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Before you make the decision to tattoo your body, I think it is best to initially get an overview of the art of tattooing. Since it is your body, it is better for you to know what tattoo are all about, the way it works, and most importantly, the risk factors involved in this artwork.

Tattoo comes from the Polynesian word tatau (ta means hand, repeated twice and u translates to color). A tattoo is a permanent marking which is made by inserting ink or pigments into the skin layers. A needle that is connected to a small machine, with tubes containing dyes, pierces through the skin repeatedly. With every puncture of the skin, the needle releases tiny droplets of ink. You may experience different degree of pain during the procedure.

You have to be aware of the risks involved in tattooing your body. Complications are relatively uncommon. However, since the process involves the skin, here are the factors to consider before you tattoo your body:

1. Infected equipment can cause infections to pass from one person to another.

2. Allergic skin reactions may arise due to use of the dyes.

3. Your body may form bumps around the tattoo area and scarring may form.

4. Tattoos can lead to local bacterial infections when infection-control procedures are not adhered to.

5. Though rare and temporary, you may get swelling or burning in the tattooed area during magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) examinations.

You must take good care of your tattoo and ensure that it is properly cleaned with soap and water. Apply a moisturizer regularly and do not expose yourself to sunlight at least for the first few weeks. Tattoos may take a few days to heal.

Other factors to consider before you tattoo your body:

1. Check that the tattoo studio is legally registered by the local authority.

2. Ensure that the studio adopts strict and complete standard operation procedures on heat sterilization of all non disposable equipment after each use by a customer.

3. Make sure that the tattooist uses needles and tubes from sterilized unopened pack before the start of each tattoo procedure and ensure that fresh gloves are worn for each tattoo procedure.

A tattoo is supposed to be a permanent body artwork. However, just in case you are dissatisfied with the artwork, you can always have the tattoo removed, albeit with difficult. I have to remind you, though, that irrespective of the way the removal procedure is conducted, there will still be skin color variation and scarring.

 Tattoo removal methods include:

1. Laser surgery-where the laser light energy is absorbed by the pigment, causing inflammation and then allowing your body to process the altered pigment.

2. The tattooed section is numbed and then sanded down to deeper skin levels. A scar may remain.

3. The tattoo may be surgically removed and the edges stitched back together, leaving a scar.

That is it. Assuming that you determine to proceed with the tattooing, you will need to decide on the exclusive design and the tattoo studio to undertake the procedure for you.

You can make your selection of design from an exclusive gallery of beautiful tattoo designs here before proceeding with the tattoo artwork with confidence.

By: mohamad ali

Laser tattoo removal

Laser tattoo removal works on the principle of selective thermolysis where the targeted tattoo is exposed to the energy delivered by laser. This energy exposure results in selective destruction of the foreign pigment while ensuring minimum damage to the surrounding skin.

Lasers can be applied to remove all sorts of tattoos be it professional, amateur, cosmetic, medicinal, and traumatic tattoos. The different colors present in the tattoos may respond differently to laser tattoo removal, but they do get removed to quite some extent. Thus laser tattoo removal presents itself as a non-invasive and effective treatment for unwanted tattoos.

The right candidate

Anyone with a need to remove an undesired tattoo can opt for laser tattoo removal. It is not the person’s physical characteristics which decide the extent of removal but the colors used. Though most tattoo colors can be eliminated or lightened more or less, skin colored tattoos may undergo irreversible ink darkening. This may be the case with white, pink, flesh-toned and light brown tattoo inks. Also red ink tattoos may turn black. In these situations do ask or say yes to a test dose.

Some Facts

Although, laser tattoo removal for sure is the best solution to the unwanted tattoo woes; it has got its warts which need to be kept in mind. Some of them are:

1. Since results are color dependent total elimination is not possible, however you can be sure of dramatic lightening. Amateur black tattoos respond more quickly than professional and multicolored tattoos.

2. To get maximum benefit multiple sessions are usually required.

3. Doubly treated tattoos may require additional treatments.

4. If the tattoo is multicolored, it would require exposure to lasers of several different wavelengths because of the selective absorption characteristics of a particular color.

