i got my first tattoo just a couple weeks after i turned 18! the place i went too, i had some previous piercings done and trusted them completely, never heard anything bad about them(of course i did after i got it) but the guy i went too, i told him what i wanted! Something on my ankle, like an anklet, small pretty, and nothing tacky! with my name as like a pendant!
Of course he drew up something huge with a link chain instead of a tiny chain like one! I was so eager to get it, i said okay whatever! I've grown to like it! When i wear certain things im ashamed of it, for example at my sister's wedding!
i was HUGELY emabarrased because we were in a church and i was wearing a dress that showed of my legs and it just felt wrong to be showing it off like some prize possession in gods house!
for the most part, i dont regret getting it, i just wished it was more of what i wanted! It's neat and not ungodly huge but still not what i had in mind!
everyone else who see's it says it way neat and they love it, as long as other people arent appauled by it, im okay with it too!
i'd say def. pick a GOOD place, somewhere who does alot of work, pick out something you absolutely want and dont mind seeing everyday!
my dad makes fun of me because he thinks i dont know how to spell my name so i had to get it tattooed so i dont ever forget it! haha!
i didnt tell me dad, he found out a year later, but by that time i was okay with him seeing it!
Ask if they have pictures of their previous work, you'll be able to tell if it's good work or not!
Hope i kinda gave some insight! but best of luck to you and your son! hope he does the right thing!