How to Choose the Perfect Tattoo, by Bang Bang

There’s a lot to consider when choosing a tattoo: from the design, to the placement, to the artist, to the colour and size; all important factors for ink that lasts forever. So, how do you choose the right tattoo, the one that will stand the test of time, that you’ll still love just as much 50 years from now? Vogue asks the man who’s name is on everyone’s lips, and all over their bodies: New York tattoo artist, Bang Bang.

In 2017, Bang Bang (also known as Keith McCurdy) tattooed Bieber for 26 hours over three consecutive days – the longest he’s ever tattooed anyone for. The artist, who runs two eponymous Manhattan tattoo studios, tells Vogue: “I’ve had several clients be tattooed upwards of eight hours a day, three days in a row, but what made Justin’s notable is [the fact that] having your stomach and ribs tattooed are two of the most painful areas.”

But how do you make that needlework stand the test of time? “There are a number of variables that will affect the success of a tattoo,” says Bang Bang. “Certain body parts that are high motion or have extended sun exposure, and skin health. These all play a role in the lifespan of your tattoo.”

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