Types of lasers used

Q-switched Ruby Laser (QSRL)

It is a red colored laser which works best for dark blue and black inks. With tattoos in these colors, results have been exceptional. So far as red and yellow color is concerned results have been less than satisfactory. The response of green tattoos is variable. The QSRL is also effective in treating medicinal and traumatic tattoos.

Q-switched Nd:YAG

This laser works both for amateur and professional tattoos of all colors. But best results have been observed in case of black tattoos, as is the case with the ruby laser. Moreover this laser works quite well for darker skinned individuals. Also unlike QSRL, which is ineffective in case of red and yellow color, Q-switched Nd:YAG is highly effective for these colors in frequency doubled setting (532 nm).

Q-switched Alexandrite Laser

This laser is quite like QSRL in treating tattoos especially when treating green tattoos. However up to 50% of patients can experience textural changes in their skin after treatment.

Flashlamp-pumped Pulsed Dye Laser

This laser does not penetrate deep into skin because of its wavelength which is 510 nm. Hence it is not so useful when it comes to deeper tattoos. However, it is effective for the treatment of brightly colored tattoos such as those that use red, purple, and orange inks. The major side effect of this laser is bruising.

Post-procedural Care

After the procedure some swelling and blistering is commonplace, so is crusting. So don’t panic they will go by themselves after some time. Do take good care of the wound to aid the healing process and to prevent infection.

To ensure fast and safe healing, make use of prescribed antibiotic ointment with regular dressing changes. If you feel the need of alleviating any resultant pain, consult the physician to recommend you some pain killer. Also avoid exposure to sun to prevent tanning.

Conclusion

Laser tattoo removal has brought an effective, less painful solution to people who want to get their tattoos removed or faded.



By: Maria John

About the Author:

Check out some more more TATOO removal videos

Before getting a tattoo or a body piercing find out what all the risks are and how to get rid of the tattoo or body piercing if you no longer want it.

A tattoo may only take a few minutes to get but it can last a lifetime. Tattoos are permanent. They are designs put on your skiing with pigments injected into the top layer of your skin with needles.

Here is how tattoos are created: A needle is connected to an apparatus with tubes which contain dye. These needles pierce the skin multiple times kind of like a sewing machine but on your skin. The needle inserts tiny drops of ink creating the tattoo. Tattoos can hurt and a large tattoo can take up to several hours to create. The tattoo may even bleed

What are the downsides of getting a tattoo?

You are piercing your skin so you may be a risk for more skin infections if you get a tattoo or piercing.

If you get a tattoo you put yourself at risk for getting blood related diseases. If the machine the tattoo artist uses you can you can get hepatitis C, hepatitis B, tetanus, tuberculosis and even HIV.

If you use red ink in your tattoos you may get a rash with bumps.

Tattoos can also lead to bacterial infections. The symptoms are redness, warmth, swelling and pus.

Again if you use red ink in your tattoo this can cause allergic reactions that can last for years.

Your tattoo will also require cleaning and maintenance. Your tattoo artist will give you instructions on how to clean and maintain your tattoo. You should apply skin care products and avoid too much exposure to the sun for your tattoo. Especially in the beginning.

Tattoos takes several days to heal. Do not pick at the tattoo. Give the tattoo time to heal properly.

What if you want to get rid of your tattoo? This is very common.

Tattoo removal is difficult and often still leaves scars and skin discolorations.

Laser surgery if the best way to get rid of a tattoo. Laser beams penetrate the top layer of the skin and the light is accepted by the tattoo. This method may demand up to 10 treatments over a period of a year and even then the tattoo might not completely disappear.

Another method of tattoo removal is called Dermabrasion. The tattoo is frozen until the skin is numb then the skin is sanded down. This method does not hurt very much but it usually leaves a scar.

You can also remove that tattoo surgically but this invariably leaves a scar.

By: John The Tattoo And Piercing Guy

Ami Yuy asked:

I’m going for my consult tomorrow. Even though my doctor will answer some questions, I wanted some advice/info from people who have actually had it done.

I’ve heard mixed things about it…
My tattoo is roughly 5 inches in height and 4 inches wide, across my lower back. It is all black. Some of it has already faded after having a few tatgoneink sessions and a few at-home chemical peels. I’m wanting laser surgery to hopefully remove the rest of it quickly.

