Welcome to Inside Out, the site where your body is your story. We’re the have-it-all resource for tattoo lovers and the tattoo-curious, with an emphasis on telling the untold stories of the people and places behind modern tattooing. Our mission is to help you navigate the ins and outs of tattooing, the consumer culture surrounding tattoos, and the latest news-you-can-use-for-tattoo-inspiration from today’s top modern tattoo artists.
As the editor-in-chief, I get it; making a permanent tattoo decision is hard. And that’s totally OK. What’s not OK though, is how little information there is out there for someone in your shoes, about to make a significant body art decision. And that’s where we can help: whether you’re considering getting your first piece ever or adding your twentieth piece as a body art mega-fan, you can trust Inside Out to provide you with the most accurate and up-to-date information on dos, don’ts and maybes, you know, if you’re into that sort of thing. That guidance, coupled with a healthy dose of inspiration pulled from the best of modern tattoo culture, should get you well on your way to making more confident tattoo decisions.
Because hey, as someone who spends far too long deciding what to eat for lunch on a daily basis (not to mention polling a handful of people about it as well), I’m sympathetic to the indecisiveness, and the bumps and thrills, that pop up along someone’s tattoo journey. If you don’t know where to start, perhaps scroll through one of our photo galleries for some inspiration—right now, I’m loving these tiny tattoos, which make a surprisingly big impact.
And when it comes to the tattoo process itself, there’s no shame in asking questions, no matter how basic or obvious they seem to be. (When I began my own journey with Inside Out, I had so much to learn, too, and still do.) To that end, here’s a comprehensive guide on how to tip your tattoo artist, and here’s everything you should know before you get your first tattoo.
Wondering how much a wrist piece hurts, or how much a full back tattoo can cost? We’ve got you covered there too. Same with the best soaps to use on your new tattoo, when it’s safe to actually start washing them, plus a full primer on the different types of tattoo removal processes. Because if you’re feeling a tinge of regret about getting your ex’s name plastered on your forearm, it’s most definitely not the end of the world.
We’re also here to amplify some killer body art stories, which is why I’m so excited to be rolling out the My First Time series, about—you guessed it—people’s first tattoo experiences, such as writer Suzanne Zuppello’s feature on her inner lip tattoo. We’re also talking to major artist like Brooklyn’s Jes Valentine to learn more about the trade, and hearing from those who’ve made the difficult decision to cover up a meaningful tattoo, as writer Gabrielle Sierra chose to do.
I can’t wait to hear what you think, what else you want to read, and what your next tattoo might be. Or if the jury’s still out on your first piece, (and that’s totally cool too) we’re hoping you’ll let Inside Out be a part of your journey.
Rachel Jacoby Zoldan
Editor-in-Chief, Inside Out
@rjacoby13
I would love to read articles from tattoo artists who tattoo or have experience tattooing darker skinned customers. Also aftercare for our skin and any other tips would be amazing.
The majority of instagram tattoos page and artists mainly showcase people with lighter tones. It would be great to see more examples of people with darker skinned tattooed.
Cheers!