GET IT REMOVED - TISSUE EXPANSION ?

CAN I GET INFECTIOUS DISEASES FROM TATTOO NEEDLES?

There has been some concern recently regarding transmittable diseases (particularly Hepatitis-B and AIDS [HIV]) and tattoo shops. Just as in a dentist's office, as long as the area is strictly sanitized, your chances for infection will be greatly reduced.

Note: If you plan on getting lots of body art (piercings or tattoos), you should seriously consider getting immunized against Hepatitis-B. Hep-B is a much more serious concern than HIV as the virus is much more virulent and easier to catch.

WHAT TO LOOK FOR IN A SANITARY SHOP ENVIRONMENT

The current popularity of tattooing and body piercing has also brought on an increase in potentially hazardous conditions. RAB regulars have begun posting information on unsanitary practices. For this reason, I am posting the following guideline of what to look out for (in this situation, "artist" refers to both tattooists and piercers):

-  Lighting: The area must be well-lit so the artist can see what s/he is doing.

-  Counter and floor space should be lightly colored, preferably white so dirt shows up easier.

-  The spray bottle the artist uses on your skin should be disinfected between customers, or some kind of protective film such as Saran Wrap should be used.

-  Disposing needles: All needles must be either discarded after EACH use (or at least with each new customer), or autoclaved. Many body piercers operate out of small booths and may not have spent money for an autoclaver, in which they MUST dispose of each needle. NO EXCEPTIONS. Reusing piercing needles is equivalent to sharing IV drugs with strangers.

-  Needles touching other things: The needles, once open from their sanitary packages, must not be placed on unsanitized surfaces. The piercer should NOT set the needle down on the table, or, heaven forbid,

DROP THE NEEDLE ON THE FLOOR!!! If this happens, insist they open a new needle.

-  Gloves: The artist must wash their hands prior to putting on their gloves, preferably with an antibacterial or antiseptic solution. Once they put their gloves on, they should not touch anything other than your skin, the needle, and the jewelry. They should not be filling out receipts beforehand, or answering the phone - unless these have been wiped clean beforehand.

-  Is there a sink separate from the bathroom sink?

-  Does the artist use a disposable razor when shaving skin?

-  The Speed Stick used as an adhesive for the tattoo pattern should not be directly applied to the skin,

but applied first to a tissue which can then be used on the skin.

-  Autoclaves should be inspected regularly.

-  Sterile materials should be stored in sealed containers away from things that could cause body fluids or ink to splash on them

-  The palate that holds the ink caps should be covered with Saran Wrap

-  After tattooing, the ink caps should be discarded and the ink not reused    or poured back   into  the

bottles

Be particularly wary of "outdoor fair booths." While many are run by caring, experienced artists, these booths allow fly-by-night operators to make some fast money and disappear. If you don't know the artist, spend time watching them work on others first. Are they reusing needles? Do they use needles that have dropped on the ground?

If you see any unsanitary conditions tyou should definitely mention it and refuse to be tattooed there. It is each customer's right to guard against getting a contamination. Worse, If you have had more than one tattoo or pierce within several months, it will be difficult for you to prove WHICH artist was responsible!

CAN I GET AIDS FROM TATTOOING?

IMPORTANT NOTE: This section refers to tattooing specifically, and not to other forms of body art. Some, such as piercing and cutting, require the breaking of the client's skin to a deeper level than what is achieved with a modern tattoo machine.

This section on AIDS & Tattooing has been contributed by Nick "Buccaneer" Baban, who studied at the Univ. of Michigan School of Public Health, Dept. of Epidemiology. He spent the summer researching AIDS and IV drug use in NYC. "I'm not an expert, but I consider myself knowledgeable.

Obviously there is some concern about AIDS and tattooing because when you get a tattoo, you bleed. But the mechanism of transmission needs to be better understood.

AIDS is transmitted by intimate contact with bodily fluids, blood and semen being the most common. Intimate contact means that the fluid carrying the AIDS virus (HIV) enters into your system.

Injection drug users (IDUs) use hollow medical syringes and needles to inject drugs directly into their bloodstream. It is common practice to withdraw a little blood back into the syringe to delay the onset of the high. When needles are passed from IDU to IDU and reused without sterilization, some of that blood remains in the syringe and is passed on to the next user. If infected blood is passed, the recipient can become infected with HIV, which leads to AIDS.

Tattooing is VERY different from injecting drugs. The needles used in tattooing are not hollow. They do, however, travel back and forth through a hollow tube that acts as an ink reservoir. The tip of the tube is dipped into the ink, which draws a little into the tube. As the needle withdraws into the tube, it gets coated with ink. When it comes forward, it pierces your skin and deposits the ink. You then bleed a little through the needle hole. This happens several hundred times a second.

You are only at risk of infection if you come in contact with infected blood. Since it is only your skin that is being pierced during the tattooing process, only your blood is being exposed. This means that the only person at greater risk is the artist, because s/he is the only one coming in contact with someone else's (potentially infected) blood. This is why reputable (and sane) tattoo artist wears surgical gloves while working.

Another source of infection is through the use of infected tools. This is why it is IMPERATIVE that you make sure your tattoo artist uses sterile equipment. Needles and tubes need to be autoclaved before EACH AND EVERY time they are used. Ink should come from separate cups and not directly from the bottle. Any leftover ink should be disposed of and not reused under ANY circumstances.

The key to HIV transmission is transfer of bodily fluids. Evidence indicates that infection may require a (relatively) substantial amount of fluid to be passed. A pin prick almost certainly won't do it. HIV is also a very fragile virus that cannot survive long outside the human body, and is very easy to kill via autoclaving. (I have heard of using bleach to sterilize needles. While bleach is an effective HIV killer, I'm not sure of the procedures for cleaning the equipment after bleach cleaning. As I personally have no desire to have bleach put under my skin, I go with autoclaving as the proper way to sterilize).

If your tattooer maintains sterile conditions and procedures, there is almost no risk of infection. I say "almost" because any risk, no matter how miniscule, is still a risk and must be recognized. That said, I am the proud owner of a Jolly Roger tattoo on my right shoulder because I knew my tattooist and knew he had sterile conditions.