My questions are:
1) Does it hurt badly?
2) If so, was this with or without numbing creams/injections?
3) And are numbing creams worth investing in or is the pain all the same?
4) My skin is EXTREMELY pale. I’ve never tanned, it is transparent white… are my chances of not scarring/discoloration better?
5) How long did it take for anyone with an all black tattoo to be removed?

Thanks!

Check out some more more TATOO removal videos

The removal of a tattoo is often thought of as being a very painful process.  Although the process may have been very painful in the past, the technology of today offers methods of removing tattoos.  Currently, there are two options to remove tattoos that are rapidly becoming more and more popular – laser technology and light based technology.

Both surgeries used light energy to destroy the ink in the tattoo.  The ink in the tattoo will absorb the energy of the light, breaking it up.  Once the ink starts to break up, it can easily be passed through and out of your body through filtering.  In most cases this is extremely safe, as the ink is broken down into micro size to where it can easily pass through the body with no complications.

The process is actually similar to the surgery in which hair is removed.  The surgeon or doctor who performs the surgery will hold a wand to the skin that is being treated.  As he does this, the pulses of light are aimed at the tattoo, breaking up the ink.  The wand is normally held right up against the tattoo, as this makes the pulses of light much more effective.

Normally, the feeling that you’ll experience is best described as an elastic or rubber band flicking constantly against your skin.  If the tattoo is big, the pain could certainly be a bit more intense.  The area where the tattoo is at is also important, as sensitive areas may cause you quite a bit of pain and discomfort.  If the area in which you have the tattoo doesn’t have a lot of muscle or tissue, you’ll more than likely want to be numbed as much as possible before starting the procedure.

Both laser and light based treatments are somewhat similar.  With both tattoo removal procedures, the doctor that is doing the procedure will always apply a cooling gel to the tattoo area that is being treated to cool the skin and conduct the energy of the light.  This cooling gel helps to draw the light, and at the same time protect your skin.  The gel will feel cool to the touch, although it will help your skin when the light pulses start to break the ink apart.

If you’ve been thinking about having a tattoo removed you should consider both light and laser based procedures.  Keep in mind that they are both expensive, and both impose risks.  Depending on how big your tattoo is and what the procedure involves, you may need to spend a night or two in the hospital.  Even though both procedures do offer ways to have your tattoo removed, you’ll need to think long and hard before you make a final decision.For More about Tattoos visit FREE TATTOOS DESIGN

By: Ramarajan

The majority of tattoos are applied without any problem, but there are some that result in a less than desirable outcome. For this reason, the potential risks associated with getting a tattoo cannot be overlooked. Unsanitary equipment is the main concern that most individuals face when getting a tattoo. The potential for contracting a disease is high with equipment that is not properly cleaned after each use. In addition, tattoos can often result in a skin infection if either the equipment used to create the tattoo is dirty or if the individual does not properly care for the area following a tattoo’s application.

If excessive redness, swelling or pain around the area of the tattoo develops, a licensed physician will need to inspect the tattoo in order to determine whether or not it is infected. Common treatments may include medication, but an infection that has gotten extremely bad may require that the patient be hospitalized. In addition to the obvious concerns that may arise immediately, a physician may again be needed later on if the patient ever decides to have that tattoo removed. Surgery is the only way to completely remove a tattoo and, as with any type of surgery, this carries additional risks.

If an individual decides to remove his/her tattoo, the procedure may be either an out-patient process or one that requires a minimal hospital stay. The ultimate determination will be made by a physician, who will consider the patient’s overall health and the likelihood of developing any type of infection. In addition, patients who experience complications during surgery or a possible allergic reaction to medication will likely be admitted to the hospital for further observation.

The next risk associated with tattoos is not so much one of health, but of appearance. If a tattoo is done by an amateur or simply not done well, it’s appearance may be ruined. At the same time, if a tattoo is every removed, there is a great possibility that a visible scar will remain. While it is true that most scars become less noticeable in time, they never completely go away and will forever be a reminder of the tattoo that was once there.

Just as with every decision in life, there are pluses and minuses to every ordeal. If you are considering a tattoo, take a moment to carefully think about why you want the tattoo, how you will feel about it 10 years from now and whether or not the tattoo is for you or for someone else. When making a permanent marking on your body, you should do so only because you want to and not because anyone else wants or expects you to.

