Finding the perfect salon can be tricky, because there are so many tattoo places out there now. The best thing to do? “Research, research, research,” says Saigh. Check out sites like Yelp and Citysearch for reviews.

Word of mouth can be helpful, but don’t go to someone simply because your friend heard they were “pretty good,” says Saigh. (Though a friend who actually has a tattoo from the place and had a good experience carries more weight.) Even if you do get a recommendation, make sure you check out the artist’s portfolio to see his/her past work.