Does it hurt?
  
Yes it does, some areas are more tender than others are. Your inner arms, ribcage, and stomach are some of the tender spots. Everybody interprets pain differently, most say that it is more annoying than anything. The first minute or two will be more intense until your endorphins (natural painkillers) kick in. You can expect more pain towards the end of your tattoo also, as your skin becomes more irritated. After the procedure is done, you should expect little to no pain. The area may feel tight, and you could also experience a slight burning sensation for few hours afterwards. A little pain for a lifetime of beauty, you will find that after you see your new piece of skin art, you will forget all about the pain.

How much does it cost?

The pricing on tattooing varies from artist to artist and from shop to shop. The going rate in the tattoo world is $100-$250 an hour. Some of you are probably thinking, "that is very expensive." Consider this, what you are paying for is artwork that is going to be on your body for the rest of your life. Finding a bargain should not be your top priority. Finding a quality, custom artist who has good sterilization methods should be. Some artists charge by the piece, which means they charge by the size, detail, and placement of the tattoo. Not for how long it takes them to do it. Discounted rates on larger work are common, ask your artist. Do not haggle your artist on his or her pricing; a good artist knows what their work is worth. Neither you nor your artist will have a good experience from haggling. Also, it is generally considered insulting to the artist. You will always pay more for quality work, and having an insulted artist work on you is usually not a good idea. Do your homework to find the artists or shop right for you, and ALWAYS look at portfolios. Also it is a good idea to ask an artist for references, or ask people around town about the best place to get tattooed.

If I gain or lose weight, will it affect my tattoo?

Not usually, if you gain weight your tattoo will look smaller due to larger surface area. Stretch marks can be damaging to a tattoo, but repairs usually can be done. If you lose weight, your tattoo will shrink with your body. If you get a design that completely fits and flows with the body part your putting it on, your tattoo will likely look good no matter what size you are.

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