Tattoo’s weblog.

There are not lack of directories of tattoo studios and tattoo shops. So it is not hard to “find tattoo studio” per-se. However, it is difficult to tell which one has good tattoo artist and equipment.

After you’ve flipped your list of tattoo studios, the next thing to do is to visit them. Before you even enter a studio, get in your head that you are THE customer, and don’t let anyone or the atmosphere intimidate you. A lot of tattoo studios are a small, a little dark and the people inside has all sorts of fierce looking tattoos. Go in confidently and look around. If you meet with mean artists, leave immediately. Getting a tattoo should be a pleasant event.

Next, do take a look around the shop. Akin yourself to window shopping. Look at the neatness of the stop. It is likely that there will be pictures and Flash (tatoo designs) all over the walls. There may also be price list and regulations. Look for signs that indicate sanitation. This is important in an age of infectious disease

If your have a good general feel, speak to the tattoo artist. Most of them are very helpful, especially when they know that you’re having your first tattoo. Do note that however, they should not be your source of information for everything. You should have done your research on general tattoo stuff before you look for an artist.

If you’re convince that you’ve found a nice artist, do ask to see their portfolio. Do not be impressed by illustrations. They are usually purchased from other artists who might not even do the tattoo job itself. You need to verify the work of your artist. The portfolio is a collection of photos of the artist’s work. If they don’t have one, beware.

Another way is to watch the end product live. If you’re lucky, you might see a new customer with his or her new tattoo done. That’s the best assessment you can get.

Some people think that it is bit rude to ask to see the artist’s work. Rest assure, all good artist will be more than happy to show you their work. If you’re proud of your work, why would you be upset. Remember this is a piece of art that is on Your body, and will last a long long time.

When looking at the pictures, check a few things 1) The lines should be clean and well-defined? 2) Are the borders uniform in width? 3) Are the colors realistic and bright? 4) Are the proportions correct?

If the tattoo artist has passed all these, and most importantly, you feel good about the artist. It’s time to go ahead with your first piece of art.

P.S. As I’ve mentioned before, do you research before visiting your artist. Get some designs and choose roughly what you want. Better still, if you like a design, print it out and show your tattoo artist. Most people need at least a few hours before they choose the design for such an important event.

Best Wishes to you, my tattoo friend

Gin Blanker, Tattoo Artist for 12 Years, now runs a tatttoo design studio. www.tattoo123.blogspot.com

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Q: Will it hurt when I get a tattoo?

A: Simply put, yes. There is some degree of pain involved and the amount really depends on your level of tolerance. If you are scared or have a fear of needles, it’s fair to say that some of the pain will come from your fear of the process.

Q: Can the tattoo artist use any type of cream that will numb my skin?

A: Generally speaking, these products are not recommended. You can ask your tattoo artist for specific reasons.

Q: Are tattoos expensive?

A: If it is quality work, yes. Anyone can offer you a deal on a cheap tattoo, but this is going to be a permanent part of your body and you want the work to be something that you are proud of. In a nutshell, you will get what you pay for. When it comes to tattoos, don’t cut any corners when it comes to cost and never ask the artist to lower his/her price.

Q: When should I get a tattoo?

A: Many do not realize this, but the sunny months of summer can reek havoc on a tattoo. Therefore, it is often recommended that individuals get tattooed during the winter months when the sun’s rays are not as powerful and, therefore, not as damaging to the work itself.

Q: If I am sick, is it still OK for me to get a tattoo?

A: If your immune system is not 100%, getting a tattoo is probably not a good idea. You will need the full strength of your immune system to help with the healing process of your skin, so avoid the process if you are under the weather. Instead, call to reschedule your appointment for a later date when you will be feeling better.

Q: If I have tattoos, is it still OK to get a natural suntan or visit the tanning bed?

A: Even though everyone desires the perfect sunkissed tan, especially in the summer, exposing your tattoo to UV rays/light is not a good idea. This can cause the color in your tattoo, or the artwork itself, to fade. When you are outside in the sun, you can wear sunblock to help protect your tattoo from the sun’s damaging rays.

Q: If I have recently gotten a tattoo on my leg, when can I shave again?

A: Because each individual’s healing process is unique, there is no universal answer to this question. Your tattoo is a wound and, like all wounds, it needs to heal before you can safely resume shaving. Otherwise, you will continually aggravate the scab or any raised areas that are present on almost every tattoo. Some can resume shaving within 5-10 days, which is often when the new protective layer of skin has surfaced after the final peeling stage. It is best to ask the tattoo artist about the exact stages of the healing process and what to watch for as an indicator of when you can begin shaving again.

Q: I have a friend who recently purchased a tattoo kit and they promised me a really good deal. Is this safe?

A: Absolutely not. Your friend could very well be endangering your health by ‘practicing’ their skill on you. In order to become a professional tattoo artist, an individual needs to get the proper apprenticeship through a tattoo studio, observe the process and begin practicing on material objects before tattooing people. The apprenticeship usually takes 3-5 years, so there is no way that this type of knowledge can be learned in a kit.

Q: Can I remove the bandage after I get a tattoo so that I can show my friends?
A: This is not a good idea. The bandage is there because the tattoo artist realized the potential for infection if the wound were to be exposed to open air. Leave the bandage on according to the instructions from the tattoo artist.

DISCLAIMER: 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.

If you have more questions, please post them on TattooType tattoo forum or read some great tattoo articles and join the tattoo community at http://www.tattootype.com

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In the future of course there will be tattoos and there will be the latest cutting edge genetic tattoos in 3D and full color. And will appear to be below the skin, as the first layers of skin and the cells below will become translucent. Imagine that, very excellent indeed. Recently a futurist brought this concept to the attention of an online think tank. And another online think tanker was intrigued and called upon him for clarification in stating:

“But if its genes that maintains the tattoo they must be specific for an individual so that even if the tissue from that part is transferred for any illegal purpose to another those genes should not develop the same tattoo …..but the tissue should be capable of regenerating the same tattoo itself in case of minor injuries”

Yes, now you see what I am saying. Very good discussion here, my thoughts were that it could not be passed on and it would be specific in nature to the individual [unless a clone] then there maybe ways to make that happen in the future, but there are not now with current science. And since the code for the new cells is embedded it regenerates with each change. Although for high security clearances using genetic tattoos; eventually the tattoo should not regenerate perfectly and thus it would be the same as changing the code, combo or lock at the front gate? So you could modify the cells themselves instead and insure that the security clearance tattoo was only good for a couple of years max.

But for personal expression it makes the most sense to switch to genetic tattoos, as cutting up your body for a tattoo is medically dangerous and can lead to issues and infection. Perhaps a modification of cell expression like eating a lot of carrots turns you your skin orange or the little coy fish modifications for color we often see might be a good idea and then simply coat the cells like those original theories of stopping HIV from moving to AIDS. Fun stuff to think on and perhaps you will consider this in 2006.

Lance Winslow

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