Tattoo; Thoughts?
 

I know this isn't really directly related to weight loss, but I still wanted some people's opinions on it.

Now that I'm a bit more comfortable with my own skin, I was considering getting a small sort of wrist tattoo. I didn't want just any tattoo, either. It had to mean something to me, even as I grow old and I didn't want it to be distracting or anything.

Anyway, I'm really unsure about it, because it's my first tattoo. At first, I was completely against getting a tattoo, but now I would like to get at least one. I am, however, very worried that I might really dislike it as I grow older (I know my mind changed a lot).

Here's what it looks like (I drew it on myself, with a pen. :D ):

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b2.../Picture15.jpg

It's roughly around the size of a quarter and it's on the under side of my wrist. It's basically a medical cross, but it's suppose to represent it being intertwined in my personality for me to want to help others (Do you get the avatar now? It's a Plague doctor. Do you get it? Do you?! ) and also my healing and over coming my own problems. So, it means a lot to me, but I still have a lot of reservations about it... I've heard that wrist tattoos are also fairly painful and they're probably not the best choice for someone with their first tattoo, but I really wouldn't want to hide it. I don't think. Maybe some day I would? I don't know.

What do ya'll think?

I think in the next 15 or so years a LOT!!!! of people are going to REALLY regret the wrist tattoo fad.

I think the cross is a fantastic idea, but I'd definitely put it in a more forgiving spot.

I'm considering getting a silhouette of north and south america done in a two inch segment on the side of my ribs - also supposed to be a super painful spot, but more covered. But that's just me :)

Well, I totally regret my tattoo. I was 18, and can't wait to laser that thing off. I think the wrist tattoos are great for celebs because they can get away with anything and still get work, but the wrist, neck, face are all highly visible places. My opinion is if you are wanting to get a little crazy, get something pierced. I have done that several times, tongue, nose, and now dermal chest implants. I have never regretted a piercing because they are so temporary if you like them to be.

The design is not something that I, myself, would go for (I have a star of life on my left ankle...got it after I passed National Registry for EMT-I) but if it has significant meaning to you and you like it, go for it!!! And wrist tattoos are not bad at all. When it gets closer up towards your hand it is more painful than the rest of it, but it's not bad at all. Plus your design is very small...should be a short process. You can handle it, no problem.

There are times tatts are super popular..and then there are times they fall SO out of fashion. My thoughts are..DON'T DO IT!

lol i drew one on myself last night with a pen just to get the feel of having a permanent tatoo on me and i think it looks cool on me but i don't think i will like it in the future and something i wouldn't be able to erase if i got it, so if you really like yours maybe get it some where else that is concealable like on ur chest, back, leg... you don't want to regret it in the future especially when you say "even as I grow old and I didn't want it to be distracting or anything" and "I am, however, very worried that I might really dislike it as I grow older (I know my mind changed a lot)." You got to really think about this! anyways your post made me laugh cause i did the same thing with a pen last night
http://i418.photobucket.com/albums/p...cture001-1.jpg
boredom makes me do silly things :hug: gl on ur decision

i think the witch doctor would be a rad idea for a tattoo

Honestly I can't understand why anyone would want to put markings on their body. Why be a walking billboard.

i think the billboard analogy implies that people with tattoos are selling something, and that's obviously not the case. I think a better analogy would be a mural- i don't understand why anyone would want to be a blank wall.

Paramedic - if you are unsure I would say this - wait a year and if you still want it in a year, go get it.

I have 2 tattoos on my wrist (one on either wrist) (8 tats total) and did it before the fad. I do not regret either of them as they have a lot of meaning to me and people don't get them but none of my tattoos were for other people, it was for myself.

As far as covering it for work, it's something to think about. It really depends on what you are doing (as I don't know how they feel about paramedics having visible tattoos). If you have to cover it you have to cover it. It just depends on what lengths you're willing to go to.

:)

I also have 2 wrist tattoos, and got them before the 'fad'.... I guess I didn't know there was a fad. Haha. Anyways, I say go for it. I have tiny nautical stars... Anyways, I work in a business field and those are my only 'visible' tattoos.. I have had them for several years and changed jobs in my company a few times, going on a lot of interviews, and I've never had a problem. One of my very good friends works in a corporate field and has for several years. She recently got tattoos on the sides of her wrists.. She hasn't had any problems either.

