that. I had to. Here's why.


…to getting a tattoo



On my network radio shows, The David Lawrence Show and Online Tonight, listeners mostly ask questions that are direct and simple, and take very little time to answer on the air.

But sometimes, they have questions that are much more involved and take a lot longer than a few minutes to explain. And with dozens of calls waiting, that can be unfair to other callers.

One day, I took a few of the longer answers to questions that I've shared with my listeners, broke them down into 10 steps each, and jotted them down. I called them 10 Quick Steps to… whatever the goal was. People who looked at the 10 Quick Steps Guides I created liked the easy-to-read style and information I gathered together, and started referring people to my Guides.

Now, I've written a series of 10 Quick Steps Guides, each designed to help you quickly get something done. I've priced them so that in buying one, you can easily save the cost of the Guide in your time and trouble.

How to use 10 Quick Steps GuidesIt's really easy to use any of the 10 Quick Step Guides. These Guides come in two formats: printed (like the one you have now) and in audio.

All of the Guides and audio Guides in the 10 Quick Steps series have 10 Steps, or short sections, each explaining a simple concept to take towards




achieving your goal. Each step builds on the last, in easy to understand chunks. You'll learn the basics of the subject matter, and then you'll move on to complete the task at hand.

Going to the expertsOther well-known experts have also joined with me to create 10 Quick Step Guides, and Thomas R. Wiles is one of them. He's been collecting tattoos for over 24 years. Well over 50% of his body is covered with ink. He's been the Webmaster for tattoo shop websites, and he's taken an active role in helping people decide what tattoos to get and how they should go about it.

So what are the Steps?Here are the 10 Quick Steps you need to get a tattoo:

Get a tattoo! Figure out what you want Break out the color crayons Put it right here! Scrub away… it won't wash off! Select the right artist Cope with the pain Heal your wound s


Thomas R. Wiles



Take care of your artwork Show it off!

Those all look like links, don't they? Yep, and they are – links that take you places within the document. You can click on any of the 10 Quick Steps links above to go right to that Step without scrolling or paging through this Guide.

Look over the list. That's all you'll need.

And it's not going to be hard at all.

Let's get started.




STEP 1: Get a tattoo!

Tattoos have grown tremendously in popularity over the past few years. They have invaded nearly every social strata of our culture and are very popular among youth. Approached properly, they can be a great source of fun, as well as a great conversation piece.

On the other hand, getting a tattoo can be fraught with dangers and pitfalls. At well over 50% body coverage, I've made some of those mistakes myself




in the past and I'd like to help you sidestep possible problems and propel you towards a great tattoo experience.

Getting a tattoo for the wrong reasons can lead to instant regret, with a direct permanent reminder of your foolishness. Following a few simple rules will help you avoid the pitfalls and end up with something you can proudly display to others. Tattoo removal is a very expensive and painful process. It can easily be avoided if you use a bit of common sense.

How is a tattoo done, and what is it?The area of skin to be tattooed is first shaved and prepared by the artist. Modern tattoos are done with an electric device called a "tattoo gun." The artist loads the tattoo gun with a sterilized needle and carefully adjusts and examines the gun before he or she starts tattooing.

The gun works sort of like a very fast electric sewing machine. The end of the needle has an "in and out" motion that vibrates at a high rate of speed, faster than the eye can see. The artist controls the rate of speed by adjusting a knob on the tattoo gun's power supply, which is in a separate box. The gun is attached to the box via a wire that connects to the top rear of the unit. The artist turns the gun on and off via a foot pedal.

The artist dips the end of the needle in fresh ink, turns on the gun, and touches it to the skin. The needle makes hundreds of microscopic holes in the skin and the ink runs into the resulting holes.




The final tattoo is made up of ink particles that are "trapped" in inner layers of skin after the healing process has completed. The particles are too large for the body's immune system to break up, so it simply seals them off within the skin. During the healing process, the body repairs the damage to the upper layers of skin that were penetrated by the vibrating needle of the gun. If the tattoo is done properly, there's little or no scar tissue above the tattoo. The ink becomes permanently "trapped" in the skin, thus forming the tattoo.

The purpose of a tattooLet's face it – the primary purpose of a tattoo is to generate attention. The attention can either be positive or negative, depending on the tattoo's design, its placement, and even the social situation you find yourself in. I'll use myself as an example.

I'm an over-the-road truck driver as well as a motorcycle enthusiast. If I'm around a bunch of other truck drivers or bikers, I get lots of attention, and even respect. On the other hand, if I'm trying to impress a prospective employer, flashing ink at them might not be such a good idea!

Another reason often given for getting a tattoo is sentimental – to remember and/or memorialize a person, place, or thing.




The appropriate type of tattoo with the appropriate placement can make you feel part of a certain group or particular social strata. It can also demonstrate visual commitment to a particular lifestyle.

Regardless of your reasons for getting a tattoo, there's one overriding thing you must keep in mind – it's a permanent change to your body that you are making. It's not something to be taken lightly or to be undertaken under the influence of alcohol or drugs. In fact, most reputable artists won't touch you if they suspect you are "under the influence," and will likely throw you out of their shop.

When all is said and done, the tattoo is there to generate the attention of others. The style and placement will in large part determine who or what type of person will give you the type of attention you seek. It can be a great way to help you find friends and acquaintances with similar interests.

Here's a great idea: try a temporary tattoo. Find a temporary tattoo design that's something you like, and try it on for size. Apply the temporary tattoo in the area where you want a tattoo, then go out in public. You may feel uneasy about it at first, but give it a chance. If you find after a long while you still have the overwhelming urge to wash it off, consider yourself lucky. This advice will have paid for itself. A real tattoo will NOT simply wash off.For other 10 Quick Steps™ Guides, visit http://10QuickSteps.com on the web.

