SAFETY INFORMATION YOU SHOULD KNOW
BEFORE GETTING YOUR TATTOO

Are Tattoos Safe? 

Yes, as long as you go to a reputable artist that is following all recommended safety precautions. Follow these guidelines and remember DO YOUR RESEARCH on your chosen tattoo artist before you put yourself in their hands! Remember removing tattoos isn't easy. You could be faced with having a bigger tattoo to cover the old one which you might not like or surgery may be the only option. The cost of dermabrasion or laser surgery can be huge and will leave scars. Just be sure before you start.

Remember that in the UK you must be at least 18 to be tattooed, and that any tattooist who doesn't check your age if you're young, isn't likely to be one of the most reliable.

How much is it going to cost?

NEVER haggle over the price of a tattoo. It is disrespectful to the artist. If you can't pay for quality, don't bother. Remember that this is a piece of art that will be with you for life. When it comes to tattoos, you get what you pay for. Agree on a price for the tattoo. Most reputable tattoo artists are happy to agree on a price before you go for your appointment and that way both of you know how much the tattoo will cost. Watch out for the ones who tell you “it depends on how long you are there”. It allows them to keep you there for as long as they wish, even if you went in for a tiny butterfly tattoo and they will charge you the earth for it. Also beware of people tattooing out there that will ink you cheap. You will regret it and will have to go to a good tattoo artist to cover it up which ultimately will cost you more than it would have done in the first place. Go to a few tattoo design studios first to compare prices, ask some of the questions covered in this article and get a feel for the place. QUALITY is key when it comes to tattoos.

What Tattoo is best for you and where should you have it?

Tattoos are personal, individual and have different meanings for everyone. You can create your own or choose from the designs on offer at your tattoo studio. Talk with the tattoo artist beforehand regarding tattoo design whether it be a customized piece you are after, a tribal tattoo, a celtic tattoo or a dragon tattoo. If you want a tattoo of two different things eg a flower with a snake wrapped around it find separate pictures and ask the tattooist to make an individual tattoo design for you based on the pictures, don’t copy someone else – have a unique tattoo. They are artists and every artist wants to show off their unique designs. Keep in mind what line of work you are in and what social circles you mix in. You may want to show your tattoo to the world but something like a lower back tattoo or an ankle tattoo could be easily covered up if necessary.

Always Ask to See Examples of the Artist's Finished Work

The first thing people do when they enter a tattoo shop is to go to all the flash on the walls or in the books, instead of the artist's personal portfolio. You may not find what you're looking for in a tattoo in the portfolio, but it will definitely help you decide if you might want to be trying to find the exit door! And don't be swayed by pretty pictures. Really look at the designs up close. Scrutinize the line work. Are the lines straight and smooth? Do the circles look like circles? What about the colouring? Are the colours blended well to create even forms of shading, dimension, and depth? All these are things to consider. NOTE: keep in mind, that photos can be stolen from other artists. If you have the time to spend, stay and watch the artist you are considering. If your tattoo is intricate make sure that your chosen tattooist is capable of "fine lines". Make sure that they can do tattoos with intricate detail. With tattoos that involve writing this is also really important to the finished article. You do not want any names to fade or the tattoo to "bleed" in years to come so that the tattoo becomes unreadable. Don't be shy to ask questions! Ask to see examples of the kind of tattoo you want. Trust your instincts, and always remember......If in doubt, don't!

The Pain Factor

Everyone has a different pain threshold. It does hurt but not that much otherwise there would not be hundreds of people going to get them over and over again! They would not be as popular. Some describe it as a hot scratching feeling. If you are nervous take a friend or ask a friend or relative to go along with you. It is quite normal and the tattooist will be quite used to others coming along for moral support. They will also constantly check with you to see if you need a break. Just ask!  Numbing creams are not recommended.

The best time of year to get a Tattoo

The skin gets a lot more abuse during the summer with swimming, tanning and sun exposure. All of these elements can hinder a tattoo healing and fading. The winter time is really the best time of year unless you intend to keep covered up!

If you are sick

Getting a tattoo when you are not 100% in good health is not a good idea. Your immune system is flagging and your white blood cells need all the help they can get to heal your tattoo (it is art but it is also a wound that needs to heal). Your body will struggle with this if it is already busy elsewhere working against a virus and bacteria. Your tattoo artist will not thank you either if you take all you germs to him as they will be working in close proximity to you! The tattooist would prefer you to reschedule!

