Getting Tattoo On Your Back

By: Bella Woods

You?re getting a tattoo and it?s going to be your boy (or girl) friend?s name across your chest with hearts and birds. Stop right there! Let?s talk about how to choose a tattoo you won?t regret.

That?s not necessarily a bad thing. Men and women alike also get tattoos on other parts of their back - and even the lower neck - and adventurous tattoo collectors sometimes have their entire backs covered with anything from intricate murals to flowers swirling in the wind to skulls spitting blood.

Back tattoos are interesting because the wearer seldom sees the tattoo ? they might be meant for others to view at the beach! Or, the wearer wants a back tattoo for personal reasons, like the tattoo is very large and needs lots of space.

1.) Why am I getting a tattoo? Is it self-expression, marking an important life milestone or turning point, paying tribute to an important element in your life (perhaps your love of antique cars or cats)?

Maybe you do love someone and you want them to see that in a very permanent way. Most agree that it?s fine to have the names of children, grandkids, parents, etc. But most also agree that tattooing the name of your one true love (Michael Forever) might be a problem if your one true love turns out not to be.

If you?re getting a tattoo because all of your friends are doing it, please reconsider. The only reason anyone should get a tattoo is because they want a tattoo. If you want to get a tattoo as a personal challenge or something new and different, that?s okay, too. Just choose the tattoo design carefully.

Most people report that there?s more pain associated with getting a tattoo closer to your spine. Just keep it in mind - no tattoo is completely painless, but some are more painful than others, depending on the area.

If you?re a woman looking to get a lower back tattoo, consider originality. You may want to do something a tad different than what?s so common today. It doesn?t have to be a semi-tribal, semi- ornate swirling thing that extends from your spine in both directions. Consider your own personality and let it shine through.

If you?re an athlete and want a tattoo of the Olympic Symbol, that?s probably okay, too! You get the picture. If it?s important to get an insanely cool tattoo that everyone else will marvel at, go for it!

Over the years, the tattoo ends up looking quite misshapen and not terribly attractive due to the effects of time and the changes we?re all subject to as we get older. It?s not that you shouldn?t get one - just be aware of the fact that you will change physically and your tattoos have no choice but to go along for the ride.