©2004 Thomas R. Wiles and 10 Quick Steps.com. All Rights Reserved.



To recapRemember the following as you consider getting a tattoo:

The purpose of a tattoo is to gain attention and even respect. A tattoo will likely make you a member of a certain social

group, whether you like it or not. A poorly-planned tattoo will likely lead to

instant regret with a permanent reminder of your foolishness.

Test the waters with your toe before diving in – make extensive use of temporary tattoos.

If I've scared you off, perhaps you aren't ready for a tattoo. Take your time. Tattooing has been around for thousands of years and isn't going away anytime soon.

It's time for Step 2.




STEP 2: Figure out what you want

There are literally an unlimited number of choices for individual tattoo designs. There are two main categories of design choices from tattoo shops. One of them is to go with pre-drawn, off-the-artist's-wall designs known as "flash."

The artist uses a stencil to transfer the outline of the pre-drawn design onto the surface of your skin. Then, he or she will tattoo the outline, following exactly the lines of the transfer. Most flash that adorns the walls of tattoo shops is commercial flash that's drawn and sold commercially by other artists specifically as tattoo flash. Some artists will also display their own "custom" flash that they've created themselves.




The other type of tattoo design involving the tattoo artist is known as "freehand," and it's quite a bit more involved for both you and the artist. This is where having a great relationship with your artist really comes into play. You can get him or her to "draw up" a freehand design for you. If it's a large piece, the more planning and time it's likely to require.

Some artists will require a "down payment" of some sort before they will invest their valuable time in drawing the artwork to your specifications. Or, you can always bring in your own design – more about that ahead.

There are many more tattooists who do stencil work than do freehand work. For one thing, it's easier and more lucrative for them since all they have to do is go to a filing cabinet and grab the pre-drawn design a customer has requested. Just because they can't or won't draw freehand art for you doesn't make them a bad tattooist. Some tattooists do both types of work, depending on the customer's wishes. There will always be a place for both types of tattooing.


The backs of my hands are examples of freehand tattooing. I told the

artist what I wanted, he drew the major lines with a marker, got my approval, and started to tattoo.

Freehand tattooing requires extra faith in the tattooist's artistic

talents.



The vast majority of the tattoos I personally have were done from pre-drawn flash artwork. There's really nothing wrong with this type of tattoo. Conversely, it's important for some people to know that they have a one-of-a-kind tattoo that no one else has – something that was designed specifically for them.

I must admit here that it's more fun for me, personally, to simply give the artist a general idea of what I want and then let them draw their outline on my skin with a magic marker or ballpoint pen, get my general approval, and then start tattooing it. This type of tattooing requires a lot of faith in the artistic ability of the artist, but can be incredibly satisfying. Depending on the area being tattooed, freehand work may be the only choice if the goal is to fill a certain blank space.

You can always bring in artwork of your own – either something that you or a friend have come up with. This includes a design that you've printed out from the Internet.

Your own designMany of my own tattoo designs came from the Internet. If you see something in a book, magazine, or the Internet that you think would make a great tattoo design idea, make a copy of it. In most cases, the tattoo artist can easily transform it into a useable design. The last thing you want to do is to be in the situation where you walk into a tattoo studio and the artist doesn't have precisely the design you are looking for. I've spent hundreds of




hours in tattoo shops, and I've watched dozens and dozens of people ask the artist for this or that particular design, only to be told they don't have it. Invariably, the person's response is, "But I've seen it in a book or magazine." If you see something that gets your attention, grab it!

Let's take this idea one step further. Even if you don't think there's a snowball's chance that you would get a particular design tattooed on you, grab it for your files if it attracts your interest. The Internet is a tremendous resource for pictures of completed tattoos. http://www.bmezine.com/ has thousands of pictures of tattoos. Another great place to look for tattoo pictures and links is http://www.tattoos.com/.

If you see something that grabs your interest, don't hesitate to print it out. Build a large file folder of potential tattoo designs and ideas to carry with you to show your artist. Sometimes ideas from different tattoos can be combined into one design. My philosophy is that you can never have too many pictures of tattoos. The variety of possibilities is endless. If this is your first tattoo, pre-drawn flash is probably the way to go, especially if it's a small piece. Another great source of images is the Google Image search, at http://www.google.com/imghp?hl=en&tab=wi&q=.

One common mistake that people who bring in their own designs make is trying to put the lines too close together. Keep in mind that skin grows back over the ink after it's in the skin, causing a slight blurring effect. Lines that are placed too closely together will tend to "run together" over time. Stop this from happening by keeping the lines far enough apart. Your artist will



http://www.tattoos.com/

http://www.bmezine.com/


be able to advise you. Most of the time, designs that have the lines too close together can be enlarged enough to get them far enough apart for good, lasting results.

Pre-drawn flashThe huge advantage of pre-drawn flash is that you can simply walk into a tattoo studio, pick out a design, and get it tattooed right on the spot. Most, if not all, artists will make minor modifications to the pre-drawn flash to satisfy your needs and demands. Most of the time, the artist will ask you what colors you want in your tattoo (if the piece you are getting contains color). We'll talk more about color ahead in Step 3.

Freehand designsAs noted before, freehand designs are more difficult and time-consuming for both you and the artist to execute. The larger the freehand piece, the more planning that must go into it. A very large freehand piece that covers an entire back, arm, or leg can take many months or even years to complete, depending on how fast the person getting the tattoo wants to get the piece completed.

If you are intent on getting an exclusive freehand design, be prepared to work extensively with your artist. Your artist can be a great resource for helping you decide what you want. Most freehand artists expect some degree of direction from you, the client. Don't go into a freehand artist's




shop and expect to tell him or her to tattoo you with their ideas without some sort of input from you.

