Make sure you have no doubts about the design, ask loads of people thier opinions on it, and if you want it big but are worried about pain n such, dont simple-ise it, or make it smaller, because thats not what you want! It only hurts while its being done and you'll have the design forever! Look for a good tattoo artist, go to lots of places for quotes, theres lots of places that do tattoos really cheaply, but they are not always great, and then there are really professional artists that can be really expensive.. try and get a good balance i guess.. I'd feel safer going to someone good who charges more, as this person will be editing your body! Dont get someones name tattooed - its totally tempting fate! And (some) bands become outdated.. If your getting a portrait of someone (hm..) ask to see the artists previous work.. you dont want a portrait of someone who looks jst a little bit like who you want it to! Oh and for aftercare: bepanthen - its nappy rash cream, with magical healing powers, its what most tattoo artists here in england advise. Use it sparingly, if you overdo it with the moistness (same with whatever you use) any scabs that form are just turned into mush and this does not help healing at all! Dont pick scabs and for the love of god keep away from vasaline! I heard it leaches out the colour .. my mate used it on her plain black tattoo and it is lighter in some places, she's going to get it redone again. Anyway, this is a huge reply and you probably knew all this already.. but I get a bit type happy.. Good luck man!
