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So. You want to get tattooed. Great! This can be a rewarding
and life-enriching experience... IF done right. Knowing HOW
to get tattooed is key to being happy with this decision.
I hope in the following paragraphs to help you, as a potential
client, learn the skills necessary to get a good tattoo, one
you can live with.
People get tattooed for a number of reasons. some good, some
not so good. Tattoos can be a scrapbook of a person's life.
They tell us about the wearer's loves, hates, hopes, fears,
accomplishments, and regrets. They can be purely decorative.
They can tell where a person is from or where they want to
be. . It may be done as a way of being "different"
or "rebellious", or fitting into a larger group
identity..
Ideally, they are applied in an attractive way, by a knowledgeable
artist, fitting the body and personality of the wearer, with
an enduring personal significance and a timeless style that
will not go out with the current trend. Tattoos of this type
are seldom regretted and can be empowering points of pride
for their owners. I don't know one person with a good quality,
appropriately sized, and personally significant tattoo they
wish they hadn't gotten.
For many, however, this is an impulsive act, one eventually
regretted for that very reason. Often, not much thought is
put into the design's significance or its overall effect on
one's self-image. Too many times, tattoos are gotten because
they are fashionable. The problem is, fashions change, and
unlike other fashion accessories, you have to keep your tattoo.
This is why it's important to know HOW to get tattooed. For
many, this is a daunting and confusing endeavor, especially
the first time. After all, it's permanent. This idea alone
can be nerve-racking enough. Most people never do anything
permanent. Half of marriages nowadays are far less than that,
and the idea of committing to an aesthetic seems far tougher
than committing to a soul mate.
The first step is to know your self. What are you into? What
do you hold dear? What do you desire? What do you believe?
What types of imagery do you find pleasing, and what part
of your body would you like to accentuate with a tattoo? These
are good places to start.
Placement, scale, and flow, are paramount in importance.
Good tattoos, in my opinion, should look like clothing or
jewelry from a respectable viewing distance. A prime example
is traditional Japanese tattooing. Another would be Pacific
islander. Optimally, they should read well from across the
street. If so, they will age well. Badgy, small, isolated
tattoos look like melanomas and only get worse with time.
These should be avoided.
Then you need to decide on the imagery. Good design reference
can be found anywhere; the internet, library, magazines, comic
books, greeting cards, even wallpaper. This part is subjective.
Look for TYPES of imagery you like, not necessarily specific
tattoo designs. A good tattooist can then help you develop
a basic idea in a beautiful finished piece, but he or she
needs direction from you.
Next you need to find that artist. the one who can do the
mental math for you, adding up your expectations and ideas
to give you exactly what you never knew you wanted. Word of
mouth is invaluable. If you see a tattoo you like on someone,
ask who did it. Look a tattoo magazines and on the internet
to find out about local tattooists. Once you've found a few
prospects and located their studios, take some time to visit
them and view their studios and portfolios.
The portfolio is key. How artists present their work speaks
volumes about them professionally. Look for HEALED pictures
of quality work a style that speaks to you. Look for consistent
line work, smooth shading, and solid color. A tattooist will
most often put their favorite work in their book, so you can
see what they prefer to do or specialize in. Do not bypass
this step. If you neglect to look at a portfolio, you deserve
what you get. If you ask and they say "Portfolio?".
run like hell!
So there you are. You've brainstormed for weeks, gone into
all the local tattoo shops, perused portfolios, chosen the
"perfect" artist, AND decided on a design (WHEW!).
Now you're ready to sign the waiver form and have your skin
art dreams come true...right? Not just yet, there, Turbo!
One very necessary part of the overall picture should be looked
at before you should have ANY kind of invasive procedure done.
It's always a good idea to look at the practices of your chosen
artist to make sure that this isn't a decision you'll regret.
If you'd be so kind as to read on, I'll tell you what you
should know and look for to insure you're getting a safe tattoo.