You can never invest too much time on researching existing designs. At a certain point, something will "click" in your mind and you will know what you want.

A word about cover-upsA "cover-up" is a tattoo that's done over an existing tattoo. Probably the vast majority of cover-up tattoos are to hide the name(s) of former lovers, short-lived relationships, the names of boyfriends, girlfriends, etc.

Some artists are extremely adept at cover-up tattoos, while others are uneasy with them. A really talented artist can completely hide an unwanted tattoo with a much more desirable design. Sometimes people even get a small tattoo with the idea that they might get it covered up with a larger design later.

Colors can always be covered up with a darker color, but black ink cannot be covered with any other color. An existing black tattoo that's to be covered up must always be covered with a larger area of black ink in the cover-up design.

Use common sense. One time I was in a friend's tattoo shop, and this guy and his girlfriend came in. He had the word "SIN" tattooed right on the back




of his neck in very large, heavy black block letters. He wanted it covered up with something – anything. It was obvious that he was trying to please his new girlfriend, who was uncomfortable with the word and what it represented.

The problem was, because the large black block letters of "SIN" completely covered the back of his neck, there were no options for cover-up, other than just making the entire back of his neck a big black blob. Use your head before taking a radical step like Mr. Sin did!

A word of caution: DO NOT get someone's name tattooed on you, especially if it's a girlfriend or boyfriend. You will almost certainly end up regretting it. Don't do it!!!!

To recapNow that you're certain you want to get a tattoo, you should first:

Think about a design. Experiment with temporary tattoos. Research tattoo designs. Decide between existing flash, freehand designs, or designs

that you come up with on your own. Develop a relationship with your artist. DON'T get a "name" tattoo.




Use your head – don't end up like "Mr. Sin!"

Next up: Step 3.




STEP 3: Break out the color crayons

There are roughly two major styles of tattoos: those that are "black and grey" – that is, made up of black ink only – and color work. Color work is almost always outlined in black and then filled in with various colors appropriate to the tattoo design.

Some tattoos, such as elaborate flowers, colorful dragons, birds, snakes, banners, etc., lend themselves to color work. Other designs, such as demons, skulls, etc., lend themselves to black and grey. The variety of designs really is endless. Some people prefer to get only tattoos that are in a single theme or style, such as black and grey work only, or color work only. Other people (like me, for example) like both styles of work and are happy to mix them.




Some tattoo artists specialize primarily in one style of work or the other. Many who specialize in black and grey also will do color work. Generally speaking, if you are really serious about black and grey designs, it's best to find an artist that specializes in this type of tattoo. Almost any artist can do decent color work, but in my experience fewer artists have a true passion for black and grey.

Black and greyBlack and grey tattoos can be every bit as striking as color tattoos. One of the advantages of black and grey designs is the fact they are less likely to fade out over time.

ColorColor tattoos are very common. The lighter your natural skin tone, the more vivid the color will likely be after the tattoo has finished healing. (More about healing ahead in Step 8.) Conversely, the darker your natural skin tone, the more difficult it will be to get colors to show up well. If you are African-American, colors other than black likely won't show up at all. If you have a dark skin tone, your best bet is to stick with black designs.


An example of black and grey

freehand tattooing



A word of warning: keep your tattoo protected from exposure to direct sunlight, especially during the healing process. Once it has healed, if you are going to be in direct sunlight, apply liberal amounts of a good sun block with a high SPF number. The higher the SPF number, the more protection the sun block offers. Too much sun exposure will cause the colors in your tattoo to fade prematurely.

If you are out in the sun a lot because of outdoor activity or your career, it's probably best to stick with mostly black work, especially on the outside of the forearm, which typically gets a lot more sun than the inside of the arm. Most experienced tattoo artists can usually help you decide color options.

Even with the lightest of skin tones, most artists will use white ink only in very small areas or as a way of highlighting other colors. In most cases, large areas of white will tend to turn yellow or simply disappear over time.

To recapWhen thinking about the colors to get in your tattoo, consider:


Color tattooing



Tattoos come in two styles: black and grey work, and color work.

The lighter your natural skin tone, the better the color will likely show up.

If you are passionate about the black and grey style, find an artist who is equally passionate and adept in this style.

Use liberal amounts of sunscreen to protect the colors from sun damage.

Let's move on to Step 4.




STEP 4: Put it right here!

Tattoos are permanent markings. Tattoo placement is more important than the design. You should think long and hard about where on your body to place your tattoo. If you are a novice, never, ever get a first tattoo that cannot easily be hidden by everyday clothing. A tattoo, when it's visible, will literally define you as "a person with a tattoo." If you don't want or cannot afford to be defined as a person with a tattoo, then placing the tattoo where it can easily be hidden with everyday clothing is absolutely paramount.

If your family or friends don't have tattoos, you are likely to encounter a degree of resistance. Your mom is the most likely source. You are making a permanent change to your body. If you know that your family is likely to be upset by a tattoo, there's no reason for you to taunt them with it. I've met




more people than I can count that have hidden tattoos that close relatives and friends may know nothing of. There are times when I feel like a priest getting spontaneous confessions – people often see how many tattoos I have and feel compelled to show or tell me about theirs! Put my seasoned advice to work and your tattoo can be a great source of fun.

Tattoo placement can have the effect of permanently changing the way people perceive you. This is especially important when it comes to your job and/or your future career. In many jobs, tattoos must remain hidden during work hours. As an over-the-road truck driver, I'm fortunate that I can have as many tattoos as I want placed anywhere on my body – visible or not – and it literally doesn't matter to my employer, as long as I do my job.

Where should that first tattoo be placed?If you are a female getting your first tattoo, never get it on an arm. Discrimination does exist in this area – people will easily accept a guy with a tattoo on his arm, whereas they will automatically think "less" of a woman with a tattoo on her arm.


