Tattoos Got Ya Down?

A recurring element of my life is people who are dead-set on getting a tattoo…only to back out before the big day for one reason or another. Either they don’t want to go through the pain or they don’t want pay for it. Perhaps they just realized “OMG – do I really want something people refer to as a ‘Tramp stamp’ on my back FOREVER?” I don’t know, but I support the misgivings. You should never get a tattoo unless you are wholeheartedly in it for the long run. Fortunately, there are a couple of temporary alternatives for those of us who are averse to permanent ink. For instance, if what you want to get is a memorial for a loved one or a physical reminder of a favorite quote or image, how about a necklace or bracelet with that same sentimental aspect included somewhere in it? For only a little more money, you can customize a sophisticated piece of jewelry that you can carry with you for the rest of your life.

If you really want the imprint on your skin, and it’s just the notion of permanence that you’re not liking, there are actually many temporary tattoo options out there. A simple Google search for “temporary tattoos” will yield a plethora of options, but I’ve found that Tattoo Manufacturing is a reliable place to go, and though their tattoos only last for a maximum of five days, you can easily order quite a few at one time and re-apply as needed. Whether you find something they have designed or want to contribute your own, you’ll be well taken care of. This can also be a great experiment to see if you like the idea of a permanent tattoo once it’s on your skin, and whether a design will really look as you envision it. A five-day trial period might make you realize “Oh, wow, I never realized that it looks funny from that angle,” or “Oh, wow, I really don’t want this on my skin any longer than it has to be.” Keep in mind that there is no such thing as a “semi-permanent” tattoo. Many myths about these miracle designs abound, but getting inked isn’t like dying your hair. Anyone claiming to know anything about a tattoo that lasts a few months (usually it’s 3-6, but sometimes you’ll see 3-6- years too) is trying to scam you.