Tattoos - Finding the Right Tattoo

Whether you are getting your first tattoo or already have half your body covered with tattoos I am sure you will find some valuable information here. As a tattoo addict and someone who spends most of his waking hours coming up with tattoo ideas I would like to share some of what I have learnt over the years.

I have spent a great deal of time amongst tattoo artists in tattoo studios around the world and have encountered a wide variety of different people coming through the doors of the tattoo studio to permanently mark their bodies. Many times I have questioned why it is so many people go under the gun to get inked.

People get tattoos for lots of different reasons. Some people simply because they love them and think they look good or enhance their appearance, others to be a part of a 'tribe' or group, while others to mark a significant event in their lives such as a bereavement or to express love for another person. You could say that there are as many reasons for getting tattooed as there are human experiences. Because of the uniqueness of each persons life journey no two reasons are ever the same.

In these situations the person wanting a tattoo has probably put a great deal of thought into the tattoo and perhaps the tattoo itself will have some kind of psychological meaning; for example when someone gets a portrait tattoo of a loved one who has recently died that psychologically they want to keep close to them for the rest of their lives. Or maybe a person has been jilted by a spurned lover and wants a tattoo of a broken heart or caged bird to signify their loss.

Human beings have being modifying their bodies with ink and steel for many thousands of years. Many people see tattoos and body modification as a spiritual practice. Before the advent of modern pain management, pain was seen as a natural part of life carrying a variety of spiritual and social meanings. But as time rolled on we began to deny the very existence of anything beyond our physical bodies.

As a result many people without tattoos cannot see past the image etched onto the persons body to the deeper meaning or symbolism behind the tattoo. It can often cause a wide variety of reactions in the 'uninitiated' from mild curiosity to extreme disturbance resulting in fear and mistrust of the person. Tattoos by their very nature cause a reaction especially on those who do not have them.

This begs the question on why anyone would want to get a tattoo without considering the wider implications and deeper meaning behind the tattoo. So many people wander into a tattoo studio and have no idea why they want to get a tattoo other than seeing their favorite rap artist or basketball player and thinking it looked cool. So they waste the tattoo artists time by saying they want a Nike swoosh on their butt or a tattoo the size of a button on their back. Many tattoo artists will just put up and shut up because they see this as 'bread and butter' work.

The implications of this are two-fold. Firstly the person is left with a really 'dumb' tattoo that most likely will be regretted at some stage in their life. This can lead to many years of regret perhaps leading the person to be forced to cover up their bodies as a result. Ot it can result in many hours of painful tattoo removal costing ten times as much as the original tattoo.

Secondly getting a tattoo without due consideration can often lead to a badly placed tattoo or badly thought out tattoo design. The results of this are obvious but this is the number one reason why people get tattoo removal in worst case scenarios or tattoo cover-ups. Some tattoo artists are becoming renowned for their cover-up work as they are for their actual artistic skill. Yet people do not realise the placement of a small unambiguous tattoo may have later on if they want to get another tattoo or the social restrictions it may bring.

Finally before getting tattooed (either for the first time or the twentieth!) is important to deeply consider the design as well as the placement of the tattoo and how it may interact with other tattoos further down the track. Many people have gotten tribal armbands (when they were cool!) and later decided that tribal tattoos carry no meaning to them and that traditional style tattoos or celtic tattoos may have been more suitable. I myself have been guilty of this and as a result had a poorly thought out tattoo covered up.

Problems With Healing Tattoos

Signs of Normal Healing

At first the tattoo looks shiny, swollen and the colors are extra bright. Within 24 hours the scab forms, this should be very thin, looks like the tattoo and with proper care is slightly flexible.

After about 4-5 days the tattoo will go through a period of peeling. This looks similar to a sunburn peeling. The scab that peels off will be the color of the tattoo, and it will look like your tattoo is flaking off. Sometimes this stage is accompanied by mild itching which can be relieved by rubbing it gently with more ointment or lotion.

Do not ever leave your tattoo slick or sticky.
Always blot off any extra ointment or lotion.