Think before you INK!!



A first tattoo for a female should be somewhere that's easily covered up with everyday clothing, but can easily be displayed in a bathing suit. Good areas for a tattoo like this would be the upper hip, small of the back, or anywhere else on the torso away from the neck area. Once a female is comfortable with her tattoo and wants more, a good place to put them after that is on the legs. Only a seasoned female tattoo fanatic who's aware she will be discriminated against should consider getting her arms inked.

If you are a guy getting your first tattoo, go for the upper bicep area; that area is easily covered by short-sleeved shirts.

In general, whether you're male or female, a first tattoo should always be placed so that it can be easily hidden from prying eyes. Only after you are comfortable with having a tattoo and want more tattoos should you consider bolder placement.

A tattoo can and will permanently affect how people react to you. A tattoo screams "LOOK AT ME!!!!" and forces people to look at it. Keep in mind this is likely happening at the same time that you are shaking their hands and exchanging names.

Again, experiment liberally with temporary tattoos. Temporary tattoos can look convincing, but they will easily wash off.




Intermediate placement optionsAfter you are comfortable with your first tattoo, it's likely you will want to get more of them. Few people stop with just one tattoo. It's not uncommon for people to end up with several tattoos. The key to a positive tattoo experience is to always be mindful of the placement, as well as to remain keenly aware of what placement options are acceptable in your corner of the world.

If you are younger, keep in mind that tattoos will stay with you the rest of your life. What is acceptable for your current employer and/or social situation may not be acceptable to other employers or social situations later on in your future. If you are in doubt, it's best to err on the side of caution. Experiment with temporary tattoos!

Advanced placement optionsIf you end up like me, driven beyond a few tattoos towards major body coverage, you have likely resolved these issues and know exactly where your tattoo placement boundaries are. In my own case, I have no desire to get any ink on my scalp, ears or face. However, the rest of my body is fair game. I know myself well, and I know I'm never going to run


Know your ink barriers!



for political office and I have no desire to move beyond being an over-the-road truck driver.

Even so, I have moved cautiously. For many years, I kept my own tattoo placement such that I could easily hide it with regular pants and a long-sleeved shirt. I thought long and hard before I moved beyond that barrier, covering the backs of my hands with tattoos. I took my own advice and experimented with temporary tattoos on the backs of my hands to make sure I was comfortable with the idea of having a tattoo that I couldn't cover up.

I'm glad I waited and took it slowly. Once I did make the move to covering the backs of my hands with ink, it was no big deal, and has been a very positive experience. Everyone around me already accepted tattoos as something to expect from me, so moving into the realm of always-visible ink was just more of the same and has been ignored.

You should never consider always-visible ink unless you already have plenty of tattoos, and are completely comfortable with displaying them in any and all situations. In other words, the tattoos should become part of your identity. Tattoos redefine your identity in the eyes of the world as someone with tattoos.

If, like me, you are intent on major tattoo coverage, you, not the tattoo artist, will have to put out the time, energy, and money to make it happen.




To recapThink about the following when deciding on your tattoo's placement:

Tattoos are permanent and will be with you the rest of your life.

A first tattoo should always be placed where it's easily hidden. Tattoo placement is always more important than the design. Females should avoid tattoos on their arms. Experiment with temporary tattoos! Know your boundaries.

Step 5 is up next.




STEP 5: Scrub away… it won't wash off!

A tattoo is a permanent commitment. The permanence of a tattoo will not simply change because you've changed your mind. Tattoos should not be selected on the basis of what's currently popular or "in." Fashions do change, so if you are considering a tattoo simply because it's a "fashionable" thing to do, then strongly consider temporary tattoos instead of the real thing.

Tattoo removalMost people will consider getting a tattoo they don't like covered up with another tattoo design that they like better. However, a fair number of people will never be happy with their tattoo, and will pay a dermatologist thousands of dollars for tattoo removal.




Tattoo removal is accomplished with special laser treatments, dermabrasion, and in some extreme cases, skin grafts. Tattoo removal is often said to be much more painful than the actual tattooing process itself.

Personally, I've seen a number of people over the years who have had obvious tattoo removals performed. The results were less than stellar. In my way of thinking, having a tattoo is much more desirable than having an area where it's obvious that tattoo removal was attempted but didn't quite succeed.

Tattoo removal can be avoided!Follow these common-sense rules and you will never be faced with the specter of tattoo removal.

Always make extensive use of temporary tattoos first. Your first real tattoo should be placed on your body where it's easily hidden by everyday clothing. Additional tattoos should remain where they can easily continue to be hidden. Never, ever get a tattoo that cannot be hidden unless you already have major tattoo coverage and are 100% comfortable with tattoos as a part of your identity.

Laser removalDermatologists use specialty lasers for the tattoo removal process. The computer-controlled laser is fired automatically in a very rapid sequence as




the operator passes it over the tattooed skin. The pigment in the tattoo absorbs the laser's energy, causing the ink to break up into smaller particles. This process is painful and usually results in burns to the area of skin being treated. A strong "burnt hair" smell accompanies any type of laser treatment to the skin.

The treated area will fade over time in between treatments, as the body is able to absorb and remove the shattered pigment particles. With any type of laser treatment to the skin, scarring or the permanent destruction of natural pigmentation can result, as well as loss of hair in the treated areas. More than one treatment is typically required to gain adequate results. The results can vary from excellent to so-so.

DermabrasionDermabrasion is an older method of tattoo removal and is generally less effective than laser removal. It consists of a dermatologist literally shaving away layers of skin in order to remove the trapped ink particles with the layers of skin being removed. Dermabrasion is a less-effective means of tattoo removal. It can result in scarring, loss of hair in the treated areas, as well as loss of natural pigmentation.