This article is to be used for informational purposes only. The information contained herein is not intended to be used in place of, or in conjunction with, professional medical advice. Before deciding on getting a tattoo or having one removed, the patient must consult a licensed medical doctor for medical advice and/or to determine the best course of action for his/her individual healthcare needs.

By: Cristi

About the Author:

Tattoo sleeves: Attitude without needle

When our daughter was little, we tried to get creative with the items we would hand out every Halloween to the Trick or Treater’s who would stop by our home.

Over the years, I have learnt to keep a variety of items on hand for that special night. I like to give out age appropriate items, so I make up 3 baskets of goodies filled with items for a particular age group. Inexpensive wicker baskets that can be purchased at your local dollar store are great for organizing your Halloween goodies. When the child arrives at my door, I can pick up the appropriate basket and let the child pick something out of it.

Children get a lot of candy during this time of the year, so if you are looking for some fun alternatives to handing out candy this year, I think you will find some creative and inexpensive ideas from the following list.

Travel Tooth Brushes

Travel-Size Tooth Paste

Re-useable Sports Bottle Straws

Temporary Body Tattoos (boys)

Pony Tail Holders (girls)

Hair Barrettes (girls)

Glow Sticks, Necklaces and Bracelets

Inexpensive Jewelry (Dollar Store)

Mini Die-Cast Cars (Dollar Store)

Mini Boxes of Crayons (4 packs)

Pencils

Erasers In Fun Halloween Shapes

Silly Putty (Dollar Store)

Mini Canisters of Play Dough

Mini Holiday Coloring Books and Activity Pads

Holiday Refrigerator Magnets

Holiday Vinyl Mini Window Clings

Mini Bottles of Blowing Bubbles

Mini Foam Holiday Rubber Stamps

Mini Ink Pads

Key Chains

Decks of Playing Cards

Bookmarks

Certificates for a Free Movie Rental

Character or Holiday Pins

Sheets of Stickers

Bandanas

Sports Cards

Movie Tickets or Discount Movie Coupons

Finger Puppets

Travel-Size Boxes of Cereal

Fast Food Beverage, Fries or Ice Cream Certificates

Tip #1: Throughout the year, when we eat out at fast food restaurants, we order kids meals for ourselves. We take all of those ‘kids meals’ toys and put them into a large wicker basket. When Trick or Treat night rolls around, we get the basket out and hand out those toys to the kids that visit our home on Halloween night.

Tip #2: Every year we get several babies out with their siblings and parents at our front door. I like to keep several jars of baby food or baby teething cookies on hand for those that visit our home. After all, a candy bar would be inappropriate to give to a child that small.

When it comes to Halloween, the most important part is to have fun and to stay safe. I believe it is important to have a variety of age appropriate items on hand to give out to the Trick or Treater’s that arrive at your front door.

By: Shelly Hill

About the Author:

Tattoo sleeves: Attitude without needle

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henna removal:-

Basically, Henna gives a natural colour.  It is applied on the skin and it remove naturally within a one or two weeks.  It should good for the skin to shed it naturally.  Many women are put on cream of henna removal.  Some peoples apply natural herbal oil on the particular portion of the body and wash it away to remove henna.

It is best for the particulars skin to shed the henna naturally, but many times for some personal and professional conditions it is necessary to remove henna designs. 

·         Tattooed area should be washed in salt water for 15 minutes.  Salt removes some of the stain.                                                                                                                              

·         One should soak the hands or particular part of skin in a chlorinated hot tub.  This method makes the henna colour lighter in colour and also this procedure can be repeated.                                  

·         One can apply a heena removal cream to the affected skin area.  Henna works by absorbing into the top layers of skin only, by scrubbing your skin roughly can help to speed its removal.

·         Sweat makes the skin to shed the colour more quickly. This won’t remove it immediately, but it will speed up the process in conjunction with other methods.

·         Wash more often to accelerate henna removal. Using antibacterial soap and a loofah on the henna stain each day will remove it quickly.

·         Rub hydrogen peroxide onto the henna stain with a cotton ball. After few minutes, the stain gets lighten.

·         Stronger soaps, like a soak in the hot tub, cause skin to shed to a greater degree. To remove the henna colour sooner, choose the antibacterial soap instead of regular glycerin.         

