If you’re interested in getting a tattoo, there are three simple steps to follow when deciding if the tattoo is right for you. You’ll have this ink on your body for the rest of your life; it’s probably wise to make sure you won’t grow tired of looking at it.

Research an Artist

Before doing anything major, like scarring your skin with ink, you need to do your research. Find an ink artist in your area and become familiar with their style of tattooing to make sure they will be a good fit. This means you get along and the tattoo artist is willing to do the tattoo to your specifications. Looking at portfolios is an important step in the process of finding the right artist for your perfect tattoo, says KQED, a broadcasting service.

Get a Tattoo You Want

This step seems obvious; however, it’s so important to make sure when you find a design, it’s what you want. For me, tattoos are like boys. There’s no settling necessary. The artwork is going to reside on your body forever; you need to be in love with your ink.  Tattoos require a lot of thinking and work, according to Inked Magazine, but after finding the artist and the design, it’s time to head to step number three, time.

Sleep on it

When you’re young, you have so much time ahead of you. Do not go out and get a tattoo the day you find a design you think you’ll love forever. Like Buzzfeed said, being spontaneous is fun, but getting a tattoo is forever. Before I get inked, I figure out what I want and then I wait at least two weeks before going and getting it done. If I ever feel unsure about getting it during those two weeks, then I know it’s not something I really want on my body for the rest of my lifetime.

Deciding to put something permanent on your body can be a tough decision, but at the end of the day, it’s your body and you can put what you wish on it. Just keep in mind these three simple tips to make sure you love your tattoos even when you are 60 years old and your ink is possibly faded.