Skin graftsSkin grafts consist of areas of skin that are transferred from one part of the body (the donor area) to another part of the body. Skin grafts almost always result in some degree of scarring and pigmentation problems.

ConclusionsIf these tattoo removal options sound painful and something that should be avoided at all costs, it's because they are. Be smart about getting a tattoo and this entire mess can be avoided.

A number of people use the tattoo removal process as a means of "erasing" a design they no longer want so they can get a completely different design tattooed later. In this case, perfect removal of the old tattoo design isn't usually necessary, since it will ultimately be covered up with another tattoo later.

To recapTattoo removal is an option, but remember:

Be smart about your tattoo in the first place! Laser tattoo removal is generally the most effective method. Removing a tattoo is much more painful than getting a tattoo.




A tattoo itself is more desirable than seeing an area where tattoo removal didn't quite succeed.

Some people use the tattoo removal process as a means to change to a more desirable future tattoo design – as a way to "erase" and start over.

Let's move on to Step 6.




STEP 6: Select the right artist

Selecting the right tattoo artist is an important part of getting the tattoo you want. This becomes more important if you move into the areas of multiple additional tattoos or very large coverage areas. At the very minimum, you will need to find an artist that has good tattooing skills. If you plan on getting several tattoos over time that will require you to spend a large amount of time with the artist, male or female, the artist's personality and the compatibility between the two of you becomes an issue.

Word of mouthBy far, word of mouth is the best way to find a good tattoo artist. If you have a relative, friend, or acquaintance with a tattoo, ask him or her for




recommendations. If you see someone in public that has one or more tattoos, don't hesitate to ask where they got it or which tattoo artist they would recommend. Most people with tattoos are more than happy to talk about their artwork and will gladly share their experiences.

Note: When you go into a tattoo shop, look for cleanliness. A tattoo shop that has a good reputation will always be clean. Never, ever go to a "kitchen tattooist" or someone who does tattoos in his or her home or garage. To do so is to ask for big trouble. Safe tattooing practices include hospital sterilization of equipment, the use of disposable, single-use tattoo needles, as well as the use of surgical gloves by the artist while the tattoo is in progress.

Virtually all tattoo shops will have a portfolio of existing work. Most artists like to take pictures of each tattoo they complete and will have these posted either in a book or somewhere on the wall.

If another customer is present, casually talk to them and see what they have to say. If they are a repeat customer, chances are good they will give you their candid opinion.

Most shops will allow you to "hang out" a bit. If you choose to do this, be very respectful of the fact that the shop is a place of business and be careful to remain quiet and out of the way. If this is your first tattoo, tell them right up front. They should be more than happy to allow you to develop a feel for getting a tattoo and what it entails. People who have tattoos are almost always happy to assist a novice through the experience.




If you are satisfied with the shop's professional hygiene practices, then it comes down to a matter of style. If you are looking for a small, pre-drawn design, most any decent shop can handle the job and give you similar final results. On the other hand, if you are looking for a particular specialty or style of tattoo, then the artist's style is going to be a lot more important. The larger the tattoo, the more confidence you will have to place in the artist and his or her level of skill.

The artist's personality and your ability to get along with him or her becomes more important the longer you are around. If you find you cannot stand being around them, then it's best for both of you if you find an artist with a personality more compatible to your own. The artist can be a good source of advice on a particular placement or design, so like any consulting relationship it works best if you are easily able to remain on friendly terms.




Leave the attitude behindA tattoo shop is a service business. Don't go into a tattoo shop with an "attitude" or you may likely find yourself thrown out. If you think the prices they are quoting you are too high or more than you are willing to pay, make a polite exit and take your business elsewhere. I have witnessed a lot of different people begin whining when they are told the price of a particular tattoo, and the result is always the same – they usually end up leaving after having been rude.

Tattooing is just like any other business – you pay the price that the person rendering the service demands, or you make a polite exit. Bargaining with a car salesman might work, but it's the wrong thing to do with a tattoo artist. When you go to a barber or a car repair shop, you don't try to get them to knock their prices down, and the same thing applies to a tattoo shop.

First come, first serveThe majority of tattoo shops work on a first come, first serve basis. This works well for smaller, non-custom pieces of work. The tattooing business




tends to be feast or famine – that is to say, everyone tends to want to get work done at certain peak times, such as on weekend evenings. To avoid having to wait in line, go in on a weekday if possible. Ask the artist when he or she is the least busy, and chances are you can get right in without having to wait. Larger, custom pieces will usually require that you come in on an appointment.

By appointment onlySome artists work by appointment only. This category usually includes artists that are in high demand who do large, customized pieces.

Only if the artist is willingCertain artists refuse to tattoo specific areas of the body, such as the backs of hands, anything above the collar, or genital areas. If a given artist refuses to do a particular tattoo, your only option is to find another artist that's willing to accommodate your wishes.

To recapThink about the following when choosing your tattoo shop and artist:

Hygiene is very important – a good tattoo shop is always clean. Hospital sterilization, single-use disposable tattoo needles,

and use the of surgical gloves are a must.




Spend some time getting a feel for the shop and the artist. Leave the attitude behind! Be prepared to wait in line if you come during a peak time. If a particular artist refuses to do a tattoo you want, politely

find another artist that will accommodate you.

We move now to Step 7.




STEP 7: Cope with the pain

Getting a tattoo is generally painful. The pain of a tattoo in progress can vary from a minor irritation to major agony, depending on its placement. Fleshy areas on arms and legs are generally less painful, whereas bony areas such as ankles or wrists that have little flesh and lots of nerves tend to be more painful. Pain and individual tolerance for it can vary greatly from one person to the next, as well as one body area to the next on the same person.

