FAQ

Aren't tattoos trendy?
Just who gets tattooed anyway?
What is flash?
I don't want to get something that is on the walls of a tattoo shop, what can I do?
What should I expect when I go to get my tattoo?
Does a tattoo bleed?
Does getting a tattoo hurt?
How long does a tattoo take to heal?
I have dark skin, what colors can I get?
Why did the tattoo artist put deodorant on my skin before we started the tattoo?
What Tattoo Should I Get and Where Should I Put it?
How Much do Tattoos Cost?
Should I Tip My Tattoo Artist? Is it Required?
Why can't I go drunk?
My friend said they would give me a tattoo out of their house. It is cheap. Why shouldn't I do it?
Are Tanning and Sunbathing OK with a Tattoo?
Is it Disloyal to Change Tattoo Artists?

The 10 Commandments of Tattoo Aftercare

Aren't tattoos trendy?
Sometimes I think that people pick out trendy tattoos, but I don't think that getting a tattoo is trendy. Tattoos have been found on some of the oldest mummified remains. I don't think that people will just all of a sudden stop getting tattoos. I do not know what it is about the human psyche that makes us want to change what we were born with, but we have always wanted to. If you are worried about getting a trendy tattoo, ask the artist what is really popular. They will know what it is that they are doing a lot of.

Just who gets tattooed anyway?
Some people think that the only people who get tattoos are young, rebellious 18 to 25 year olds. This is not so. While quite a few people in this age category do get tattoos, so do 70 year old retired woman (her first tattoo), and many people over the age of forty. People of all ages want to expresses their individuality. Maybe there is no age limit on the desire to express yourself.

What is flash?
Tattoo flash is all of the designs that cover the walls or are in books of all of the tattoo shops. Tattoo artists call these designs that very common and are done on many people flash. If you get a tattoo of flash, you can rest assured that someone else has that tattoo somewhere. Although the tattoo artist changes it a little, it still is flash. If you want something original, look somewhere else besides the flash on a wall in a shop.

I don't want to get something that is on the walls of a tattoo shop, what can I do?
Most tattoo artists will be more than happy to do something that you have designed or simply have thought of the idea. Finding your own design is also better for you, because you are getting a tattoo that is more personal and unique. I always tell people that ideas for tattoos are everywhere. Most tattoo artists will also draw a tattoo for you without any type of picture from you, usually at no extra charge. If you want something like this, it is a good idea to try to find something that is similar to what you are thinking about so that the artist has a better idea of what you are looking for.

Understand that if you want your own tattoo, or if you want a tattoo artist to draw something, you may not be able to get the tattoo that day. Often times the tattoo artist will work on the design when they are not busy tattooing, or when they go home. Sometimes the artist needs to look at reference material online, usually with you there. Any extra time spent is worth it for your one of a kind custom design.

What should I expect when I go to get my tattoo?
If you are thinking about getting your first tattoo, but are unfamiliar with the process, the thought might meet you with anticipation. Fear of the unknown can sometimes hold us back from doing things we really want to do. You might be concerned that it will hurt too much. You might be worried that you wouldn't know if the artist was doing something wrong. You might also be intimidated by the "gothic" like appearance of the shop, and the sanitation conditions of that space and artist. The best thing you can do is to work with an artist who despite having said it a thousand times, is willing to tell you the step by step process of what they are going to do before they do it, and basically work as an educator as well as an aritst. That way you will be prepared and know what to expect when you sit in the artist's chair. After all, you are paying good money for this, so you should never at any point feel uncomfortable with what you are about to do. A good artist will recognize if you are nervous, and work with you to make it as enjoyable an expereince as possible.

Does a tattoo bleed?
Yes. A tattoo will bleed both while you are getting it done and for a little while afterwards. The tattoo will barely bleed while the outline is being done, and then will bleed a little more noticeably while the color is being done. Once the tattoo is over, it will seem like it is bleeding more. This is due to the fact that you are moving around (your heart rate will go up, which makes you bleed more) and any bleeding is much more noticeable because you have a bandage over the tattoo that is catching all of the blood, as opposed to having someone wipe it off every few minutes. You will notice that the artist will wipe your tattoo while they are working on it. This is not necessarily to wipe away the blood. In most cases, the tattoo artist is simply wiping away any extra ink that may have splattered out of the tip of the tube.