And for what its worth, alllll of the emt/medics I know have visible tattoos that they don't cover for work. ;)

GL on your decision!!

Oh, I wanted to add that a LOT of people don't notice them. I've had them for almost 10 years, and had the same boss for 3. He noticed them last week.

And an FYI, sometimes I forget they are there and scare myself when I see them out of the corner of my eye. ;) Cause I'm a spaz. HA!

You sound really unsure. I agree with feral that you should sit on the idea before doing it. I also suggest it to not be a wrist tattoo if you are that concerned about disliking it when your older. A wrist tattoo you will always have to look at. My first tattoo is on my back shoulder, I only see it if I look in the mirror or if it makes it into a pictures, it was a great choice for me. But if you think about it for a while and you really want it on your wrist and you some to realize it will be less of a problem then you thought then go for it! I like the idea, and I love that the tattoo means something. My first one means something and I plan on having all of them mean something :3

I have a tat on both of my wrist, both my ankles the top of my r foot and the top of my left hand... I also have a wedding band tat so I don't have to wear a ring, I have metal allergies!! I love them.. I say decorate if you want to.. Idk about a cross that bulky and black, because... Tats fade and expand as they get older and if you got that particular tat in 10 years you might have a blob, depending on your skin and the artist!! In my opinion, finding a good artist is the MOST important part of the process.. I had the ones on my wrist and hand done by one guy, and they rubbed off like they were fake.... Then had to get them done again by someone else... Its been years and even though I tan they look like brand new!! If you know a good artist, take your vision in there and talk to them about it and see what they say, they KNOW, just like a hairdresser KNOWS what your hair can do, they KNOW about skin, ask them how it will age!!! I love tats, and if they didn't hurt so freakin bad, I would have more!!!

Good luck!! I hope this helps!!

I guess it just comes down to...do you think there is any chance you will regret it later? If your answer is yes or maybe, I would wait or just not do it.

Tattoos are becoming so popular...almost everyone has them now. And I think a lot of people are getting them because...almost everyone has them now. And that's a shame. It's a permanent addition to your body, to your skin. It shouldn't be done impulsively or just to be cool or get attention.

I have one tattoo and I might get one more, but I'm mulling it over. There is all the time in the world to get a tattoo, there's definitely no rush. I like the idea of waiting for a year and if you still want it, getting it. I also agree that maybe you should get it in a place where it can be more easily concealed. As popular as tattoos are, there are still certain situations where you might rather not have yours out in plain sight.

I also have a wrist tattoo (my only tattoo), but its something that I thought about for years and share the same tatoo with my sisters. I didn't know wrist tattoos were a fad either...

I dont regret mine, I actually forget I have it most times. Mine is on the inside of my inner wrist, which i think if you are going to get it there that is the place to get it. They are super easy to cover if needed with cute braclets and bangles as well if you have an event.

I say if its really meaningful and you would still want to see it on you when your 75 go right ahead and do it.

Also it wasn't too painful, just a feeling like your being stung by a bee with a little electricity going through it, (OK that might sound painful to some people :P )

I do that! If I have an event to go to where I think people might discriminate against me because of my tattoos, I just wear bangles.

My MIL (ugh) was horrified that I didn't want them to cover them up for my wedding.

Hahaa. :lol:

I have many, many tattoos and generally have to cover them up for work. I'm a pediatric clinical pharmacist and it can make parents uncomfortable (but kids usually love them since they're bright and colorful).

The ones on my arms/wrists get covered by my white coat and I have a massive collection of fun bracelets.

The wrist didn't really seem any worse than getting a tattoo anywhere else for me. However, I bleed a lot from tattoos and that one was the worst. You're also moving that area constantly, therefore scabbing can be an issue and you have to be careful about not pulling the ink out.

I think as far as the pain thing is concerned.. it varies from person to person. The one one my right wrist was slightly uncomfortable. My left I barely felt. I don't know if this has to do with the fact that I'm right handed or not.

I have heard some people that it didn't bother and others that said it was very painful.

The funny thing about tattoos is depending on where you get it, it may be the worst at the time, but then you'll get another and it blows it out of the water.