As a rule, most people experience the most intense pain during the first five minutes of the tattoo outline process, because the outlining needle is being dragged across the skin. The shading portion of the tattoo, which is done after the outline, is generally less painful.




Oh, the pain, the pain!!I personally have a fairly high tolerance for pain. Some people obviously have a lower tolerance. I find that my own attitude towards what pain to expect is important.

If I go in to get a tattoo with the idea that it's going to be excruciating, but that I'm going to suffer through it till the end regardless of how much it hurts, it usually ends up hurting less. The times I've gone in to get a tattoo thinking that it wasn't going to hurt much have generally been the times when it hurt the worst.

Another thing that most people don't realize is that one side of the body is usually more sensitive to pain than the other side is. This sensitivity to pain can vary from person to person, and doesn't seem to be related to whether the person is right or left-handed. The left side of my body is more sensitive to pain than is the right side.

Note: Pain killers such as Tylenol can help a bit. Take them about an hour or two beforehand. Don't expect miracles, however. Don't load up on aspirin since it can cause excessive bleeding in some people. If you are on special medications or are diabetic, be sure to For other 10 Quick Steps™ Guides, visit http://10QuickSteps.com on the web.


HEY!!! This stuff HURTS!! Youch!!!!!



consult with your doctor first. Let your tattoo artist know if you have any medical conditions that he or she should be aware of, such as diabetes, or if you know you are prone to fainting. Topical anesthetics are generally not recommended by most artists since they can affect the quality of the tattoo.

Coping methodsI've found several effective methods of coping with the pain of a tattoo that's in progress. If possible, try to distract your attention away from the tattoo. If you can, carry on a conversation with either the artist or someone

else.

I've found looking at magazines and reading can be a useful distraction. Clinching your teeth, making faces, grabbing onto the chair you are sitting on, etc., can all be useful methods of shifting your attention away from the tattoo during intense moments of pain.

Just remember to remain as still as possible so you don't disturb the artist's work. If you find yourself about to let out a big sneeze or cough that's going to cause your body to jump, immediately warn the

artist beforehand so that he or she can momentarily stop. You should keep the body part that's being tattooed as relaxed as you possibly can while the tattoo is in progress.


Making faces helps!!!!



Take a breakOn a larger piece, both you and the artist might want to take a break. This can be useful as long as the break doesn't last too long. If the break lasts too long, then restarting can be more painful than not taking a break at all.

On extremely large pieces that have large, detailed patterns, it's useful to plan on doing the pattern only and then allowing time for it to heal before coming back in for the shading. If the work in question is a huge back piece, then the shading can be broken up in this manner as well.

My own body can tolerate about four and a half hours of continuous tattooing before it starts to give a "puffy" response and tries to reject the ink. In extremely sensitive areas, such as my stomach, this "puffy" reaction occurs after only about two and half hours. Most artists will agree that when the body starts exhibiting this reaction, it's time to stop and continue at another time.

Also, it's a good idea to allow the artist to help determine when it's time for a break. Don't try to force the artist to do more work at one sitting than he or she feels comfortable with. For example, if the artist wants to work for three hours on a long piece, then accept their limit.

Another point to consider is this: it's probably not a good idea to get a tattoo while you are sick with the flu, have a cold, or are in any way contagious. When you are sick, your body is already trying to fight off an




illness, so it's probably not a good idea to add healing a tattoo on top of an illness. Your artist will likely not appreciate you passing along the flu or a cold to him or her.

Tattooing requires close contact and it's best if all parties involved are in good health and not contagious in any way. Need I say that if you have some blood-born disease such as hepatitis, HIV, etc., you must inform your artist, since tattooing requires breaking the skin.

To recapGetting a tattoo isn't painless! Think about these things:

The level of pain will vary greatly from one person to the next, and from one area of the body to the next.

Figure out a pain coping mechanism that works for you. If you are getting large areas of your body tattooed, plan on

breaking it up into managable chunks and give your body time to heal in between major sessions.

Don't go in to get a tattoo if you are sick with the flu or a cold. If you have a blood-borne disease, YOU MUST INFORM YOUR

ARTIST!!




Up next: Step 8.




STEP 8: Heal your wounds

Tattoo healing is one of the more controversial areas in the world of tattoos. Generally speaking, you should follow certain basic guidelines, while finding the healing method that works best for you.

Keep your tattoo cleanAfter a tattoo is done, many artists will immediately rub in a thin layer of triple antibiotic on it, such as Neosporin or Bacitracin, and then tape a bandage over it. This is particularly useful to keep a fresh tattoo protected from rubbing against your clothing and from the environment.




Many times they will give you an instruction sheet. It's fine to follow their instructions; however, you should keep several guidelines in mind.

Do not keep the tattoo too moist while it's healing. If you do use any type of ointment, such as the "Tattoo Goo" packets many shops will hand out for aftercare, rub in small amounts and wipe off the excess. A normal tattoo will stop bleeding after an hour or two, making a bandage less necessary, unless you are in a hostile, dirty environment.

It has been my experience that the sooner a tattoo is allowed to "dry out," the sooner it will actually heal. Too much moisture just interferes with the healing process.

In the case of my back, I found it useful to wear an old white T-shirt to bed at night after getting several hours of tattoo work done, using the old white T-shirt as a sort of "bandage." The next morning, if the T-shirt stuck to the freshly-tattooed area, I could get it to easily become un-stuck by getting in the shower for a few minutes with the T-shirt on. After the shirt became wet, it would easily un-stick from my skin. I then used a towel I brought into the shower with me to wipe the tattoo under the running shower to wash the surface off.

With my arms and hands, I simply allowed them to be out in the air, taking no special precautions other than to carefully keep them clean and away from potential dirt or sources of infection.




With my legs, it is necessary that I wear jeans. I protect healing tattoos on my legs with the use of plastic food wrap until the skin's surface has healed sufficiently.

