Think Before You Ink!
Some Basic Tattoo Do’s and Don’ts
Hey Tattooed Fans and Friends…it’s finally time for your very first (or second or twenty-second) Tattoo! Here are some BASIC Do’s and Don’ts to think about before you walk into the tattoo shop, and most apply whether it is your first or twenty-first Tattoo…so read on.
Do make an appointment. And be patient when waiting to get your tattoo. Tattoo Artists do not rush through a sitting to get to the next person. They take their time with each customer in order to do their best work. Tattoo Artists tend to be perfectionists and YOU are their canvas AND their best advertisement. Besides, you don’t want them to rush through your tattoo, do you?
Do wear comfortable, loose fitting, appropriate clothing. Think about your tattoo placement and wear clothing that will easily allow access to that area. And remember that your tattoo session may take one or several hours, be cool and comfortable. And try to be very….still.
Do some advance research on your tattoo. A tattoo is a lifetime commitment, know what you want, or at least have a general idea of what you want before you go. Unless you are VERY free-spirited and a live-in-the-moment type person, impulse buying isn’t a good way to choose a tattoo. Your Tattoo Artist can help you explore and develop ideas, but have some idea or direction.
Do research the shop. Know the precautions they are taking for YOUR safety and theirs. Sterile equipment and supplies should always be used for tattoos and piercings. Watch for unacceptable or unsafe conditions, such as the re-use of STERILE single-use needles or Artists who don’t wear gloves….and
Do ask questions. Tattoo shops can be intimidating, but don’t be afraid to speak up — it’s your body! Make sure you see them take the tattoo needles from a fresh sealed package. The Tattoo Artist will generally open this package directly in front of you prior to your sitting. Alert your Artist if you know you’re allergic to red ink, or Latex or any other condition he or she should be aware of.
Do keep things simple. This rule applies if this is your FIRST tattoo. Start small. Getting a tattoo is painful, especially on areas with a lot of nerve endings, and different people react differently to pain. The pain IS tolerable, but start with a smaller, simpler design to see how YOU handle the pain before you get that huge, intricate back piece! (You CAN do those LARGE pieces in multiple sittings.)
Do choose an appropriate location for your tattoo(s). Think twice about where you place tattoos (and piercings) on your body. I would never (nor will I ever) tell you what you should or should not do to YOUR body, BUT - There IS Body Modification Discrimination out there in the REAL world! Consider placing your tattoo or piercing in an area that can be covered by clothing worn in the work place. More on Discrimination in future posts.
Do ask for recommendations. If you see someone with beautiful, detailed tattoos compliment them and ask where they were done, and WHO did them and find THAT Tattoo Artist. Tattoo Artists have ‘specialties’. There are experts in Tribal work, Fine-Line work, Lettering and Text, Portraits, etc. Ask to see their Portfolios. Find YOUR expert.
Do take a shower. It’s not a good idea to go get a tattoo right after work. Be considerate, go home, and take a shower. Your Tattoo Artist will appreciate it (and possibly spend more time on the details of your new body art).
Do listen to your Tattoo Artist. Once your tattoo is completed, your Tattoo Artist will tell you the best way to take care of your tattoo. Don’t listen to your family, friends or neighbors…follow your Artist’s tattoo aftercare instructions.
Do TIP your Tattoo Artist! If you didn’t know that tipping a tattoo artist is customary, and expected, now you do! Many Tattoo Artists are not paid an hourly wage, they work for a percentage of the money you pay for your tattoo. OR, they are independent contractors who pay the owner rent and overhead. Either way, they depend on tips. Tip your Bartender, Tip your Waitress, Tip your Barber or Stylist and TIP YOUR TATTOO ARTIST! And if you receive exceptional service, show your appreciation by tipping exceptionally well!
Ok, time for a break. Next time we’ll go over the Tattoo Don’ts.
Talk to you then. Thanks! Kevin at SABodyArt.com
Think Before You Ink by Kevin at SABodyArt.com is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. Based on a work at www.sabodyart.com/articles. Permissions: You MAY REPOST or LINK to this article. You MAY NOT CHANGE this article. You MUST credit www.sabodyart.com as the SOURCE.
Think Before You Ink! Part 2
Some Basic Tattoo Do’s and Don’ts (continued)
Hey Tattooed Fans and Friends, last time we talked about the Tattoo Do’s, now let’s take a look at some of the Tattoo Don’ts…
Don’t get a tattoo illegally. If some scratcher is taking the risk to tattoo you in his garage while you’re underage, chances are he’s putting your health at risk too. Wait until you are 18 and get your tattoo safely and legally by a Professional Tattoo Artist in a clean, licensed Tattoo shop. Otherwise, you could end up with an ugly tattoo, raised scar tissue, Hepatitis or much worse.
Don’t get a tattoo on a whim…or because you’re on vacation, or graduating, or because you’re bored. Never get a tattoo on a dare - you‘ll regret it later. And think long and hard before you get your boyfriend’s/girlfriend’s NAME tattooed on your body! I know you’re in love today…but will you be next year, or ten years from now? A tattoo lasts a lifetime, and although tattoo removal is possible, it’s very expensive and painful. If you have any doubts, wait until they clear up. KNOW what you want…THEN do it. (See that list of Tattoo Do’s)
Don’t pick or scratch your tattoo when it is healing. Your new tattoo WILL itch, it’s part of the healing process. Tattoos scab over just like an other open wound. Don’t pick at the scab because it takes off the color and can make your healed tattoo look spotted and blotchy.