Does Getting a Tattoo Hurt?
Does it hurt? Yes. Tattoos hurt. Stubbing your toe hurts, getting your eyebrows waxed hurts. Does a tattoo hurt that badly? No. Tattoos are more irritating than anything else. I have had people compare the feeling of a tattoo to a bee sting or a scratch, some have even said that it tickles. A tattoo does NOT feel like a shot. The needle is going up and down so fast that it does not feel like a needle. Tattoos only start to hurt if you get a very large tattoo. Anything that is small and only takes an hour or so is going to be something that you can bear. It is always a good idea to break a tattoo that is going to take a fair amount of time into a few parts. Often times you can get the outline and then go back when the outline is healed to get the color. You do not have to do this, but for any tattoo that is going to take more than three hours, it is a good idea.

If you are a female, it is a good idea not to go during "that time of the month". You are much more sensitive to pain then that at any other time. Going when you are sick is not a good idea either. Your body is already dealing with whatever illness you have and making it deal with a tattoo can be too much for it. Eat an hour or so before the tattoo. Having low blood sugar makes it more likely to become light headed.

How long does a tattoo take to heal?
This depends on where you are getting the tattoo, who does the tattoo and how you take care of it. Tattoos that are on the lower part of your body will take longer to heal (they also tend to swell more.) Unfortunately, some tattooists are a little more "heavy handed" than others, which means that they tend to upset the skin in the area of the tattoo more. This causes the tattoo to take a little longer to heal. Tattoos that are constantly picked at while they are healing will take FOREVER to heal. Not only that, they will look spotty and inconsistent when they do. When the tattoo starts to develop a scab, you should leave the tattoo alone unless you are washing it. Those scabs that you develop need to fall off when they want to come off, and not before. Picking at a healing tattoo is about the worst thing that you can do to it.

I have dark skin, what colors can I get?
It, of course, depends on how dark your skin is. People who are very dark are best off getting black tattoos. Any color that you get will, of course, show up to a point, but will not be bright. You will have to get much closer to the actual tattoo to see the color at all. Some colors will just disappear. When the tattoo heals, your skin grows over the top of the tattoo, and you have to look through that layer of skin to see the tattoo. That layer of skin has color in it, and affects the color of your tattoo. The lighter your skin is, the more colors you can use.

Why did the tattoo artist put deodorant on my skin before we started the tattoo?
Most tattoo artists use stencils. This is sort of a purple outline that sticks to your skin. The nice thing about a stencil is that you can see where the tattoo is going to be before it is started. You can also see the size of the tattoo in relation to the area that you are getting it. The tattoo artist uses the deodorant to make the stencil stick to your skin. Don't worry, they were not making some sort of comment about your personal hygiene!

What Tattoo Should I Get and Where Should I Put it?
This is all a matter of personal taste. You can get whatever you want, and whatever your artist is willing to do. Your only limit is your own imagination. As far as where you should get it goes, just keep in mind what you do for work and the type of social circles you are in. You might want to consider placing your tattoo where it can be easily covered up with normal clothing.

How Much do Tattoos Cost?
When it comes to tattoos, you get what you pay for. Plain and simple. Yes, there are plenty of people tattooing out there that will ink you for cheap, and you'll be crying to a real artist to have it covered up. Look for quality, and be willing to pay for it. NEVER haggle over the price of a tattoo. It is disrespectful to the artist. If you can't pay for quality, don't bother. This is not a flea market item. It is a piece of art you will wear for life.

Should I Tip My Tattoo Artist? Is it Required?
Did you know that you should tip your tattoo artist? Well, of course, you do not have to. However, if you are happy with your tattoo, it is always nice. If the artist took a lot of time with your design, or helped you with all of your questions, a tip of about 20 percent is very nice. Do not feel obligated to tip if you cannot afford it. If this is the case, remember that you can also tip something besides money, so make some cookies or hand out some business cards for them, these are all very welcome gestures.

