Last week I got my first tattoo, a simple bible verse reference on my forearm. It took me approximately two years to finally commit to putting ink on my skin. I was afraid of the permanency and the pain for the most part because I had my design in mind for quite a while. I had already gotten piercings and knew that I could handle that kind of pain, but unlike a tattoo, a piercing was done and over within a matter of seconds and I could be free of the piercing at any time by simply removing it. Despite being hesitant at first, I wouldn't give up my tattoo any day. Following are three top tips for when you decide to go get inked.

1. Research, research, research

Tattoos are permanent. Do not go into a tattoo parlor without an idea of what you want to get or where you want it placed. Be sure that your design is something you can live with for the rest of your life.

Don't go into a tattoo parlor without researching the establishment and the artists. You wouldn't let just anyone perform a medical procedure on you? Why would you let someone you don't know permanently scar your skin? It is important to know your shop and artist not only for comfort's sake but make sure they have had all the proper training and licensing.

2. Cleanliness

Not only do you want your artist to have proper training, you want the shop to be clean. Tattoos are essentially open wounds and being in a dirty shop can just lead to disaster. Make sure that the shop is clean and that the artist is using new needles, ink, and gloves and that everything has been sanitized.

Also, don't go in without showering; dirty skin isn't good for tattoos or the nose. You don't want anything to distract your artist, especially body odor.

3. Take care

As I said above, a tattoo is a wound. You need to take care of it (per your artist's instructions) just like you would a regular injury. Listen to what your artist tells you to do, and follow it. Even then sometimes an infection can set it, in that case, go to your doctor or tattoo artist to figure out next steps. Another thing to prevent any mishaps is to keep your hands (and anyone else's) off your tattoo; germy hands = infection.

Once you finally get your tattoo, enjoy it! Show it off to everyone and be proud of the new artwork you have acquired, soon you'll be going back for more.