>My friend had a rose on her leg, got fat and it stretched, lost weight and it stayed...stretched lol poor girl it looks like a childs scribble...with thorns

Lol...a girl I work with had a dolphin on her stomach when she was 13   Obviously she has grown a bit since then and the dolphin now looks more like a whale :-D

I also want  a tattoo but do not know what I want ???

I want a Thistle or something Scottish, Paw prints, Hoof Prints, My childrens names. My OH's name ??, pics of my Dogs ,Cats, and Horses, Something to remember my Dad.  All done somewhere that can only be seen if I want it to be seen !!!
Any suggestions ????????

Think I will need to go and see Ami whats his name in Miami as he and his gang do fantastic Tattoos. What do you think he would make of my requests and where would he say I put It   ? LOL :)

I spent 16months having my tattoo lazered off. The pain made childbirth seem easy. My arm would be black from bruising after the first few sessions and the cost £1200.

Interesting why did you have it removed then ?

>I spent 16months having my tattoo lazered off

Excellent - someone who can speak straight from the horse's mouth, as it were. I'm sure that when you had your tattoo done you were 100% certain that it was exactly what you wanted forever. If you don't mind me asking, how long did you like it and what made you change your mind?

> also want  a tattoo but do not know what I want ???

I once read (on here, I think) someone saying that she had several tattoos, but she didn't rush into them. She'd decide exactly what design she wanted and whereabouts on her body, and write it down, with a drawing. Then she'd wait for two years. If at any time during that two years she changed even the tiniest part of the design, or moved it even slightly on her body, she'd restart the two year wait. She'd only get it done after two years of total satisfaction with the choice.

>I spent 16months having my tattoo lazered off.

Your a braver person than me! I went for 2 sessions,but I didn't have the guts to go back for more cos of the excruciating pain.

>The pain made childbirth seem easy

That's the exact same analogy I use when describing it,LOL

I had it done about twenty years ago before tattoos were fashionable.   At first I liked the attention it attracted as I felt like a rebel but then when i had my daughter I could see the other parents in the hospital looking at it and felt like they were judging me. It really started to effect my life. I wouldn't take my kids swimming and hated going abroad.

I kept it hidden for years and eventually found a company that would remove it.

My daughter has had two. I thought she might have learned from my mistake as she used to watch me having my laser treatment but no :-(

> My friend had a rose on her leg, got fat and it stretched, lost weight and it stayed...stretched lol poor girl it looks like a childs scribble...with thorns

sounds like she needs pruning a bit!Did your dad know that your mum was having hers done?what did he think when he saw it? the wizard bit sounds pretty good and with his face in too,now that's different.I don't really like the human face one's but your mum's sounds interesting-quite a talking point.I bet only you notice the mark your piercing has left.There's always concealer if you need it.

> I could see the other parents in the hospital looking at it and felt like they were judging me

That's the trouble isn't it?If you have them done because you think they're cool at the time-you're bound to regret it because one day opinion will change against it,or you'll grow out of the rebellious phase and there you are with a reminder you don't want.I'm glad you found a place to help you'a neighbour of mine had his removed but it took quite a while to get rid of,he's happier now.Really,it's one of those things that you have to look at as a lifetime choice,many people love theirs but many regret them bitterly,and can't afford the treatment to get them removed.

I don't think a tongue piercing is any less hygenic than piercings to other parts of the body, what made you say that? If you have good oral hygiene then there is no reason for a tongue stud to cause any problems. My tongue stud healed within about a week, my bellybutton however took about a year! If the stud is placed in the correct position then it should not touch your teeth (mine doesn't) and to be even more cautious there are a wide range of plastic balls to put on the ends just in case you do knock your teeth or bite down on it. Instead of breaking your teeth you break the plastic- something which hasn't happened to me thankfully. Most people don't even know I have mine as the balls on it are light pink and it does not make me speak with a lisp. I am dreading the day I have to take mine out (new job) as I am quite attached to having something in my mouth to move around.

IMO if people want to get tattoos and piercings, it's completely up to them and they either live with the enjoyment of having body art... or the regret of permanently ruining their body. It's not for everyone... and of course everyone is entitled to their opinion, but make sure you realise that you may be criticising a part of someone's appearance. For me it is like commenting on someone's weight or choice of haircut, easy to hurt feelings and offend.