I have one on each wrist, on top of my foot, lower back, just below my neck, left shoulder, one on my chest over my heart and one across my chest (as you can see in my pic)... that one was DEF the worst by far. There is nothing quite like getting tatted over your sternum!

Wow, I wasn't expecting this many responses. Thanks for your input, guys.

I'm not too worried about it being a fad, or it being out of style or anything, but I don't really follow any trends (I'm sure I break them, all the time). I'm more of a tom-boyish girl, that does whatever makes me happy. And I liked the idea of having a wrist tattoo, as a constant reminder to myself. I actually didn't know it was a popular thing right now.

However, I do agree with most of you in that I should probably think on it for a long time, just to make extra sure. I think I'll think about it for at least half a year, to a year. I was kind of getting ready to jump the gun and just go get it, but I think it's a great idea to stop and think about it for a while .(seeing as I've only had this idea for a tattoo in my head for a couple of weeks now.)

On a side note; I'm not actually a doctor or anything. Paramedic was something of a nickname I got due to my caring nature. It was once my dream to be one, but I can't stand the sight of blood. Haha, sorry about the confusion.

Since when are wrist tattoos are a fad? I thought the last tattoo fad was the 'tramp stamp' haha.

I have 6 tattoos, I love them all. I work in a job that could care less if I get tattooed, but one day I might not be in a job like this. I got two lotuses tattooed on my forearms as a treat to myself for all the changes I made in my life. I like that it's on my forearms as if it needed to be covered, I could do so with three quarter sleeved shirts.

I would wait to get it until you are absolutely sure! And you may want to reconsider the placement as well. It took me many years to get the courage to just tattoo my forearms, haha. I also have the back of my legs tattooed, my ankle and the back of my neck. I plan on getting leg sleeves one day because it's not a very visible area.

I'll tell you one thing, that is one of the easiest areas to get tattooed, It feels so soft and gentle. At least that's what I thought :) Anything over bone seems to rattle me.

And one day, I plan on getting a tattoo on my lower back. I actually drew the picture for it over 6 years ago, and I'm not doing it because of some fad, but it's part of my future plan for how I want my body to look :)

I think it looks neat! I love that spot for a tattoo -- though I do not have one myself. I've gone the piercings route so far because I am a very fickle person. But I have 9 piercings and have not taken a single one out so far...

Anyway, I think you should draw it on your wrist every day for a month and see how you start to feel about it as time wears on. If you have a bit of hesitation, try a new design or a new location and repeat the process. Good luck!

Oh wow...blast from the past!!! I didn't know anybody actually had that impression about tattoos anymore. I thought that went out in the 90s. ;) Seriously, tattoos are widely accepted now. I work for the Sheriff's Department and there is NO policy against visible tattoos (however there is one against visible body piercings INCLUDING wearing clear retainers).

And, I should add, our sheriff is in his 70s!!!

Paramedic tattoos can be beautiful and very meaningful things. If it's something you can see yourself having be a part of your body for the rest of your life, literally, looking down at it when you're 85 saying "that's pretty cool" I say go for it! Just make sure you maintain it and get it touched up every 5-6 years. Good luck! Hope you get a design you can live with forever (or easily cover with something even awesomer)

:)

All I have to say is make sure it means something! I got 3 tattoos 16 years ago at the age of 16! I had just gotten a fake id and the first thing I wanted was tattoos. I picked my first one off of a wall and it is on the back of my calf, big black and red! It means nothing to me and I want it gone! It's not feminine looking by any means, which was cool back in the day because I was a hard core trench coat mafia wanna be drug addict. Or something like that. I was lost to say the least!

As for the pain, I've had one laser treatment so far on this tat to remove it. And the technician scared the crap out of me!!! I seriously thought I would not be able to tolerate the treatment just by how she described it and told me of other horror stories. I endured it no problem, yes it hurt like ****, yes it felt like my skin was smoldering off, but she didn't have to stop, not once. So don't let the fear of sensitivity scare you out of it.

Thanks for the continued input. :)

@Natasha

No offense to the poster, but I thought said post was a little silly as well... I can understand disliking tattoos that are completely meaningless to the person who gets them, but most people these days take time to think about what they want permanently put on their body (usually, anyway).

