First of all, there are quite a few tattoo parlors in most areas. They are usually located in the suburbs of major cities. In order to locate one, try opening up your phone book or go to an online phone directory. You could also use a search engine and type in tattoo parlors in [insert city and state here].

Once you've located one, try making a phone call and have a pen handy. Ask them a few basic questions. Ask what their options are in terms of design. You can ask how the whole process works, and how easy it might be for you to customize the tattoo you are getting.

It is important to make sure you are going to the safest tattoo parlor around. Perhaps you have a group of friends who have all visited a particular parlor. This is a good start. Ask them about what they liked about their experience, but especially pay particular attention to anything they didn't like. This will help you decide if you want to follow in their footsteps and get a tattoo at all, and whether you'd like to go to the same place.

You can also check the Better Business Bureau to see if any complaints have been filed against the tattoo parlor you are considering doing business with. This is a great way to research any company you consider buying products and services from.

While you make your phone calls, keep track of the pricing at each place. You don't want to pay a fortune for your tattoo if you don't have to. However, this is going to be a permanent part of your body, so price should be only a moderate factor to consider! It goes back to the old classic rationale: you wouldn't want two for one laser eye correction surgery (get one eye done, get the 2nd free)! Remember that you do get what you pay for, as they say.

Finally, make sure (before you make the ultimate decision to go through with this) that you indeed want to get a tattoo. This is particularly important if it's your first tattoo.

Here are some important things to think about:

Check with family and friends that you trust before you go through with this.

Don't just follow a trend or try to be cool or tough. No one is THAT impressed.

This is about your life and you are the one who is going to have to live with this thing.

Keep in mind that a potential date or spouse might be turned off by people with tattoos! That could limit your dating options!

Remember that this is a permanent decision. Removal may be possible in some instances but is likely to leave at least some scarring.

Before you get a tattoo, do some research and soul searching. If you're sure it's right for you after that, then go for it!