In this day and age, tattoos are very common. In fact, a study done in 2006 by the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology estimated that roughly one in four people between the ages of 18 and 50 have at least one tattoo, if not more. Even with tattoos being so common, many people don't really know much about them. Tattoos are sometimes still considered odd, questionable and even taboo. The purpose of these questions and answers is to give you information about tattoos, dispel some of the myths involving them, and help you decide if it's a good idea to get one.

1) Will having a tattoo make me cool?

While most people will laugh at this question, some people do wonder about how a tattoo will affect them socially. While many people confronted with the question would quickly answer "no", the answer is actually a little more complicated than that. A tattoo will certainly make you more popular in some groups, but it will have no more lasting power than a cool hat or a cool jacket. Tattoos are also, obviously, a lot harder to remove than a simple jacket. Keep that in mind if you're looking at a tattoo as a "quick fix" for your social status.

2) Does getting a tattoo hurt?

The short answer is yes, it will hurt. The long answer is, as long answers always are, a bit more complicated. Tattoos are created by using needles to place ink underneath your skin, but not actually into your muscle mass. So, the question of "how badly does it hurt" is really more the question of how high your tolerance for pain is. If you have no problems getting shots at the doctor's office, then a tattoo probably won't hurt very much. If, however, you have a fairly low tolerance for pain, you may want to avoid getting a tattoo.

3) Would it be a good idea to get a tattoo while drunk/high/on painkillers to avoid the pain?

No, getting a tattoo while intoxicated would be a very, very bad idea. Most drugs that dull pain, such as alcohol or aspirin, also cause blood flow problems such as clotting issues. When you get a tattoo you are being cut, even if only a little. Being tattooed while under the influence of any drug could cause complications that could lead to very serious loss of blood, or other medical problems. If you're going to get a tattoo, make sure you're sober and clean of any foreign substances.

4) Is getting a tattoo the same as scarification?

Not exactly. Tattooing is the process of placing ink in the skin in such a way that it leaves a permanent picture. Scarification, however, is the process of leaving scars on the human body in artistic ways. Scarification and tattooing are both considered, body modification and both can be wonderfully artistic, just in different ways. Tattoos can be much more detailed, whereas in scarification, the body's natural healing process can make a scar design appear only temporarily in strong detail. Both scarification and tattooing leave lasting artwork on your body, but they are not the same art form.

5) Weren't tattoos used as slave marks?

Tattoos were used to mark slaves for their owners. Hundreds of years ago, a tattoo served to denote a slave almost like a brand denoted what farm or farmer cattle or other animals belonged to. Tattoos were also used in various Asian cultures to designate tribal distinctions. American Indians used them in similar capacities. As our culture evolved, the meaning of tattoos became less about identification as part of a tribe or property and more about personal expression.

6) How much will a tattoo cost?

There is no concrete answer when it comes to tattoo costs. The cost entirely depends on where you go and what you want to get done. There are modifiers such as what kind of ink you want done, how much ink is needed in your design, and sometimes even the time at which you're able to get your tattoo done that can influence the cost. On average, a small tattoo will cost about a hundred dollars, with larger and more complex designs costing more. You can, on occasion, get a discount by trying to schedule your tattoo during times when there is less demand.

7) Are tattoos permanent?

Tattoos are permanent, but they are prone to fading. The tattoo will change shape should your skin change shape, such as in instances of gaining or losing weight. Tattoos that fade can be touched up to have their color brightened, while tattoos that have stretched out are often considered a lost cause. Should you find a way to move your body back to its original shape, such as by losing weight, tattoos can be re-touched. Should that not be an option, you can always have another tattoo placed over it, although it will have to have a similar design.

8) I heard that you can get tattoos removed. In that case, there's nothing to worry about, right?

There are several ways to get a tattoo removed, but all of them are painful and expensive. Even the least painful of the procedures is compared to being snapped with a rubber band for over an hour. Many procedures for removal require more than one treatment and all of them leave scars. While there is no doubt that getting the tattoo removed is better than keeping it, tattoos should be considered permanent.

9) All I need to do to get a good tattoo is to find a good tattoo artist, right?

Well, certainly, if you have no fear of life threatening diseases. Since tattooing involves sticking a needle into your skin, you should always inspect a tattoo shop for cleanliness. Check for germicidal soap, check to make sure they don't re-use needles and check to make sure the artist always wears latex gloves when he or she tattoos a person. You should also check to see if the tattoo artist or their shop belongs to one of several national tattoo artist groups; these groups often have fairly strict requirements and check up on their members fairly often.

10) How should I care for my tattoo after I get it?

After-care is perhaps the most important part of getting a tattoo. Make sure to leave the bandage on for 4 to 12 hours and do not pick or scratch at your tattoo. It's certainly tempting to scratch at the surface of your tattoo because it will be tremendously itchy, but doing so can pull away some of the ink. When you pull the bandage off, do not re-bandage. Instead, moisten your tattoo with a damp cloth and pat it dry with a dry one. Your tattoo artist will give you more detailed instructions upon finishing and you should follow the instructions carefully for your tattoo to last.

11) How can I convince my parents/friends/wife/husband to get a tattoo?

Convincing someone about tattooing is along the same lines as convincing someone to do anything else; customarily, it's not a good idea. Instead, have a rational conversation with the person about getting a tattoo, present your viewpoint and ensure that the end decision is left up to them entirely. The best way to converse about tattooing is to be honest about your own feelings and allow them to be honest about theirs. You cannot force anyone to make such a decision, regardless of how you feel about it personally.

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