Are There Tattoos You Shouldn’t Get?

Are there tattoos you shouldn’t get?

I have heard this question come up a time or two. Generally, I preach freedom, creativity, and expression when it comes to your body and tattoos, but there are a few things that I have thought about over the past year when it comes to tattoos you might want to shy away from.

(Caveat, when it comes to your artist)

Before I start, I want to say that not every artist will feel comfortable with every tattoo. There may be some subject matter (or part of the body) that your artist is sensitive to and may be unable or unwilling to tattoo. I want to encourage you to treat your artists with the same respect they treat you. We live in a vast, open world with different worldviews, opinions, preferences, ideas, and beliefs. There should always be space for understanding, grace, and mercy. If you consult with your artist and they cannot perform your tattoo, do not take it personally. It has much more to do with them than it has to do with you; be understanding and respectful if you are turned down. Most professional tattoo artists will be more than willing to recommend another equally qualified artist for you to work with.

Things to Consider (my personal opinion)

1. Hateful Tattoos

Most professional tattoo artists will be unwilling to tattoo a design that is inherently hateful, racist, bigoted, offensive, or highly culturally insensitive. Who wants to spend time tattooing negativity? We have enough negative junk in our lives, on the news, and social media. I don’t want it there, and I don’t want to spend my time on it.

2. Fad Tattoos

There will always be “popular”/”fad” tattoos. Think back to the 90s/00s! There were tribal tattoos, lower back tattoos, Chinese characters, barbed wire tattoos, and the cute mustache on the finger tattoo. Now I want to be clear, there is nothing at all “wrong” with any of these tattoos and if you have one, please do not feel any shame! That being said, I want to ensure that every client I tattoo is getting their tattoo because it is meaningful to them rather than because “everyone is doing it”! At the end of the day, it is your body and your tattoo; make it as unique and special as you are.

3. Amateur Tattoos

I spoke with two friends the other day who both received a tattoo from a random person who just happened to have a tattoo machine at a random party. I cannot express how dangerous this is! I get it; the lure of a FREE tattoo can almost be impossible to turn down, but please, for your health and safety and future, you politely decline. The two people that I was speaking with got their tattoos in an unsanitary environment, needles were shared (which can be deadly), and there was a total lack of aftercare. The one almost went to the doctor to get tested because she was scared of what she could have been exposed to. To top it off, the tattoos are ROUGH, and one person’s tattoo is incredibly severely scarred. Just say no and go to a professional.

4. Highly Visible Tattoos

I am covered with tattoos, including hand tattoos (so is my husband). I am no stranger to highly visible tattoos. I feel like I have some room to speak to this. I encourage you to take some time and carefully consider the placement of your tattoo. While laser tattoo removal has come a long way in recent years, some things can’t be undone. Having laser removal on your face, for example, will leave permanent scarring that cannot be avoided. While tattoos have continued to gain popularity and social acceptance, there is a reality where you may need to consider your future and what you want. Will the tattoo you receive potentially hinder your growth in a company or being chosen for a job? Take your time when considering where to place your tattoos, you can always get it next week, but once you have your tattoo it is there for life.

5. Eye Tattoos

Other than hateful and amateur tattoos, this is the category that I am probably most passionate about. Not that you are ready to go for an eye tattoo, but if you have ever considered it, take this as a sign. Eye tattoos should not be done (in my opinion). They are incredibly dangerous and irreversible. Their proximity to the brain leaves you very vulnerable to serious health concerns including, but not limited to, infection, blindness, and death. I know I am coming off strong and pretty doom and gloom, but seriously, don’t get an eye tattoo.

Conclusion

My list is not exhaustive, but I wanted to give you some things to consider when planning your next tattoo. I love tattoos! I make my living off of tattoos, but I also believe tattoos are a very serious commitment that should be taken seriously! Make wise choices, my friends!