For more information visit www.herbalinfosite.com.

By: mahendra

About the Author:

Amazing tattoo removal method revealed

Getting a tattoo is a very serious decision as the tattoo will more than likely remain on your body forever. However, choosing to remove a tattoo is even more serious as it is typically both more painful and much more expensive than getting the tattoo in the first place. In addition, while your tattoo probably took a few hours to put on, it will probably take weeks or months to remove it.

While there are options including laser treatments and surgery to help get rid of your tattoos, one of the most popular and certainly the least expensive methods is to use a topical tattoo removal treatment such as Tat-Med. Topical Tattoo Removers have become more and more popular each year and are now beginning to catch up with laser treatment in terms of usage. The main reason more and more people are deciding to use tattoo removal creams and gel is very simple: cost.

The reality is that while laser treatments are effective, they are also very expensive and almost never covered by existing health insurance plans. This is because unless removing the tattoo is medically necessary, insurance companies view the procedure as cosmetic/elective and therefore force those that want their tattoos removed to pay for the treatment out of pocket.

When you add up the final cost of having your tattoo removed via laser you could easily spend thousands and thousands of dollars. On the other hand, using a topical option like TatMed is much more affordable. This is because topical solutions cost a fraction of the price of laser treatments and while it will take multiple bottles to produce visible results, it will still be much less expensive not to mention less painful than having your tattoo removed via laser or surgery.

However, it should be noted again, that while using a topical tattoo remover such as Tat-Med is effective and safe, it will take longer to see results. This is because the process used to fade and help erase a tattoo using a topical solution involves removing layers of skin until the final layer of tattooed skin is revealed and removed. Basically, topical tattoo removers help speed up the natural exfoliating process by effectively removing old layers of skin and allowing new ones to appear. This is also why old tattoos look faded and dull. When used in conjunction with an exfoliating pad, the process is even further sped-up and will fade and help erase the tattoo even more efficiently.

It should also be noted that a few weeks into using Tat-Med, the unwanted tattoo will appear brighter than before. This is due to the fact that the ink is getting closer to the surface of the skin and that the process is working.

Regarding safety, using a topical tattoo removal cream or gel like Tat-Med is the safest way to get rid of a tattoo. However, some topical tattoo removal products do use TCA (Trichloroacetic Acid), which is a skin peeling agent. These kinds of products are much more risky than using TatMed which relies on proven and safe ingredients like Alpha Arbutin.

By: John Sate

When the big day arrives, surprises are not welcome. From the moment a customer enters the tattoo shop to the moment he or she leaves, there is a typical process that is virtually scripted in the minds of many tattoo artists, and it helps a prospective tattooee to know in advance what that script involves.

Several steps of preparation involving the workstation, equipment, and pigments take place and may mean some waiting time spent idly gazing at flash or watching somebody else get tattooed. The design is prepared with either a transfer or a stencil.

The skin, no matter the part of the body involved, is shaved and given an alcohol wipe. A temporary ink outline of the design is placed on the surface of the skin and checked in a mirror. And all of these steps take place before a single part of actual tattooing begins.

This article is designed to relieve the natural anxiety that any new experience brings, by demystifying it and laying it bare. Knowing exactly what to expect, in the order it will likely happen, and the amount of time it will likely last, can mean the difference between a nerve-racking experience and an enriching one.

This article advises tattooees of some of the potential regulations involved, their responsibilities, the responsibilities of the tattoo shop or artist, and the requirements of payment up front and signing contracts. In addition, the prospective tattooee will learn that tattoo artists also have their own expectations, and that fulfilling these can make for an even better experience and better tattoo.

Before You Get There

You’ve done all your research, made all your decisions, and have your appointment … what, no appointment? Part of the decision-making process was picking your tattooist someone in whose technical and artistic skill you have confidence, with whom you have some rapport—someone that you trust. Will he or she be at the shop that day or not? Assuming so, will he or she he busy when you arrive? If that is the case, are you going to wait? How long? But why leave any of this to chance? The first thing, then, that you need to do before you actually arrive for your tattoo is to have made an appointment beforehand. (It’s not as spur-of-the-moment as some tattoos, hut the perfect tattoo rarely is.) The second thing to do is to take a bath or shower. Whether you’ve had your bath for the week already or not, be clean and presentable. Don’t come directly from the gym in your workout clothes or after you’ve been digging trenches in the hot sun. Your tattoo artist is going to sit close to you and work with your skin. Don’t give him or her a reason to hurry.