Apparently Ami and the gang are NEVER in the shop.. it's just a bunch of randoms who work for him now! I have had a few friends get very disappointed when they turned up to find a huge waiting list and no Ami! :-O

> IMO if people want to get tattoos and piercings, it's completely up to them and they either live with the enjoyment of having body art... or the regret of permanently ruining their body. It's not for everyone... and of course everyone is entitled to their opinion, but make sure you realise that you may be criticising a part of someone's appearance. For me it is like commenting on someone's weight or choice of haircut, easy to hurt feelings and offend.

a point well made stormy84, I like your analogy to appearance.  Topics on here are for discussion not condemnation and judgement - people would do well to remember that. :)

I was thinking more of food getting trapped under it and getting a toothbrush round it,and maybe pulling at it.I,m not criticising,as i said i love my daughters tattoos and i thought they looked as gorgeous as ever with their nose studs,i was just wondering how people keep their tongue studs healthy.

>i was just wondering how people keep their tongue studs healthy.

I've never really thought about it...after the initial period of healing, I just continued on with my normal oral hygiene routine.  After more than 12 years with it, I have not damaged any teeth and it has not caused the slightest bit of trouble.  I generally forget it's there.  Oh,

And for what it's worth, I have a decent job at a management level and regularly have to represent my organisation at any variety of events, including briefing meetings with MPs etc and not once has anyone ever commented on it or have I been asked to remove it.  I like to think that people judge me on my level of professionalism and the ability to do my job rather than the jewellery I choose to wear :-)

The only thing that gets stuck to mine is GUM! The cheap bubblegum ones... it's gross and so hard to get off! Luckily 'extra' and similar products don't do the same. There is a small range of movement of the bar, so there is no where for food to get stuck. I find my earrings are less hygenic coz I am pretty lazy about cleaning them... hmmm.

Some brands of gum stick to my crown! lol

I do think a lot of folk are quick to judge people by looks. Only one of my daughter's tattoos is visible and that is the one on her wrist and I don't think anyone has ever said to her that they don't like it, in fact she gets loads of comments on how lovely it is from folk of all ages.

> I don't think a tongue piercing is any less hygenic than piercings to other parts of the body

I agree , however infections in the mouth can travel to the heart and have fatal consequences .

I have no problem with tattoos as long as people don't expect the NHS to pay to remove them in the future .

>I do think a lot of folk are quick to judge people by looks.

That's human nature though, isn't it? If we see a lad wearing a hoodie and being towed by a staffy-type with a studded leather harness, we don't all think he's off to the library for his granny, do we?

> That's human nature though, isn't it?

yes, our brains require schemas and stereotypes to function. of course we can reason more widely- he may well be off to the library- but in an instant our thoughts conform to what we've been socialised to think.

on a similar vein, this is so so hard!

http://armorgames.com/play/3524/tattoo-artists

(huskygal forgive my adding a game!)

I just had a go at the game and the naked man ran out screaming with pain!!!!:)

i got nowhere near that far! how many had you done?

i have a really sore head now from playing a game called the game of disorientation or something on that site :(

None!!!!!!I went over the line on the first go and he was screaming,the poor thing.Had to go out then,so logged off.I,m no good at online games or games on the wii even though i love having a go.I've had to give Mario a rest cos  I couldn't get rid of the boulder man.The only games i'm any good at are scrabble,suduko,chess(passable) and crosswords.

WELL i Totally messed up the Tattoo and i had a go of that disorientation game thats one mad game i got to one stage where i just kept getting my head cut off gory stuff lol, thanks for that link their are some great puzzel games on their,

Well my dad is blind, so he hasnt seen it! lol it's very tasteful. It doesnt look like a human face really but you can see the resemblence between it and my dad! Its a little on the large side so everyone comments on it lol
With regards to concealer, it gets stuck in the hole lol! i know its not that noticable but its in the middle of my face so you knid of always think people notice :)

Well if its good enough for Cannes! ;-)

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/culturepicturegalleries/5351119/The-Cannes-Film-Festival-from-another-angle.html?image=1

check out the wierd red shoes also,

I was doing my family history research last night and came across a site with some pictures of unidentified ww1 soldiers.On one the man was showing off his tattoo,which was all over his back,of the royal family of the time,king George v,queen Mary and their kids.It loked pretty impressive too.

I have beed sacked 4 times and only just started to go round the outline of the tattoo LOL

Guess I would never make a tattoo artist !!!!!!!!!!! :)

Haven't read all the way through this long and windy post but the title caught my eye.

OH has a tattoo, high up on his arm near the shoulder. It's a rose with a scrolled panel under neath it, a space ment for a name, when I met him the panel was empty.

