Are you thinking about getting your first tattoo? Perhaps you already have one or more tattoos, and you're itching to get another. You may want to rethink that ink. While tattoos are more commonplace and accepted, they still have their pitfalls. Here are 5 things to think about that may change your mind.

Tattoos may hurt your job prospects.

More and more people are getting tattoos today. In fact, a recent Pew Research study found that 40 percent of people between 18 and 29 years old have at least one tattoo. However, the survey also indicated that respondents felt tattoos hinder promotions, raises and getting hired for jobs. Interestingly, but not surprisingly, the tolerance for tattoos in the workplaces decreases with age. People in the 18-25 age group are the most accepting of tattoos, while people aged 60 and older find them the most objectionable.

So, if you work in an industry or for a company comprised of mostly young people, your tattoo will be more accepted than if you work in a field dominated by older professionals.

Your tattoo will change over time.

Most people know that tattoos fade over time, but healthy skin habits can decrease the amount of fading. However, big body changes can have major effects on the appearance of a tattoo. If you gain or lose a significant amount of weight, for example, the tattoo will suffer. As the skin loses elasticity with age, you'll also notice a change in how your tattoo looks.

Tattoos are painful.

Getting a tattoo is no joke. If you don't have a good tolerance for pain, a tattoo may be too much for you to handle. Keep in mind that some places on the body are more sensitive to pain than others are. {Source some info here} Even after your tattoo is complete, that area of the skin will be red and sore for at least a few days.

Tattoo artists make mistakes.

Face it—tattoo artists are human, just like you are. They make mistakes. Have you ever seen pictures of tattoos that are misspelled or grammatically incorrect? That could be you sporting a tattoo that would make your old English teacher cringe.

Spelling and grammar aside, some tattoo artists are just not that good. In the world of tattoos, you often do get what you pay for. Skilled artists command a high price tag, and if you try to go cheap, you may find that the tattooist's abilities aren't up to par. Some people require total tattoo makeovers after botched tattoos, meaning that they essentially have to pay for a tattoo twice because the first artist got it wrong.

Tattoos are permanent.

What are you considering getting tattooed on your body—a sentiment about your significant other, a quote about how you feel about life or something that represents your work? News flash: a lot can change in just a few years. In 5-10 years, you may not be with the person you're with now. You may no longer feel melancholy or lonely. You may work in a completely different field.

The point is, people often get tattoos that represent temporal aspects of their lives. What you love now—so much so that you want it tattooed on your body—you may not feel the same way about later.

Of course, if you get a tattoo that you regret, you may be able to have it removed. Not all tattoos are good candidates for tattoo removal, but many are, and it requires several treatments. While that procedure also causes discomfort, many people find that it's worth it to get a tattoo removed that's no longer meaningful or enjoyable to them.