My half sleeve was started in February and finished in September. I didn’t wear sunscreen that summer and the bottom part that stuck out of my sleeve faded and changed color drastically. It was in the sun every day because it’s my left arm and while driving, that arm gets a lot of sunlight. When my artist finished my tattoo, he redid the color on the bottom half so that it looked new again. Now I keep sunscreen in my car and put it on my arm every morning when I go out. The color hasn’t faded or changed yet. So I would say that sunscreen is effective.

It’s the UV rays that break down the ink and cause it to fade/change color. Sunscreen is designed specifically to block UV rays, so it makes sense that it’s working.

-Rev

Since nobody else has mentioned the obvious, I’m going to have to say it.

Boobs.

-Rev

OH! I almost forgot. Squirrels on the grass would be cooler than children. 🙂

-Rev

Haha! They make tripods so that the camera or video camera can stand on its own.

In response to the OP, I’d get something you’d want regardless of how your relationship works out down the road. Get her involved in the process of choosing/designing it so that it becomes meaningful to both of you.

-Rev

Here’s mine. It’s more of an eagle-type body, but colored more like a phoenix.

-Rev

I want to reiterate what Matthew said about an “artist who specialises or has a lot of exp in animal portraits.” I’ve seen some really crappy bird tattoos on the net and some really kick ass ones. An animal portrait is nothing like a tribal tattoo, so make sure you’ve seen an example of work they’ve done that is similar to what you want and not just other cool looking tattoos that are nothing like an animal.

Oh and think about how you will add future initials to it for girls who have an impact on your life after you finish it. Will you really want to go back into the shop and get the initials of the love of your life added after she shits on your heart and kicks you to the curb? I don’t think I would be too keen on the idea during or after the emotional healing process. You also might meet the woman you are going to marry and one drawback could be that she is not comfortable with you having initials of your exes tattooed on you.

Cheers,
-Rev

The soda is probably for a direct sugar injection. I don’t drink caffeine often though and when I do, it makes me piss every 15 minutes. So I have just eaten 30 minutes before each of my sessions and kept a bottle of water. I’ve only been twice though, so these guys above me have way more time spent in a chair on the receiving end of a tattoo gun. They won’t steer you wrong.

Cheers,
-Rev