Most Popular Tattoo Designs

Many persons get tattoos that are symbolic or for a particular purpose. Some designs have become so popular that persons simply want the design because of what it is rather than what it represents.

Tribal designs from various cultures are extremely popular. These designs are based on various depictions of things such as gods, animals and unidentified shapes used by aboriginal and indigenous cultures. Read more

The Risks Of Getting A Tattoo

While tattoos can be a beautiful display of body art, there are risks involved. These risks are sometimes exaggerated by those who are against such forms of expression but the risks are real and must be factored into the decision to get a tattoo.

The most important thing to notice about a tattoo shop is how clean it is. The cleaner the shop, the more likely that the equipment being used is sterilized. However, it is best to have the needle sterilized before you. All studios should have an autoclave for sterilizing equipment. If this is not done then the risk of infection with diseases such as hepatitis and HIV will be higher due to the fact that the needles comes in contact with blood and other body fluids. It is also advised that the client be up-to-date on immunizations for hepatitis to further reduce the risk of being infected. If the area of the skin is not cleaned or if ink is shared between persons this may lead to infections such as dermatitis. It is important to be aware of all the procedures regarding cleanliness in a tattoo shop and ensure that these are followed.

Persons who have skin diseases, extra-sensitive skin or illnesses such as diabetes, heart disease should consult their doctor before getting a tattoo. The tattoo artist also needs to know about any possible allergic reactions to latex or other products. Although rare, some persons have been found to be allergic to certain pigments that work well for others. To avoid reactions such as swelling, artists or clients may suggest doing a test patch to see how the body reacts to the injection of that pigment. Some tattoo artists do not use latex gloves to avoid the possibility of a client having a reaction due to being allergic to latex. However, it is the responsibility of the client to notify the artist of any known allergens.

Tattoos are meant to be permanent body alterations. Therefore, one risk of getting a tattoo is that it will not come out the way you want it to look or after a while due to a change in lifestyle or circumstances, the tattoo must be removed. Tattoo removal can be expensive and painful. Complete tattoo removal is not always possible. Sometimes the skin is left with permanent scars due to the removal process. Therefore, whenever having a tattoo done you are always at risk of being dissatisfied with it in the future.

There are various risks that can be associated with getting a tattoo just as there are ways to avoid or lessen the probability or those risks occurring. However, not all things can be controlled. The decision is a personal one and is best made with accurate understanding of the risks and how to avoid them.

Why Do People Get Tattoos?

Over the years tattoos have become less taboo. They are no longer just for rebellious teenagers. Now even older men and women are going to have tattoos done.

Tattoos may serve as a means of identification. Certain gangs and even fraternities are notorious for their tattooed images which should only be worn by members of the group. These are so important as a status symbol that if a member leaves the group they may be forced to have it removed. Tattoos also may vary based on rank or position. Usually the tattoo is a symbol, the meaning of which is understood by members but may be puzzling to outsiders. Read more

Can NeoSporin Be Used On A Tattoo?

It is very important to take care of a new tattoo. Doing so helps keep it free from infection and from causing the color and detail to fade. It is recommended that you use an antibiotic ointment on the tattoo wound in the first couple of days to avoid infection. Can Neosporin be used?

Neosporin is an triple antibiotic which is good for healing cuts and bruises. It was also highly recommended for tattoo aftercare. Some have blamed Neosporin for loss of color and blotchy tattoos. However, Neosporin is not the direct cause of this. Some persons have had allergic reactions to Neosporin resulting in tiny bumps on their tattoos. When these bumps go away there can be some loss of color in excess of what is normally expected in the weeks after the tattoo is done. Over the years Neosporin has become less and less popular for use with tattoos. Not all persons have had reactions to it, however, so the decision is a personal one.

Other arguments against the use of Neosporin include the fact that it has a healing agent which speeds along the healing process. This, of course, also applies to any triple antibiotic. It may sound like an advantage to someone who wants to the tattoo to heal quickly. However, some tattoo artists argue that the tattoo heals best when the healing process is natural. Other tattoo artists have no qualms about recommending it. In fact, Neosporin continues to be recommended by many artists who have had experience using it and have had not problems or complaints about it. Whichever antibiotic ointment is used, only a thin layer of the product must be applied. It is also not advisable that it be used more than the recommended number of times for the day (according to the instructions).

Those who have chosen not to use Neosporin may use Tattoo Goo or Bacitracin. The antibiotic ointment is only used for the first couple of days while the tattoo wound is healing. After this a lotion, baby oil or cocoa butter can be used to avoid excessive dryness. To help you make the right decision, you may want to test the product on your skin first to see if you have any reaction to it. If you do not have an allergic reaction then there is nothing wrong with using that product. It is advisable that you follow the instructions of you tattoo artist. If he/she recommends something then you should probably follow their directions unless you are allergic to the product. In general, it is always important that you let your tattoo artist know of any products you are allergic to.

