And it would be on my shoulder or something covered usually and not on my lower arm, because lets face it, often tattoos do not flatter after a certain age point.
Bah, such a square thing to say! lol!
J/K
I remember seeing old army guys (such as gramps) when I was a kid with the blob of green ink that used to be a tattoo of...
something on their arm! The quality dark inks made nowadays don't do that spreading or the absorbing like the red did on me and virtually dissipate over time. Though sun is the enemy of red ink and it will erode the color basically no matter what you do. My 50 something uncle got a red dragon done pro at a shop where my cousins get theirs and all color is basically gone after a couple years going back and forth to Belize several times a year and working outdoors. The black outlines are still sharp however.
Tats look a lot better when done by someone else other than the tattooist themselves (no matter the method employed) because of the procedure used when another person does it, the stencil application, the angle of approach by the needle/whale bone/etc. Somewhat akin to going to the dentist or doing your own dentistry, one's easy and one is hard! lol!
As far as the "pain" so many people think of it's actually rather momentary leading to a transcendental experience where pain becomes only sensation and seemingly "unreal". it's hard to explain until you actually experience it I suppose. After it gets underway for a bit adrenaline (or similar) seems to take over and the pain becomes a numbing and "self anesthetizing". This is the "transcendent" part of it I suppose. Pain no longer becomes something to fear but something you know you can overcome (within reason obviously) I could say future pains seem to be actually reduced after such experiences.
As far as it being "abusing" your fleshy temple goes, if we believe in freedom of choice of what people choose to do with their bodies sexually, I feel treating your body chemically or artistically is just another aspect of that same self freedom as it "harms' none but the one seeking the experince. The same guy I did the alien hands/baby on I also pierced his nipples (he blacked out on the first one lol) and another friends eyebrow, numerous noses and ears. Nowadays it's all rather fashionable I suppose.
Incidentally Nep AK, ebay has awesome deals on machine kits! A two machine setup for like $250 with shipping and most necessary start up goodies, as well as (make a note of this) Silicone Skins to practice on. I think 3 packs go for $9. Way better than practicing on yourself or the old standby (the grapefruit).