Getting your firsttattoocan be exciting and overwhelming.

Let’s face it, it is probably one of the most permanent things you have ever committed to.

One of the most important things to consider before getting a tattoo is its meaning (viaTat Ring).

a tattoo artist hard at work

After all,it lasts forever.

An appointment can take anywhere from one to several hours.

You’ll want to know about the healing timeline, too; it can take weeks (viaHealthline).

A tattoo artist tattooing a woman’s arm

Tattoos are expensive, so you want transparency about your budget and expectations.

Also, clarify the method of payment they prefer before walking in.

Did you know that tattoo ink is not FDA-approved yet (via Self)?