Note: Think about allergies – are you allergic to Neopolycin? Neopolycin is usually one of the main ingredients in various "triple antibiotic" ointments that are commonly used by tattoo shops. Brand names include Neosporin and Bacitracin, among others. If you are allergic to Neopolycin, tell your tattoo artist before he or she starts the tattoo. A normal healing tattoo can itch and be uncomfortable to a certain degree; however, if you are having an allergic reaction on top of everything else, the discomfort can become nearly intolerable. If this is your first tattoo and you notice a day or two later that you are starting to break out in a rash on or around the tattoo, immediately discontinue using any triple antibiotic ointments and resort to simple soap and water to keep the tattooed area clean.

Watch for infectionsInfections, while rare, can occur a day or two later after a tattoo is done. If your new tattoo starts to feel warm to the touch, the skin turns red and becomes really painful when you apply a bit of pressure to it with your fingers, immediately go to a doctor to get an internal antibiotic such as erythromycin.

Increasing pain is a dead giveaway for an infection. If you develop these symptoms, don't wait! Take immediate action – blood poisoning can be life-




threatening if left untreated. Gangrene and amputation can be the result. The sooner you act if these symptoms occur, the better.

Keeping clothing away from rubbing against a fresh tattoo is the best way to avoid infection. Personally, I've had an infection occur once, and it was because of clothing rubbing up against a fresh tattoo. I started taking erythromycin immediately when I realized what was going on and the symptoms went away in a couple of days.

If your new tattoo starts to get increasingly painful, don't try to tough it out – your life and limbs depend on you taking immediate action!

ItchingMinor itching can occur while a tattoo is healing. Whatever you do, don't scratch or otherwise pick at a healing tattoo. If the itching is really driving you crazy, there are anti-itching ointments available at your local drug or department store that should be able to help. Generally speaking, the itching should be fairly minimal and tolerable.

The "Milk Skin" phaseEvery tattoo goes through what many people call the "Milk Skin" phase of healing. Ideally, a healing tattoo should begin to peel like sunburn a few days after the tattoo is done. There may be some minor scabbing here and there, but if the tattoo artist has done his or her job properly, and you




haven't gone overboard with keeping the healing tattoo too moist, the tattoo will simply peel like a minor burn.

Once the tattoo peels, there's a shiny, milky-looking skin that's revealed. It will take up to about three weeks or a month for this "Milk Skin" look to go away completely and for the surface of the skin to resume its normal, non-shiny appearance.

While the tattoo is healing, don't pick at it. Allow the peeling skin to fall off on its own. During the "Milk Skin" phase it's okay to use moisturizing lotions such as Vaseline Intensive Care or something similar. While the tattoo is healing, don't use any ointments or lotions that contain Vitamin E or aloe vera, and don't go swimming.

To recapTake care of that new tattoo!

Don't over-moisturize. Keep dirt and rubbing clothing

away from a fresh tattoo.


One of my tattoos during the healing process – note the

"cracked" appearance



Take immediate action if the tattoo becomes increasingly painful to the touch.

Minor itching can be relieved by anti-itch compounds. Avoid aloe vera and Vitamin E ointments, creams, and lotions

until the tattoo is healed. Don't go swimming or immerse the tattoo until it's healed. Avoid picking at a healing tattoo!

We're almost finished. Step 9 is next.




STEP 9: Take care of your artwork

Once your new tattoo is healed, it's up to you to take care of it. The main way to protect your tattoo from premature fading is to keep it out of prolonged direct sunlight.

Learn what "SPF" meansAll sunscreens sold in the United States are rated with an "SPF" or "Sun Protection Factor" number. The SPF number is on the label. The higher the number, the more protection from ultraviolet light the product offers.

Play it safe – go for a high SPF number when you are purchasing sunscreen lotions.




Sunscreen lotions can lose their sun-blocking power as they age. In other words, if you've got sunscreen lotion left over from last summer, its sun-blocking ability has deteriorated with its age.

Do yourself a favor and avoid the "healthy tanned look." Too much sunlight is dangerous and can cause skin cancer. Also, avoid tanning beds – it's now being reported that tanning beds, which use UV-B rays (while avoiding UV-A rays that the sun itself puts out), are just as damaging to the skin, if not more so.

A little tanning with the real thing is okay, but don't overdo it! If you are hell-bent on going for the deeply tanned look and turning your skin into leather, avoid real tattoos because excessive sun will cause real problems with them.

Tattoo touch-upsTattoos are permanent, but parts of them can and will fade over time, especially color. Sun exposure is the main culprit. After a number of years have passed, it may be necessary to get a tattoo touched up to keep it looking its best.

To recapTo keep your tattoo looking its best, remember:

The higher the SPF number, the better.For other 10 Quick Steps™ Guides, visit http://10QuickSteps.com on the web.




Sunscreen lotions have a shelf life. Avoid over-exposure to direct sunlight. Avoid tanning beds. Overexposure to the sun destroys color in tattoos. Tattoos may need to be touched up after a few years have

gone by to keep them looking great.

The last step: Step 10. Ready?




STEP 10: Show it off!

If you've survived this long, you may be wondering, "What's the use? The healing process sounds potentially dangerous, and it might be necessary for me to get the tattoo re-done at some point. Why would I want to put myself through this abuse?!..."

These are legitimate questions. The real answer to this question has to be that you want to attract attention – that you want to "show off" to some extent.




Attract attentionPeople who are happiest with their tattoos are first and foremost using them to attract the attention of other tattoo enthusiasts. The attention from other tattoo enthusiasts is almost always positive and makes you a part of the "tattoo clan," as it were.