HOW TO LOOK FOR STERILIZATION

Check out the shop thoroughly. Don't be lulled into a false sense of security by a clean look. If the needles are not disposed of after each person, then it MUST be "autoclaved." Autoclaving is a process that pressurizes the instruments and kills any virus or bacteria that might transmit viruses or bacteria. My dentist has two autoclavers - one gas and one steam - both pressurizing down to 250fsw. He also has spore samples that the autoclaves and sends to a pathology lab to make sure the machines are working.

Ask the artist how they clean their needles. If they don't say they autoclave, you are taking your risks. If they say they do, ask to see their machine. Note that in some states, autoclaving is required by law. Other common-sense types of things include throwing out the ink after each customer. Make sure the artists have small wells for each ink color that they dispense from a larger container, and that these are thrown out after work on you is done. Compare the conditions of the shop to that of your dentist - does the artist wear gloves? Are the areas sprayed clean?

According to the Navy Environmental Health Center Medical Corps in Norfolk, Virginia, each year, a few cases of Hep-B are reported in people who've gotten tattoos within the last two months, but they have not been able to trace the disease back to its source, nor attribute it directly to the tattoo.

Becky Fenton says: "I spoke with a disease infection specialist at Kaiser [Permanente - US West Coast health care system], and there have not been any incidents (as of 1990) of HIV being spread to a recipient of a tattoo. If you think about it, the tattooist is much more at risk, as s/he has to touch the customer's blood.

David Zinner notes that a blanket statement regarding the use of autoclaves could be misleading. While an autoclave will kill the HIV virus, it is not because of the efficacy of the 'clave, but because of the weakness of that particular virus. Far more insidious is Hepatitis, which is more tenacious, and which a 'clave does not always kill.

The irony, he says, is that now virtually anyone can afford a 'clave, because many hospitals are selling them secondhand for a very good price, and switching either to disposables, or purchasing dry-heat or chemical sterilizers. Chemical is the best rated, and he says that his friend's business has increased because of the precautions he takes.

In response to David's well-founded concern, Dr. Milton Diamond from the UH School of Medicine who has been researching sexuality for 30 years, says: Hepatitis is easier to transmit than HIV but all the bugs will be killed IF the autoclave is run properly (i.e., set hot enough & long enough). Some instruments can not, however, be autoclaved since they can't take the heat. These have to be sterilized with viracides, "bug"acides and so forth. In any case, here in the States, EVERYONE should be using disposable needles.

The chemical bath is only as effective as how fresh is it, how concentrated, what chemicals, how "dirty" or contaminated the instruments, how long in the bath, which particular bug is under attack, etc. It is not the device, autoclave or chemical bath that is as important as the operator. There are many different bugs out there. HIV may be one of the most deadly and Hep among the more easily transmitted but many others have to be considered (including Chlamydia, the infection rate of which is 20 %!) and "he who aims at one, hits one." "Mo betta aim fo dem all." If the artist or piercer is conscientious, reliable and knowledgeable, either device could serve. Again my general rule still stands: "EVERYONE should be using disposable needles."

Dr. Kai Kristensen says: The needles that push the ink into the skin (below the epidermis or outer covering and into the mid-dermis or support structure under the epidermis) can transmit disease UNLESS STERILE TO BEGIN WITH. When they have been used on you, whatever bugs you carry in your blood can be transmitted to the next person. The most commonly transmitted disease by needle stick is Hepatitis B (and C). Clearly AIDS could be transmitted even though not documented yet to my knowledge.

The skin should be cleaned with antibacterial soap and water and scrubbing before the procedure to lessen the normal population of germs on the hide. Alcohol doesn't do much but tends to degrease and cool, so no harm but no substitute.

USE OF DISPOSABLE GLOVES:

A conscientious, professional tattooist or piercer will often go through A DOZEN DISPOSABLE GLOVES on one client.

Gloves SHOULD be changed every time they touch unsanitized items with their gloves. If you see that the artist does not change gloves after answering the phone, they are not being sanitary. Marginally acceptable is if they pick up the phone (or other objects, such as pencil) with a tissue. Optimally, they should use a new pair of gloves after each potential contamination.

AUTOCLAVING TO STERILIZE

Autoclaving is accepted in the industry as the way to sterilize non-disposable equipment. Autoclave machines look like small metal washing machines - usually with the door in the front. They are usually no larger than the computer with which you are reading this.

Uncle Bud recommends that autoclaves should be run at 273 degrees F for 55 minutes (from a cold start) at 15 lbs per square inch pressure (PSI); the minimum standard is 20 minutes at full temperature and pressure.

Further, he suggests that the solid stainless steel needles and tubes be ultrasonically cleaned to remove particulate debris before being packaged into individual autoclaving bags. Even new needles need to go through this cleaning process, to remove any leftover flux from the soldering process. Equipment that IS supposed to be autoclaved should be torn out of their sterile packaging in plain view of the customer.

CAN MY TATTOOS GET INFECTED?

Not as long as you take care of your new tat. There is a section in the FAQ that covers healing methods in depth. Some people have trouble healing tattoos with colors they are allergic to. If it gets infected and refuses to heal after a few days of using a topical antibiotic, you may want to check with a doctor. Keep in mind this assumes you are a healthy individual without any condition that suppresses your immune system.

ARE THERE ANY MEDICAL CONDITIONS THAT WILL PRECLUDE ME FROM GETTING A TATTOO?

Yes - If you have hemophilia. There is even a case of a man who was HIV positive who got a tattoo - if you are HIV+ however, you will want to inform the artist, since it's the artist that is at more risk than you. In the case of the HIV+ man, he was John Baldetta, a former nursing assistant at Harborview Medical Center in Seattle, who got a tat on his forearm that said "HIV Positive." He was suspended for three days without pay and told he could return if he covered up the tat. He refused and was subsequently fired, although he was not an RN and was not doing anything that would put patients at risk.

However, it is best to let the artist know if you have ANY medical condition, such as diabetes or epilepsy, in case of an emergency. If you have multiple allergies, you can always have the artist do a "patch test" on you with the colors you want prior to returning for a regular tattoo. This is similar to patch tests done for perms and hair coloring, and will help you determine if your body will react to some of the pigments. Also, it is generally not considered a good idea to tattoo pregnant women.

WHAT IS THE ALLIANCE OF PROFESSIONAL TATTOOISTS?

This section was contributed by Pat Sinatra, a professional tattoo artist and vice president of the organization:

The Alliance of Professional Tattooists (APT), Inc. is a professional standards organization that was established in March 1992 and officially incorporated in June '92 as a non-profit organization (contributions, fees and educational materials are tax deductible.

