The thought of getting a tattoo must have crossed your mind at some point in time. A small tattoo on the wrist for the dainty, a sleeve tattoo for the bold, a flower ankle tattoo, or a wolf tattoo on the leg; body art is a form of self-expression, an extension of your personality, your tastes and what defines you as a person.

However, the mere thought of etching a permanent drawing on your skin impedes you from dropping the hammer and booking that appointment there and then. Here's a guide to help you get your first tattoo with no regrets whatsoever. Time to wipe out those distressing and nerve-wrecking doubts once and for all!

1. What tattoo design should you get?

Choosing the design which will eternally grace your skin is a big deal, even though others may try to convince you otherwise. You may have had a design lurking in your mind for years, or maybe for just a couple of minutes.

Regardless of how meaningful or irrational tattoos may be, underlying each piece of body art is a unique story. It may hold a sentimental significance, or you may just find the design appealing. Whatever the reason, deciding on a design requires a lot of thought. Mull it over for a couple of weeks and even months, if necessary. If you don't backtrack on your tattoo idea during this contemplating period, pull the trigger and book that appointment.

Do keep in mind the following factors during this time:

• If you want a foreign tattoo quote, carry out professional checks with qualified translators.
• In the case of relationship or friendship quotes, don't rush! Relationships can end as swiftly as they started, so gauge the level of commitment.

2. How do you decide on tattoo placement?

Deciding on the position of your tattoo is no easy feat. Here are the primary factors you need to consider:

• Visibility: Do you want it to be noticeable, or would you prefer a less conspicuous area which can be covered easily for your first tattoo?
• Pain tolerance: Certain body parts can be more painful than others, so steer away from the head, face, hand, stomach, ribcage, foot, ankle, inner thigh, knee, butt cheeks, elbow and sternum. On the other hand, the shoulder blade, forearm and thigh are doable places for first tattoos.
• Field of work: In this time and age certain fields of work still frown upon body art, so before booking a full neck tattoo, consider what it might say about you in future positions.

3. What size should the tattoo be?

If you're a first-timer, best opt for a small tattoo before committing to a full back tattoo. This will give you the opportunity to evaluate your pain tolerance levels, whether you'd be willing to pay for larger designs, and to determine how comfortable you feel with permanent body art.

4. What tattoo style should you opt for?

Choosing a style boils down to taste, even though each style comes with its own pros and cons. Watercolour tattoos, for instance, are much more prone to fading than solid black tattoos. Skin colour should also be a determining factor as darker colours hold longer on dark skin. The style you opt for will eventually influence touch-up frequency.

5. How can you choose the best tattoo artist?

Akin to several fields of work, tattoo artists specialise in different styles. By leafing through their portfolios you can gauge which styles they pursue most, and thus, pick the best artist for your design. Refrain from choosing an artist according to the first availability in his schedule. It will be worth the wait and you'll be much happier with the end result.

Additionally, choose an artist who makes you feel comfortable. Engage in conversation, build a rapport beforehand, and determine whether you'll be comfortable speaking your mind about any uncertainties or queries you may have, even after you get inked.

6. What should you look out for when choosing a tattoo shop?

Choose a tattoo studio responsibly. What are its hygiene and safety practices? Does it dispose of needles, gloves, bandages and razors after use? Is the equipment sterilised properly? Is it licensed? Are you asked to sign a waiver in case of any allergies or medical conditions you may have? Does it look squeaky clean? How well-lit is the studio? Carry out the necessary research, review portfolios, certificates and its general reputation. Wherever you're not sure, don't hesitate to ask. Asking tattooed friends about their past experiences will also help.

7. What's the process of getting a tattoo?

You've chosen the design, placement, style, and the artist who'll execute your first tattoo. What's the next step? You go for a consultation. Whether you have a vague or precise idea, don't rely on verbal descriptions. Bring visuals or sketches to help your tattoo artist grasp what you have in mind. The more he has to work on, the higher the probability that he'll provide a satisfactory draft. Don't be afraid to speak up! Now's the time to share your thoughts and concerns with your tattoo artist. His proposal isn't set in stone and the design must ultimately please you. Apart from discussing size, design and position, make sure you inform your artist about any medical conditions you may suffer from. Also make sure you discuss pricing and timing.

8. How much will a tattoo cost you?

Tattoos are not cheap. They're permanent art pieces after all and it's not the time to be searching for the best deals around. You want an exceptional end-product and you must be willing to accept the price tag which comes with it. The larger and the more intricate the design is, the more costly it will be, and do keep in mind that artists may either charge per hour or per design. A tribal armband tattoo will cost more than a petite wrist tattoo, so do consider pricing when determining size.