Don’t expose your new tattoo to sunlight or indirect sunlight, UV rays are bad for tattoos. And…no tanning Bed! And stay out of the pool for at least two weeks, the chlorine(bleach) in the water can adversely affect your new ink.
Don’t use Neosporin, Vaseline or peroxide on your new tattoo. These products can pull the pigment (ink) from below the surface of the skin and ruin your new tattoo. Follow your Tattoo Artist’s detailed aftercare instructions.
Don’t get drunk or high before you get your tattoo. You act like a jackass and end up pissing off your Tattoo Artist who is trying to concentrate and do something permanent on your skin. And alcohol thins your blood and makes you bleed more easily, and can also make you pass out more easily - ending your tattoo session. Choose your tattoo SOBER, and get your tattoo SOBER. Celebrate later. (Invite your Tattoo Artist…buy him/her a shot - or two!)
Don’t Bring your child to the tattoo studio. A tattoo shop is not a suitable environment for children. There are SHARP hazards, and other sights and sounds that children should NOT be exposed to. You will not be able to supervise your child while getting a tattoo or piercing. Your Tattoo Artist (and everyone else in the shop) will appreciate it if you can find a ‘sitter’ for the kids so that you can come to the studio alone.
Don’t bring a ‘cheering section’ with you. Many tattoo shops will not let friends accompany you into the tattoo area and in some states it’s prohibited by law. Ask about bringing a (single) friend but Tattoo Artists won’t appreciate (or allow) 3 to 5 of your friends crowding around and disturbing the work area. And don’t have them take pictures unless EVERYONE agrees in advance.
Don’t ask for a deal, discount, break…or if the Tattoo Artist can cut you some slack. Cheap tattoos are often - cheap tattoos. And don’t bargain shop - go from Artist to Artist to see how cheaply you can get your tattoo. Tattoo Shops aren’t garage sales or flea markets. Tattoo Artists hate bargain shoppers and it shows you really don’t care how your tattoo looks. Every Tattoo Artist has a different style, most have a specialty (see the list of Tattoo Do‘s). Choose your Tattoo Artist for the work that they do - doing so will get you a tattoo you’ll love for a lifetime.
Let’s stop with that one. Hope you find this list of basic Tattoo Don’ts useful. And be sure to check out the list of Tattoo Do’s! Think before you ink!
Thanks, Kevin at www.SABodyArt.com - Promoting the Tattoo Lifestyle!
An Introduction to Body Suspension:
Hey Tattooed Fans and Friends! Have you noticed all these people hanging by ropes and HOOKS from the rafters lately? They are practicing the Art of Body Suspension - suspending a human body from hooks that have been placed through body piercings. These piercings are usually temporary and are performed on-site just prior to the actual suspension.
Body Suspension is blend of modern body modification and ancient spiritual practices. Once practiced by North American Plains Indians and Southeast Asian aboriginal tribes as a “rite of passage”, recent growing popularity can be directly attributed to Australian suspension artist Stelarc; Fakir Musafar - the “Father of the Modern Primitive movement”; and more recently the television show Mindfreak, whose host Criss Angel suspended himself from hooks attached to a flying helicopter.
Body Suspension is a very delicate and detailed process and preparations and suspensions are usually performed by Suspension “Teams”. These Teams often include one or more Professional Piercing Artists. The Team also handles the detailed preparations, body hook placement, safety and sanitary precautions and finally, the actual suspension.
Until fairly recently, the suspension hooks were large fishing hooks that had been modified for body suspension by removing the barbs. The growing popularity of suspension has prompted piercing jewelry and piercing supply companies like Painful Pleasures to develop, test and market 4, 6, and 8 gauge hooks designed specifically for suspension. The remaining body suspension hardware can be as simple as a pulley and nylon rope similar to what mountain climbers use, or as elaborate as an entire suspension “cage”.
The suspension style (final suspended position) along with the individual’s body weight and mass will determine hook placement, number, and size (gauge) of the hooks used in the suspension. Multiple hooks are necessary to safely and evenly distribute weight during the suspension. Proper hook distribution is critical - too few and the skin will be unable to withstand the body’s weight and will rip, a painful and bloody process. Do not attempt Body Suspension without a trained and experienced Support Team!
Common types of body suspensions include:
Suicide Suspension: Suspended vertically from piercings in the back. A variation that includes additional hooks in the arm is a Crucifix Suspension.
Vertical Chest Suspension: Two (or more) hooks through the upper chest.
Superman Suspension: Horizontal Suspension with the face pointing down with hooks through the back, arms and legs resulting in the appearance of flying.
Coma Suspension: Horizontal suspension with the face pointing up. The hooks are placed in the chest, abdomen, arms, and legs with the body suspended horizontally.
Resurrection Suspension: Horizontal Face Up. The hooks are placed in two rows on the stomach resulting in a severely arched back, giving the impression of rising from dead.
Lotus Suspension: Suspension in the lotus position. The hooks are placed in the neck, shoulders, arms and knees, resulting in sitting or lotus position.
Knee Suspension: Suspension from the knees, hanging head down.
Remember - Body Suspension requires an experienced support team to be performed safely. Never attempt body suspension by yourself!
To learn more about Body Suspension, view Suspension pictures of local events or announce future Body Suspension or Body Modification events, visit us at www.sabodyart.com
Thanks! - Kevin at SABodyArt.com
An Introduction to Body Suspension by Kevin at SABodyArt.com is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. Based on a work at www.sabodyart.com/articles. Permissions: You MAY REPOST or LINK to this article. You MAY NOT CHANGE this article. You MUST credit www.sabodyart.com as the SOURCE.
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