Note: Do a search online for Professional Tattoo Associations in your country of residence Their activities:

-      Continuing education to artists

-      Offers accurate, up-to-date information about communicable diseases through seminars

-      Is interested in preserving tattooing as an art form

-      Monitors legislative activity to prevent over-regulation (controlled or banned)

-     Believes in keeping the art of tattooing safe and legal through education, knowledge and awareness

-     Offers reliable information to tattoo lovers about safe tattoo practices to ensure your health.

Their nine-hour seminar entitled, "Preventing Disease Transmission in Tattooing," is taught by APT secretary, Dr. Kris Sperry (Fulton County Medical Examiner, involved with tattooing for over 10 years). Designed in 1988 to educate health care workers (including tattooists) in the prevention of infection and the implementation of professional standards, the program was specifically redesigned in 1991-1992 for the needs of the tattooist and is the standard for APT members. Since the 1991 Blood borne Pathogens Rule, APT, Inc. has designed this manual for tattooists.

PDTT is presented in various locations throughout the country at a one time fee of $125.00 (APT members) or $300.00 (non-members). This course is open to the Professional and Associate levels only. Members are required to complete this seminar within two years after initial application.

While we have noted that many individuals are promoting videos on this subject, OSHA (the US Occupational Safety & Health Association that regulates work-environment safety) says that an infection control program cannot be taught by video, but by an on-site knowledgeable individual on site.

OSHA believes that the in-person interaction between instructor and student is vital to the education of this serious subject, and that individual questions regarding infection control, universal precautions, disease transmission, pathology, etc., must be answered by a knowledgeable, credible instructor such as Dr. Sperry.

SHOULD I GET A VACCINATION SHOT AGAINST HEPATITIS?

Without everyone worried about HIV transmission, it is easy to forget that hepatitis (specifically hep-B) is a much stronger and virulent virus to worry about. Fortunately, you can get protection against both hepatitis A and B! Check with your health insurance to see if it's covered - otherwise, you might have to shell out $200 or so for both.

There are two shots (injected a month apart) for hep-A, and three shots (injected over the course of six months) for hep-B. You are strongly urged to get protected if you are planning to get tattoos OR pierces on a regular basis.

As a warning however, note that a very small percentage of individuals react negatively to Hepatitis B vaccines, and could actually become ill from the vaccines themselves. If you are contemplating getting vaccinated for Hep B, talk to your health care professional to weigh the risks against the benefits. Note: Not all health care professionals are apprised of the most current statistics on the adverse effects ofHep B vaccines.

TATTOO CONVENTIONS: WHAT ARE THEY ALL ABOUT?

People go to tattoo conventions for various reasons. Enthusiasts may go to visit with or meet out-of­town artists, get new tattoos, look at other people's tattoos or show off their own. Artists may go to purchase flash work from other artists, visit with old friends or to gain more visibility in the field. If you are interested in finding out what's going on in the tattoo world, the convention is the way to go.

The one thing that I find marvelous, wonderful and so exciting about tattoo conventions, is that you can meet excellent and well-known artists "in the flesh" and see many of them work! What other kind of convention can you go to, where fans can openly admire the artists? The only one I can think of off­hand is Fan Fair in Nashville, for country music fans (and then it's the STAR versus the FANS - still not quite the same).

WHAT TYPES OF CONVENTIONS ARE AVAILABLE?

Conventions range in size and length, from very small shop-sponsored conventions that last a day or two, to international organization-sponsored events that span four days. Conventions are usually held over a weekend, and usually include contests (closed to official registrants only) and exhibit floors, where artists may be selling their merchandise or tattooing. The exhibit floor is usually open to the public on a one-day admission fee, for those who don't want to pay the extra fee of registering.

Most of the larger conventions are fairly well organized. While not in the same caliber as an academic conference (that might have many workshops, board meetings, poster sessions), convention organizers usually have arrangements with travel agencies and hotels, to provide a good deal for participants. This allows attendees to obtain a lower "convention rate" for both hotel and airfare.

Convention rates vary: Registration for a national four-day convention may run around $30-$40, less for a shorter convention. Daily admission passes usually sell for about $10 per person and are only good for the day. Official registrants are usually given a color-coded hospital-style wristband, while those paying for just the day may get their hand stamped.

WHY WOULD I WANT TO ATTEND?

Have you ever wanted to get a tattoo from a certain artist who lives in another country, or another part of the country? Have you ever wanted to feel a sense of belonging with a group of people who understand your desire for tattoos?

People attend conventions for different reasons - the main thing to remember is that these conventions allow you the unique opportunity to be immersed in the tattooing world, where staring at other people's tattoos, or people staring at yours aren't meant as an insult or an offense.

You might have read and perused through tattoo magazines and thought "No way! These guys are way too radical for me!" Just remember that everybody was born naked with no tattoos or extra holes in their body. We're all the same, and there is no reason to feel intimidated by others who have bodmods. Also, remember that the magazines will often publish the most outlandish subjects. Otherwise, it's boring and not newsworthy! So sure, you'll see somebody with very bizarro tattoos or with 100 pierces on their body. So what? This is your opportunity to chat with them or otherwise find out what drives them!

You think bikers are too rough? Sure, they might be tough-looking; but they are some of the sweetest, friendliest people I've ever met! Word is, a lot of the convention and hotel staff come into these tattoo conventions with some trepidation, then discover, much to their delight, that the attendees are some of the most polite, fun-loving, nicest people around! If you have an appreciation for motorcycles, you'll find some fine examples in the parking lot. However, you'll discover that convention attendees run an entire gamut and that you can't pigeonhole them into any one classification.

IS A CONVENTION FOR EVERYBODY?

A kind word of warning here...if you love tattoos or are very intrigued by them, and you want to meet others of your ilk, the conventions are very good places to go. However, these conventions are not for everybody. For one thing, these conventions are mostly geared toward adults. Unless you are a tattoo artist and your toddler has lived her entire life among the heavily tattooed and pierced, this may be a very upsetting place to go. Those who are sensitive to smoke or asthmatic should know that the convention floor often becomes one big ashtray.

Finally, if you are trying to convince your partner to accept tattooing, and your partner gets very upset about the topic in the first place, the convention may be a very shocking and frightening experience that causes the opposite of what you want.

WHAT'S THE ATMOSPHERE LIKE?

