Pros

There are many great reasons to get a tattoo. If you feel there are enough positives that go along with having a tattoo, then maybe getting inked is the way to go.

Artistic or Creative Expression

One of the best things about tattoos is that they can represent different things for different people. One person may get a tattoo because they like the artistry, while another may get a tattoo as a way to commemorate a loved one or significant event.

Regardless of your reason for getting a specific tattoo, it can be a great way to show the world and yourself just how important something or someone is to you. For many people, tattoos are a spiritual or psychological way to deal with an emotionally charged event.

You Can Make New Friends

Getting a tattoo is like getting entry into a secret club. People with tattoos often recognize something in one another that allows them to build lasting friendships. By going to tattoo conventions, you can also meet with other like-minded individuals and build friendships.

Tattoos Don’t Look That Bad as You Get Older

You’ll often hear people warn against getting a tattoo by saying that a tattoo won’t look as good once your body ages. While this may be true of tattoos in the past, more modern tattoos age pretty well. You’ll often find that a well-done tattoo stays the same as the years pass by.

Immune System Boost

While it’s not recommended to get a tattoo solely for the health benefits, some studies have shown that your immune system gets a boost when you get a tattoo. Your body builds up antibodies to fight the foreign substance. While you don’t actually get sick from the tattoo, your body has some extra immunity should you be exposed to something.

Cathartic

If you’ve gone through something emotionally draining, such as the death of a loved one or a personal trauma, getting a tattoo can be highly cathartic. Sometimes a tattoo can be a way to deal with the trauma and get some closure, so that you can move forward with your life.

You Have a Lot of Choices

When it comes to tattoos, the sky’s the limit. You can get a tattoo of almost anything, or any size, on pretty much part of your body. These choices can often offset some of the cons. For example, if you’re worried a tattoo may prevent you from getting specific jobs, you can choose to get a tattoo in a discreet location on your body.

Cons

Even if you feel confident in your decision to get a tattoo, it’s essential to weigh out the cons as well. All too often, people get a tattoo without fully thinking through the decision, only to regret it later. Carefully consider these cons before making your final decision.

Can Restrict Job Opportunities

While a tattoo isn’t really a determiner of one’s ability to do a particular job or even their morality, many employers may look at your tattoo and make assumptions about your character. Even though a tattoo has no bearing on a person’s ability to be a good employee, many employers are reluctant to hire someone with prominent tattoos. Other fields, such as the education field, prohibit tattoos altogether.

Tattoos Require Maintenance

While modern tattoos do age reasonably well, you’ll likely have to get it retouched as you get older and your body changes. The location of your tattoo will also play a role in how often you’ll have to get it retouched. This, of course, will come at a cost.

Potential for Disease

If you go to a licensed tattoo artist in an established tattoo parlor, your risk for illness is incredibly low. As long as a tattoo artist is following sanitation guidelines, you should be safe. However, if you go to someone who is less than reputable, you are putting yourself at risk of serious illness. While a distinguished tattoo artist will cost more, it’s well worth the peace of mind.

Permanent

Tattoos are permanent. If you’re on the fence about getting a tattoo, then you need to carefully think about if you’re making the right decision. A tattoo may seem perfect for you right now, yet you also need to ponder whether it’s something you’re going to want ten years from now and far into the future. Although you can remove a tattoo, the process is expensive and much more painful than the original inking.

Tattoos Require Care

When you get a tattoo, you should plan to prepare your body both before and after the inking. You’ll need to stay hydrated and get plenty of rest before the tattoo. Afterward, you’ll need to carefully follow that tattoo artist’s instructions to make sure the tattoo heals properly and doesn’t get infected.

People Will Ask Questions

For whatever reason, strangers sometimes think the presence of tattoos gives them a right to ask you lots of questions. They’ll want to know what the tattoo means, did it hurt, and more. Sometimes their questions can be personal. While these questions may not be enough to detract you from getting a tattoo, it’s good to be aware that this may happen, and it may influence tattoo placement.

Conclusion

Getting a tattoo can be a wonderful, positive experience, as long as you’re sure it’s the right decision for you. Be sure to carefully weigh the options listed above before making your final decision. 

Overall, many people decide to get a tattoo and some rush into it without considering the full consequences. It’s best to think through your decision and think about it for some time to make sure you are genuinely doing what you want.