| Ankle tattoos are increasingly popular at the moment. | | | | even help to draw up a mind-map to really get your |
| 16% of all Americans over 18 have a tattoo. But | | | | brain going. |
| what do you need to consider before getting your | | | | 4. Finding the graphic. |
| ink done? | | | | There are several ways to go about choosing the |
| 1. First time? Start small. | | | | design. If you are not concerned with getting a |
| We live in a time where personality and customizing is | | | | tattoo that lots of people already own, go to google |
| increasingly important to establish yourself as an | | | | and type "xyz tattoo" into the image search and |
| individual and tv shows like LA Ink are proof of the | | | | replace xyz with whatever type of design you have |
| increasing popularity of getting permanent body art. | | | | chosen. Let's say I want a heart chakra tattoo, I |
| Ankle tattoos are especially popular because of their | | | | type "heart chakra tattoo" into google's image search |
| subtlety and finesse. This make ankle tattoos the | | | | and proceed to go through the pages of images of |
| most popular choice for "tattoo newbies". | | | | other peoples tattoos. If you are a bit more |
| You may not want your first tattoo to be some big | | | | concerned about getting a personal tattoo that few |
| bold statement and then later realize that you're just | | | | people already own there are tattoo collections |
| not the tattoo "type". So first of all, start small. | | | | available for purchase with thousands of different |
| 2. Can you handle the pain. | | | | tattoos you can choose from. |
| Okay, let's get real. Getting an ankle tattoo WILL | | | | 5. Getting personal. |
| hurt. All tattoos do. The most painful tattoos have | | | | Generally speaking, no matter what idea you end up |
| shown to be the spine, chest, inner thigh and | | | | choosing for your design... someone beat you to it. |
| generally places with sensitive skin or skin close to | | | | This is a good thing, we all share similar experiences |
| the bone. For some, the ankle will be one of those | | | | and we're social creatures. But if you are concerned |
| sensitive spots but thankfully ankle tattoos are | | | | with getting your design as personal as possible |
| usually very small and delicate. This means less time | | | | here's a trick. Do the google search as mentioned |
| to get the tattoo done, which translates to less pain | | | | above and look through the tattoo images. This will |
| time. If you are unsure if you can tolerate the pain, | | | | both spark creativity towards getting your own |
| get your local tattoo artist to try you out with a dry | | | | design AND it let's you see whats already been done. |
| tattoo gun (no ink) on the spot you want. The | | | | Take the ideas and do something different. Instant |
| sensation will be the same as getting the real deal. | | | | customized tattoo. |
| 3. Get the right design. | | | | Final thoughts. |
| Consider what you want your tattoo to convey. Are | | | | No matter if you choose to get a tattoo or not it is |
| you getting ink done to honor your body? Maybe | | | | important to do your homework. Tattoos hurt but |
| you have some kind of statement, spiritual of | | | | nothing hurts more than the regret of getting the |
| otherwise you want to convey? Some people do it | | | | wrong ink done. Be creative and get motivated and |
| to mark an event or just as a personal test of | | | | never get a tattoo done for anyone other than |
| boundaries and getting over fear. Whatever the case | | | | yourself. A tattoo is a sacred, personal thing. Good |
| may be find out the "why" before the "what". It may | | | | luck! |