On your checklist of things not to do before your tattoo appointment is taking any aspirin or drinking alcohol. In both cases, the blood is thinned, which makes for more bleeding and possibly impaired healing. In the second case, though, it’s simply poor form to show up faced. You are entering a tattoo artist’s place of work and creativity. Is that how you’d wad somebody to come to your place of work? Save the drinking for later, when your friends take you out. Besides, you wouldn’t want to miss out on a single part of your tattoo experience. When you look back on it, you’ll know that you earned your tattoo the way millions of people have for thousands of years.

Dress appropriately for the placement of your tattoo, which you have already discussed with the tattoo artist. If you know you’re getting a tattoo on your upper arm, then wear something sleeveless or with sleeves that can be rolled up high enough. If you’re getting something on your lower leg, then wear shorts. If you’re getting something on your lower back, then wear a shirt that you can lift and pants that are low enough or which can be lowered enough. If you’re getting something on your back, girls, consider wearing a button-up shirt which you can then wear backwards and leave open in the hack. All tattoo shops will have at least a bathroom where you can change your clothes. Tattoo shops also have areas with more and less privacy. The front of the shop will almost always have a chair or two but also, usually there will be an area that is screened off from the view people in the front and the general public who are looking at flash. If you have questions about what would be good to wear, ask your tattoo artist. You don’t want to wear clothing (like briefs or a bra) that will leave an impression in your skin in the exact place where you’re planning on having a tattoo.

With all of that in mind, do your best to dress comfortably. There’s no point in complicating matters by wearing something in which you can’t breathe. Keep in mind the possibility that some stray ink might get on your clothes. It doesn’t happen all the time, but it does happen. Some people who are in the process of getting a very large tattoo, over the course of several sessions, may even have a certain set of clothes that they wear for tattooing and may even bring their own towel or pillow for extra comfort. For most people getting their first tattoo, though, this would probably be completely unnecessary. Don’t even think about bringing your teddy hear.

What to Bring

Make sure that you bring some form of identification with you, no matter your age. Depending on local regulations, many tattoo shops will have a contract for you to sign. As with any contract, you should read it. Unlike most, it’ll probably be pretty brief. You can expect issues of responsibility to come up (for example, allergic reactions to inks aren’t the responsibility of the tattoo artist) or the legal age limit for tattooing (different in different areas).

In essence, the tattoo shop and tattoo artist are going to limit the amount of responsibility that they are willing to accept to things that they can control: a sterile environment, satisfaction with the work, and the like. They are not going to take responsibility for things that they can’t control: your allergic reactions, the particulars and peculiarities of how your skin heals. In order to sign a contract with you, they have to know who you are. The identification that you bring will be used to that end, and to verify your age if you look close to the legal limit.

Bring your money. You’ve already discussed your design in detail with the tattoo artist. Once the artist has seen the design, and knows how big it will be and where on your body it will go, he or she can give you a price. Body location will change the price since some parts of the body simply mean more work and time for the artist than others. You know what forms of money they’ll take: cash, maybe checks (but you should ask), and credit cards. Make sure to bring enough with you for the tattoo and your tip, if you’re thinking of giving one after being pleased with the final product. You may he asked for the fee up front, so that they can be sure you’ve got the money.

Be on time for your appointment. Not only is it courteous and good business practice—it also helps to have as much time as possible for your tattoo. There may be more appointments after you. Even if you’re on time, though, prepare yourself to wait anyway. Tattooing is a people business and people can be unpredictable. Some tattoo clients may need more breaks during their tattoo process than others or may simply need to take the whole thing a little more slowly. Others simply sit down, sit like a rock, and get up when it’s done. Of course, even if everything is on time, waiting during preparations is part of the normal process.

Preparations

The following scenario can only be a general guideline since it will most definitely vary from place to place and artist to artist. But in its broad outlines, this is pretty much what you can expect.

