I have a friend who has a LOT of tattoos. I talked to him endlessly when I was in the process of getting my first. He wrote a great post called Your First Tattoo.

I got my first tattoo about two years ago at the age of 38. It is a large dragon (western - with wings) custom designed to fit the small of my back. It's very personal to me and some of what I've been through over the years. Symbolic of both being a fighter and sexuality. Lower back is called "tramp stamp" after all. I won't ever regret it, and it's in a part of the body that can adjust pretty well to body changes and age.

Some of the things that I learned...
- "Flash" is what a tattoo from a the books is called.
- My personal feeling is that if you are getting a tattoo, then it should be something that nobody else can have - custom designed.
- You get what you pay for, and that makes a difference over time. Spend the money to do it right.
- Every artist is different and works at a different pace. Some work slow for a simple design. Some can do elaborate, large work in the same time period. Talk to them.

- It hurts like hell. I don't know much about the endorphin rush. The lower back hurts. I described it as needles of fire, and just when I thought that I had adjusted to one he would change it.

I absolutely love my dragon tattoo though. less

I want to get a tattoo, simple tribal wings on my shoulder blades; little ones, though. But my dad won't let me and because I live under his roof.... He says that basically tats on women are degrading. =/ And yet scarification and piercing was done hundreds of years before.... less

I used to want tattoos when I was in my early 20s. I remember reading someone said to live with your desired design in your head for at least a year to make sure you still want it once that year's up. I ultimately decided that I wasn't entirely comfortable with the permanency of tattoos. But I think I would do a memorial tattoo for a deceased loved one, and that would be the only time I'd have a name tattooed on me. less

Genitals, feet, hands, ribs and face hurt the worst. Pretty much in that order. I was a tattoo artist for years. I have somewhere around 20 tattoos, but I don't count them - as many are large. Some people count the hours they've spent being tattooed instead of pieces. I don't even want to try to figure that out! less

Wrists sting, but it's nothing compared to toes or fingers. It's a stinging, burning sensation - and if you can get through the first few minutes, you'll be fine. You do adjust to it, especially with small pieces. Well moisturized skin takes ink better. And, a little trick? Take Advil or Motrin about a half hour before you get tattooed. Ibuprofen helps with the sting and the minor swelling. less

Wrists sting, but it's nothing compared to toes or fingers. It's a stinging, burning sensation - and if you can get through the first few minutes, you'll be fine. You do adjust to it, especially with small pieces. Well moisturized skin takes ink better. And, a little trick? Take Advil or Motrin about a half hour before you get tattooed. Ibuprofen helps with the sting and the minor swelling. less

I was wondering what people think of tattoos. Since I was a teenager I've thought of getting a tattoo or a few tattoos, but I've never been absolutely sure I'd want any idea I've come up with. What do you all think of them?

Hot? Nasty? Only some are hot? Meaningful? Against your religion?

Do you have tattoos? What are they of? What do they mean?

What was your first tattoo? Why did you get it?

What about the really intense tattoos, like vagina/penis tattoos? They look so painful! Are they? What are your thoughts on those?

Any commentary about tattoos in general would be cool to read about!

Thanks! less