The LST Tattoo Advice Commandments:

[Pugilist 386]

Browsing around the board just now, I was struck by how often folks asking questions about tattoos they want to get or tattoos they have gotten end up getting similar responses, as their issues often correspond to a fairly narrow set that come up again and again. I thought it could be cool to have a thread where we list our generally accepted "tattoo advice" and wisdom in one centralized location. We could point people to it when appropriate.

For example:

1. Thou shalt never haggle in a tattoo shop.

2. Thou shalt not try to force a tattooer to tattoo an exact replica of an image you've brought in. If you are going to a skilled tattooer, you will always be better off letting them turn your idea into an actual tattoo design that will work for this medium.

3. Thou shalt consult with your tattooer for questions re: design, sizing, placement, ideas, aftercare instructions and any touch-ups.

4. Thou shalt not stress about how your new tattoo looks until it is fully healed.

5. Thou shalt accept that flaking, scabbing, swelling, itching, and a whole bunch of other uncomfortable stuff is all totally normal when healing a tattoo. Thou shalt only be concerned if it doesn't get better after weeks, or if it smells or looks infected.

Next?

[kylegrey 61]

6- Thou must act on good advice , especially if they have committed to starting a thread , and get tattooed .

[hogg 983]

7. Thou shalt not be a Plainskin and rack up countless posts on LST.

[CultExciter 505]

8. Thou shalt not get a Juggalo tattoo unless done from the Hatchet Man flash at Smith Street.

[MGblues 102]

9. Thou shalt not Freak The Fuck Out if you get a microscopic pimple on your new tattoo.

[Dan S 42]

10. Thou SHALT freak the fuck out if you get a microscopic tattoo on your pimple.

11. Thou shalt not EVER get tattooed by a friend of a friend in his kitchen, motel room, truckstop, etc. Use ONLY reputable tattooers working in actual shops.

[Graeme 2,588]

8. Thou shalt not get a Juggalo tattoo unless done from the Hatchet Man flash at Smith Street.

8.1 Thou shalt not google "Hatchet Man flash" hoping to get a glimpse of the aforementioned Smith Street sheet because you know very well that shit is not on the Internet and you are going to be upset with what you do find.

[else 21]

8.1 Thou shalt not google "Hatchet Man flash" hoping to get a glimpse of the aforementioned Smith Street sheet because you know very well that shit is not on the Internet and you are going to be upset with what you do find.

Well now I'm dying of curiosity! resisting so far...

[Dan S 42]

Hatchet man flash...for those who suffer from CWB syndrome.

[Steve 235]

Lol. Loving this thread. @Pugilist you read our mind. We will post an uber faq in a prominent location. Keep the commandments coming!

[Dhopper 5]

Damn I broke like half of these commandments!

12. If you hold your breath, you will be laughed at if you pass out.

13. It is your tattoo not someone else's! Do not be talked into a tattoo because it would look cool or you want it because Kat Von D is the greatest and she must be the best portrait tattoo artist!

[MGblues 102]

@Dan S

11.1 Never trade booze for tattoos.

- - - Updated - - -

14. Give it a year, you'll look like you were born with it. :)

14.1 Give it a year, you'll look like you were deformed with it. :(

[Graeme 2,588]

Well now I'm dying of curiosity! resisting so far...

It just leads to a black hole of shitty tattoos, really not worth the effort.

[Jack 8]

Thou shalt not forego outlining

Thou shalt not ask endless questions of this community

Thou shalt look badass and intimidate the uninitiated.

[MadeIndelible 122]

Thou shalt do thine homework before asking questions that have been asked a million times.

[slayer9019 56]

Thou shall use the search bar before starting a thread

[fourtotheflush 2]

This should become a sticky!

[kylegrey 61]

Thou shalt not wear Daisy Dukes in their profile pics nor other inciting garb .

[tatB 902]

Thou shalt get good tattoos.

[Hogrider 1,488]

Thou shalt not wear Daisy Dukes in their profile pics nor other inciting garb .

This commandment shall only apply to men. Verily, hot women shall ignore it.

[kylegrey 61]

This commandment shall only apply to men. Verily, hot women shall ignore it.

I love me some Daisy Dukes as much as any self-respecting 90's bodybuilder , it was a Bubbleberry reference ha .

[hogg 983]

11. Thou shalt not EVER get tattooed by a friend of a friend in his kitchen, motel room, truckstop, etc. Use ONLY reputable tattooers working in actual shops.

I got tattooed in a motel, but it was by Rollo, and I got tattooed in a bedroom by a semi-reputable tattooer. Forgive me, @Dan S, for I have sinned.

(I also got tattooed in a museum once.)

[Pugilist 386]

Twenty Hail Rollos for you, @hogg

[Dan S 42]

I got tattooed in a motel, but it was by Rollo, and I got tattooed in a bedroom by a semi-reputable tattooer. Forgive me, @Dan S, for I have sinned.

(I also got tattooed in a museum once.)

Hey, as long as it wasn't by a "friend of a friend", and you didn't have to put out!

[reverend1 21]

Thou shalt not wear Daisy Dukes in their profile pics nor other inciting garb .

Wait a second, I hope this rule only applies to men.