Getting one isn?t something you should take lightly-think before you ink
I DON?T REMEMBER exactly how or when the idea of getting permanently inked entered my head. All that?s left in my memory is that I was on the tail end of being 16 when I got my first tattoo.

That was in 1995 when tatooing wasn?t as popular as it is now, especially not for a teenage girl. So even my very open-minded parents were a bit worried when I started to show interest and badger them about wanting to get one.

One day after school, I went to a tattoo studio with a few friends and got my very first one: a butterfly?on my butt.

First, I did this against my parents? wishes.

Second, at 16, I thought my love for butterflies would last forever. I?m not condoning this behavior or attitude, as I myself have a six-year-old who might one day want a tattoo or a piercing.

Even if I?m okay with that, I want her to make informed decisions before she takes the plunge.

The tattoo itself did not hurt as much as I thought, but only because it was in a fatty area. I would be in for a surprise years later when I decided to get one? on my foot!

In a span of 15 years, I have gotten 10 tattoos, each with its own special significance in my life.

Recently, I decided to commit to my biggest body art yet, a half-sleeve drawn by my sister and interpreted by Ricky Sta. Ana.

For those who don?t know what a ?sleeve? is, it is a tattoo that covers your arm like a sleeve of a shirt would, and you can get a quarter, half or full one.

Meaningful tattoo

I wanted things that were important to me to be incorporated in my tattoo, but gave my sister, Ala, free reign on how to interpret it.

Basically, it is a tree (strength) with things like an antique key (commitment), a vintage camera (memories/learning from the past), a birdcage with birds outside of it (creativity/thinking out of the box), a treasure chest overflowing with gems (wealth), a sunset (my idea of bliss), a peacock feather quill (passion for writing) a clock (the future) hanging from it and vintage lace (beauty) incorporated into the roots of the tree.

Since it was such a big piece, I asked that it be very feminine though a bit quirky. I think both my illustrator and my tattoo artist did an awesome job.

Among my other tattoos are my daughter?s name in Alibata on my shoulder, a memorial piece of orchids and lilies of the valley for my lola on my foot, and a cute apple done like it was made with colored pencils as a tribute to my childhood doodling.

Regret

Getting a tattoo is not something one should take lightly. Aside from ending up with something you might like for a few years and then quickly regret later on, there are also health risks from going to places that are not DOH-certified, or are very lax about their safety and hygiene procedures.

I have two main pieces of advice.

One is to think before you ink, meaning sit on your design idea for at least six months to a year before you commit to it, especially when you are young.

As a teenager and even an early-20something, you seem convinced that you know exactly who you are and it?s very hard to sway you. At this age though, you are still learning about yourself, changing constantly and having new, amazing ideas every five minutes.

When you go to tattoo studios, you will find books of design ideas, but I suggest you come armed with your own and collaborate with the artist so you can get a one-of-a-kind tattoo that will be the difference between just getting any old ink done and immortalizing a piece of art on your body forever.

Be creative

If you are getting a memorial tattoo for a deceased friend or family member, get something that only the two of you would understand, or go abstract and get something that acts as a symbol that binds you and your loved one. If you just want something beautiful on your body, without it having a really deep meaning, look into collaborating with an artist friend to come up with something you are both happy with. The pre-tattoo process can be a very creatively satisfying one if you choose it to be so. The possibilities are endless, so why go generic?

The second is to make sure you go to a studio that is DOH-certified and even better if you have friends and contacts that can vouch for the place. You must not be careless when it comes to your safety because using unsterile needles (make sure you see the artist taking them out of the vacuum-sealed pack) could lead to infection, and even more serious diseases such as Hepatitis-C and even HIV. Safety and hygiene in a tattoo studio is non-negotiable. If you are unsure, leave.

Happiness is on the skin of the beholder.

In my opinion, there are people with tattoo personalities, and people who just have no real interest in them. Although tattoos are, at present, way more accepted than they were even a decade ago, there are still people who will stop and stare, disapprove or just not understand. Do what makes you happy, I say, and let them do what makes them happy. And if a pretty piece of ink can make you smile every time you look at it, then so be it.