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Tattoos top the hierarchy of important beauty decisions, so we take our map of the best tattoo shops in San Francisco pretty seriously. We've been chasing down folks with impressive ink to ask for their artists' info, and the results are mapped below, (roughly north to south). But don't think that you can just stroll into one of these spots and walk out with a Mom heart the same day; it might be weeks or months before you get an appointment. (The wait is almost more painful than the tattoo itself, right?)

Have a favorite to add to the list? Let us know in the comments below.