When you arrive and are greeted by your tattoo artist, he or she will confirm the tattoo with you (design, placement, colors), see your ID, have you sign the contract, take your money, and then make the preparations. You can watch, you can look at Rash, or you can probably watch somebody else getting tattooed. You might have seen all of this before when you made your grand tour of local tattoo shops or when you looked at your artist’s portfolio. Your artist will now create the artwork for the outline of your tattoo design, if it hasn’t already been done. A simple, clean, black-and-white version of the outline of your tattoo will be drawn or traced. This paper version might be held up against your body for position and placement, helping with that final visualization process of how your finished tattoo will look. Don’t have any ink or temporary tattoos at all in the area where you’ll be getting your tattoo. Once the outline is finalized, the tattoo artist will make a transfer, essentially xeroxing the outline onto special transfer paper.

At this point, tattoo artists prepare the work area by wiping the chair or table down with a disinfectant. They may also use Saran wrap to cover these same areas. Then they’ll do the same for the surface on which their equipment rests, again wiping it down with a disinfectant and putting down Saran wrap, especially over anything in the area that might be particularly sensitive (like the power supply for the tattoo machine, for example, if it happens to be located on the worktable—you wouldn’t want to get any liquid on that sucker). At some point your artist will don sterile latex gloves. These are worn at all times when touching your skin or anything that will be touching your skin. If your artist has to answer the phone or fetch more ink or whatever, he or she will need to put on new gloves each time before sitting down to tattoo you.

Next, the equipment is brought out to the work area. The tattoo machine itself, unopened packages of sterilized tubes and needles, and a disposable razor are placed on the disinfected worktable. You’ll be invited to assume the position—take a seat or lie down, whichever is appropriate for your tattoo placement. Before the transfer can go On, your skin will be cleaned with alcohol, using new tissues or cotton balls, and then it will be shaved. No matter if you’re a guy or a girl or what part of the body we’re talking about (since there is body hair everywhere, even though it’s hard to see), your skin will be prepared by removing as much body hair as possible with a single gentle shave. The artist will wipe (town the area with alcohol and place the outline of your tattoo, now on the special transfer paper into contact with your wet skin. When the transfer paper is removed, it leaves behind a purple outline on the skin that your artist will use as a guide to create the outline of the tattoo. You should check this in a mirror, using a handheld mirror along with the ones on the wall if it’s on your back. What you’re seeing is a very close approximation of how your finished tattoo will appear in the context of the rest of your body—although it’s a far cry from the black outline and shading that will obliterate the transfer ink. Also, don’t worry if the transfer seems messy. It’s not permanent ink and it only serves as a guideline. If, at this point, you want something changed about location, size, or design, now is the time to say so.

If the transfer looks good to you both, you’ll be asked to resume your position. The artist will then set up a palette of inks. Generally a new paper plate or a sterile tray serves to hold the inks that will be used for your tattoo. Inks are stored in sterile plastic bottles with conical tips. The inks for your tattoo will be dispensed from these bottles into new and disposable plastic caps. A mound of Vaseline can be placed on the plate with a sterile wooden tongue depressor and the caps may be dabbed in it so that they stick to the palette. The cap of an ink bottle is removed and wiped with a tissue, and then ink is squeezed directly into the small cup on the palette. Although this process might be repeated later, generally an artist will put down enough cups to hold enough ink for the entire tattoo if it’s a small one. Then the tip is wiped again and the cap and bottle replaced. The palette with Vaseline and inks will be placed close at hand at the worktable.

Once the palette is in place, it’s time to load the needles into the tattoo machine. While you may not see the inks dispensed the most important part of the sterilization procedure should he done in front of you: opening the autoclave bags. The tubes are first removed from their autoclave bags and fitted into the opening in the tattoo machine. Many artists have particular favorites among tube styles and they likely own their tubes, matched to their machines, and they may purchase and manufacture their own needles as well (soldering needles to the bars). The needles are removed from the autoclave bag and inspected by the artist with a loupe. They are inserted into the tubes and attached to the machine.

Finally, the machine is hooked up to the power cord, which generally has a foot switch in it for the artist to turn the tattoo machine on and off, hands free. Once the machine is turned on, the artist may fiddle with it or the power supply, and you’ll hear it make a distinct buzzing sound—not so loud that a normal conversation voice is easily heard above it. though. When the machine is running to the artist’s satisfaction, he or she will dip the running machine into the first ink cup (generally black to create the outline) and let you know that things are about to start and that you’ll be feeling a brisk sensation.

