CHOOSING A TATTOOER

Always look at the tattooist's portfolio of work. This represents their actual tattoo experience and can give you an idea of whether their ability and style will suit your personal artistic needs. If you see someone with a tattoo you like, talk to them. Generally, people are proud of their tattoos and will be happy to tell you the name of the artist and shop. Time in the trade does not always equate with quality of work, another reason to look at the portfolio. It is essential that you feel comfortable enough to ask questions and the tattooer is willing to answer them. A professional will refer you to someone else if they feel they can not do the piece you want done correctly.

DOES IT HURT?

Done in a professional setting, getting a tattoo is only mildly irritating, annoying at best. Within a few minutes, the body begins to release endorphins(natural pain killers). This eases the discomfort. Most refer to the feeling as a vibrating pinch. The more relaxed you are, the easier the process.

WHAT ARE THE CHANCES OF GETTING AIDS FROM A TATTOO?

In a professional tattoo parlor that maintains a strict method of sanitation, zero. Always make sure the equipment is single service use! All instruments and needles need to be autoclave sterilized, and the pigments used on each person thrown away. Make sure the Tattooer follows these procedures, and works in a sanitary environment! Getting a tattoo by an amateur in their home can be very dangerous, especially if they have no knowledge of sterilization or safe operating procedures. Bacterial infections, hepatitis, and syphilis are prevalent in a dirty work enviornment. The money spent at a professional tattoo parlor is well worth the assurance that the only thing you get is a tattoo.

PAYING THE PRICE

Absolutely do not "price shop". Look at examples of work by the tattooist that will be working on you. This is not a trade where there are fixed prices. Prices will vary artist to artist, region to region. You should be paying for a persons experience and time. Remember- what may be a cheap or free tattoo now, may cost you hundreds of dollars to fix later or worse, may even cost your health.

Price varies according to size, complexity, and time involved. Larger work is usually done at an hourly rate. Don't limit yourself by putting a price limit on your tattoo. You get what you pay for. Good tattoos are not cheap, and cheap tattoos are not good!

IF I GAIN OR LOSE WEIGHT, WILL IT AFFECT MY TATTOO?

Not usually. The skin has a lot of elasticity (stretch) that naturally adjusts for changes in the body. During pregnancy, a woman's abdomen will stretch considerably, and tattoos along the waistline will be distorted, but once the body returns to normal, the tattoo will take its original shape. Building muscles will not affect the shape of a tattoo, but can make it look smaller on the enlarged surface area.

CAN A TATTOO BE REMOVED?

Yes. Modern laser technology can effectively remove most tattoos within a few visits. However, removal is much more expensive, and can leave some light scarring. THINK FIRST!

CAN THEY BE COVERED WITH ANOTHER TATTOO?

Yes. Cover-up work can be challenging, depending on the design to be covered, and what the new design will be. Usually the new design has to be larger and darker, but a good cover-up does not have to be solid black. Only darker colors cover ( you can not tattoo white or flesh tone over a tattoo to cover it), but by using some imagination, an effective cover-up will not show any of the original design. Names are some of the most frequently covered tattoos.

WHAT MAKES A TATTOO FADE?

Mainly exposure to the sun. Lighter colors tend to fade first, white, yellow, light blue, etc.. The quality of pigments used, and how well the tattoo was applied are direct factors in the longevity of the tattoo. A top quality, professional tattoo will last a lifetime with good initial care, and use of sunblock. Also, the lighter the skin tone, the brighter the colors will be.

ARE THERE ANY AREAS YOU CAN'T PUT A TATTOO?

Heavy callous areas such as around heels, elbows, and fingers are not well suited for tattooing. These areas tend to wear fairly quickly, and the result is a smudgy looking blur. Toes and knees are also bad areas to have a tattoo. Remember, tattoos last your entire life, you should place them where they will always look good.

PLACEMENT AND SIZE OF THE DESIGN

Give the placement of your tattoo a lot of thought. Do you want the tattoo to be seen all the time? Are you concerned about whether the place you choose will be especially painful? Every person's body reacts differently, so the sensation of being tattooed will vary from one person to the next. Choosing where the tattoo goes should not necessarily be made based on a fear of how much it will hurt in a certain spot. All in all, most people have a gut feeling as to where they would like to have their tattoo placed. Size is often an issue. Starting small is not always the answer. Get the tattoo the size that is appropriate- in other words, the size it will work the best and look the best over time. Discuss all these aspects with your tattooist. They can share their experience with you.

HOW LONG BEFORE I CAN RESUME NORMAL ACTIVITIES(WORKING OUT,SWIMMING,TANNING,ETC...) AFTER GETTING A TATTOO?

About two weeks. Within a couple days a light, dry, flaky layer of skin will develop over the tattooed area. Follow the aftercare given by your tattooer. Most of the flaking will end in about a week resulting in a shiny, wrinkled layer of new skin. Once this happens, you can return to normal activities. If any smaller spots take longer to heal, wait until they are done healing.