Why can't I go drunk?
Being drunk does not help the pain of a tattoo, and in fact can make it worse. Most tattoo artists will not tattoo you if you are drunk for many reasons. First, you do not make good rational decisions when you have been drinking. A tattoo artist with a conscience will not want to tattoo something on you that you may regret. You will have a much harder time holding still when you have been drinking, and holding still is very important. It is hard to do a good tattoo on a moving target. You also have a far greater likelihood of throwing up. No one wants to clean up puke. To top it off, people who are drunk are obnoxious. Go sober, it really is not that bad

My friend said they would give me a tattoo out of their house. It is cheap. Why shouldn't I do it?
Good tattoos are not cheap, and cheap tattoos are not good. Not only that, but someone who is working out of their home is probably doing so for a reason. It is because they were not good enough to be hired at a shop. That is not someone that you want to have tattooing you. A large amount of tattoos we do here are tattoos that people got out of someone's house to save money, but actually costs more when you add onto it the touch up or even cover up work.

Are Tanning and Sunbathing OK with a Tattoo?
Don't put sunblock on a new or fresh tattoo - follow your artist's aftercare instructions and keep your tattoo covered or shaded with clothing for the first few weeks. You can use sunblock once your tattoo has finished peeling and has grown it's first protective layer of skin. But sunblock alone is not going to be sufficient for a new tattoo if it is exposed to direct sunlight for long periods of time. A tattoo is usually considered well-healed after about 3 months

It's no secret that tanning isn't really good for your skin anyway, but it's even harder on your tattoos. Ultraviolet rays, while adding a nice bronze tone to your skin, drain the life out of a tattoo. The more you tan, the more the ink fades and slowly goes from brilliant to boring.

Does that mean your tanning days are over? Well, I guess that depends on how much you love your tattoos and want them to stay bright and looking their best. I can certainly empathize with anyone that also loves the sun and just can't stay away. If you absolutely must go soak up some rays, at least be sensible and use sun block. Find the highest SPF level you can find and re-apply often if you're going to spend a lot of time outside. If you just can't accept having pasty white skin and your goal is to go out and get some color, make sure you at least protect your tattoos.

What about tanning beds? Indoor tanners are just as damaging as the sun, if not more so. The ultraviolet rays are much more concentrated and people tend to over-expose themselves in tanning beds, not realizing their own limits. Burning the skin damages a tattoo even more than slowly tanning. Again, if you must do it, protect your ink!

Your tattoo is an investment, so don't gamble on that investment by not properly caring for it. It takes very little effort to either cover up or safeguard your tattoo with sunscreen. Proper care can keep a tattoo looking vibrant for years to come.

Is it Disloyal to Change Tattoo Artists?
If you're not happy with the results you are getting, then by all means you should find an artist that you can feel comfortable with. We're talking about ink you will no doubt be wearing for the rest of your life, and you should never settle for less out of some misguided sense of loyalty.

But if they are a nice person and you are concerned about their feelings, here are some words of wisdom from our clients:

-"Collectors do just that. Collect, sometimes from one artist, sometimes from many. Besides, why would you give money to someone who you feel isn't doing their best?"

-"This is your body forever; if the artist isn't doing what you want you have every right to switch."

The 10 Commandments of Tattoo Aftercare

Before thee are the 10 commandments set forth by our lord and saviour, the tattoo artist, to ensure that your tattoo incures minimal concerns and is infinitely blessed with greatness from above. It is important to remember that contact between your tattoo and the outside world is kept at a minimum, as any attempt to pick, scratch, rub, or molest in any way will prove dire for your ink permanance. This is not cool.

1) Thou shalt not take thy tattoo in vain, thus remove bandage after 4-6 hours.

2) Thou shalt wash the tattoo area with warm water and antibacterical liquid soap.

3) Remember the sabbath day, the 2nd day, and keep it holy, through applying Vaseline intensive care lotion (yellow bottle) 3-6 times a day.

4) Though shalt honour your ink and your skin after the 4th to 7th day, once the tattoo scab falls without force onto the earth, upon which time thou shalt apply hand lotion daily as deemed needed.

5) Thou shalt not pick thy scab. Allow the scabs to falleth by themselves, applying lotion until all has fallen off.

6)Though shalt avoid all forms of water including chlorine, salt, or bath. The exception is a shower, but even then there is to be no touchy.

7) The tattoo shalt take a fortnight to heal. (2 weeks) Even then, it takes a month to fully heal.

8) Thou shalt not bear false rays or direct sunlight until tattoo is healed, after which thou shalt apply sublock SPF 30 for eternity.

9) Thou shalt feel free to contact us and ask any questions post tattoo

10) Thou shalt be at liberty to show-off, flaunt, or partake in any form of arrogant behavior to fully enjoy your new tattoo. You are now enlightened while others are not, thus it is your duty to point this outeth.

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