Beginner's Guide to Getting a Tattoo

Beginner's Guide to Getting a Tattoo The main concern when thinking about getting a tattoo should be finding something that you really like as well as the location on your body. Keep in mind that this will be with you for the rest of your life, so you must be comfortable with this decision. Custom tattoos tend to be more expensive and time consuming because they demand the artist to pay closer attention to the detail and design. In addition, it is a design that they have never done before. Simple, more common designs are generally less expensive and take less time. Another aspect of the design to consider is color or black. Black tattoos are very attractive because they tend to stand out more on the skin due to more of a contrast. Color tattoos generally are more expensive but there can be more creativity involved because the possibilities are endless with color. The location of the tattoo is key. You must consider some things when thinking of location. Will others see it easily? Do I want this to be easily seen by others? Do I want it in more of a private place so only those close to me would view it? Which body parts hurt more than others? Generally, places that have thinner skin tend to hurt more. These places include, but are not limited to, due to differences in all of our bodies, the ankles, head and the lower back. Less painful places include the upper arm, back of the shoulder and the chest. © Copyright 2004 Tattoos Unlimited | www.tattoosunlimited.com Tattoo Safety Precautions Before making the decision to get a tattoo, be sure you are educated about possible health risks associated with the practice. These risks are minimal but can occur nonetheless. Non-sterile tattoo practices can possibly lead to the transmission of infectious organisms such as Hepatitis B and tuberculosis. To limit the risk, be sure to see the next section on How to Choose a Tattoo Parlor. Be sure to follow the exact instructions on caring for your new tattoo. Your skin is open and is in the healing process during the first few weeks after your tattooing session so be sure to take care of it carefully. Another thing to consider is allergic reactions to the pigment. If you are aware of any allergies you may have, be sure to share them with your tattoo artist. There is a list provided by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that is known as Universal Precautions. This is part of the Blood borne Pathogens Rule that was issued by the EPA. They apply in any health service setting that exposure to bodily fluids and blood is likely to occur. This includes tattoo parlors. Many states and local authorities have their own regulations for tattoo parlors that are based on the EPA guidelines. Check to see if your state or local municipality has such regulations. Also, look into any professional licensure that your state may have in effect for tattoo parlors. Finally, the biggest thing to remember when getting a tattoo is to NOT let a friend try to tattoo you. Please leave it to the professionals who make this art their livelihood. They have the training and licensing to provide you with a clean and safe service. © Copyright 2004 Tattoos Unlimited | www.tattoosunlimited.com Choosing a Tattoo Parlor Choosing the right tattoo parlor is very important, especially when getting your first tattoo. There are many things to consider when choosing a tattoo parlor. Make sure that the parlor is a place where you feel comfortable and relaxed. Some people have had the experience of joining a friend for their tattooing session so you may already have an idea of a place like this. Most importantly, the parlor should be clean and professional. Clean is always important when dealing with needles and blood. The tattoo parlor should be well lit. This is important for a few reasons. The bright, or better yet, natural light is a better way for you and the artist to see the true nature of the colors used and what the tattoo will actually look like. It also makes it easier to feel relaxed knowing that you can see what is going on all around you. When walking into a tattoo parlor for the first time, don’t be afraid to ask questions. Are the needles and other materials one-time use? Will gloves be worn? How long have the artists been tattooing? Are they members of a professional organization? Be sure that all of the needles are opened in front of you. This will ensure that they haven’t been used 15 minutes before you for the person down the street. If you know of anyone with a tattoo, feel free to ask them where they got it done and if they would recommend the parlor or a particular artist. Tattoo magazines are a good place too. You may find an article or advertisement for one in your area. Also, browse around the internet to find a place. Remember, this is a permanent investment, be sure to choose the tattoo parlor that is right for you. © Copyright 2004 Tattoos Unlimited | www.tattoosunlimited.com Tattoo Care The first thing to remember about your tattoo is that this is a lifetime investment! Do not rely on information from friends about the care of your new tattoo. The artist will provide you with the proper care for the tattoo. Generally, if your tattoo has been bandaged, leave it on for approximately two hours. Then, wash it gently with luke-warm water using antibacterial soap. Pat it dry, do not rub. This washing should occur three to four times a day. Do no apply another bandage to the tattoo. Allow it to be exposed to air. This will help the healing process. Also, try to avoid tightly fitted clothing. Clean, loose clothing will be the best. After washing, apply very thing coasts of Bacitracin or A&D Ointment and work it into the skin. Do not over apply. Apply just enough so that the tattoo appears shiny. If you can see the ointment on your skin, you are using too much. Do not soak the tattoo in water or let the shower directly spray hard onto it. Also, avoid swimming pools, the ocean, hot tubs or any other source of water, aside from the shower, until the tattoo is healed. Also avoid getting the new tattoo sunburned until it is healed. All of these can fade the tattoo and hinder the healing process. When the tattoo begins the healing process, do not directly scratch the tattoo. Itching means healing and a little bit of alcohol will relieve the itch. Also, do not pick the scabs that may form. Let them fall off gradually. This will usually happen in one to three weeks. If swelling or redness occurs, you can use ice packs to help the swelling go down. Most importantly, notify a doctor if you have even the slightest sign of infection. The healing process can be as little as one week or as long as six weeks or more depending on the size and complexity of your particular design. © Copyright 2004 Tattoos Unlimited | www.tattoosunlimited.com History of Tattoos Arguably, tattoos date back to about 3000 B.C. Marks found on a mummified human body dating that old, have tattoos. Tattoos have also been found on Egyptian and Nubian mummies that date back to about 2000 B.C. Many references can also be found in books from classical authors referring to the Greeks, Germans and Gauls. Europeans rediscovered tattooing when they encountered Polynesians and American Indians during some exploration. The word tattoo comes from the Tahitian word “tattau” which means “to mark”. European and U.S. societies considered tattoos very exotic so many tattooed Indians and Polynesians drew a crowd at the circus and fairs during the 18th and 19th centuries. The reason for tattooing has changed over the years and across various cultures. In the early practice of tattooing, it was primarily for decoration. This ancient practice still holds true today for most people. Early Romans used tattoos for identification. They would tattoo slaves and criminals so that everyone would know their status. Tahitian tattoos were rites of passage and told to story and history of the person’s life. In the early days of the U.S. when sailors would travel to foreign lands, they would collect tattoos as souvenirs of their travels and experiences. Methods of tattooing varied across cultures and time as well. Many Indians in North and South America created tattoos simply by pricking. Some tribes in California then began to introduce scratches when introducing color. In Polynesia, pigment was pricked into the skin by using a small tool that resembled a rake. In New Zealand, the Maori people used wood carving techniques using a bone-cutting tool to make shallow, colored grooves in the skin. When the Europeans arrived, they began to use metal, taking a small step toward the puncture style of tattooing we see today.