When the tattoo is completely done pealing you will notice a layer underneath the new tattoo that contains healing skin cells that will cause the skin to seem milky rather than transparent. Don't worry about this; it's all part of the healing process and only takes about a month to go away. If you want, you can put lotion on the tattoo to help it look brighter and more healed during this final stage of healing.

Symptoms of Bad Healing

When healing goes wrong there are very few things that can happen. Some of the signs that things are going wrong are; extreme seeping, heavy scabbing, excessive inflammation, and sometimes a rash (little bumps) or pimples.

Often when things go wrong people assume that the tattoo is infected. Unless you work or live in a very dirty environment (see below) it probably isn't. You should always show the tattoo to your artists before heading for the doctors' office.

Most doctors know nothing about tattoo after care and some of them are prejudice against tattoos. They often time prescribe unnecessary drugs and treatment that can make the healing even worse.

A professional tattoo artist has been trained in healing correction. They know what infected tattoos look like and will only send you to a doctor when necessary. Seeing the right person can save you time and money, not to mention the finished look of your tattoo.

Aftercare Mistakes

Neglect -

If you don't practice good personal hygiene, pick your tattoo, wear tight clothing or let clothing stick to it, scrub the tattoo, or take too long or are not careful in the shower, your tattoo will not look nice when it is finished healing. It can have ink missing and sometimes heavy scar tissue over it.
Always follow the care instructions. If you feel like you don't understand them, please call and ask for help. Though we can not correct healing issues without actually seeing the tattoo, we are happy to teach you more about our healing instructions.

We'd rather spend a few extra minutes helping you to have a good healing than to have to try to fix up a tattoo healing gone wrong.

Your Health -

If you have any immunity deficiencies, blood disorders such as diabetes, or are on certain medications such as steroids or blood thinners your tattoo could be affected. It could take longer to heal and not turn out very well.

It is a good idea to consult your doctor before getting a tattoo if you suspect there may be a problem. It is a good idea to inform your artist of any health issues so they can tailor the healing to meet your needs.

Damaged Skin -

Long term cigarette smoking, drinking too many soft drinks, eating poorly, and over exposure to the sun damages skin. A tattoo on damaged skin will rarely look as good as one on healthy skin.

Sometimes the colors and lines aren't as bright or clear as they would have been and the artists can not do anything about it. If you have damaged skin you will have to keep your expectations reasonable. Sometimes if the skin is damaged the artist will want to do the tattoo in stages as avoid overworking* it and to hopefully make the healing process easier on you.

If your skin is older, thin, weak, or sun damaged it can also be harder to heal. However, with a little patience and care the tattoo can heal out fine. So be sure to follow the directions carefully and for the full length of time, which can be longer than healthy skin

(*When the skin is damaged it is very easy for the artist to accidentally overwork the tattoo. Doing this it can also cause the scabbing to be thicker. If this happens it isn't the end of the world. Just be patient and when the tattoo is completely healed your artist will want to touch it up for you.)

Sun Exposure -

The sun is your tattoos worst enemy, if you expose your healing tattoo to the sun it can fade the ink before it is even healed. Tattoos that are exposed to the sun too soon look faded, blurry, washed out and much older than they should. Under no circumstances expose your healing tattoo to prolonged direct sunlight or tanning.

Even a healed tattoo, with time, will fade when exposed to the sun or tanning beds. If you must expose your healed tattoo to those evil UV rays are sure to use a high SPF sun block (at least 45)

Allergic Reactions to Latex -

If you are allergic to latex you will more than likely know before you get your tattoo. Let the artist know so they can accommodate you. The signs of an allergic reaction to latex are extreme rash/redness in the case of latex (from gloves worn by the artist) we can use non-latex gloves and tape on you.

Allergies to Tattoo Ink -

Allergic reactions to tattoo ink are very, very, rare but unfortunately possible. Most professional tattoo pigments are made out of natural ingredients that shouldn't cause a problem. They have been proven by their use successfully in the tattoo industry for many years.

Most people don't have any idea they are allergic to certain colors of ink until after the tattoo has been applied. However we have noticed that people who are allergic to metals and have reactions to cheep jewelry often do react. At our shops, we have only seen reactions with one particular red which we rarely use.