Four months after knowing him he stood proudly in front of me one day with his shoulders braced and hands on hip, flexed his muscles and asked if I noticed anything different about him. Dopey me looked at him and said you've still got some spaghetti on your chin from tea :)

He flexed again and then I saw my name in the empty space of the scroll :)  :)  :)  :)

That was 16yrs ago and he's never regretted it and neither have I.

That's not to say that all tattoo's have a happy ending but his did.

PS
He won't let me have one though as he say's it would ruin my pretty skin, soft devil.

I def. don't regret getting my tattoos - in fact I wish I had more!
I've got a half sleeve which goes up over my shoulder on one side and a fairly large one on my other arm which I wish I had done more to at the time and now never seem to have the time to.
As for piercings.... I had all the usual multiple ear piercings when I was younger but now only wear one earring at the top of my ear and have 3 piercings in places not to be mentioned on CD!!

> although of course it is illegal to tattoo a person under the age of 18 unless with parental consent!

Actually it is illegall to tattoo anyone under the age or appears to be under the age of 18 with or without parental consent ..... sorry no offence meant at all  to you personally Lokis Mum just wanted to point it out as many people ,make the mistake of thinking parental consent is acceptable :)

See here the laws on tattoing minors
http://www.statutelaw.gov.uk/content.aspx?LegType=All+Primary&PageNumber=62&NavFrom=2&parentActiveTextDocId=1207035&ActiveTextDocId=1207035&filesize=6997

As for anyone wanting a tattoo...yes they are permanent so be sure you want them for life as lazering them off is costly and depending on colours of ink used in the tattoo has varying degrees of sucess.

I was 30 when I got my first am 40 now and in the middle of getting a big back piece done as my 40th birthday pressie(my fourth tattoo too) and am planning more when this one is finished.
I regret not getting them done sooner and as for regretting them when im older I know I wont.

However it is each to their own and its up to the individual what they do to their bodies and not for others to judge either.....its personal taste isnt it....tattoos and piercings do not nesessarily make a steriotypical thug as does the wearing of hoddies etc...no offence meant by this statement either its basically meaning dont always judge a book by its cover :)

Also  I suppose,(and the way I look at it also), when youre skin is old and wrinkly and your tatts have maybe blurred and gone blue(cos not all of them do,it depends on the subject matter and size and detail of the tattoo), there wil be loads of other people in the same boat too so you wont look out of place lol ;) ;) :-P

its basically meaning dont always judge a book by its cover

But people do judge purplehaze. I know, I felt people were judging my ability as a mother by my tattoo.  I'm also guilty of it myself. When the hot weather arrives and I see the overweight women in leggings with several children and tattoos I do rightly or wrongly judge.   I think it human nature.

Youre right flora2 people do judge, I have been on the recieveing end of peoples judgement in the past and so have lots of my friends. I think people have a right to think what they want to think privately,I have no problem with what anyone thinks about me if they keep it to themselves because I dont know them personally.
I dont even mind a sensible disscussion on who does or doesnt like tattos etc as like I said each to their own,tattoos and piercings arent for everyone and its fine to say you dont like them.

what annoys me is when people come out and say what they think of a person and how they look before they take the time to get to know them or when silly people in the street shout "freak", "disgrace to the human race" "wierdo" etc etc  at me or my  mates and say we should be put down,strung up etc etc just for looking the way we do...thats just plain rude and thats really what i have the problem with if that makes sense.

Regardless of what any of us think is attractive, tasteful or the absolute opposite, it's absolutely unacceptable to be openly bullied or belittled by anyone for what are simply personal choices, preferences etc.  The negative experiences of flora2 and purplehaze are IMO a disgrace.

I've openly stated my opinion on several 'fashion statements' but that doesn't mean that those sporting them are somehow lesser people for doing so - only that they have different tastes from me.  To be taunted in the street or going about your daily business says far more about those doing such things than the people being targetted :(

> it's absolutely unacceptable to be openly bullied or belittled by anyone for what are simply personal choices, preferences etc.  The negative experiences of flora2 and purplehaze are IMO a disgrace.
>
> I've openly stated my opinion on several 'fashion statements' but that doesn't mean that those sporting them are somehow lesser people for doing so - only that they have different tastes from me.  To be taunted in the street or going about your daily business says far more about those doing such things than the people being targetted :-(

Well said Terri I could not agree more,if only more people in the general public thought this way :)

I have 2 tattoo's, my belly button peirced & my ears periced.