The style of different tattoo artists when interacting with customer varies greasily, but this is why you spent some amount of time considering them in the first place. In addition, many tattoo artists will modify their approach or style and tailor it to their clients’ needs (a first-time customer may need much more time than a repeat “offender”). They may offer you a moment to reconsider the tattoo before they begin … or not. They may ask you if you’re ready to begin … or not. At this point, or at any time really, if you feel nervous or anxious, that’s perfectly natural. Just let your artist know. Artists help hundreds if not thousands of people through the process of getting their first tattoo. Because you’re embarking on something that will permanently be displayed on your skin for the rest of your life, it’s not uncommon for that realization to come to you in that moment. Rather than worrying about pain, you’re worrying about your decision. However, the point of this book is to make sure that you’ve done everything that you can to be prepared for this moment. Anxiety and nervousness are just a part of the tattoo process, part of the ritual in a sense, and part of every important ritual in the most universal sense. If, however, you’re having serious second thoughts, say so. If your gut instinct is that you’re making a mistake, then stop. Tattoo artists have seen that happen as well. You need to feel good about what you’re doing in the big picture, even if you’re nervous at the time. If you need to cancel, then do it, before the outline begins. There’s always another day.

Let’s assume that all systems are go. Your tattooist may begin with a small line, just a little bit of the outline, and then check on you. Do your best riot to move, but don’t hold your breath either. At this point, after that first bit of outline, you’ve felt and now have experience with the pain level. This is the pain, whether you experience it as a stinging sensation or a rubber band snapping against your skin, that you will likely be experiencing for the rest of the tattoo process depending on the size and complexity of your design. It is a pain that the majority of tattoo clients would describe as manageable or moderate. Many first-time tattoo clients are actually relieved at this point to know that this whole tattoo thing is definitely doable. A smaller percentage grit their teeth and start a breathing exercise. If, however, you decide that the pain is manageable, then your tattoo artist will proceed, taking the tattoo machine away only briefly for more ink. Longer breaks will come as the needles need to be changed (different needle configurations are used for different parts of the design) and also to change ink colors (generally achieved by rinsing the needles in clean water in a small disposable cup set aside for that purpose).

Your job now is to sit like a rock, without flinching or squirming. Go ahead and talk if you like, but don’t whine. Most tattoo artists are quite used to chatting with their clients during the process. If they need you to be quiet, like when they’re doing the eyes on your pinup cutie, they’ll let you know. Generally your tattoo artist will also let you know when the outline is done. Most people find the outlining more painful than the shading which follows. As the tattoo process proceeds, however, you may find that you need to take a break, maybe because of the discomfort, maybe to switch positions, or just to have a cigarette. Perhaps your tattooist will need a break as well, to take a phone call or see a client who has stopped by the shop. If you want a break, then ask for one. It’s part of the routine. Your artist will wipe off the excess ink and body fluids, smooth on some Vaseline, and you can get up and check out the work in progress and have some water or your smoke. The position in which you sit or lie for your tattoo may not be the most comfortable. But your tattooist needs to get the right angle on your skin to do the tattoo well. Be as understanding as possible when it conies to being in an uncomfortable position. Tattooists battle repetitive motion injuries such as carpal tunnel syndrome like everybody else.

The Party’s Over

Well, despite how much you’d like the hot needle massage to continue, eventually your tattooist announces that your tattoo is finished, just when you were getting into the Zen of the whole thing. Finally you get up and look at your finished tattoo in the mirror. Don’t be surprised if your skin is red and a little puffy. Lymph fluid and blood may bead up, ever so slightly. The colors often look darker and have more contrast at this early stage than when the tattoo is completely healed. The reddish swelling of the skin is one contributor to that darker effect. Also, the epidermis is full of ink as well, but we know that eventually the epidermis layer will be replaced with a new clear one, just as before. As you look in the mirror, though, what you see is pretty much your new tattoo and how it will look for many years to come. If you’ve done your homework and you’ve picked your design, body location, and artist well, then you’re likely not looking at just any tattoo, but the perfect one—for you. No matter the size of your tattoo, you have joined the tribe as fully as it can be joined. Welcome and well done.

By: Alexander