If you are allergic to a pigment it will be evident by just that particular color bubbling and raising off of your skin. It looks like a blister or a raised red mole. It will itch and not look completely healed no matter how long it has been.

You have two choices. One is to remove the offending color or to use hydrocortisone cream to control the itching and promote healing which can take up to 5 years. Removal is not any more painful than the tattoo process and after it heals another color can be used to finish the tattoo.

If you are concerned about having a reaction to tattoo ink ask your artist about doing a "prick test" where a small dot of each color to be used in your potential artwork is tattooed under your skin at least 10 days before your tattoo. This will cost you extra money, but if you have a lot of allergies sometimes it is better to be safe than sorry.

Exposures to Toxins or Bacteria -

If you work/live in an environment with dirt and filth you run the risk of infection. Emergency rooms, nursing homes, hospitals, being around animals & their waste, toxic chemicals, and filth of all kinds can cause serious infections.

It is nearly impossible to get an infection in a professionally applied tattoo. Tattoo shops are required to use more safety precautions than hospitals, doctors, and dentists do. Most shops are inspected regularly by the local health department and display a certificate of their status. If you are still worried about the shop, go someplace else.

Be smart and use common sense. If you have a dirty job, wear loose protective clothing and do not touch your tattoo unless you have washed your hands. Dirty bedding is another problem. Put fresh sheets on your bed if you haven't done so within a few days of getting your tattoo. Wear clean clothing. Use clean towels and washcloths.

Advices from Family & Friends -

When things go wrong people tend to panic. Tattoo healing problems are not an emergency.
If you think that you are having a reaction to your tattoo or the aftercare, the best thing to do is to go back to the tattoo shop where you got the tattoo. It is very important that you consult your artist.

After looking at the problem and asking a few basic questions they can tell what the issues are and help you over come them. Very few healing problems are unsolvable or require medication.

Do not go to your friends and family for advice. They do not have the training to help you. There is a lot of out of date tattoo folk lore going around. Everyone you talk to will have a different opinion and idea of what to do. This can be dangerous.

Advices from Other Tattoo Shops -

Do not go to another tattoo shop. Each artist uses the care instructions that they know will heal their work the best. This is usually different from one artist to another. What works well for one artist can mess up someone else's work.

Another problem with going to a different shop is that tattoo shops are very competitive with each other and an unethical unprofessional tattooist will lie to persuade clients to switch artists. They will sometimes go so far as to give out bad advice to ensure the failure of the tattoo.

Expressing Yourself With Tattoos

Have you noticed that there are a lot of people that have Tattoos these days? In the past you may have only seen tattoos on people such as sailors, outlaws, and biker gangs but now tattoos are a very popular body decoration for many people. The types and styles of tattoos has also come a very long way. It is no longer crude pictures of pinup girls, skulls, and anchors. Tattoos have developed into very sophisticated art work ranging from Celtic crosses to very personalized symbols. People have found and created designs that express themselves in a very personal way.

What is a Tattoo?

Very simply a tattoo is a puncture wound made in the skin that is filled with ink. Although done differently today than in the past the technique is still somewhat similar. Today, tattoo artist use a tattoo gun that has one or more needles that penetrate the skin and delivery ink into the skin. Tattoos last a very long time due to the fact that the ink is placed deeply into the skin. The top layer of skins is called the epidermis and it is constantly shedding and being reproduced. If the ink from a tattoo was in this layer of skin it would not last very long. The layer of skin that the ink is injected to is called the dermis, which is a deeper layer of skin that is very stable and makes the tattoo stay visible almost permanently.

Tattoos in the past were done manually with a tool that they tapped on the skin to make the puncture wound and then the ink would be injected by hand. Most tattoo shops today have tattoo guns or machines to do this today, although you can still find areas around the world that still use the older style of tattooing. The tattoo guns make tattooing much more quickly today because the machine is able to deliver the ink into the skin as it is puncturing the skin. The tattoo artist can change the tip of the machine to contain one needle or group of needles depending on if they are drawing the outline of the design or shading part of the design. Most tattoo artist today are very skilled and know just how far to drive the needle into the skin to produce a good tattoo. Not going deep enough can result in ragged tattoo and going to deep can result in excessive bleeding, not to mention the pain would be much worse.

