I waited 30 years to get my first one, mainly out of fear. A friend of mine kept cajoling me about it and threatened to "kidnap" me when we were coming down to his state, swearing it didn't hurt at all, etc. When we got there, he "kidnapped" me, took me to where he'd had his done and stayed with me while I was getting mine. By having him take me, there was no backing out plus he and his wife kept talking with me so I was preoccupied while having it done. Also, he had recommended the place and his were nice, so I wasn't arriving "blind".
So, in short, I had a place recommended and a friend to stay with me through the process.
Ask questions of other friends. He kept insisting none of his hurt, but mine did the first halfway thru. That may have been due to a scar that was getting covered or just might have been, as the tattooist put it, a "sensitive nerve".
Don't let anyone volunteer to do it-that's a sure sign you'd be their practice.
I had my design all drawn out only to find that it wasn't feasible, so I had to choose something else that still conveyed what I wanted. Make sure they draw it out on paper first, not just trace what you have onto your skin. The reason mine couldn't be done was it would look like a blob because it didn't have a good "spread". (two intertwined roses and the roses were touching sides-the size of the sketch I'd done was too small and tight).
As long as you're sure that what you have is what you want to live with into old age, go for it! Or, be like me and wait until you ARE old to get it.
