Tattoo placement

In modern society, tattoos have become a part of mainstream culture, but in some parts of the world they are not yet widely accepted. Fortunately, we don’t live in a country that legally punishes intolerance toward this form of body modification (as in some Islamic countries), but visible tattoos can subject you to some discrimination and/or uncomfortable situations in our beautiful country.

We don’t do the first tattoos on visible body parts that can’t always be covered by clothing (head, neck, hands).

Many people want a tattoo that will be visible at all times and to everyone because they believe that’s the point of getting a tattoo. We are all different, and the choice of design and the general motivation for getting a tattoo are entirely individual. However, we must keep in mind that we are not alone in the world, and we do not live on a deserted island but in a social community where not everyone is as enthusiastic about tattoos as we are.

In Croatia, no one will throw you in jail for a neck or hand tattoo, but be prepared for possible employment difficulties and a series of minor discriminations in everyday life – a doctor who is against tattoos may annoy you a little more during the examination because they think tattoo studios are dirty places that spread diseases, and a professor at the university might give you a hard time during an exam because they think only losers get tattoos. Having a tattoo does not make you a bad worker (or a better one), nor does it automatically categorize you as a member of some ‘risky’ group of people (drug addiction, prostitution, and other socially unacceptable activities).

The problem with our society is that people cannot separate their personal opinions from their professional ones.

Of course, we have the right to look the way we want. Likewise, people who are disgusted by tattoos have the right to their opinion. The only sad part is that we often cannot find a common ground of tolerance.

If you are getting your first tattoo while very young (e.g., younger than 25), choose your design carefully and think about it. We often do not like the same things at 18 as we do after turning 40 or 70. Also, think about the choice of the tattoo artist because the financial savings you make by getting a tattoo from a friend in a garage will definitely be felt in the quality of that work.

Keep in mind that it is always easier to ‘make’ than to ‘fix.’

It may seem like a great idea today to tattoo your partner’s name all over your forearm, adorned with hearts and infinity symbols, but people split up even after 40 years of marriage and five children… just sayin’… Your children’s names are definitely a better choice because you are stuck with them 4life. And if you really want to tattoo something that represents unconditional love for all time – tattoo your dog’s name or portrait.

We do not tattoo Nazi and fascist symbols.

A tattoo can be removed with a laser or covered with a new tattoo as needed – both options are painful for you and your wallet. When covering old tattoos, the new design usually needs to be larger and darker in the area where the old tattoo is. There is no option to retattoo a black old tattoo with skin color so that it is no longer visible; it does not work that way. Laser removal is a lengthy process because about two months must pass between two treatments for the tissue to regenerate deeply. For the tattoo to start fading, it takes between 3 and 7 treatments, and complete removal is not possible in some cases.

Once you break the ice with the first tattoo, the second, fifth, tenth, and all the others somehow go much faster and easier. To avoid running out of space or having smaller tattoos ‘interfere’ with a larger one (e.g., you already have a small symbol in the middle of your back and want to get a whole back piece), plan ahead.

What, how, and where you get tattooed ultimately depends solely on you. Every professional tattoo artist will advise you on basic things like the minimum feasibility, skin parts that do not hold ink, or the choices mentioned above that can affect your life in the long run. The biggest part of the responsibility for what you do with your body is on you.

In the age of the Internet, no one can say, “I didn’t know.” Get informed.