Conventions are always pretty congenial and relaxed during the sessions that are open only to registrants. Welcome receptions usually allow time for a lot of socializing, where friends can catch up on old news and share their new tattoos with others. Quite a few people take their cameras along, snapping shots of tattoos and people. This period is also the time to see the real serious tattoo enthusiasts and artists, since these are the ones who usually register for the entire convention. This means that you are likely to see people with very serious pieces of custom work on their bodies.

The exhibit floor, when it is still closed to the public (usually on Fridays during a four-day convention) is not too crowded. If you want to get some work done from an artist who has rented a booth, Fridays are a good time to get it done. This would be a good opportunity to visit various booths and actually talk to people.

Once the weekend hits and the doors are opened to the public, the atmosphere will change greatly. You will see a lot of "gawkers" and various curiosity-seekers, who may or may not have any tattoos (or if they do, they might be some mediocre flash). The convention floor takes on somewhat of a carnival environment.

Attendance seems to depend largely on where the convention is being held. No tattoo convention is so large as to take up a city's major convention center- most conventions occur in hotel ballrooms. Thus if the hotel is in a rural section of town, or the convention is not appropriately advertised, you will not get a very high local turnout. On the other hand, well-advertised events will be so popular that they will have to limit the number of bodies in the room.

Note that the National Tattoo Association has a policy (which some regard as archaic) that bans facial and visible body piercings (outside of the ears) because it believes that these promote the side-show- freak atmosphere, which is not conducive to the mainstreaming of tattooing.

While I will not condone the purposeful breaking of any policy, I can state that I have seen enough various body piercings at NTA conventions that it seems if you keep it low key they will not bother you. With the current popularity of body piercing, I would like to counter that some pierces (eyebrows, navel, and nipple) have entered into the mainstream, and are now actually used in advertisements. I don't know why NTA still maintains this policy, when many tattooists have their own in-house piercers and the tattooists themselves often sport body pierces themselves.

WHAT KIND OF TATTOO CONTESTS ARE THERE?

Contests are limited to registrants during the larger conventions, while they may be open to everyone at the smaller ones. Categories seem to differ greatly, however some of the more standard ones you can expect include: best black & gray, most unusual, best tribal, best portrait, best overall.

Judging is done either by popular vote, or by a panel of experts (usually composed of veteran artists). Obviously those by popular vote are often judged by the contestant's looks or personality, and not necessarily just by their tattoo.

If you plan to attend a contest, I suggest you bring a pair of binoculars. The contestants are usually herded around on stage, and it is often difficult to see the tattoos well. This is especially pertinent if the contest is audience judged.

Some contests are better organized than others; however I have yet to see a contest where everything runs on time. Many contests do not limit the number of entrants in a category, or limit entrants to one category. This can cause long waits and long lines. If you wish to take photos of these contests, plan to bring a telephoto lens. A tripod would not be a bad idea either.

CAN I ACTUALLY GET A TATTOO AT A CONVENTION?

One of the biggest advantages of attending a convention is that you can book an appointment with a well-known artist who does not live near you. One of the biggest disadvantages of booking an appointment for the convention with a well-known artist who does not live near you is that you might not get as good a deal as you would if you were to visit the artist's studio. That is, the exhibit floor is noisy, full of smoke, crowded, and generally hard for anyone to concentrate in.

In addition, some artists try to pay for their trips and booth fees by the appointments they do during the convention - so the more tattoos they do, the more money they make. It is possible that you may be overcharged for a tattoo that is not up to the regular standards of the artist.

How to avoid this pitfall? Phone the artist WELL in advance. Explain your interests and reserve your time for the convention beforehand - the earlier the better. Give your artist enough time to do some rough sketches as well, that can be drawn up before the convention. If you have been dying to get a tattoo from someone great and famous, why take the risks that the artist fills up that appointment book before you can get to that booth? Reserve in advance and avoid the headache.

Should you decide to "wing it" and hope to find someone you like once you're there, you will have a much better chance of securing a time slot if you visit before the public is admitted (which means you have to register for the convention). Chances are, they will want to get a deposit from you immediately (some people make appointments during conventions then fail to show without notifying the artist - very uncool! You have been warned, though. Caveat emptor.

WHAT ELSE CAN I FIND AT THESE CONVENTIONS?

Even if you don't plan on getting any tattoos, there is still plenty to do on the exhibit floor. Most booths sell merchandise; many booths give away stickers, business cards, etc. Chuck Eldridge from the Tattoo Archive in California usually has a booth at the larger conventions. If you've ever wanted to pick up an out-of-print publication on tattooing, visit his booth!

Ever wonder how people get their pictures into the tattoo magazines? In addition to photos submitted by the artists themselves, many of the photos are taken at the conventions! Keep an eye out for signs that identify tattoo magazines. Most of them set up portable studios in nearby rooms. You will be required to sign a standard model release form, and will have to inform them who your artist was (that's actually more important to them than your own name).

How to tell if the photos were taken at a convention? Take a look at the wrists of the models in the magazines. Do you see a color-coded hospital wristband? Does the background look like a professional backdrop, versus the inside of a tattoo shop?

Unfortunately, the magazine people won't be able to tell you if or when your photo will appear in publication. Most of the time, you just have to look at the issues that appear about three to four months after the convention. The only time they will phone you is when you get a major spread/feature, or if you've made the cover. If this is the case, payment usually comes in the form of extra copies. Ask for as many as you feel comfortable asking for (a couple dozen would not be out of line, although I wouldn't ask for 500 copies unless you had an incredibly large family).

Sometimes, the magazines will issue a special issue dedicated to the specific convention you were at. These often include candid and photos of contestants, and may include a photo of you! Many convention organizers also contract a video production group to tape the show. These are usually sold at an on-site booth.

In recent years, seminars geared towards artists have been added at larger conventions, with topics such as "Creative Coloring", Care and "Tuning your Machine", "Spit-Shading - Watercolor", and "Tribal Tattooing, Preventing Disease Transmission in Tattooing." Unfortunately, these are usually open only to professional artists. I would personally like to one day see sessions geared towards tattoo enthusiasts. Sessions focusing on disease transmission prevention from the customer's point of view, or the history of Polynesian tattooing, are two such examples.

TATTOOING AND TRAVELLING

Getting a tattoo at a convention poses a number of potential problems, especially if you are used to getting tattooed near your hometown. Of primary importance is the need to decrease your level of stress during your travel. Thanks go to "convention trooper" Michele DeLio, formerly of Tattoo magazine for some of these pointers.