Anyway, I've also considered making the tattoo a fair amount smaller, as well. The original design wasn't too big to begin with, but it was still fairly noticeable. Maybe something around this size would be more suitable? I could still see it whenever I wanted and it would still be a reminder to myself, but it's not too noticeable. I don't know, I'm still pretty torn. That means more thinking time!

http://a5.vox.com/6a00d10a77f2188bfa...03a5000e-320pi

Here's my wrist tattoo. It's just a bit smaller than a dime. I've had them for 6.. or so years. I got one on each wrist. I lovelovelove them.

:)


http://i251.photobucket.com/albums/g...888187-1-1.jpg

Hate mine 16 years later. Big mistake!

I've had my oldest one for 11 and I don't regret it at all. In fact, I don't regret any of them. Nor do I regret my 21 piercings. That does seem like a lot, but it's normal looking, I tell you! ;)

Every single one of my tattoos mean something. The song lyric about forgetting pain after my mother's family abandoned my dad and I after she died. The cross for everyone having their own cross to bear, no matter what it is. The little hawaii that I got on Oahu on my honeymoon. The little star on my ankle with the halo above it, with my mom's birth date and death date. I have 8 total. All of them are near and dear to me, and they were all planned out, and I've never had a second thought about any of them. <3.

They make me happy every time I look at them. Sigh. Now I'm all warm and fuzzy!! :lol:

I LOVE my tattoos. The one on my wrist, an equal sign, is essentially supposed to be a billboard (stands for equality, obviously). It means a lot to me (my best friend and my cousin are gay, and equal rights for them and the rest of the LGBT community are extremely important to me), and I want people to see it.

Attachment 35800

Paramedic, Sorry in advance for this LONG response, but body art and tattoo discrimination are something I care a lot about.

I think you are very wise to give yourself time to think about it, but once you decide it's what YOU want, I wouldn't worry about the pain. Mine didn't hurt much more than my ankle one, and tattoo pain is a very different type of pain. You're watching art be put on your body, so any pain you might feel is overshadowed by the excitement. (Obviously there are places on your body where they undeniably HURT, but I don't know of anyone for whom the pain wasn't worth it).

As for the future, wrist tattoos are actually a lot less conspicuous than you might think, especially if you get it on the opposite wrist from the hand you write with. A watch, bracelet or some concealer could easily hide yours. I genuinely doubt I will ever want to hide mine because of my attachment to its meaning, but if I did want to, I could easily.

Fun fact about tattoo regret from a recent Harris poll: only 17% of tattooed people regret their tattoos. 63% of those people regret them because of some reason that could have been prevented (the artist did a bad job, they were drunk and got something they didn't want, they got someone's name, it got infected, it was a rash decision).

So essentially 6/100 people who think about their designs in advance (to avoid changing your mind later and avoid getting a design you don't really want), get it done by a quality artist (to prevent unclear lines, bad coloring, etc.) and take proper care after (to prevent infection, scarring, fading) will end up regretting their tattoos. And on top of all of that, more Republicans and/or southerners regret their tattoos than Democrats and/or northerners.

What/where is it? Why do you hate it?

:lol:

I was at 7-11 getting coffee the other morning and there was a cop getting coffee, too. He was sleeved on BOTH of his arms. It was interesting, intimidating, and bada$$ all at the same time! I don't think his dept minds.

I'm a bit of purist that way. I don't think I will ever get a tatoo unless it just struck me to do so one day. I admire them on others, especially musical ones and birds. Kinda into music and birds, though :lol:

A friend of mine, who used to be an officer, was sleeved on both arms and had tons of tattoos on his chest as well. Never affected his job performance and he as one of our most proactive officers.

I have wanted a wrist tattoo for a while, and I have 5 others.
I'm pretty happy with all my tattoos, I thought about them for a long time before going, but two I got when I was underage, so the workmanship disappoints me... especially on the one on my hip. He did such thick lines, and it's just... gross. The only way for me to fix it is to get a cover up, and I think that'll look worse on my hip.. but anywho.
I agree to really think about it, and try to draw it on for a while to make sure it's something you're gonna wanna see forever... or maybe in a different spot if that may not be the case. I love all my tattoos, but if I had to look at my "tramp stamp" (I was 15 when I got it.. cut me some slack!) everyday I'd go nuts.
I also cannot get a wrist tattoo after all, as well. I'm gonna be working in a hospital, and visible tattoos are not allowed :(
Although tattoos are widely way more acceptable now, there are still some places that don't allow them, so maybe look into that.

