Few of us live impulse-free lives, myself included, and while I may attempt to be spontaneous by ordering chorizo tacos for lunch only every other day, such impulsivity loses its appeal when it comes down to the highly visible and highly permanent world of tattoos.

As I was preparing to get inked for first time, I spent months—yes months—mulling over the irreversible decision and conceptualizing the design in my head. I wanted a dragon tattoo; it may not be as stereotypical as the ever-basic butterfly or pseudo-defiant “Only God Can Judge Me,” but it’s up there.

I was determined to get one that I wouldn't hate. A Chinese dragon? A Game of Thrones dragon? Toothless, because he’s oh-so-cute? In the end, it was an eclectic animal mash-up that really did it for me. I finally settled on Haku from the Hayao Miyazaki film, “Spirited Away,” with the form of a dragon, and what appears to be a wolf’s head and talons.

Once I had a design in mind, I spent a significant chunk of time researching various tattoo shops in the area and, among the ones I liked best, artists at those shops. I finally settled on True Tattoo Hollywood because of its positive online reviews and reputation. After examining artist Christina Ramos’ online portfolio, laden with intricate, vibrant designs—many of which are animals or animal-like—I knew she would be a great fit.

So before researching a shop or artist, it is best to have a somewhat solid idea of what you want. Again, this took me a while, so there is no harm in really thinking it through.

Cort Chatagnier, the owner of Evermore Tattoo in Culver City, advises that people look through different portfolios and familiarize themselves with what is good and bad work. It’s important to pick an artist that reflects the style you want; for me, that was a modern Japanese-inspired look.

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“If you pick an artist whose style doesn’t mesh with what you're looking for, then the situation can prove difficult through no fault of the artist,” says Chatagnier.

What’s even more important than picking a shop with an artist who matches your style is finding one that takes health and safety regulations very seriously. This was a big concern for me, as someone who is a bit of a paranoid germaphobe.

Chatagnier says his shop follows the new CA AB300 health code to the letter. This is the Safe Body Art Act (Assembly Bill 300), signed into law by Gov. Jerry Brown in October of 2011.

According to the law, “every person engaged in the business of tattooing, body piercing, or permanent cosmetics is required to register with the county in which that business is conducted, obtain a copy of the county's sterilization, sanitation, and safety standards, as established by the California Conference of Local Health Officers and distributed by the State Department of Public Health.”

Belen Hernandez, studio manager at Onizuka Tattoo in Little Tokyo, says her shop similarly adheres to the guidelines. “We are licensed by the Public Health Department. Each artist has successfully completed the annual bloodborne pathogens course and we participate in a monthly sterilizer monitoring program.”

While it may not be the most exciting part of getting inked, make sure to do some research on the safety guidelines online and to inquire over the phone or at the shop. Afterall, the consequences of unsafe ink can be even worse than design remorse.  

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Another vital aspect of getting a tattoo is the aftercare. Evermore Tattoo provides each client with appropriate aftercare protocols before they leave the shop, but Chatagnier says that the guidelines vary from shop to shop. 

"Simply put, you don't want to sweat extensively the next 4 days, [and] stay away from a pool and the sun for two weeks," says Chatagnier. "Keep [the tattoo] washed and use clean hands to apply the aftercare product,” he says.

There are also specific steps on Evermore’s website explaining that clients can remove their bandage after 2-4 hours. After that, they should wash the tattoo with Liquid Dial Antibacterial Soap and allow it to air dry. Clients should then apply a thin layer of Palmer’s Cocoa Butter.

The recently inked should repeat the washing and ointment routine every 6-8 hours for the next two days. Flaking and peeling will occur in the next 7-10 days; clients should resume the daily hygiene process. They should apply the cocoa butter twice daily until it is fully healed around 2-4 weeks later.

Although the guidelines can vary, this advice is similar to the protocol Hernandez recommends; she advises clients to wash their hands as soon as they return home from receiving a tattoo. “You want to make sure you have a roll of paper towels as well as antibacterial soap specifically set aside for your tattoo,” says Hernandez.

Like many artists, Hernandez believe it's of the utmost importance to keep the tattoo area clean and moisturized until it heals entirely. As tempting as it may be, it is important to not pick at the tattoo or scratch it, as it is technically an open wound and won’t heal properly that way. 

So if you're thinking about stopping by a tattoo parlor anytime soon, first take the time to conceptualize your ideal tattoo and find the right shop that closely follows the CA AB300 health code. After you've settled on an artist and go under the needle, make sure to carefully follow the shop’s aftercare guidelines to ensure a positive experience from start to finish.

The process should result in a piece of art–lookin’ at you, Haku tattoo–that will be appreciated long down the road and won’t be regretted like your late-night fast food run.

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