VITAMINS: Begin taking vitamin supplements a few days prior to traveling to the convention. A multi­vitamin supplement is fine, although in particular, you are recommended to take vitamins B and C, and Zinc. Some people cannot tolerate zinc supplements alone - in which case a multi-vitamin supplement containing zinc would suffice. Pack enough tablets to last the duration of the trip.

NUTRITION: Without sounding too motherly, eat yer vegetables! Vegetables and fruits are particularly healthy and help cleanse your system prior to your trip. Your digestive system tends to go haywire on the road, so eating fiber (bran cereal, etc.) will also help. Stay away from particularly spicy or greasy foods while you are traveling as well.

WATER: Most importantly, you should drink what you might consider excessive amounts of water during your travel. Airplane cabins are notorious for their aridity (sometimes as low as 10% humidity), and most experienced travelers recommend that you drink eight ounces of water for every hour you are flying. This will help your body flush out toxins, and keep your skin fresh and hydrated for your new tattoo.

CLOTHING: Regardless of your mode of travel, if you are going to be on the road for many hours, try to bring clothing that will let your new tattoo breathe.

LEATHER: While a tattoo convention is a great place to look cool in your heavy duty black leather clothing, these do not pack well. Try to limit your heavy duty leather to just your jacket. If you must bring more, choose those which are lighter weight. Bring an extra large diaper pin (or a kilt pin), and use it to hang your jacket label up on the seat back in front of you on the plane. This way, you will have arm room in your seat, and will not have to risk having someone squash it with their vanity case in the overhead. Remember also that leather does not breathe well - if you are getting a tattoo, keep in mind that you will not want to wear leather over it.

MOISTURIZER: The air in the cabin is EXTRA dry - pack a moisturizer in your carry-on bag.

FRESH AIR: If you are a cigarette smoker, try to cut down on the amount you smoke while you travel. At the convention, try to get outdoors as often as possible - to get some natural light on your skin, as well as to breathe some fresh air. Unless the building is zoned as non-smoking, the convention floor will be a mass of ashtrays and smoke.

POOLS & HOT TUBS: If you are staying at a nice hotel for the convention, you'll notice the swimming pools and hot tubs. Enjoy them before, but not after your new tattoo. Your tattoo is simply too fresh to risk immersing in public water.

STRESS: Excitement and tension often accompany long-distance travel. Did you remember your airline ticket? Is your hotel room confirmed? Did you forget anything? Just remember that most things can be fixed in a pinch.

STRESS REDUCING TIPS

•     Try to pack as little as possible, and take all your essentials with you in your carry-on

•     Make sure to leave your complete itinerary, as well as photocopies of your tickets, with a trusted friend or relative.

•     Most artists will accept traveler's checks as cash. Convert your cash to these handy checks prior

to traveling. Record the check numbers, keep them separate from the checks themselves.

•      Don't forget to confirm your flight 24 hours ahead, both before you leave, as well as a day before you go home.

•      Make sure to jot down your hotel confirmation number. With this you should be guaranteed a room.

•      Special meals on airplanes are HIGHLY recommended. These are available at no extra charge, and include things like ovo-lacto vegetarian (dairy/eggs), vegan (no dairy/eggs), Kosher, seafood, Hindu, low fat, low sodium. Airlines will differ on some things.

United offers McDonald's Happy Meals with a toy for the kids or kiddies-at-heart; American offers a Weight Watchers entree). My favorite is the fruit platter. Guaranteed to be the freshest meal, these usually include sliced melon, pineapple, grapes, and strawberries. Requests for special meals must be made 24 hours in advance. Special meals are served before all regular meals (remind your flight attendant prior to meal service).

•      Wear ear plugs on the airplane to reduce engine noise. I prefer the squishy spongy ones that snuggle right into your ear canal. Remember that listening to your walkman will only mask the engine noise, not reduce it.

•      Many travel stores carry inflatable neck pillows shaped like the letter "C" that crook your neck for napping. These will prevent your neck from getting stiff and sore.

•      Always ask for a glass of water along with your drink. Or bring your own bottled water.

•      Stay away from caffeine and alcohol during the flight. These will dehydrate your body and potentially give you a headache (which, if you remedy with an aspirin, would be a bad idea for getting your new tattoo).

TATTOO CARE KIT

If you get a new tattoo during the convention, it may be a few days before you get back to the tranquility of your home. Take along a "tattoo care kit" with you to begin caring for your new tattoo while you are still at the convention. I have outlined what I personally use when I travel (Johnson's baby products travel pack) in the "healing a new tattoo" section in the FAQ. I particularly recommend products that are very mild and/or hypoallergenic, so you have less chance of skin problems.

Many pharmacies and mega-marts sell one- or two-ounce travel bottles of soap, lotion, etc. I suggest you try some of them for a while on a test patch on your skin to make sure you are not allergic. Red, itchy swollen rashes due to an allergic reaction to skin lotion are not a nice way to be traveling with a new tattoo.

If you are going to be flying for many hours, you might want to find a way to cover your tattoo so it doesn't stick to your clothes. Any barrier is fine (tissue, handkerchief), but put this on before you fall asleep on your flight.

If you return home with your new tattoo and find that it is not healing as quickly, dab a little bit of antibiotic cream on it for a couple of days to see if it settles down. Whatever problems you're having with yourtattoo are probably attributable to travel stress.

WHAT ARE SOME BAD THINGS FOR MY NEW TATTOO?

Once it is healed, there is very little that will screw up a tattoo. The one exception is prolonged exposure to sunlight. (the other is scarring, but that is patently obvious).

SUNLIGHT

Well, unfortunately it is. The newer inks are better at resisting fading but whatever you do, if you spend lots of time in bright sunlight your tats will fade (over a lifetime, not over a week). Best to try and keep them out of bright sunlight. No one wants to become a cave dweller just to keep their tats looking good, so just use some common sense. Think of your tat as an investment - slather on that sunblock so it doesn't turn into a dark blob.

Our culture has erroneously labeled the tan as healthy. Did you know that your tan is your skin's way of dealing with the damage caused by the sun? It's like the formation of a scab when you have a cut. You will pay for your years of sun exposure when you are in your 40s and 50s. Leathery, wrinkled, dry skin with freckles and liver spots. Melanoma. Skin cancer. Regular visits to the dermatologist. Like I say, "There's no such thing as a healthy tan!" Take it from a Hawaii local! I've seen my share of melanoma here, and they're not even from surfers or beach bunnies!

