Tattooing in the New Millennium

By John Hitt, Owner of Hittman's Tattoos

I've been out of high school now for exactly ten years and I can't believe how things have changed in such a short period. When I was in high school the farthest thing from my mind was getting a tattoo or body piercing. If I had said something about getting my tongue pierced, my parents would have put me on some kind of medication. These days it seems like every kid in school can't wait until he or she turns 18 so they can go get a tattoo, which is great for me.

At the age of 22, I was introduced to my first tattoo experience and did my life do a 360. I did like most people; I started out with something kind of small since I didn't know what kind of pain I was about to endure. When that 45-minute session was over all I could think about was where I was going to put my next one. After 6 months, a couple thousand bucks and a full sleeve, I found my calling. I was determined to learn this fascinating trade and do it the right way.

There are a lot of so called "inkslingers" out there with their guitar strings and cassette motors that have been doing tattoos for years. I was not going to be one of those guys. So, I finally got an apprenticeship under as awesome custom tattoo artist (whose name I will leave disclosed) and the rest is history. I have to this date not seen a homemade tattoo machine and probably never will unless I get creative some day and make one for kicks. Tattooing has definitely evolved with age. They are more popular now than ever before. I don't see them going anywhere anytime soon either.

Just like everything else with new technology you can now get a better, cleaner tattoo. One of the most frequently asked questions in the business today is sterilization. This is probably the best question you could ask. Lots of people are sometimes shy about asking, but don't be. You can have the most bad ass tattoo in the world, but if it wasn't done using sterile procedures, what good is it? Th end result can be a messy, infected, painful splotch of color.

Tattoos are to me the most exciting thing in the world and I have made it my passion. I am just like everyone else - I go to shops and pay for my tattoos and I will always ask about the artist sterilization's techniques. Getting a tattoo can be one of the most enlightening, therapeutic experiences you will ever endure.

For your first time, ask around, shop around and always ask to see some of the artist's work. If they give you an attitude about it or are dumbfounded for words, head for the exit sign. Once you have gotten a tattoo, 9 times out of 10 it will be something you will cherish the rest of your life. So if you don't have any ink in your skin, all I can say is stop being a wus and get on board to your new addiction.