If you are planning to get a tattoo, you might feel overwhelmed with all the available options. There are thousands of designs that you can choose from. One design could have several variations and you have to choose which one is the best for you.

On option may be to get a temporary tattoo first and see if you like the design. Make sure you keep a picture of the tattoo. If the size, location and design of the temporary tattoo work for you, you can have a permanent tattoo applied. This may not be possible with tattoos that cover large areas like sleeve tattoos. Temporary tattoos are usually fairly small.

While temporaries are not practical for large tattoos, they are a great way to experiment with size, theme and location for small tattoos. You may try several before you make your final decision.

Since these tattoos are small, you can easily hide them with your sleeves or pants or anything. This is very convenient especially if you will go to a formal event or meeting, like a job interview or a conference where having a tattoo is bad for your image as a responsible and hardworking employee.

Small tattoos can usually be completed in one sitting. Larger tattoos, especially those done in several colors, usually take several appointments. They are also a lot more costly than small tattoos. If cost is a serious consideration, you can get a small tattoo that can later be incorporated into a larger design if you wish. Discuss this option with your tattoo artist.

Tattoos are considered permanent although they can be removed by a cosmetic surgeon with the use of a surgical laser. If you have a tattoo removed, it may leave a scar, or an area of skin with light pigmentation. A small tattoo is easier to remove than a large tattoo. The procedure to remove a large tattoo may also take several appointments.

The one disadvantage of small tattoos is their tendency to fade over time. Larger tattoos fade less than small ones. Never rub you tattoo or use body scrub type cleansers on it. Be sure to pay attention to your artist’s instructions for caring for your tattoo.

While the location of large tattoos may be limited to certain areas of the body due to their size, small tattoos can be placed almost anywhere on the body. Many women like a dragonfly or flower design on their wrist or above the ankle bone. Some people like to use the back of their neck.

Popular designs include oriental symbols and characters, zodiac signs, flowers, insects, cartoon characters and religious symbols. Celtic knot work may be used as a ring around the fingers. It is important to choose the right design and location because this design will be with you as long as you live. don’t select a design you may not be happy with in a few years.

It is also easy to put several small tattoos all over your body. You can have one on your finger, one on your inner wrist, another at the back of your neck, and in other places but still they will not be so obvious, unlike if you have several big tattoos.

Find more about small tattoo pictures and other great tattoo design ideas.