Some people have gotten angry at me about this, telling me that they have a seasonal disorder that requires them to get some sun. A little bit of sun is okay (and it gives you a dose of Vitamin D). But all you need is a few minutes' worth.

Tanning booths are not good for you! They are not regulated by the FDA, and the staff that work at these salons have been known to give out patently false information. Many salon operators will suggest dosages far exceeding industry recommendations, and the FDA would actually prefer that these booths be banned altogether. Do not believe the salon operators who tell you there is NO damage caused by their UV rays. There are indications that tanning booths emit rays that cause the type of damage that only shows up years later, when it is difficult to fault any one operator. Their industry motto is "tan safe." There is no such thing as a SAFE tan, folks. Sorry.

Kai says: IT IS TRUE THAT SUNTANNING TO A CONSIDERABLE EXTENT NOT ONLY DAMAGES YOUR SKIN BUT FADES THE TATTOOS. The UV light rays that damage skin can get below the outermost surface of the skin (that's why skin cancers are promoted by excess suntanning).

The following is information about suncare and sunblock, as well as some specific brand recommendations.

•     Try to use products that do not clog your pores. If your sunblock makes you break out or feel itchy, this may be the cause.

•     Avoid sunblock containing PABA, apparently found to     be carcinogenic.

•     "SPF" stands for Sun Protection Factor. If you can normally stay out  for  ten minutes without

getting sunburnt, then an SPF 2 should protect you for 20 minutes, an SPF 6 for an hour, and so on. HOWEVER, this does NOT mean an SPF 30 will let you stay out for five hours with just one coat. Keep your exposure limited to the minimum                 amounts, and always  use an extra strong

sunblock with at least SPF 30 for your tattoo.

•     "Waterproof" and "sweatproof" sunblocks protect you while in the water. However, reflections from the water add to your exposure. Make sure you use a high SPF number, and always re­apply your sunblock when coming out of the water.

•      Sunblock is not just for the beach! Make it a habit to carry one with you during the sunnier months so you can protect your tattoo always! The Watermelon Stick from the Body Shop is nice and portable, but in a pinch, a tube of lip balm (Blistik, etc.) will work, as long as it has an SPF. Dab a bit on your tattoo whenever you will be outside.

Products recommended:

•      Banana Boat for Kids - SPF 50.

•      Banana Boat's SPF 50, for Extra Sensitive                              Skin

•      "Deep Cover" Super Sunblock, advertised in some tattoo magazines (distributed by Deep Cover in Calif.)

•      The Body Shop's Watermelon Stick

•      Bullfrog Moisturizing Formula - The Body  Lotion (not the Gel Formula).

•      Neutrogena's Sensitive Skin SPF 17

•      Schering-Plough's "Shade Sunblock" in various SPFs.

PREPARATION-H HEMORRHOIDAL OINTMENT

We have heard stories of tattoo artists recommending the use of Preparation-H in the healing of new tattoos. Preparation-H is a product marketed for the relief of hemorrhoid tissue in the US, and comes in both cream and suppository form (I assume artists don't recommend the suppositories).

Dr. Jeff Herndon resident assistant professor at the Department of Medicinal Chemistry at Virginia Commonwealth University's Medical College says Preparation-H should NOT be used for tattoos:

According to the 1995 Drug Facts & Comparisons (Olin, et al., Facts and Comparisons Inc.: St Louis, 1995; p 540-541) the list of ingredients for Preparation-H are as follows:

-  Live yeast cell derivative supplying 2000 units of skin respiratory factor per ounce

-  3% shark liver oil

-  1:10000 phenyl mercuric nitrate

Facts and Comparisons goes on to say that shark liver oil (similar to cod liver oil) is used primarily as a carrier of the active ingredient and as a protectant, forming a physical barrier on the skin. While this may be helpful in the healing of hemorrhoids, it provides no benefit and perhaps impedes the healing of new tattoos.

Furthermore, while phenyl mercuric nitrate may have antiseptic properties (similar to mercurichrome or tincture of iodine; neither of which should be used on fresh tattoos) it possesses very little anti-infective properties when compared to traditional antibacterial agents (neosporin, baccitracin, etc.). Its use in such low quantities in Preparation-H is possibly as a preservative (Facts and Comparisons, 1995, p. 540).

The active ingredient of Preparation-H is the skin respiratory factor and this does nothing to relieve the itching and/or swelling associate with a new tattoo. In fact, it is best to simply keep the area moist and clean and to avoid picking the scabs or 'onion skin peel' that develop - and refrain from using Preparation-H. Not only will it NOT help your tattoo, it will actually probably do more harm than good. The product was developed for hemorrhoidal tissue only. I just can't figure why you'd want to spread yeast cells on a tattoo.

HOW DO I CARE FOR MY NEW TATTOO?

The artist that did your tattoo will have something very definite to say about the care of your new tattoo, and it is probably a good idea to listen to him/her. Many shops will have an information sheet listing care instructions.

The information provided in this section may or may not be the same method your artist offers. Regardless, there are three things to remember about caring for your new tattoo:

•      Moisturize it

•      Don't over moisturize it

•      And whatever you do, don't pick your onion peel scabs!

Basically, as long as you follow these three points, you will be okay. However as people get more tattoos; they begin trying out slightly different methods. I have included several examples, and not all of them will work on everybody. Some people will find that they are allergic to some products. For example, I have always had a problem with Noxzema skin cream, which makes me break out with water-filled pimple-like things on my skin.

How do you know which method is best for you? It depends on the type of skin you have, and how sensitive it is. I suggest you try a patch test on your skin for a week or so to see if you react to the ingredients.

Having said that, I have personally discovered a very nice "new tattoo kit" that I now use whenever I go to get a tattoo. And the added benefit was that I discovered this "kit" in a sample size travel set, which I can easily pack in my travel bag.

The set that I now use is the Johnson's baby product line. The kit includes baby powder, baby shampoo, diaper rash ointment, baby lotion, baby bath, and a bonus (in this case, a baby bib). I don't need the baby bib, and the shampoo is just an added bonus for me. However, this is how I use the kit, especially when I'm getting the tattoo in another city:

Baby powder: I sprinkle a liberal amount on the hotel bed sheets to prevent my skin from sticking to the sheet.

