'I had just gotten out of college and started working for AmeriCorps, and I was just working a lot and always on the go," explained Jill Cain as she sat back on one of several couches inside the Sea Island Habitat for Humanity. While looking at the tattoos on her elbows, Cain broke down the significance of the artwork, a Zia Pueblo sun symbol commonly associated with the New Mexico flag.

Cain's time working in New Mexico led her to adopt a new mind-set of "Manana," or "there's always tomorrow," the Spanish-American habit of procrastination.

"I was told to slow down, relax and enjoy life a little more. The tattoos represent that for me," Cain said. The art etched into her elbows provides Cain a reminder her of her life experiences. She is not alone.

While the act of permanently marking your skin with ink is by no means new, it has moved beyond associations with sailors and rebels. It has, for better or worse, become part of the mainstream.

Tattoos are more prevalent than ever for a number of reasons. When tattooing was legalized in the Lowcountry in 2006, it's popularity in today's culture, coupled with safer practices under stringent public health laws, allowed body-art application to take off in Charleston.

When tattooing became legal here, I decided it was time to get one of my own. Two years later, I was still deciding. I'd always kicked around the idea of getting a tattoo, but was never sure what I wanted. I didn't want it to fall into the category of whim. A lot of thoughts were racing through my head: What if I didn't like my tattoo? Was it going to hurt? What if I start crying?

With that, I visited Holy City Tattoo to make an appointment with the parlor's owner, Jason Eisenberg.

While it's not unusual for people to get inked on a whim, Eisenberg is adamant that potential customers carefully think about the decision to get a tattoo. They are a permanent change to the body.

"Too many times people get tattoos without thinking about what a tattoo is. These aren't the temporary tattoos you get out of a gumball machine," he said.

Looking around at the beautiful designs the parlor had on display, I was certain I wanted a tattoo that felt right. Looking at the display, I was reminded of my Uncle Pat, a salty World War II sailor, and the unusual art he chose: a "sweet" tattoo above his right breast and a "sour" tattoo above his left breast. Eisenberg said he personalizes each tattoo. I knew I wanted mine to include one of my favorite pop icons, but I wanted it to be a sentiment that I would never regret or get me slapped by my mom. After considering the multitude of images available, I settled on an edgy design of my own: a drawing of everybody's favorite round-headed comic-strip character, Charlie Brown, holding his arms out wide with the phrase, "I Love You Mom This Much!" With that, I scheduled an appointment with Holy City Tattoo for the following Monday.

Feeling apprehensive, I called Holy City Tattoo the next day. Eisenberg asked me if I had any questions. When I brought up the issue of safety, he was quick to point out, "When you come to this studio, like any others, it's always best to ask questions and take notes. A person should exercise some common sense. Do you think you're ready for a tattoo?"

When I asked him if having a skin condition would be a factor, Eisenberg suggested that I first consult a dermatologist.

That Monday, I showed up with a doctor's note. After examining the note, Eisenberg handed me a form on a clipboard, "Read over this carefully and fill this out. When you're done, we'll get you set up."

After completing the form, we went to his booth. "What do you think?" he asked, showing me the Charlie Brown stencil that he had drawn on a slip of paper.

After giving my approval, he added, "If at anytime, you feel like you're going to faint or anything like that, let me know. It doesn't normally happen, but I just like to give people a heads up just in case."

Eisenberg went to a sink to wash his hands for the procedure. He groaned when I asked about the misconceptions that still surround tattoo culture.

"Some people think that people with tattoos have problems, and we are all addicted to drugs, sex, crime in general, or Daddy didn't love us. Truth of the matter is, we are normal people who have chosen to do something outside the 'quote/unquote' norm with our bodies. Not all people with tattoos are criminals, and not all criminals have tattoos. It is a personal choice, that's all. Don't like them, don't get one. Just that simple."

As Eisenberg opened up a package of new, sterile, single-use needles and fresh ink caps, I rolled my sleeve up to my shoulder. With rubber gloves on his hands, he positioned the stencil over the area I wanted the tattoo placed. My paranoia of impending pain led me to turn my head away and start a conversation about Jason's studio.

As the needle vibrated along my shoulder, Eisenberg reflected on the time it took for him to realize his dream of opening a studio of his own.

"Once secured, there were a lot of hoops to jump through. None of the obstacles were born out of malice toward tattooing, but rather more to adhere to local laws. Beyond the normal political wrangling, a lot of expense and construction time were invested in our location."

Twenty minutes later, just as my shoulder was feeling a little tingly, Jason sat back in his chair. "We're all done. Go look in that mirror over there," he said.

Applying Aquaphor to my shoulder as I surveyed his work of art in a nearby wall mirror, Eisenberg said, "Before you split, I have a sheet of aftercare instructions for you to take with you. Follow them, it's important."

LOCAL TATTOO SHOPS

Here's a list of what Charleston and the surrounding area has to offer in tattoo shops.

Most of them have Web sites so you can peruse their artwork.

In order to get a tattoo, you have to be 21.

If you are 18, you have to have parental consent.

Blu Gorilla Tattoo Parlor

Address: 1436 Meeting St., Charleston.

Phone: 805-8071

Web site: www.blugorilla.com.

Myspace page: www.myspace.com/blugorillatattoo

Holly's Body Canvas

Address: 10150 Dorchester Road, Ste. 213, Summerville

Phone: 873-2662

WEb site: www.hollysbodycanvas.com/

Holly's Body Canvas Too

Address: 1258 Redbank Road, Goose Creek

Phone: 797-7234

Web site: www.hollysbodycanvas.com

Myspace page: www.myspace.com/hollysbodycanvas

Holy City Tattoo

Address: 1409 King St., Charleston

Phone: 805-8000

Web site: www.holycitytattoo.com.

Myspace page: www.myspace.com/holycitytattoo

Lucky 7's Tattoo

Address: 1856 Belgrade Ave., Charleston

Phone: 225-2777

Web site: www.lucky7stattoo.com

Myspace page: www.myspace.com/lucky7stattoo

Neon Needle Tattoos

Address: 105 Eagle Road, Goose Creek

Phone: 569-0315

Web site: www.neonneedle.com

Ivory Tiger

Address: 1905 North Main St., Summerville

Phone: 821-8145

What about the off-chance you have a bad tattoo, or one you've fallen out of love with? You can go online looking for the latest invention that guarantees tat removal, or you can visit these local establishments.

Dermatology and Laser Center of Charleston

Address: 2093 Henry Tecklenburg Dr. Charleston

Phone: 556-8886

Web site: www.dermandlaser.com

Jacobs, Jon R. M.D. FACS

Address: 9213-D University Blvd. North Charleston

Phone: 797-6564

Palmetto Plastic Surgery

Address: 2801 Tricom St. North Charleston

Phone: 797-5252