First of all, let's discuss the risks inherent to this kind
of procedure. Like any other activity that involves needles
and blood, there is always the possibility of transmitting
disease if proper standards are not met. Blood borne pathogens
such as HIV and hepatitis are of greatest popular concern,
with most people believing their biggest risk is "getting
AIDS". In fact, HIV is hardly a concern in tattooing,
mostly because of the sheer volume of blood that has to be
transmitted to infect someone with the virus. HIV is also
relatively weak and survives for only short time when exposed
to the environment. Hepatitis, a desease that attacks the
liver, is of a lot more concern, being a much heartier pathogen
that requires a much smaller amount of body fluid transfer,
though it should be mentioned that , according to the Centers
for Disease Control, there has NEVER been a documented case
of Hepatitis OR AIDS caused by a tattoo. However, there's
always a first time for everything, and nobody wants to be
it, so it's always a good idea to take universal precautions.
Remember, too, that there are many other diseases out there
that you can receive through contact with infected blood,
such as tuberculosis. That's not all, though. We also have
to take into account the plethora of different bacterial and
fungal infections that that are just waiting for the opportunity
to fester inside your brand new tattoo. So be careful... the
hide you save could be your own.
The first step in this process is to ask about the studio's
universal precautions... a set of practices used with each
and every client to prevent infection and disease transmission
(hence the term "universal"). Do they use new needles?
Do they wear latex or comparable exam gloves while working?
Do they use an acceptable hard surface disinfectant on all
their tools and work surface in between tattoos after doing
away with all disposable items (razor blades, ink, ink cups,
Vaseline, plastic barriers, rubber bands, etc)? How do they
sterilize their non-disposable equipment? These are the questions
that you should have answered BEFORE getting tattooed or pierced...as
well as any others that come to mind. Remember, it's YOUR
health, and it's your responsibility. Do it for yourself as
well as for your friends and loved ones. You don't want to
end up an amputee Typhoid Mary, do you?
As far as sterilization goes, their are three commonly used
methods... cold chemical, dry heat, and autoclave sterilization.
An autoclave is a device that uses steam, heat, and pressure
to kill all known microorganisms and the spores with which
they reproduce and is the preferred method of sterilization,
especially for equipment that has come into contact with possibly
infectious body fluids. Chemical and dry heat sterilization
are considered adequate for non-contaminated items (those
that have not come into contact with body fluids) or items
that cannot be sterilized in an autoclave, but aren't the
most effective practices because the steam pressure of an
autoclave (what these two methods lack) is what kills reproductive
spores and gets into all the little nooks and crannies of
the equipment. Autoclave sterilization takes place when clean,
dry, individually packaged items are processed at 15 pounds
per square inch and 250 degrees Fahrenheit for twenty minutes
at temp and pressure (though this is the most common standard,
these figures vary. more heat or pressure can decrease necessary
exposure time).
The next thing you should try to do is watch the tattooist
work. Usually this isn't a problem and most good tattooists
will actually appreciate the fact that you care enough to
ask. Things that you should look for include, "Is the
work area clean, organized, and well lit", "Does
he wash his hands between clients", "Does he refrain
from touching things like doorknobs, lights, the telephone,
or radio with dirty gloves?" Increased confidence can
be had with an artist who also uses plastic barriers on their
power supply, tattoo machines, spray bottles, and work surface,
because they cut down on gross contamination with blood and
ink, therefore making clean-up between clients easier and
more thorough. Great care should be taken to prevent cross
contamination, which occurs when possibly infectious material
from one client comes in contact with a surface and the tattooist
touches that surface while working on the next, thus "cross-contaminating"
from one client to another. Keep in mind that the care the
artist takes with his cleanliness is a good indication of
the level of care he'll take in the execution of your tattoo.
There's no such thing as a good, dirty, tattooist.
If you bear these things in mind and keep you eyes peeled,
asking any and all questions that come to mind, you should
be fully capable of deciding whether or not your decision
to get tattooed will be a good one. There are few things in
this world more satisfying than having a brand-new, beautiful
tattoo... except not having to worry about getting sick from
it. If you need any other reason to go through all this hassle,
just close your eyes (I'm waiting...) and imagine an oozing,
festering, two week old fungal infection in that same tattoo
and the resulting scar that will be there once it FINALLY
heals. All it takes is a little time and common sense to avoid
making a decision you'll regret. Isn't it worth it to insure
your health and that of your loved ones?
About The Author:
Isreal Caine is a professional tattooist of 7 years with
10 years of experience with the industry, working at Inu Tattoo
in San Diego, California. Online portfolio and FAQ can be
viewed at www.BoneDeep.net.
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