Does It Hurt?

Getting a tattoo can hurt and can take several hours or even days to complete depending on the size and design of the tattoo you are getting. The amount of pain can and will very depending on the location of the tattoo. Everyone has a different threshold to pain also. The art has a bit to do with it also. A good tattoo artist can provide less pain over a new or less experienced tattoo artist.

So you want a Tattoo!

First and foremost, if you are going to get a tattoo, get it done safely! Remember, a tattoo is a puncture wound that needs to be taken care of just like any other scrape or cut that you may get. By taking care of your tattoo you will be less likely to have it get infected. It may sound a little silly but you need to make sure that your immunizations are up to date. Tattoo shops today have implement steps to help you avoid infections and disease but it doesn't hurt to take an extra step for your own safety. Have a plan to get medical care if your tattoo does get infected. Some signs of infection are excessive redness, prolonged bleeding, pus or changes in your skin color around the tattoo.

If you have a prior or existing condition such as heart disease, allergies, diabetes or a condition that effects your immune systems by all means consult with your doctor. He may be able to recommend precautions that you can take before getting your tattoo.

Choosing the place to get your tattoo is very important. You want to be sure the tattoo shop is clean and safe. Things such as needles, gloves, mask should all be disposable and should never be used on more than one person. The guns themselves and other equipment that is not disposable should be sterilized after every use. You can contact your local government agencies(county, city, local health department) that can inform your on licensed tattoo shops, standards or complaints against a specific tattoo shop.

Here are some things to look for:

Does the tattoo shop you are looking at have an autoclave to sterilize equipment? An autoclave is a piece of equipment that uses steam, pressure and heat to sterilize with.

Is the shop licensed? You can check this through you local government agency and the tattoo shop you are looking at should be able to provide you with references.

Make sure the tattoo shop the regulations that outline procedures to be followed when dealing with bodily fluids that are provided by the Occupational Safely and Health Administration's Universal Procedures.

Just keep in mind, if the tattoo shop you are considering looks dirty or just doesn't feel right to you for any reason it would probably be best to find a tattoo shop you are more comfortable with.

What to expect

First of all you will need to find your design that you are wanting tattooed on your body. The tattoo shop you are going to will most likely have thousands of designs that you can look through. You may also be able to have the artist create a unique design for you. There are also may designs to choose from on the web. Once you have decided on a design you will need to decide on a location. You may already have a location in mind and be able to choose the tattoo you will be getting for that particular location. The tattoo artist will then clean and even shave if necessary to area getting tattooed and apply a type of stencil of the tattoo on that area and allow you to see it. This will give you a good idea of what it will look like. As the artist is getting the ink and gun ready they will explain things about the needles and the procedures in order for you to become more comfortable with the whole process. When you are both ready they will begin the outline. Once the outline is finished the tattoo artist will once again clean the tattoo area and most likely change the needles in the gun to do the shading or fill in. After finishing the tattoo the artist will again clean the tattoo area and apply some type of antibiotic ointment and then it will be covered with a bandage. Congratulations! You now have a new tattoo. It will take a few days to heal but soon you will be able to remove the bandage and show off your new art.

Tattoo Care

The last step you will need to follow in very important. That is taking care of your new tattoo until it is fully healed. The tattoo shop will give you instructions that you should follow and will most likely give you ointment to use on your tattoo. Just remember to contact your doctor if something about your tattoo seems out of the ordinary (as discussed earlier). Make sure that you keep your tattoo bandaged for the first 24 hours. This will help in the healing process greatly. You will want to avoid touching the new tattoo and picking at any scabs that may form. After all, it is a wound and will most likely form some scabs in places. When you wash it for the first time try to use an antibiotic soap and just pat it dry. Re-apply some antibiotic ointment and also re-bandage it. This will only help your tattoo to heal. You want to avoid getting your new tattoo wet(pools, hot tubs, long showers) until the tattoo has fully healed. The other important step is keeping your tattoo out of direct sunlight. Even after it is fully healed the sun can cause fading of your tattoo a great deal. So it is suggested to use a sun screen on your tattoo for quite some time so that your new tattoo does not begin to fade to soon.