Baby bath: A fruity-smelling liquid soap, it's very mild and has minimal lathering. I pour a bit on my hand, rub into a light lather and wash the tattoo this way. It rinses off very easily with non-pressurized water, minimizing the risk of losing scabs.

Baby lotion: The Johnson's brand feels non-greasy. MY skin does not like a layer of oily lotion, and until this, I used to pay lots of money for oil-free Oil of Olay (is that a contradiction in terms?). Goes on very lightly but keeps the skin moist.

Diaper rash ointment: Zinc oxide-based, I use this thick, non- greasy ointment on    certain  "contact

spots" of my tattoo that may rub against clothes (i.e. bra strap,        waist band).

I've found this travel kit selling for $2-$3 (US), and the small sizes work out just right for a smaller tattoo (no larger than 8"x8". You MIGHT smell like a clean baby, though!

Other people will recommend different ointments and lotions. Some people swear by Tea Tree Oil (toner) from the Body Shop for its healing qualities. Others like A&D Ointment (marketed for diaper rash, I find it somewhat greasy), and the cheapest is probably regular Vaseline Intensive Care. If you live in a dry area and you're prone to use a lot of lotion anyway, the last one, in a large pump bottle, may be your best bargain.

This section lists treatments to give you an idea of the breadth of suggestions offered. These have been given "titles" using some unique facet of the method, and               are thus named only  for the sake of

convenience. These methods are NOT actually called these.    Each set of instructions is followed  by

commentary.

*Special thanks to Lance Bailey for this section.

MINIMAL MOISTURIZER METHOD ANCIENT ART TATTOO

Ancient Art puts a heap of Vaseline on the new tattoo and then bandages up the whole thing, they give you these instructions:

Tattoo Care Instructions:

1.  Remove band aid in 18 hrs.

2.  Wash tattoo immediately, with soap and water. When washing off the tattoo, there should be old ink & some body fluids. At this state there is little that can harm the tattoo.

3.  When skin feels like normal wet skin, pat dry.

4.  Put nothing on the tattoo for 3 days.

5.  From the 4th day, apply the tiniest amount of lotion possible once a day to keep it from drying out completely; gently work it in.

6.  Do not get the tattoo wet; moisture is your enemy.

7.  Do not permit sun on tattoo.

8.  Do not get the tattoo wet; moisture is your enemy.

9.  Scabbing may or may not occur. Scabbing is normal. Do not pick scab.

10.        Do not get the tattoo wet; moisture is your enemy.

His strongest advice: "MOISTURE IS THE TATTOO'S ENEMY".

On using Vaseline: Neosporin is Vaseline-based, & doesn't hurt.

On using Neosporin: Not really necessary, but it doesn't hurt.

Strong warning: Never let the shower directly hit the tattoo.

This procedure is how I healed the four I got at Ancient Art and they seem to be the slowest to heal. After 2.5 weeks, they still have scabs.

Lance Bailey says: I used to go to great lengths to keep my tattoos moist while healing. But now, looking at the ink I healed then and other art which is not much older but healed without all the moisture, I see that the ones where I kept it real moist to prevent any scabs are a lot fainter - grey where the others are still black. I quite literally drew a lot of the ink out of the piece. Yes, it is important to keep the tattoo from drying out, but a scab is part of the normal healing process, and trying to fool Mother Nature is risking trouble. Your mileage will of course vary.

THE HUCK SPALDING METHOD - HUCK SPALDING'S "TATTOOING A TO Z"

1.  Bandage (*) should stay on for at least two hours.

2.  Remove bandage, rinse gently with cold water and blot dry.

3.  Apply Bacitracin ointment 4 x a day and blot out the excess.

4.  Keep tattoo fresh and open to the air. Do not bandage.

5.  For the first week, avoid swimming or long soaking in the water.

6.  For the first month, avoid too much exposure to the sun.

7.  Do not pick or scratch scabs

8.  Itching is relieved by slapping or alcohol.

9.  Keep tattoo covered with loose clothing.

*   Bandaging Summary

1.  After tattooing clean whole area w/ green soap & white paper towel.

2.  Spray it with alcohol and hold a paper towel on it.

3.  Apply film of Bacitracin ointment.

4.  Cover with bandage or Handi-Wrap and securely tape it on.

I have yet to try this method, but have seen a few tattoos which have been bandaged with handi-wrap and they turned out just fine. (Huck writes that the handi-wrap stops people from peeling off the bandage in the first few hours to show friends.)

THE NOXZEMA METHOD FROM LANCE BAILEY

This method is recommended by Suzanne at Creative Tattoo (Ann Arbor, Michigan)

1.  Remove bandage after 4 - 5 hours.

2.  Wash gently with soap or water.

3.  Do NOT scrub or soak until completely healed (usually a week). Showering, however, is OK.

4.  Usually necessary to re-bandage.

5.  Keep tattoo OUT OF THE SUN or tanning booths while healing. Once healed, ALWAYS use sunscreen on colors.

6.  We recommend Noxema Medicated Skin Lotion twice a day to aid healing & comfort. DO NOT USE Vaseline, oils, anything greasy, or anything with cortisone. Oils block your skin from contact with air, inhibiting healing

7.  Tattoo "peels" in 4-7 days. Do not pick or scratch!

"Your tattoo was applied with sterile equipment and procedure, and with non-toxic colors. We guarantee the workmanship. Healing and caring of your tattoo is YOUR responsibility."

This is how I healed a 3-inch band around my right ankle. While the healing was more like 2 weeks, I also protected it from the shower with a bag. For the last few tattoos I noticed that after I stop covering it in the shower (after about 2 weeks), the tattoo seems to speed up in healing. I suspect that this might be either timing (it was ready to heal), or the action of the shower helps to knock of any dead skin thus promoting better healing.

I only used a wee bit of Noxzema twice a day, leaving the art "moist and glistening" but with no "smears of white cream." Am very happy with this method. The cream really does help the itching and the final result is a good deep black.

THE FAQ MAINTAINER'S OWN METHOD

1.  Remove the bandage and shower that night.

2.  Wash gently with soap or water.

3.  Apply A&D or some such petroleum-jelly-based ointment before bed and again the next morning.

4.  Apply lotion the second night and then twice a day for a week. Lotions I like are the Vaseline Intensive Care line and Lubriderm.

