Think Before You Ink

What does your tattoo mean? This has to be one of the most popular questions about tattoos today, ( other than "Does it hurt?"). Many people often think that every tattoo has some deep significant meaning. For most in the western world, there is a more significant meaning to imagery. As a means of self expression, or definition, there are not many things that rise above a tattoo being embedded in your skin. Whether you are marking yourself to represent a period in your life, or just for the fact that you a like a particular design, the needs that tattooing fills are endless. My tattoos have meanings to me. Some are to remind me of different periods in my life, and people in my life. Others are just to remind me.

The western culture has really no formal history of tattooing for ritualistic reasons, so most of the tattoos received are more for decorations, than initiations. The meaning of the tattoo is not always held to the imagery itself, but rather what it means to the bearer. Getting a tattoo is not something to be taken lightly. Think before you ink. It's something you are going to wear for life, whether it's going to be visible to others or not. Think about the design, think about the location, and mostly, think of who is going to apply the tattoo. No one should walk into a tattoo shop and pick a piece of flash off the wall. By the time it's healed, you'll be wondering what you were thinking. Not only about the choice of the tattoo, but it might be your choice of artist. Do some homework, and try to find out as much information as possible on the artist, and the shop where they are working. This act alone can save you time, money, and the aggravation of knowing you received a bad tattoo.

Cleanliness is the first order of business. Make sure the artist uses new needles, make sure they have an autoclave (sterilization equipment), and make sure they use gloves. Just because the shop is painted white, and it looks clean, doesn't mean it is. Most shops today must pass health inspection laws or their license will be revoked, so since it is a business, you'll find that the majority of shops are very clean. It's the traveling tattooist that you should look out for. During my travels this past November, I made my way down to good old Tennessee. Met a whole bunch of great people, and received the worst tattoo of my life. I had met an artist through some friends, and after seeing some pictures of his work, was very impressed.

He was a very cool person, and after exchanging some ideas and even talking of starting a small business together, he offered to tattoo me, free of charge, in exchange for working for him helping him set up the business. Sounded like a good idea to me. He was clean as far as that goes, but his professionalism and knowledge was something that was puzzling. I received a tattoo on my right forearm, flames surrounding an already existing star. Within 4 days I also received the worst infection of my life. My arm blew up with swelling, and it looked so bad, I ended up going to the doctor. Yes it was infected, so with antibiotics, I was cured. I found out that some other people also had minor infections, but all were different in severity.

Later I found out it was the size of the needles that he used on my forearm that caused all the damage. Too heavy a gauge needle, was too harsh on the skin. A professional should have known this. I also asked him for advice about the infection. He told me to pour rubbing alcohol on it!!!..OUCH... That was the clincher. Since then this artist has moved twice. Needless to say all ties were severed with him. For professional reasons he will remain nameless.

Thank Heavens there are some artists that can fix a scratcher's work, and make you whole again. He isn't a bad artist, or a bad person, just needs more of a professional work ethic. That was my lesson, and a good one. So remember...Think before you ink...the choice is yours.

R.Scott