My first two tattoos are wrist tattoos and I regret them very much. Both of the symbols--and they are fairly intricate for wrist tattoos--look pretty and I get a lot of compliments, but wrist tattoos are absolutely nothing but trouble. People told me I would be able to hide them easily, but I can't. Mine are slightly larger than your design, but wrist tattoos are very visible. Everyone notices, and I would much rather have been able to hide them if I chose. Plus, because they are exposed to much more sun than a hidden tattoo, they have faded considerably, even though they were done by a very professional studio in San Francisco who I trusted and I protected them with plenty of sunblock. I won't laser them off because to me, a scar resembling a tattoo on my wrist is as bad as the tattoo itself, but I regret getting them there immensely. I love tattoos and will likely get more, but please do not consider getting wrist tattoos. Trust me!

My wrist tattoo doesn't get noticed any more than my others...and it is WAY easier to hide. None of my tattoos have faded much, but there's no difference between my wrist and ankle tattoos.

I'm extremely heavily tattooed, chest, sleeves, knuckles and all. I am also a registered nurse.

I think it is a shame that people look at tattooing as a "fad". Tattooing has been something that humans all over the world have done for thousands of years. It is not a fad, ultimately it comes down to the people who choose to get tattooed as to how they carry them for the rest of their lives. A lot of factors are involved, what you got tattooed, why, your mindset, etc... I find it very offensive that people refer to something that I have literally dedicated my life to carrying - as a "fad".

That being said - yes, tattooing WILL give you harder time with employment. Be sure to have a wide variety of clothing that can cover your tattoos for professional endeavors and make a point to be highly qualified for the job you are aiming for. You are not your tattoos, your tattoos do not define you - but people will judge you for them. You just have to make a point to rise above their judgments, to be the better person and be yet another person who is modified to change the stereotypes.

If you are feeling any twinge of uncertainty, don't do it *yet*. Eventually, if you decide to do it - spend a lot of time picking a studio and an artist. The more research you do, the happier you will be with your investment.

Tattooing is, in a lot of ways, a fad. It's something that a lot of people do, whether they will admit it or not, to be "cool" or "edgy" or get attention or to blend in with a certain crowd.

Tattooing has been around for thousands of years, but in the past, tattoos were much more symbolic...they had more to do with religion, culture, history, or life experience than vanity or just looking good. People were not getting dice and four leaf clovers and tramp stamps a thousand years ago...they just weren't. Those are the tattoos that make tattooing itself a fad. I would rather have my eyeball tattooed than get a lower back tattoo (no offense to anyone that has one) because COME ON...it's played out, it's unoriginal, it's tacky and meaningless (well, besides the obvious meaning of "hey, look at my a$$).

I love to see a tattoo that MEANS something. I hate to see a tattoo that is basically body clip-art. Why even bother?

I want a wrist tattoo sooo bad, but I have a system.

I have one tattoo, on my back, of a unicorn. Means a lot to me. I wanted it for 5 years, and I love it more and more every day (I'm odd). So now I want a moon/star on my inner wrist, but I'm waiting for 5 years to make sure that's really actually what I want. I go back and forth between the moon/star (for my mom) and a butterfly (for me). Maybe eventually I'll get both.

If it means something to you, go for it. I like your ideas, and I tend to go for more smaller than larger, but that's me.

Just my $0.02...

If you are in doubt about it, I would wait. I have nothing against tattoos (I have three myself) but I wouldn't rush into anything permanent. Since the idea to get a tattoo is a fairly new idea, I would wait until you get to your goal weight. If it's still something you want, go for it!


I don't think that something the size you're looking at will be too painful. The most painful one for me was on my back- the wrist was small and took about 20 minutes- not bad. Also, if it's something you want to cover for job interviews, etc.. you have the option of watches, bracelets, or long sleeves.

~Dagny