I've healed lots of tattoos with this basic care regimen. The only other caution I have is that I usually wear something to cover the tattoo the first night. Not necessarily a bandage, but just a T-shirt or something like that to keep from sticking to the sheets.

HOW DOES WEIGHT GAIN/LOSS AFFECT A TATTOO?

Tattoos can definitely be affected by stretch marks. Whether you will or won't get stretch marks is apparently determined genetically, so placement is a consideration if you are planning on getting pregnant. I know for a fact that stretch marks can ruin a tattoo, because I have a very small tattoo that now looks more like a blob because of a large stretch mark running through the middle of it. Luckily, this was a home-brewed job (the kind done with India ink and a pin wrapped in thread) so I was never particularly attached to the artwork. :-}

If your skin stretches from weight gain and then shrinks back up without losing its elasticity (the loss of elasticity is what results in stretch marks), then I would expect that there wouldn't be much distortion of the tattoo, maybe none at all.

Or, put the tattoo someplace that won't get stretched so much, like the chest area above the breasts. My upper stomach didn't stretch much, either, but the lower abdominal skin did stretch quite a lot. (I've seen stretch marks on hips, thighs and arms as well - probably related to muscle gain from weight lifting as well as general fattening/thinning.)

HOW DOES LIFTING WEIGHTS AFFECT A TATTOO?

For most people, the amount of muscle gain is nowhere near as quick or as dramatic as what you would see with the stretching of skin on a pregnant person. For this reason, you don't really have to worry about your tattoo changing shape when you start lifting weights. I don't know what would happen though, if you decide you want to be the next Mr. Universe and you currently weigh 90 pounds.

HOW DOES PREGNANCY AFFECT A TATTOO NEAR THE ABDOMEN?

If you are planning on getting pregnant, you should be very cautious about the placement of any tattoo near the abdominal area. Not only will the tattoo stretch during pregnancy - there is no guarantee that the tattoo will go back to its original shape after the birth of your baby.

Be particularly wary of getting any tattoo where the shape is important, such as with symmetrical tribal pieces, or Celtic knots. Even geometric patterns such as a circle could end up looking like an oval (or worse, an irregular blob). A more "giving" image, such as that of clouds, might suit you better.

There are two options you might want to consider: a) Do not get any tattoos around the abdominal area at all, but limit your ink to other parts of your torso; b) Put off getting your abdominal tattoos until after you have had your children. Obviously, this involves some level of family planning.

CAN A TATTOO BE REMOVED?

There are several methods for "removing" a tattoo, listed below. However with all of these methods, you either still end up with a tattoo (albeit a better-looking one), a scar, or a skinnier wallet. In other words, it is much easier to get a tattoo in the first place than to get rid of one. If you are considering getting a new tattoo, think carefully before you do - or you may end up re-reading this section.

IMPORTANT Most health insurance companies do not cover tattoo removal in their coverage. The removal of a small tattoo (2-inch square) could end up costing you over $1,000 - and there are "hidden costs" to the concept of tattoo removal. The bottom line is, TATTOO REMOVAL IS VERY EXPENSIVE. This means that it is extra-important for you to consider CAREFULLY and spend a long time considering getting one in the first place.

GET IT REWORKED - COVERED UP

There are different ways to get cover-up work, depending on the situation. A name can be tastefully camouflaged with a small design, making the name impossible to read. If it's the entire thing you want covered, it could be covered with another design. It is easier to cover a lighter color with a darker color, although oftentimes the original work is done in a dark color.

This means not just a good tattooist, but a really good artist; what they'll have to do is find a way to work the existing tattoo into a new design that will cover and disguise what's there. If you don't believe that good cover-up work can do magic, take a look at some of the before-after photos in some of the tattoo magazines. The artists know how to work with form and shape, to where the new tattoo looks nothing like the old one.

An example of BAD cover-up is an artist who simply blacks out whatever was there before. I've seen big black rectangles where names used to be. This is a rather inelegant way of covering an unwanted tattoo. The main idea is to check with the individual artist. If they've done significant cover-up work, they should have before and after photos of it in their book, where you can see where the work occurred.

GET IT REWORKED - TOUCH-UPS

With the advances in technology, technique and the availability of new, brighter colors in the past few years, faded or blurred tattoos can look brighter and sharper than when they were new. Some touch-up work makes the tattoo significantly better looking than it ever was, actually improving on the original tattoo.

GET IT REMOVED - TISSUE EXPANSION

The tissue expansion method is where a balloon is inserted and inflated under the skin to slowly stretch the flesh. The tattoo is then cut out and the newly stretched skin covers its place. This is a popular method for removing smaller tattoos and leaves only a straight-line surgical scar.

GET IT REMOVED - SAL ABRASION

Sal abrasion involves rubbing the image with salt and "sanding" it out. GET IT REMOVED - STAGED EXCISION

The staged excision method actually cuts the image out, a small portion at a time. Both the sal abrasion and staged excision methods result in more scarring. Also, homemade tattoos can be more difficult to remove because while the concentration of ink may not be as great as in a professional tattoo, it often goes deeper into the skin (you may want to consider cover-up work in this case).

Monese Christensen recounts a rather sad story about her sister, who, on a whim without finding a good artist, got a tattoo she regretted enough to try to get it removed. "The saline expansion took about 4 months. The insertion of the saline bag was major surgery. They put her out. And put her out again to remove the tattoo and bag. The surgery was not covered under insurance for cosmetic reasons and it came to $5,000." Note that for six months Monese's sister had a big lump of extra skin growing on her back and she looked like Quasimodo. This, I believe, for a tattoo about 2" x 2".

There are a number of new laser methods for tattoo removal, although they tend to be costly and are usually not covered by medical insurance plans. Of the three forms of medical lasers currently available (the CO2 laser, the Q-stitched ruby laser and the Tatulazr), the new Tatulazr has been deemed one of the most effective ways to remove blue-black tattoos.

According to Dr. Richard Fitzpatrick of Dermatology Associates of San Diego County (who is the clinical investigator for the Tatulazr), the Tatulazr delivers pulses of energy that are selectively absorbed by the pigment granules of the tattoo. He says that the Tatulazr's wavelength causes less absorption of the laser light by the normal skin, resulting in less risk of scarring. The longer wavelength allows more energy to reach the target tattoo pigment, resulting in greater removal success. In addition, the wavelength allows for deeper penetration into the skin, which means fewer treatments may be required for complete tattoo removal.