The Best Place To Get A Tattoo

Are you planning on getting a tattoo? An important thing to consider is where to put it. The best place for a tattoo varies based on the purpose as well as the lifestyle of the individual. Popular places for tattoos include the lower back, upper arm and ankle.

Tattoos are used by some persons and groups as a form of identification or even a religious mark. In such cases, an area clearly visible such as the arm is usually chosen. While tattoos are becoming more and more popular it is still not deemed acceptable for them to be prominently displayed when in professional spheres such as the workplace. Therefore, depending on the lifestyle of the individual places such as the wrist and neck/face are not recommended. Otherwise, you many consider putting it in an area that can be conveniently covered when you wish to do so.

Other factors to take into consideration include the level of pain when getting or removing a tattoo and how fluctuations in body weight or other body changes affect how the tattoo looks. If a particular area on the body is sensitive then the process will be more painful than usual. Some persons experience no more than slight discomfort when getting a tattoo while others find it more painful. This varies on the individual, however, some areas of the body are more likely to be painful than others. Areas with more muscle such as the back and arms are less likely to be painful than areas that are fleshy such as the inner thigh or areas that are closer to the bone such as the wrist, skull or ankle. Weight and muscle gain or loss may result in a distortion of the tattoo or stretch marks which can cause irreversible damage. The potential for damage also varies depending on the magnitude of the change but commonly affected areas include the thighs, buttocks and stomach. Slight fluctuations will probably not have much impact on the tattoo. Therefore, if pain or the look of the tattoo in the long-term is important to you then you may want factor this into where you decide to put your tattoo.

Finally, some tattoo designs simply do not fit certain areas of the body. To ensure that you are making the right decision about where to put your tattoo, you may want to have a temporary tattoo done. These include henna (Mehndi) tattoos, temporary airbrush tattoos or body stickers. You can test out various areas on the body to see how it matches with the design you want as well as your lifestyle. Tattoo removal is expensive and painful so you want to ensure that you are making the right decision about where to put it.

Proper Care Of A New Tattoo

The directions given by each tattoo artist varies. Some recommend different products. Some say to take the bandage off in a couple of hours while others think its best to leave it on for a much longer period of time. Tattoo care, especially in the weeks after it is done, is very important to maintaining the vibrant color and detail. It is important to follow the specific guidelines provided by your artist, however, there are some basic instructions that will be outlined here.

Firstly, do not remove the bandage until you are directed to do so. As mentioned before the suggested time varies and so it is best to follow the instructions provided by your tattoo artist. This must be done gently so as not to cause damage. Some would encourage you to carefully wash the area using antibacterial soap and clean water. However, you may want to simply use a tissue to get rid off any excess ointment or oozing body fluid since water can affect the healing process and it is generally recommended that you keep the tattoo away from water as much as possible for the first couple of weeks. Therefore, it is not advised that you go swimming in this period or take long showers or baths. Generally you should cover it when showering and if it does get wet, pat it dry rather than rubbing it.

The tattoo must be keep moisturized but too much moisture is not good. Therefore, you may apply a thin layer of antibiotic ointment. You may try the brand that your tattoo artiste recommends. Some popular products used in aftercare include A&D, Bacitracin and Tattoo Goo. Some persons have had allergic reactions to some products so it is advised that test the product and watch out for signs of a reaction to the ointment. Oozing from the tattoo may continue for a couple of days. This is normal. Simply use a tissue to get rid of the fluid and apply the ointment. You may switch from the ointment simply to baby oil or lotion after a couple of days.

It is important to let the tattoo heal naturally. Do not pick at it or remove scabbing prematurely. Also, avoid excess exposure to the sun in the initial healing stages. After it is healed continue to user lotion to keep it moisturized and sun-block for when you are going to be in the sun for long periods of time.

If you notice that the wound is not healing but rather the redness, oozing is getting worse, you may want to contact your tattoo artist to ensure that nothing has gone wrong. Also, if you begin to see discolored ooze (yellow-green) then this may be indicative of an infection and you may need to contact your tattoo artist as well as see a doctor.

Tattooing Equipment

Tattoo equipment includes not only tools such as sterilized needles and tattoo iron but also basic items such as bandages and disposable razors. There are a variety of tattoo machines specialized to complete certain types of tattoos. Most can also be modified to monitor the depth of the needle, the force of application and speed at which it is done. The basic parts of the machine include the foot pedal which regulates the current flowing through the electric motor of the machine and thus controls the movement of the needle. It also has a tube system which connects to the needle and facilitates the flow of ink and a grip (the part that the artist holds). Each of these parts are detachable. Needles, for instance, vary in size and allow for varying flows of pigment so the artist can choose the appropriate one for the job.

Any reputable tattoo artist must ensure that he has adequate sterilization equipment. This includes rubbing alcohol to clean the area of the body that will be tattooed and soap and water to moisten it. Needles and tubes that will be used need to be kept in sterile pouches and sterilized regularly using an autoclave. This should be done in front of the client so they are aware that the instruments to be used have been cleaned. The area on which the tattoo will be done such as the chair or table surface should be covered to prevent transfer of contamination from from one client to the next. Gloves should also be worn by the tattoo artiste and disposed of as soon as the procedure is complete. These should be non-latex gloves as some persons are allergic to latex. The needles must also be cleaned with distilled water when switching from one color to the next.