9. When is the best time to get a tattoo?

Although you may be tempted to get a tattoo in the summer months when you'll be able to show it off to your friends, do refrain from doing so if you spend long hours in the sun and if you're an avid swimming fan. Autumn and winter are the recommended seasons for getting a tattoo. Why? The skin won't be exposed to a lot of elements and it would heal better in the colder months when the skin is resting from the sun, sweat and frequent visits to beaches and swimming pools. Thus, the risk of sunburns or infections is much lower in autumn and winter.

Do consider other factors when choosing the date and month for your tattoo appointment. Blood donation is only permissible 6 months after you get inked. If you're competing in several upcoming races or sports competitions, wait until they're over as sweat will affect the tattoo's healing process. Wish to hide a scar with a tattoo? Make sure it's been completely healed for a number of years.

Do book in advance as tattoo parlours are busy and their demands are high, so preferred slots may be filled up months in advance. If you have a larger tattoo, do keep in mind that you may require multiple sessions. On the day of the appointment, do free up the whole day.

10. How should you prepare yourself for the upcoming tattoo appointment?

• Eat and drink well
• Wear loose clothing which provides easy access to the tattoo area
• Stay away from the sun
• Sleep well
• Make sure your skin is in good shape
• Avoid alcohol intake, aspirin and other blood-thinning products
• Although it's natural to be anxious, do respect the time of your appointment and don't pull out at the last minute
• Establish which friend will accompany you for moral support. Don't take more than one or it will be distracting

11. What do you need to keep in mind on the day?

• If you're sick, don't go
• Take water and snacks with you
• Headphones may help you take your mind off the pain
• Eat a nutritional meal right before
• Take a shower
• There's no need to shave; the tattoo artist will shave the required area himself

12. Will the tattoo session hurt?

Fear of pain is one of the main concerns underlying the inking process. We won't lie. It does hurt, but it's tolerable enough. Otherwise tattoo parlours wouldn't have such packed schedules. Pain depends on a lot of factors: tattoo placement, size, level of detail, skin type, colour and personal pain tolerance. Here are some useful actions to keep in mind:

• Keep calm and breathe slowly throughout the session
• Engage in dialogue with a friend
• Move as little as possible
• Do ask for breaks if you feel you need a time-out, but don't interrupt too much or you'll disrupt your artist
• Use numbing creams (if allowed)
• Have a handy object to squeeze
• Find a comfy position
• Getting drunk beforehand will not help with the pain

13. Tattoo aftercare: the key to a long lifespan

The days following the tattoo session are crucial. The aftercare practices you adopt will determine whether it heals properly or not; it is an open wound after all. You should receive detailed aftercare instructions by the tattoo artist, and if you don't, make sure you ask for this vital information. Here are some general measures you should adopt to mitigate the risks of infection after your fresh tattoo is wrapped up in a protective dressing:

• Keep the bandage or wrap on for however long the artist instructs you to.
• Don't keep it on longer than necessary as it needs fresh air to heal.
• Remove dressing in a clean place, preferably at home.
• Wash gently with unscented soap and lukewarm water 3 times a day using just your hands.
• Pat dry using a clean paper towel or air dry; don't use towels or sponges as they harbour bacteria.
• When dry, put a tiny layer of antibacterial cream.
• Avoid immersion in water for long periods of time (long baths and showers, and beach and pool visits) until it heals.
• Use unscented moisturiser with a gentle formula regularly, especially when it feels itchy and dry.
• When fluid starts oozing out, dab with a paper towel.
• Don't distress if it scabs and peels- this is a natural part of the healing process. It's imperative you don't scratch or pick at it.
• Wear loose clothing as it needs as much oxygen as possible to heal.
• Avoid workouts and other strenuous physical activities; sweat may lead to infections.
• Stay away from the sun and don't use sunscreen while it's healing.
• Drink lots of water as skin needs to remain hydrated.
• Only shave after the area has healed entirely.

Visit a local pharmacy and sort out your aftercare products in advance. Also, in case irritating sensations prevail, seek professional medical attention immediately.

Feeling more confident in taking the plunge now? You'll still find valid reasons for not getting a tattoo, but do make a decision and refrain from leaving it hanging. Booking that tattoo you've been mulling over for ages is empowering, and if you keep in mind the above-mentioned factors, you can expect to be satisfied with the end-product. Who knows, maybe body art will become your new passion.

Explore the range of tattoo shops in Malta and Gozo and if worst comes to worst, check out the tattoo removal procedures and tattoo parlours offering tattoo cover-ups.

Keep on discovering local with Yellow.