Getting a tattoo for the wrong reasons is a very bad idea, and will instantly attract negative attention. If you are just trying to demonstrate your "rebellion" to parents or authorities, chances are great that you will end up regretting your indelible mistake. Do yourself and real tattoo enthusiasts a favor, and find some other way of demonstrating your rebellion.

Define yourselfA real tattoo enthusiast will use a single tattoo (or multiple tattoos) as a means of defining an identity to attract the attention of others with the same identity type.

Using myself as an example, I have permanently defined myself with the aid of many tattoos as a "hard core" biker. Add the appropriate biker clothing, and I've got instant biker friends virtually everywhere I travel. Tattoos can be a very powerful means of personal expression when used in this way.


Defined as a Biker



Define yourself. Instantly attract the attention of your "target audience" with the appropriate type of tattoo and tattoo placement. Tread carefully through these waters – you must be careful to avoid defining the wrong identity, because you will advertise to and therefore attract other people with the wrong identity for you. If you are a middle-class office worker type, for example, avoid tattoo placement that will define you as a biker.

Making tattoos part of your identityWhether this is your first tattoo or you are like me and you've literally lost count of how many tattoos you have, to be accepted as a legitimate tattoo enthusiast you must learn how to present yourself. It's very easy – simply ignore your own tattoos. When you are out in public, learn to deliberately not watch for (and ignore) the reactions of others. Trust me – the attention of other tattoo enthusiasts will always make itself known without you making an effort to deliberately look for it.

My most important pointI'm a quiet observer of people and how they act in public. Occasionally, I notice people in public who are literally looking around to see who is noticing them. These people are usually the most unhappy people of all.

We are typically taught from early childhood on to try to obtain some sort of ego boost from the reactions of others, usually in regards to the way we look and act. In other words, we are taught to seek approval. Seeking the




approval of others is fraught with danger to our egos and almost always results in varying degrees of unhappiness.

Here's how I handle it: if someone gives me a compliment of some sort, I'm polite and I thank them, but I don't let it "go to my head," so to speak. I don't feed my ego at the trough of their approval – I don't let their compliments "make my day," as it were.

The problem with getting a "high" out of a compliment – of letting a compliment make my day – is that I'm setting myself up for inevitable disappointment. I become addicted to approval, and if and when I don't get it, I will feel like the rug has been pulled from beneath me. I can resolve not to care what others think all I want, and it's all in vain.

Basking in the light of the approval of others always locks one into an "approval prison." The key to the lock of the approval prison is to not bask in that light.

Someone will always come along that shows disapproval. I've found if I don't let compliments go to my head, then the inevitable disapprovals that come my way don't bother me in the least. In fact, when handled successfully in this way, the energy of disapproval instantly reverses polarity and becomes a net positive.

This is an important point. Once I realized this simple principle, my life instantly changed! I realized that I could look as extreme or as "different"




from the sea of "all-alike" as I wanted, and it literally didn't matter. People could not touch me with their disapproval, no matter how vile or vehement.

Whether you get a tattoo or not, if you can pick up on this single point, how you relate to your life and how you relate to the world will change for the better. If you take nothing else away from this Guide, this point is worth grasping!

To recapNow you're putting that tattoo to work! Consider the following:

Use tattoos to attract the attention of other tattoo enthusiasts.

Use tattoos to define and attract like identities. Never get a tattoo to demonstrate rebellion – you WILL regret

it in the end. Learn to ignore the presence of your own tattoos when in

public. Learn not to bask in the approval of others, and you will

become immune to disapproval. The disapproval of others directed at you becomes powerful, very positive energy!




And… we're done.




You've done it!You've decided if a tattoo is for you. You've learned useful methods of selecting a tattoo design, how to select a tattoo studio and tattooist, and the basics of how to care for your new tattoo. You've learned that tattoo placement is even more important than the design itself. You've learned how to fashion an identity – to make yourself part of the "tattoo clan." If you follow these Steps, you are well on your way to a positive tattoo experience!


… to getting a tattoo



Spread the word and make money… twiceThe feeling of excitement and accomplishment you've got right about now is something that you can bring to others – and make money with as well – twice!

If you've got a website, send out email, or instant message with your friends, all you have to do is let them know about this Guide with a simple, personalized web address.

You'll get yours when you join our referral program. It's free, it's easy, it's quick and it pays you cash every month for every 10 Quick Steps Guide that people buy, simply because you've referred them – and then, pays you again when their friends purchase a Guide. That's how you can get paid twice! Just visit http://10quicksteps.com/join and sign up today!

About the authorBesides being a long-time tattoo enthusiast, Thomas R. Wiles is an over-the-road truck driver, motorcycle enthusiast, author, and a one-time computer Network Administrator that flew the coop. He can be reached via his website http://www.truckerphoto.com/ and his e-mail address, [email protected]. The majority of his tattoos were done at Black Dragon Tattoo (http://www.blackdragontattoo.net/), in Fayetteville, Arkansas. All tattoo photos are of the author's own tattoos.




http://www.truckerphoto.com/

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About the editorsMany thanks to Gretchen Hundling and her team for their attention to detail in preparing these Guides for publication.

About the publisherDavid Lawrence is a nationally syndicated network radio and television air personality. His radio career has spanned 30 years, and he is the host of the award winning Online Tonight, The David Lawrence Show, and The Net Music Countdown. Lawrence also authored the best-selling Learn HTML on the Macintosh for Addison Wesley, and is the voice of America Online's voice response telephone systems. He is available to speak to your corporation, school, and civic or professional organization, or for personal, one-on-one coaching on ethics, technology, entertainment and personal performance. You can contact him at [email protected].

How else can I help you?There are other 10 Quick Steps Guide that can help you do other things on your computer, with your entertainment equipment, and in your life. If you'd like further information on them, visit the 10 Quick Steps Web site at http://10QuickSteps.com/.



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