Body Art Basics For Beginners
By Karen L. Hudson, About.com Guide to Tattoos / Body Piercings
The world of body art is an exciting and exotic place to explore, but it can also be intimidating when you're new to it all and don't know where to start. If you're thinking about getting a tattoo, piercing, or some other form of modification, this is where you'll want to start.
Tattoo Basics
Getting a tattoo requires a lot of thought and preparation so that you don't end up with something you regret. The content here will help you along that thought process and answer many of the questions and concerns you may have before getting inked for the first time.
- When is the Best Time to Get Tattooed?
- The Use of Numbing Creams or Pain Relievers
- Do Tattoos Hurt?
- How is a Tattoo Applied?
- How Much Do Tattoos Cost?
- Should You Tip Your Tattoo Artist?
- Choosing a Design & Deciding Where to Put It
- What NOT to Do When Choosing a Tattoo Design
- A Warning About Foreign Language Tattoos
- Choosing a Clean Studio & Qualified Artist
- Weight Fluctuations and Tattooing Over Stretch Marks
- The Effects of Sunlight and Tanning on a Tattoo
- Why Many Artists Refuse to Tattoo Hands, Feet or Faces
- Body Art Glossary - Learn the Language
- Tattoo Aftercare Instructions
- Answers to Your Most Embarrassing Questions
- Shaving After a Tattoo
- Extended Tattoo FAQ
Piercing Basics
While piercings may not be permanent like tattoos, they can be tricky to heal and have a lot of things that can potentially go wrong with them. Being informed on how to prevent complications will help you have a positive piercing experience.
- Facial Piercing Options
- Ear Piercing Options
- Male Genital Piercing Options
- Female Genital Piercing Options
- Choosing a Qualified Piercer
- What to Expect From Your Piercing Studio
- Why Piercing Guns are Not Safe
- The Dangers of Self-Piercing
- Is Used Body Jewelry Safe as Long as It's Been Sterilized?
- All About the Materials Used to Make Body Jewelry
- Internal or External Threading - What's the Difference?
- How to Open, Remove, Insert and Close CBR (Hoop and Ball) Jewelry
- How to Safely Stretch a Piercing
- Nipple Piercing Basics for Men or Women
- Should You Tip Your Piercer?
- Answers to Your Most Embarrassing Piercing Questions
- Extended Piercing FAQ
- Piercing Aftercare Instructions
Henna Art/Mehndi Basics
Henna "tattooing" is a temporary skin art that is beautiful and rich in cultural history. You can go to many salons and festival tents to have henna applied, but it is just as fun and easy to do yourself at home. This section will teach you what you need to know about creating beautiful henna art.