I love my 2nd tattoo but i'm thinking of having my 1st re-done (its only small so can have something over it) however I don't regret it, my tattoo is part of who I was which makes up part of the person i am now :)  (cheeesssesy or what? lol)

I cannot believe in this day and age people can be so rude and politically incorrect as to judge people simply because they are tattoed or pierced.
I cant recall a time when anyone has said anything to me about mine but i have had lots of comments (usually by stupid men) about my height. I am 5ft 11 so with heels i am well over 6 feet. People wouldnt comment to someone about a disability or skin colour but feel it necessary to comment on these things, clearly not thinking or realising it is very hurtful. Im not ashamed to say i give them the sharp end of my tongue and i think i would if something was said about my body art

I cant believe people are so cruel either but sadly it is true.
My friends and I have been spat at,physically attacked and had to endure many a rude comment from members of the general public,some who are old enough to know better too.
My reply is usually I chose to look this way, shame you were born looking like you do,it usually shuts them up.If I cant be bothered I usually ignore it but it does annoy me.

Keep ya chin up. I'm sure you look beautiful. Always amazes me when people feel they need to share an opinion with you when you havent asked them to.
Just ignore the narrow minded people who cannot open their eyes to anything different.
:-)

> I am 5ft 11 so with heels i am well over 6 feet.

Now there's a topic LOL.  Preconceived notions of how cyber friends look.  I've always thought of you as being a really petite person - to the point of dinky!  And there's you all lythe and leggy instead :)

I agree though that for anyone to make remarks (never mind bordering on harassment) about someone else's appearance is a disgrace and always has been IMO.  It's a lack of manners at best :(

Hmm, thats made me think too Teri.
I have never thought about what 'cyber people' look like but i always have a pre conceived picture of someone (even if i've been told nothing of thier appearance) for example when a friend is talking about their work colleague. Bizarre isnt it? :-)  Even more strange is when you meet them and they are absolutely nothing like you thought!!

Nobody is ever like how I imagine them :-D (including me!)

> Now there's a topic LOL.  Preconceived notions of how cyber friends look

that would be an interesting read :) you should start that thread teri

edited to add, i always think of freds mum as petite to actually, small and fiesty like my friend Abi lol

I don't think we should go there hun :-p 

Imagine, we could change the avatars to piccies of ourselves (hmmm, perhaps go for the Teri Hatcher look with a good bowl of Scotch broth made from the stock of ham hough down her :-D )

> I don't think we should go there hun :-p

lol i think it would be funny :-p

> or when silly people in the street shout "freak", "disgrace to the human race" "wierdo" etc etc  at me or my  mates and say we should be put down,strung up etc etc

What kind of people do such things to  others.I can't get my head round it.It's hideous.

I have 4 tats, I got my first at 18 and last year i had it changed and made a bit bigger. My favourite was my second tatoo which i got when i was 22 and that is a beautiful Fairy (in my opinion) which is about 12 inches in between my shoulderblades. I am saving to have her re coloured as she has faded a bit. I had her just before tats became fashionable and i only wish i could see more of her! My only advice would be...... think long and hard, there are some beautiful designs out there! :)

A bit late joining in but thought i would say there are some lovely tattos about, i had an awfull one when i was 15 :-O i thought i was really cool (i wasn't) and im even more embarrassed to say it's the dreaded dolphin diving over my belly button lol
15 years later and 2 children it's a mess, the worst thing i ever done.
The tattooist knew i was too young he even laughed when he said does your parents know your having this done, my OH is having a large tattoo done at the minute (well over the last few weeks) and he's asked them in there what can be done with it i couldn't afford to have it lazered so might have to make the best of a bad job.
Like i said before ther are some lovely tattos about but the tattooist the other day made me laugh he said in the shop they call all the young girls catolouge girls becuse theve all got the same tattoos on there lower back.

Lol! My friend is in the catalogue up here as she designed her own tats.  Now when I walk around town and see girls with stars behind their ears I have to have a giggle.  I wouldn't want a tat the same as everyone else.

> My only advice would be...... think long and hard, there are some beautiful designs out there! :-)

Totally agree with that advice I would also like to add to anyone thinking of getting one done, that although there is some really beautifull flash work out there, I would say make up your own design and find a good tattooist to do it for you...that way you wont see loads of people walking round with the same tattoo making it a lot more individual and personal to you.

as an afterthought are we allowed to put pictures or links to pictures on this board because Id love to see some of the designs you all have I love looking at tattoos.
If yes, how do we go about doing it is it the same as a normal link?