Hello,

I really love lower stomach and hip tattoos. I am young and in my mid-twenties, unmarried and without children. I have a very petite figure and work out regularly to maintain my shape, I am blessed with a terrific figure. I would love to tattoo something sensual in this spot to enhance my shape while I am still young and sexy. My friends and family have convinced me this is a bad idea based on future potential weight gain, since I still do not have kids but one day may plan on it.

Is everyone right? Is this a bad idea?- Signed, Hot, Single and Maybe Senseless

Dear Hot, Single and Maybe Senseless,

Congratulations on being single and independent in your mid-twenties. Hopefully you are using this time alone to be comfortable in your own skin and get to know who you are and what you want out of life before committing to a family and a future. Obviously these considerations also include body art, and this is a very serious decision as it is just as permanent as having kids!

I agree tattooing your lower stomach and hip is a questionable decision based on your life circumstances. Your frame will certainly change upon bearing children, and no matter how cautious you are with diet and exercise during your pregnancy, you can still expect some body changes, including gaining at least twenty pounds and perhaps even stretch marks, based on genetics and the elasticity of your skin.

Both of these readical changes can somewhat be controlled based on lifestyle, but even then it's a great big gamble.

Personally I would never tattoo my stomach before I had children. But that is just my opinion and should be taken with a grain of salt. Just be aware if you get stretch marks they will destroy your tattoo. Even if you do not, your body will change so much that the shape and positioning of a stomach tattoo could still change significantly.

If you are set on inking something in a "sexy" spot, be sure to check out my article Five Sexy Spots for a Girls Tattoo. Areas that can be just as sultry include the outer hips and upper thigh, both which may fluctuate, but not nearly as so.

If you decide to get a stomach tattoo anyways, I would suggest something small that is positioned either very low on your body, or much higher. I would stay away from anything that sat at the belly button. In addition, I wanted to add that I did survive two pregnancies with a belly piercing and never removed it. All of our bodies are different and we will experience differences whole expecting and post-partum.

Since you obviously are seeking something more sensual, I suggest a different placement for now and recommend you opt for a navel piercing instead to add some adornment to this area. Once you've had at least one child you can determine your body's natural changes and so long as you care for yourself in the same manner with any following pregnancies, you'll have similar body and weight changes, and can better gear the outcome of your body changes with a morsel of experience.

Until then, henna designs look fabulous in the summer, temporary tattoos are fun, and body jewelry is always a sexy way to sparkle!

Best of luck.