keepcalm

I wanted to share this sad but informative long-form piece from Jezebel called "The Tattoo Industry Is Having Its Own Wrenching, Revelatory 'Me Too' Moment." Personally, I (a woman) have been tattooed by three different men, and all of them were nothing but professional. I cannot imagine the horror and helplessness I would feel if a tattooer decided to sexually assault me while I was being tattooed! Talk about a vulnerable position! On the other side of the coin, it is disgusting to think that some female tattooers have had to put up with sexually suggestive comments/actions/pictures/etc. from clients while attempting to provide them with professional service. I hope no one here has a story like that. It is mentioned in the article as "an old cliché," but I think one of the more dangerous and harmful myths out there about women with tattoos is that we are "sexually available, and that [our] tattoos are there for men's pleasure." I am ready for that twisted belief to die a cold, hard death. Forever.

Thanks for sharing your anecdote, @InkedMumma!

Hi ladies! I was hoping to hear from some of you who've shaved your arms for tattoos. I've never shaved my arms, and I'm worried that the hair (which is currently very soft, fine, and light in color) would grow back different -- coarser, darker, or just different? Any horror stories and/or stories of reassurance? Would any of you recommend waxing instead? Thanks!

I forgot I made this embarrassing post! Thank you all for the encouragement and positive vibes :) I like the idea of trying henna first to see what it might look like. The foot/ankle would be the most all-year-round visible spot I'd have a tattoo, so I am having more than my normal amount of anxiety over placement. Alternatively, I'm also considering the back of my upper left arm (above the elbow) for this piece (a fox head and some patterned bits around it). I'm so terrible with decisions -- especially about tattoo placement. I've been looking at pictures of tattooed people on the internet for weeks now, trying to get a feel for how tattoos look in certain spots on the body. Classic overthinker, right here. Thanks again for the indulgence, guys! You really are the best. - - - Updated - - - Picture! :) And thank you for the encouragement!

So, I have a kind of embarrassing question. I have cankles :( I'm a normal weight; I just have thick ankles. (See first attached photo -- like that.) I'm wondering if putting a tattoo on the top of my foot / front of my ankle would help to distract from the fact that I have cankles, or if would highlight them. (See second photo for placement idea.) I tried to search for photos online, but that's a weird-ass Google search, amirite? I have a feeling that getting the back of my ankle tattooed would do more to distract than putting one on the front, but that seems like a weird place for a tattoo. Surely there are some principles of design that apply here, right? Black is slimming, patterns can help hide a belly, elongating your legs with heels or hemlines of intentional length, yadda yadda. Anyway, I've been thinking of getting the tops of my feet done, and then I started wondering if I should go up the ankle a bit, and then I started wondering how that would affect the way my stupid legs look down there. That is the odd and admittedly very vain train of thought that led to this thread! I feel ridiculous! Thanks in advance to anyone who indulges me! I feel silly posting this, but now that I've typed it all out, might as well, right? ha!

Yes! All of these names are so great! Very excited to have a solid list to show him. You guys are a gorgeous, crystal-lined fountain of perfect information. Thank you!

GUYS! These are all amazing and perfect suggestions. I knew I could count on y'all! Thank you so much! (Keep them coming if you think of others!) And dammit now I might have to get my own tattoo from a UKer.

It's tough for me to articulate as well. I will say, though, some of my favorite tattoos I've seen on women are ones that accentuate their female form with placement/flow/lines/etc. I think tattoos can be one of the coolest ways to be more feminine. Roxx at 2Spirit in SF does this really well with linework.

Thanks, @CultExciter and @abees! Going to Insta-stalk now!

Looking for suggestions for excellent tattooers in the UK -- I know there are many (I've seen many mentions here), but I've never looked into it myself and sadly didn't have the foresight to keep a running list. Black & gray, patterns, and lines. He said he wants something "kinda tribal," but my plan is to present him with a bunch of other awesome work/artists that will hopefully be up his alley but also be a bit more unique than tribal. He's down in Devon/Cornwall but travels often and will happily travel for this. The UK is tiny, after all! (said the American) P.S. Hope this post isn't bad form! I have done some research myself but always find it overwhelming when starting from scratch. Plus - I trust you guys!

Love this thread! Keep the photos coming! Maybe I will be encouraged to venture down my own arm soon :)

Yeah! Can you call my mom and tell her this?! Haha!

This. Thisthisthisthis THIS! This is the feeling I hate.

Thanks for all the support, guys! I'm planning on slowly drafting a letter over the holidays, to send sometime early next year, probably. I'd be happy to share it here, if that would be useful, in case it might help others struggling to find the words to talk to their own loved ones about tattoos...

Thank you so much for the insightful comments, @hogg! Can't believe your parents don't know about your tattoos -- that's impressive! Same for you, @Graeme, with your in-laws! I'm glad my parents know about mine, because I think I would be even more stressed about it if I was constantly having to remember to hide them completely. (Also, I go to the beach with family every so often, so that'd be near-impossible anyway.) In the end, fully understanding my mom's point of view, and giving her a chance to understand mine, seems like the best way to go about this. I haven't made much effort yet because the subject is just so sore, I'd rather avoid it altogether. But a chance to clear the air is really appealing. Here's hoping I have the courage to do that soon, especially since I might be getting my feet tattooed in the new year -- buckle up, mom! ;)