Dyes are now far better than those of twenty years ago. They last longer ( fade less ) and 'spread' less ( are less liable to look like your mascarra's run ). You still have to look after your tattoo but sunblocks are now more effective ( the main cause of 'spread' is direct sunlight ) and you can show your tat. off with impunity.

Here's a thought. The more blue in a dye (blues and blacks for example ) , the more likely they are to fade and spread. If you have a tattoo that has little or no blue or black it will 'age' far more elegantly.

The less fat or muscle there is between your skin and a bony area of your body, the more painfull it will be to get that area tattooed. However this does not apply to your calf muscles. Because of the large blood supply that goes through you calves there are far more nerve endings ( to control blood circulation, heat loss etc. ) , which makes it one of the most sensitive areas on you body. Just ask Parker, who got a beautiful tribal flame tattoo on his left calf. It took three goes to complete it and that was with a topical anesthetic!

TTFN M'Lady P.