The purpose of this FAQ is not to raise these issues or to change such views, but to educate those who are interested in learning more about tattoos and piercings. Regardless of motive, tattooing and piercing is a very personal choice. Information in this FAQ should help you make a wiser decision about getting inked, since the reversing process is not easy, or getting piercing.

DOES IT HURT ?
This is the first question in this FAQ because it's usually the first question that people ask. The answer is yes. Having needles pierce your skin does hurt. But what you really want to know is, "How MUCH does it hurt, and can I handle it ? "It's not nearly as bad as what you might imagine. The pain comes from the cluster of needles on the tattooing machine piercing your skin very rapidly. This sensation, however, doesn't feel like the poking pain of an injection--it's more of a constant vibration. You will be amazed at how quickly your body releases endorphins, (pain killers), which dullens the pain significantly. The pain will also vary according to where on your body you get worked on. Skin right above bones (collarbone, anklebone, etc.) tend to be more painful than other areas. In addition, certain types of needles seem to hurt more than others. Remember, you are volunteering for the experience. The amount of pain will depend on your psychological attitude.

NOTE : Do not drink alcohol or take illegal drugs for pain relief purposes prior to your tattoo sessions. Both aspirin and alcohol thin your blood and promote excessive bleeding. Aspirin also decreases the clotting of blood, which will slow down your healing as well. In addition, artists do not appreciate dealing with drunks and is illegal in many states.

WHAT'S THE SCOOP ON TATTOO PAIN ?
Though most artists will tell you that the pain of a tattoo is no greater than that of a sunburn or a bee sting, I’m highly sympathetic to the whiners: sunburns and bee stings hurt!!
The most painful places on the body to get a tattoo according to reader polls:
18% Genitalia
13% Ankles
10% Lower Back
9% Feet
7% Lower Legs
5% Chest
5% Ribs (Sides)
5% Upper Legs
5% Hands
5% Face
4% Forearms
3% Upper Arms
3% Wrists
3% Upper Back
3% Rear End
2% Stomach
One artist says that the most painful parts of the body are the neck, thighs, and backs of the arms.
Another source reiterates the sunburn and bee sting motif, but allows that the elbows, knees and armpits are fairly touchy…
A third classifies the pain gradient by gender, saying that the most painful spots for men are the abdomen, spine and chest, while for a woman it’s the ankle, spine and ribcage.

SHOULD I GET A TATTOO IN THE FIRST PLACE ?
Your reading this may mean you're already interested in getting a tattoo, or may know someone who is. In a survey of 163 tattooed men and women, a third of them had regretted their tattoos! While most of this FAQ discusses the process once you've decided to get one, let's pause for a moment.

WHY DO I WANT ONE ?
People get tattoos for different reasons. Is it to please your partner ? Is it because you want to belong to a group that has tattoos ? Do you identify with a certain subculture known for tattoos ? Do you want to show your independence, individuality or uniqueness ? These are all valid reasons, and why many people get tattooed.

GETTING IT REMOVED is NOT easy, and is NOT cheap. Expect to pay $1,000 to remove even a fairly small-sized tattoo if you're looking at laser surgery. Expect to have a noticeable ugly scar if you go with a non-laser technique. Expect to pay for every penny out of your own pocket because health insurance companies will not pay for tattoo removal. There may not be a laser surgery specialist in your area. Then think of all those laser-surgery doctors who are going to get rich off of a person's foolishness or lack of careful thinking.
...Maybe tattooing isn't for you.
...Maybe you shouldn't get that $10 tattoo your friend's been telling you he'll give you, in his garage.
...Maybe you shouldn't let your buddies tattoo your hand with India Ink and a needle at this weekend's party.
...Maybe you should get a tattoo on your back instead of on your hand.
...Maybe you should get a tattoo on your left wrist so it can be covered by your watch if you have to...
...And maybe after reading this FAQ, you'll think carefully about it, and make some informed, wise decisions about what to do with your body.
Tattooing can be beautiful.
Tattooing can be exhilarating.
Tattooing can open a whole new world for you... but make sure to do it RIGHT.

