(Note: Please check out the comments section of this article for more helpful advice and links from reader Brian M.)
Now that you've settled on your tattoo design, let's talk a bit about the process. But first, my disclaimer: Teggy is not a tattoo artist nor medical professional. Always consult your artist or a doctor for any medical concerns.
Finding Your Artist
You have your design planned, maybe even a picture printed. If you only have a concept, make sure to ask your potential artists if they hand draw their own work. Most do. All of them should have photos of their body of work. Inspect these books. I walked into a place and saw a crappy book, which was a real turnoff, even though I had a simple, pre-printed image.
If you can, make an appointment in advance and leave yourself plenty of time to have the work done. Advance notice to your artist gives him or her time to prepare materials.
Your artist should have a professional attitude. Remember, this person is going to be carving a permanent image into your skin. They should be treating you with respect, and you should show them the same courtesy.
Trust your gut. If you ever have a bad feeling about the artist, their work, their cleanliness, or their shop, walk away. What're they gonna do? Give you a dirty look? This is your body, after all.
Sanitation
It is law in some states that require artists to open fresh needles in front of you. Needles should always be new and sterile. If you aren't sure, ask. If you can't confirm that they're sterile, don't do it. Your artist should always be wearing gloves when working on you. The area should be clean.
When inquiring about an artist, ask them how they cover their tattoos when they're done. A paper towel and some tape is not acceptable. This is a fresh flesh wound. They should absolutely be using sterile gauze.
The Process
People fear getting a tattoo for the pain. Mostly, it feels like a vibrating needle scratching your skin. Yeah, it stings a bit, but there is far worse out there. The larger the tattoo, the longer it takes. Large tattoos may take multiple sessions. If you need a short break, just ask for one.
Some artists are chatty, others are not. If they aren't, don't chat with them. You really don't want to distract someone with a needle on your skin. Also, you need to sit very still. If you tend to flinch from touch, let your artist know before you start.
Afterward
It is customary to tip your artist. You are paying for them for their skill, so don't be a stingy jerk. Also, expect to pay cash.
Keep you tattoo covered. Change your bandage 1-2 times daily with clean hands. Between changes, clean your tattoo with water and gentle soap. I used alcohol swabs last time (but have since been told that these are too irritating and bad. Keeping the skin moisturized is key). Then coat the tattoo with a thin layer of antibiotic ointment such as Neosporin. I tend to keep my tattoos covered for longer than most people, generally 3-5 days. I just find that my scratches generally heal better if I keep them covered.
Around day 3, your scarred skin will start flaking off. Be very gentle when rubbing it away. It will also get itchy about then. DON'T SCRATCH IT. You should know better.
My hairdresser put it best. "A healing tattoo feels like a bruised sunburn." This is why I say keep it covered for 3-5 days. You'll suddenly realize how much contact your skin makes while going through this process.
Touch-Ups
Your artist wants you to be happy with their work. Word-of-mouth is a good way for them to get new clients. If something isn't quite right or you're not 100% happy, wait about 2-3 weeks for your skin to fully heal, and make an appointment for a touch up. Let the shop know you're coming in for a touch up because they often do those for free which means they lose money.
3 comments:
You don't want to use Neosporin, as it can affect the way a tattoo heals. Some people may be allergic to Neosporin, and it can cause red bumps and pull the ink from the skin. You want to cover it in AB ointment or Bacitracin and allow the skin to heal naturally. If you clean it with antibacterial soap regularly, there is no need for Neosporin.
Also, you would NEVER want to put something as harsh as an alcohol swab on a fresh tattoo. That is a sure-fire way to irritate the skin and cause breakouts and other issues. Simple, generic brand antibacterial soap diluted with water is perfect. Rinse the plasma and ointment off, and pat dry, never wipe.
Finally, after the first 3 days or so, until everything looks and feels normal again, you should use a dye and fragrance-free lotion on the skin to keep it hydrated.
I have many tattoos, one being a full Japanese Koi sleeve, and I ALWAYS follow these guidelines, as they have been given to be by more than 1 artist, and at this site: http://tattoo.about.com/cs/beginners/a/blaftercare.htm
Good luck and happy tattooing!
Thank you for the tips Brian! I'll edit them into my article.
I've heard both for and against arguments when it comes to Neosporin. For me, it works beautifully. Some artists say that it dries the skin out too much.
I've just heard and seen some pretty bad horror stories with it. A/B ointment and lotion have made all of mine heal wonderfully. They even make something called "Tattoo Goo" that is like souped up A/B ointment, but costs a lot more. regular A/B is my choice.
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