Other people haven't got a clue as to what they want, they just want a tat. But, just popping into a tattoo parlor and asking them to just give you a tat will get you something you may regret. A tattoo is supposed to be personal, it's probably going to be on your body for the rest of your life and will have to stand the test of time. The choice of tattoo is an important decision that shouldn't be taken lightly. It's best to take some time and really think about what you want.

Most tattoo studios have huge collections of tattoo artwork known as "flash" on their walls and in portfolios. There can be hundreds or thousands of these images, depending on the parlor. Some of this artwork is original, created by the artists that work for the parlor. Mostly, the flash you'll see on the walls has been around for decades and not all that unique. As a budding rock star, this is probably not what you'll want your tat based on.

Personalality and lifestyle usually dictates the style of tattoo a person gets. There are die hard old-school individuals. These guys prefer the pin-up girl, American flag and the heart with "Mother" on it tattoos. These are the kinds of tats that sailors are so well known for. They bring up images of rough men, loose women, booze and smokey bars. These tattoos also seem to fit well with the heavy-metal crowd.

Tribal designs are currently some of the most popular styles of tattoos. They've managed to make their way across nearly all segments of the population. These often consist of curved lines, points, dots and other geometrically aligned elements. Tribal designs often hold significant meaning for the individual whether in a religious or social context. Typically, tribal tattoos are done in all black but not always. Where color is incorporated, black is often still the dominate color.

Celtic designs as well as Japanese and Chinese symbols have also become quite popular among the tattood masses. Similar in feel to the tribal designs, these symbolic images hold special meaning. Social and personal statements and words such as "love" or the name of a loved one are popular choices in this style of tattooing.

When choosing a tattoo design, it's important to keep some basic stuff in mind. First of all, where will this tattoo be going? Consider what impression you want to make on the world. Some designs may be best in a place that can be covered with clothing, while others are totally appropriate for anyone to see. It's really all about the individual and his or her lifestyle. Some people work in restrictive environments where tattoos can't be shown. If you're one of these people, getting a tattoo on your face, arm or hands could get you fired from your day job. Losing your source of income could really hurt you if you're still on your way to fame and fortune.

Once you've found the perfect design for your new tattoo, get the best tattooist you can afford to do the work. Never have a tattoo done by anyone that's not qualified. Having an amateur or second-rate tattoo done could be more than just embarrassing, it could kill you. Don't risk your health, only use tattoo artists that use new, sterilized needles and the proper equipment.

Believe it or not, the time of day you get your tattoo done is very important. Set your appointment with the tattooist as early as possible. In busy studios, your artist will work long hours. Just like anybody else, they get more tired throughout their shift. Although they can still put out quality work by the end of the day, they'll be fresher earlier on and their work will be that much better.

Once you've gotten your new tat, take good care of it. Don't soak it in water or expose it to the sun for the first few days. Keep it moisturized by using vaseline or whatever your tattoo artist recommends. It'll itch a bit as the skin starts to heal, but don't scratch it whatever you do. The ink is so close to the surface of your skin in those first few days that you can literally ruin the tat.

People that have the misfortune of getting a bad tattoo only have a few options. First, like alot of people do, they can live with it. Even if it's not a great tat, it still tells the story of the experience. Tattoos can also be removed with lasers. Having a tattoo removed by laser can be painful and expensive though. The tattoo can be covered with a new tat.

The problem here is that cover-ups often don't totally hide a bad tattoo. I've also seen signs over hatchets in tattoo parlors offering "instant tattoo removal" services. Tattoos were considered that permanant years ago.

Whether you choose an arm band tattoo, a pretty butterlfy tattoo, an old-school design or a tribal tattoo, choose wisely. Getting inked is a form of personal expression. Pick the imagery you add to your body with great care and you'll be happy with it for the rest of your life. And, if you're like alot of tattood folks out there, you'll be inked over and over again.