The entire process of getting a tattoo can often be overlooked in an attempt to get a design etched on your body quickly. Bypassing the importance of choosing the right tattoo design and artist can have catastrophic results, leaving you with a piece of body art you didn’t really want in the first place.

Portraits can be particularly hard to tattoo, mainly due to their intimate detail and realistic imitation. Therefore, it is even more important to hire a tattoo artist capable of etching a portrait onto your body. Choosing the wrong artist can lead to a result like this…

Some people choose matching necklaces, others friendship wristbands. But this tattoo enthusiast has had a tattoo design etched on his backside to show his true love for his best friend. A tattoo gone too far…

Hollywood celebrity and film star Brad Pitt sported a new tattoo to the media recently, but nobody could interpret the symbolism behind the design.

The single colour tattoo, made up of lines, seemingly represents the levee system which failed when Hurrican Katrina struck New Orleans in 2005.

Brad is said to be heavily involved in a re-housing project in the city and has a home there himself. The tattoo is his dedication to the charitable cause and acts a remebrance of those who lost their lives and homes.

Celebrity Pamela Anderson, the former Baywatch babe, has decided to get her body art removed in a remarkable move as she blieves her tattoo designs will become an “eyesore” as she gets older.

A close friend revealed that the star is seeing the effects of age and hard living on her body and as her skin becomes softer she feels like her tattoos are becoming less attractable. Anderson, who has designs on her arm and back, wants them in a bid to appear more responsible.

She admitted “I’m not removing tattoos because I’m now a good mom - I’ve always been a good mom. And people with tattoos aren’t any less of a parent.” In 2002, the actress shocked the World by revealing she contracted hepatitis C from sharing a tattoo needle with her former partner Tommy Lee Jones.

Talk show queen Oprah Winfrey has stubbed reports Mariah Carey’s wedding to Nick Cannon was a last minute ordeal by revealing the pop diva already sported her married name tattooed on her neck during an apprearance on the show on April 14.

Oprah admits she didn’t think of it much at the time but remembers the “Mrs. Cannon” tattoo on her neck, strong evidence to suggest they had already planned the marraige.

There is some debate over the risks involved when getting a tattoo whilst pregnant. After some research, it seems like it is very unlikely any respectable and caring tattoo artist will be willing to tattoo you if you are carrying an unborn child.

Several artists commented on the possible risks, including premature labour, shock, infection and the simple fact not enough is known on the strain to the body.

When you get a tattoo, your body reacts to the pain and shock by pumping adrenaline round your body. Your heart rate increases, your skin sweats and your body fights the invasive procedure of getting a tattoo. Whilst carrying a baby, this adrenaline and shock can induce labour prematurely, thus it is not adviseable to even think of getting a tattoo whilst pregnant.

Further to that, tattoos can be prone to infection if not cared for properly. Artists provide general advice on looking after your tattoo but it is not fullproof and your general hygiene can cause an infection. If your body is carrying a child, it is already under tremedous strain and fighting an infection at the same time may be too much. Further to that, the infection may spread fas and onto your baby.

Little factual research is available on the subject but common knowledge would suggest getting a tattoo whilst pregnant is not a good idea.

Sean Duffy, popstar, has become sick as a result of what appears to be a severe food allergy. The former Boyzone boy band singer is in hospital to have more tests, but critics suggest the illness may be a result of a recent tattoo.

Keith Duffy, the singer’s father, has denied newspaper reports that his son has fallen ill due to complications after having a tattoo.

A tropical fish supplier, located in Hong Kong, is offering a new service for aquarium enthusiasts. HK Aquaria Mall sells a range of tropical fish that can be dyed with words, patterns or logos of your choice using a special laser.

The supplier explained that they mark the fish’s scales with low intensity laser beams and no invasive penetration of the skin occurs, making the procedure easy to complete and pain free. “The fishes don’t even bleed” the supplier explains.

Previously, dyed fish were on sale after being injected with acrylic paints using hypodermic needles. The new procedure is much safer according to HK Aquaria.

However, Dr Peter Burgess, fish health consultant, opposed the treatment. “The skin of a fish is living tissue throughout. Any colouring method that damages the skin’s protective surface will render fish prone to potentially life-threatening infections.”

First tattooing animals, now fish!

On August 22nd in 2007, police responded to a report of a shooting at a popular tattoo parlour, “Mr. Tank’s Tattoo” on East Colfax. Upon arrive, officers found Joshua Trobaugh, 27 suffering from a gunshot wound to the chect.

(Mr. Tank’s Tattoo Parlour)

Paramedics were unable to save him, and as a result of his injuries, Joshua later died at the Denver Health Medical Center. The investigation found that two male suspects had entered the parlour and shot the victim during an attempted robbery. The pair then fled the scene.

Detectives later identified the suspects as Tyrone Williams, 30, and DeWayne O’Bannon, 25. Both were being held in jail on unrelated charges and have been held for further investigation of Murder in the First Degree.

Some people get tattoos as a fashion accessory, others as a memory to a loved one. Some take the body art a step further and get the message across. This tattoo design explains its wearer’s request quite simply - DO NOT RESUSCITATE.