You’re in college now. You’re finally free from mom and dad’s rules, and you have entered a completely new era of independence. What are you going to do with it?

The options are seemingly endless, but tattoos are particularly popular among students. I’m sure it’s crossed your mind at least a time or two, but before you get lifelong ink, there are some important factors you should know and consider.

Many kids do not understand that tattoos are _forever._ A tattoo isn’t something that can be washed off when it goes out of style, and it is not something that will fade away within a few months.

Local tattoo artist Tommy Volmert from Living Canvas says, “You gotta think about it a little bit before you stamp something on you for sure.”

**Be original.** While that tattoo you found on Pinterest may look cool now, will you still like it five years down the road? Inking up should not be a thoughtless process. You need to make sure you are getting the tattoo because _you_ want it.

“Don’t be influenced by everybody around you. Make sure it’s your idea and your design,” Volmert says.

Although your friend likes that sick dragon, it’s OK if you don’t want a giant green creature tattooed on your forearm for the rest of your life.

Deciding what to get tattooed is only half the battle. Part two is **choosing a skilled artist** who can make your wildest artistic dreams a reality. Finding an experienced tattoo artist with refined talent can make all the difference between a great tattoo and a terrible one. There are a few telling factors when it comes to deciding if a tattoo artist will do your body art justice.

“Look for solid line work, ask around to get a good opinion, know people that have been tattooed by them, see the tattoos they have done that have healed and look at their portfolio,” Lars Van Zandt, a tattoo artist at Iron Tiger, says. By looking into these factors, you can make sure your tattoo artist is worthy of permanently marking your skin.

Of course, **the tattoo will hurt**, but it probably won’t be as bad as you think.

“People think way too much about tattoos most of the time,” Van Zandt says.

It all depends on sizing, placement and your pain tolerance, but most people work themselves up too much beforehand.

“I compare it to, like, a fingernail going down a sunburn,” Volmert says.

If you do decide to get a tattoo, bring a friend along for support, be prepared for some pain and make sure the tattoo is something you will still be proud of 20 years from now.

After you get the tattoo, make sure you **take care of it**. Follow all of the instructions given to you by the tattoo artist.

Although tattoos may seem like a fun way to abandon the strict confines set by parents, just remember they are permanent, and you will have to live with that decision for the rest of your life. Make sure you are committed to the artwork you choose to attach to your body and, like Van Zandt says, “relax. It’s only forever.”