When you decide on getting a tattoo and piercing, there is usually a lot of thought that can go into the process. However, sometimes it can be a spur-of-the-moment decision and a walk-in flash sale, that motivates you to get a tattoo or piercing.
Yet, tattoos and piercings are permanent modifications that you are getting done to your body, so you need to be 100% sure about those body modifications, before you get them.
Tattoos and piercings have definitely gotten more popular in recent times, but we need to remember that there is a lot of cultural significance attached to certain practices and designs. Don’t be afraid to look up the piercings and tattoo designs that you want, the meanings behind them, as well as common healing and aftercare actions you need to take.
Coordinating tattoos and piercings
Why do people get tattoos and piercings?
There are several reasons why people can decide to get a body modification in the form of a tattoo or piercing – and almost every reason is valid.
Most commonly, it is because they like the way it looks. For others, it may be because of their lifestyle – which is a common theme in alternative sub-cultures – like punks and metal-heads. It is common to see people in these sub-cultures sport copious amounts of tattoos and piercings.
Another great reason why people are opting to get body modifications, is because it is a way to reclaim their heritage. There has been a resurgence of people reconnecting with their roots and collecting tattoos or piercings, as a way to honor their culture.
Tattoo Ideas that you can use
Because tattoos are practically non-removable, except in the instances of cover-ups or laser treatments, you should be absolutely sure that you love the design that you pick out, before you get tattooed.
When looking for options for your next tattoo, the potential art that you can have inked is endless. Imagery aside, there are so many styles and colors that you can choose from to help bring your idea to life – from traditional black and grey, Irezumi-styled tattoos, realism, and watercolor to tribal-inspired geometric patterns.
When you decide on a design, it would be best to choose an artist that specializes in that specific art style. You will find artists whose catalog is filled with color realism portraits, while others have a particular affinity for elaborate Japanese folklore-styled pieces or blackwork.
When you get inspiration or an idea, you need to be open to the artist putting their own spin on the piece, that is in line with their signature style – a lot of artists will refuse to replicate a piece done by another artist, as a sign of respect.
You also need to respect the tattooist and their craft. And if you’re not pleased with how a design turns out, you need to let them know before they start tattooing it onto you. This is so that they can make changes to suite your preference. And you should always follow proper tattoo shop etiquette when you’re interacting with artists.
Different types of piercings
While piercings are also considered to be permanent, you can change them up whenever you want to – yet you can even remove your jewelry and allow the piercing to close up. You can change up your piercings to match your tattoo style and emphasize it if you want to – your options with piercings are wide.
The ear is the most common area to get pierced. The lobe, the upper cartilage, and the entire shell of the ear are fair game, when it comes to being pierced. With the ears, you can also stretch the earring hole to fit jewelry known as gauges – the best part of this is that you can sometimes thread earrings through the gauge jewelry.
The second most common area to get pierced is the nose. Here you can pierce one or both nostrils, the septum, and the bridge of the nose. Other facial piercings include the eyebrow, the lip area, the tongue, the frenulum, medusa, and even through the flesh of your cheeks.
The rest of the body is fair game too, you can get your nipples, genitals, or your bellybutton pierced. If you want to be a bit more risqué, you can get dermal piercings – which are piercings with no exit hole and are under the surface of the skin.
Insider tip: If you’re worried about the pain involved, you can get a numbing cream.
The research you need to do
As soon as you decide on what piercing or tattoo you want to get, you need to start researching it thoroughly. The first point of research would be to look up the modification you want, the pain levels attached to it and the numbing creams available, aftercare practices, and the healing time. Also, look up other people’s experiences with the modification you want and how they handled the process and healing.
Following this, your second point of research would be to look at the various studios that do the tattoo or piercing that you want to get. Look up artists, research your preferred artist and their work, and read the reviews from their previous customers. Check out their social media pages, and see what people have to say about their customer service. It will give you a better idea of who you will be working with!
At the appointment
When you make your first appointment, you can chat with the tattoo artist or piercer about any questions you have regarding the process, they will be more than happy to answer your questions and give you personalized advice.
Don’t be scared to voice out concerns that you have, because at the end of the day, you are making changes to your body, and they will want you to be absolutely satisfied with the outcome of the process.
If it will make you feel more secure, you can visit the studio ahead of time to chat with the artists and piercers. Making a preliminary visit before your appointment, will give you a better gauge and understanding of how the shop operates.
The bottom line
Getting a piercing or a tattoo is a big decision, and you need to be sure of what you’re planning on getting, as they will be a lasting addition to your body artwork.
Do a lot of research beforehand – regarding the piercing or tattoo that you want, about the process and make sure that you understand what to expect. You can even research the practitioner who will be doing your piercing or tattoo.
Once you are sure about what you want and your expectations, you can then make your appointment and get your new modification.