One important procedure is the stenciling of the design. Manual tracing can be done but to save time most tattoo artistes use a machine called a thermal-fax. This transfers the design from the machine onto a special thermal paper which can then be transferred to the skin of the client. This leaves an outline of the design on their skin which is easy to see and follow. Once it is time for the tattoo the various deposits of ink will be placed into ink caps. Various brands of ink are available. To find the one that is suitable, the artist may have to go through a trial and error process, trying several until he is satisfied with a particular one.

Other helpful equipment includes a hazard bin in which needles and other disposable or possibly contaminated items will be thrown. These need to be properly disposed of according to local hazard waste requirements.

The Healing Stages Of A Fresh Tattoo

The tattoo is actually an open wound. To produce the tattoo a needle had to pierce through three layers of skin in order to inject ink beneath the surface. Therefore, the healing property of the skin is going to be the key factor in the healing process. This will take time and some effort on your part to make sure that it does not become infected.

Initially, the tattoo will be covered by the tattoo artist who will also give you instructions on how to care for it and when to remove the bandage. The bandage protects the new and especially sensitive wound from airborne bacteria and gives it a chance to begin the initial healing process on its own. It will continue to ooze ink, body fluids and perhaps even a little blood for the first couple of days. This is part of the healing process. Follow the directions of the tattoo artist to keep it moist. During this initial period you may feel some discomfort as you would with any other wound. This discomfort should dissipate over the first week. If the discomfort or oozing seems to be getting worse you should contact your tattoo artist as the wound may have become infected.

After the initial healing process is over you may notice some scabbing and peeling. There may be the temptation to scratch or pick at it but avoid doing so. By now it should be the second week after the tattoo was done. There is no more need for antibiotic ointments as the oozing should have stopped because the outer skin is beginning to heal. The peeling should not affect the tattoo. It is a natural part of the healing process. To help the dryness most persons use non-fragrance lotion. Continue to allow it to heal naturally. The scab will fall off on its own, but if it is picked then it may cause a fresh cut which may even spoil the tattoo. By the next week, most of the scabbing should be gone but the healing process is not over. It needs to continue to be moisturized to help with the dryness.

The most important stage is immediately after the tattoo is complete. From then till the end of the first week, risk of infection is high. Therefore, it is important that you follow the directions of the tattoo artist and report anything which seems strange. As with any wound, it can hamper the healing process if the wound is hit or scratched. Unlike a regular wound, it is important that it be kept out of the sun and when it has healed enough sun-block may be used as a protection.

If the wound is taken care of during the healing process then the tattoo should maintain its vibrant color and the wound should heal properly within a couple of weeks to reveal the intended design.

Which Lotion Should You Use On A New Tattoo?

So you just got inked up a few days ago, and you’re now wondering what lotion you should use to keep your skin soft in the “after care” healing process? Good question!

There seems to be quite the debate on lotion usage in the days following a fresh tattoo, and there is good reason for that. A lot of the different views and arguments come from top professionals in the bodyart industry, who have literally spent years and years trying out different procedures, ointments, and lotions for healing a tattoo after it’s done.

The arguments seem to be appropriate though, but the problem is that there are entirely too many variables when it comes to skin types. Each person has unique skin, which may react differently to different types of after care lotions, so it’s often possible that what works best for your best friend, may end up giving you a rash or some other type of allergic reaction. Crazy, right?

Some artists recommend using nothing but lotion from the first day after the tattoo, some say to use anti-infection ointment and then lotion, and some professional artists say to never use lotion, as it’s not “clean”, and can turn into a possible breeding ground for harmful bacteria.

There’ve been a few specially designed lotions for tattoos (Tattoo Lube, and Tattoo Goo off the top of my head), and there are more and more coming out every day. Lubriderm was always a safe bet, although some people claim it stings when applied. The main thing you want to find is something with Vitamins A and D, and something that helps soothe and heal dry skin. Tattoo Goo is nice because it doesn’t contain lanolin (which some lotions do, and it can cause allergic reactions if you’re allergic to sheep’s wool), it’s fragrance free, and contains all the minerals and nutrients you need to get your skin back to normal. Here is another tattoo aftercare alternative that we recommend.

Make sure you get a clean lotion that is free of dyes and fragrances, and don’t get some cheap, store brand every day lotion, because not only could it cause irritation and infection, it could also lead to color leakage and similar negative side effects, and that’s the last thing you want after spending good money for the tattoo!

The best thing you can do is talk to your artist, and ask him what the latest and greatest is in aftercare lotions, and definitely go with his recommendations. If what he recommends is a bit more expensive than you thought it would be, it’s worth the extra $3-$5, because just remember, you just got a lifelong commitment with that new tattoo, and it’s in your best interest to take care of it the best you can!