It's my 16th birthday! What type of tattoo should I get?

I was thinking of something kind of like this:

http://photo.platonoff.com/Nature/Our_Ga...



or this:

自然な美

(it means natural beauty in japanese)

It's my 16th birthday! What type of tattoo should I get?
Obviously, step 1 is having a parent/guardian to come with (if they're giving permission).



***Remember, any place that does not ask you for ID or is willing to give you a tattoo at 16 anyway is sketchy and you should NOT get tattooed there***



In all honesty, at 16 you really shouldn't be getting tattooed anyway. The problem with being 16 is that you will be changing your mind constantly, and you should never do something as permanent as a tattoo without 200% sure and having thought about what you want for AT LEAST a year.



As a recommendation (from experience and knowing as many people as I do in the field of body modification), your first tattoo should be something that means something to you (something symbolic to your life, a tribute to something significant in your past, etc.) I waited until I was 19 before I got my first and it represents something that has been a theme in my life and will always be. My husband is about 70% covered in ink and regrets some of the tattoos he got when he was your age.



I have a flower somewhat similar to yours but its about the size of a man's closed fist and its on my chest. Most shirts can hide it if need be.



One more pointer - you should probably get it on a part of your body that isn't too visible (hidden under average-day clothing), since you most likely don't know what field of work you're going to be involved in 10 years from now; just as a precaution. Oh yeah, and in a place where time won't do too much damage (your stomach if you plan on having kids, your boobs, and your butt)



Overall though, I'd recommend waiting a while before you make a major decision like getting a tattoo. Piercing is only as permanent as you want it to be, and if you wind up hating it tomorrow, you can take it out! Tattoo removal costs thousands of dollars and hurts like hell. Good luck and happy birthday!
Reply:Have to be 18 yrs. old.
Reply:16 is to young. Wait a couple more years.
Reply:you shouldn't get any tattoo until you're at least 25.

The folly of youth may be overcome by the wisdom of age by then.
Reply:How about a skull with snakes coming out of its eyes - right on your forearm, so it'll look like you did time. If you're going to mark yourself up, might as well do it in style.
Reply:your only 16 too young to get a real tattoo! you should try having a fake one in case you don't like it you wont have to experience the grueling pain in erasing that thing! that only an advise its still up to you if you will follow it or not, its still your life....
Reply:that would be cute in the japanese thing, or you should get a butterfly with a flower on your foot or something.
Reply:They both sound great! One reccomendation from me is to think of an interesting place to get it. There are way too many girls with ankle and lower back tatoos, it makes me crazy. Another thing is, you may want to put it on a place where clothes usually cover, but if you wear a revealing top you may be able to see it. Otherwise you could risk losing a lot of opportunities for careers, since some places may not want to hire a girl with a tattoo. It's not fair, but it's life.

Happy Birthday, BTW and good luck with you're tatoo!
Reply:happy birthday ! i like the flower ! (: it has really pretty colors
Reply:There are people who do tats with a vegeatble dye that lasts a long time. if you still like it in 6 months then get a permanent one.
Reply:Too bad you have to be 18 to get one!
Reply:i say dont get one,

dont mark up your body..

take a sticker, that sticks well.

you can make that sign,

or find a outline of a sticker.

go tanning and it will make a "fake tatoo".

my friend has a outline of a heart.

its been there for a while.
Reply:none! it makes a Lady look cheap! you will regret it later.
Reply:None....just think about it. A tattoo is permanent and you cant get rid of it no matter what and if you get that laser thing done...then you'll probably get cancer and when your old and wrinkly...you wont look as good.



BTW: happy sweet 16 sweetie!
Reply:The flower one looks nice.
Reply:u should get a red flower tattoo
Reply:Personally I wouldn't suggest you getting any tattoo especially at 16. Wait until you are older.Tattoos are forever and you may regret getting it put on even if it is pretty.

Also not everyone takes to them and I'm talking health wise such as infections or allergic reactions.

Give yourself time to think it over.
Reply:Oh god i never met any girl who didnt regret her tattoo that she got when she was under teh age of 25. DONT GET A TATTOO!! But it dosnt mater what anyone says your going to get one anyway because thats the way life works, you learn from your mistake and not others...sigh.....I hope you change your mind.
Reply:They are both beautiful. Happy Birthday!!!
Reply:What ever it is that you get make sure it's something that you can live with. I got a tattoo for my 15th birthday and now i deeply regret it. I hate it. I'm planning on getting it removed or covered up with something that I really like.
Reply:Get a teardrop because Ophelia in Shakespeare's play Hamlet died in a river in the midst of heartbreak and sorrow. This would be cool for you to connect yourself with the name as it is found in classical literature.
Reply:i don't want to sound mean or like your parents but maybe you shouldnt get one
Reply:I would recommend against getting a permanent tattoo. There are alternatives which could be changed in the future. Three things; first I know many situations where you may regret getting a tattoo. As an example, many jobs require no tattoos be visible at the workplace. I have even heard a friend who is a hiring manager say she automatically reject an applicant with a visible tattoo. Secondly, you may someday be attracted to of fall in love with someone who is very against tattoos. There are some older members of my family who left Germany in the late 40s with tattoos for a VERY different reason. They would be horrified if anyone of their offspring decided to get tattoos for fun. Finally, if you ever wanted to remove the tattoo for any reason the cost could be quite high. Imagine spending hundreds of dollars to get a tattoo and thousands to get it removed.



While lots of things seem cool to do while you are young, you don't have the ability right now to see (or care about) the long term.



Get a temporary tattoo for now and you also have the option to change and try different designs as well. Here are some places to start:



http://tattoos.lovetoknow.com/Temporary_...

http://www.temporarytattoos.com



Happy Birthday!
Reply:Don't get one at all!
Reply:Temporary! I was 32 when I got my 1st. Make sure it's something you want to look at the rest of your life.
Reply:why do you want a tattoo? it's just going to look gross when you get older. you shouldn't get one at all.
Reply:How about a tatoo of a circle about the size of a quarter using ink exactly the same color as your skin?
Reply:try getting a henna tattoo first of anything you like, just to make sure you can live with it. Go to a good tattoo artist also because remember that they last forever, and a good artist will give you something that will age gracefully. i personally like the flower ;)
Reply:None, tattoos are like Herpes, they last forever and no one should have get either one.
Reply:Your 16, you need to wait a few more years and think about it..

Im not just saying it to be mean either, Im 29 with 5 tatts..and one of them I got at your age and I am very unhappy with it now..



Just trying to advise you from my personal experiences
Reply:Here's a thought... be DIFFERENT.. be UNUSUAL... Be UNIQUE... In other words, be the only teenager that DOESN'T have a tattoo.