WHAT TO LOOK FOR IN A PIERCER?
Consider first visiting the studio without intending to get pierced so that you are not under pressure or too nervous to be aware of the quality of the services. The best way to judge a piercer is to look at his/her work. If possible, talk to customers about their experiences. Ask to see a portfolio, specifically photographs of the piercing you are interested in and preferably photos of successfully healed piercings. While attendance of a piercer training seminar or class should be considered an advantage, it does not guarantee a piercer's level of skill or experience. Ideally, a training seminar serves as a well-rounded introduction to safe and responsible piercing. The facility should be clean, orderly, and well-lit. All Instruments utilized during the procedure should be sterile. Disposable items such as gloves, needle, cork, towels, cotton swabs, and gauze pads should all be new and sterilized if possible.
The piercer should answer any questions before and after the piercing is performed. You should feel comfortable and at ease, not rushed. The piercer should review the piercing procedure and give both oral and written aftercare instructions. S/he should discuss the risks and possible complications associated with the piercing, which may include infection, migration or rejection, scarring, allergy or sensitivity to the jewelry, allergy or sensitivity to the aftercare products, and suggest a course of action in case a problem does occur.
A responsible piercing studio will require that you complete a waiver form which describes the limits of piercer liability as well as what you should expect before, during and after the piercing procedure. The waiver serves to protect both the piercer and customer. It is your responsibility to inform the piercer of any medical conditions which may be exacerbated by the piercing procedure or of conditions which may interfere with the healing process.
The piercer should practice aseptic technique which includes appropriate sterilization of instruments and jewelry, disinfection of surfaces, and avoiding cross-contamination.
Every instrument which comes into contact with your body or with the jewelry should come from sealed sterilization packets with sterilization indicators. The needle and jewelry should remain in sterilization packets until they are used. Jewelry, as it is received from the manufacturer, should be assumed to be non-sterile. Ideally, the jewelry should be sterilized in individual autoclave packages which are opened in front of the customer so that there is no question that the jewelry has been sterilized. Jewelry which has been bulk sterilized must be stored and handled responsibly. Jewelry which has been stored in a display case or handled with bare hands should be re-sterilized. Jewelry which has previously been worn should be sterilized.
The piercer should wear new, disposable gloves throughout the procedure and should change gloves when appropriate to avoid cross contamination. Cross contamination occurs when a clean or sterile item comes into contact with a contaminated item. Cross contamination also occurs when a clean or sterile item is handled with contaminated gloves or gloves that have been worn to handle contaminated items. To prevent cross contamination of sterile instruments during the piercing procedure, the piercer should change gloves if s/he touches anything that is non-sterile or unsuitably contaminated (ie. handled with bare hands or used instruments that have not been sterilized). After the piercer completes the piercing procedure, s/he should change gloves before handling items that will not be disposed of or autoclaved.

ASSESSING ANATOMY AND SELECTING JEWELRY
Because everyone is built differently, not everyone is anatomically suited for every piercing. Certain daily activities and sports can prolong healing or prohibit certain piercings. An experienced piercer will be able to ascertain if the piercing is likely to be successful. A piercing should not be attempted if there is not enough tissue to support the piercing. Piercings made in flat areas often migrate or reject (grow-out). The optimum area to be pierced is one in which the piercing will be perpendicular to the tissue, like an earlobe piercing. Wearing jewelry of an appropriate metal, design, and dimensions (gauge and diameter) is important for a successful piercing.
Jewelry that is too thin in gauge is more easily rejected by the body. Wearing jewelry that is too thin increases the risk of the piercing being torn if the jewelry gets caught or pulled. Wearing jewelry that is too thick and heavy may cause the piercing to migrate or reject. The jewelry must not be so thick that the strength of the tissue is compromised. The diameter or length of the jewelry must be chosen carefully. The jewelry should be chosen after the piercing is measured. Some piercings tend to swell during the healing period.
Wearing jewelry that is too small in diameter or length will constrict the piercing and cause the piercing to migrate and scar. The jewelry should be new and should be polished to a mirror-like shine, regardless of the type of metal. Used jewelry has minute scratches which can irritate a new piercing and trap bacteria. Oral jewelry is often scratched even after only a short time of wear. Oral jewelry collects plaque which is very difficult to thoroughly remove.