Tattoo Kits

Stay away!  If you try these at home with no experience you could be putting your life - and anyone else’s you experiment on – in danger. If you want to be a tattoo artist you need to get a valid apprenticeship.

Do Tattoo Artists Need Any Kind Of Certificate?

There isn't any kind of official certification given to tattoo artists that complete their education. There are no formal schools, and no diplomas. There are many tattooists’ out there that are tattooing without the benefit of any kind of training. This is perfectly legal providing that they are licensed in their state.

Illegal tattooists still get a lot of customers, this is why it is really important to be sure these other guidelines are being strictly followed to be sure you will be receiving quality - and more importantly -safety when you have your tattoo done. 

 Ask to see  the Tattoo Shop's Autoclave and Sterilization Certification

What is it and what is the importance?

Every tattoo shop should have an autoclave sterilizer. The autoclave is essentially a pressure cooker which is used mainly in the medical field for sterilizing medical instruments. To fully sterilize the equipment the autoclave must maintain a temperature of at least 246 degrees for 30 minutes for the equipment to be fully sterilized. Steam and chemical are the major autoclave sterilizers. Steam is the acceptable one when it comes to tattooing. All steam autoclaves are acceptable to use when sterilizing the equipment. Ask to see the autoclave, is it clean? If the staff were not happy to show it to you or were evasive, think again about getting your tattoo here. Autoclaves need to be regularly tested to ensure that they are working properly. Ask to see the results of their latest spore test. These results should be no more than two months old. If you are advised that a pressure cooker designed for canning food is ok for sterilization used tattoo equipment, this IS NOT TRUE. They do not reach the required temperature or pressure that is necessary to kill all blood borne pathogens effectively. Medical sterilizers are larger and are designed specifically for killing bacteria and other pathogens. DO NOT TRUST A NON-PROFESSIONAL TATTOOIST USING A KITCHEN PRESSURE COOKER.

Make sure you see the New Sterile Needle Removed from the Autoclave Bag

Are The Needles New? In some areas, it is not a legal requirement to use new needles. If used needles are properly autoclaved, it is legally acceptable to use them, but this is definitely not recommended! New needles colour are bright silver, they should not be ink stained or brownish looking. Used needles, if properly sterilized, can very well be perfectly safe. However, there is also the risk of the needle tips becoming dull after use on a previous client. This can seriously damage your skin when used.  Needles should not be removed from the autoclave bag until you are sitting there and they are ready to start your tattoo. Ask to see the sterile confirmation logo on the bag itself. 

Make sure that the Tattoo Artist is Wearing Gloves

Although this precaution is more for the safety of the tattoo artist, no one wants an infected tattoo artist working on them. If the tattooist doesn't care about their own safety, they are unlikely to be concerned about yours.
Standard medical latex gloves (or some other type of medical grade protective gloves) should always be used. Look for these points: Do the gloves fit properly? If the gloves are too big or too small, the risk of either poking a hole in the gloves or tearing them is very possible. All it takes is a pinhole to run the risk of cross contamination.

Reusable Equipment

Anything used on you should be thrown away. This includes water, ink and ointments. Any ink that is unused should NOT be returned to the original container! It is contaminated with blood, and should be disposed of.
Little cups called "ink caps" should be used to put just enough ink in for YOUR tattoo. Any leftovers should be thrown away. The same applies to the water and ointments used.
NOTE: Many tattoo artists use deodorant to create a darker impression of the transfer copy on your skin before they begin tattooing. This is a very effective method, but the artist should never use the deodorant stick directly on your skin. It has been used by other clients. Instead, the deodorant should be wiped onto a tissue, and the tissue placed on your skin. You should NEVER HAVE DIRECT CONTACT with the deodorant stick. If they use the stick in this way with you they have probably done the same with many others before you.

Is The Tattoo Artist Hepatitis B Vaccinated?

This is not common practice yet. Many studios, although important, do not practice this safety measure. It does not indicate that they are not safe but practicing this does put a client's mind at ease. If they are not vaccinated, just be sure they are following the other safety guidelines to prevent cross-contamination.
This is more important now because infection and disease are spreading more rapidly, and unsafe tattooing is creating the necessity for tattooists to be vaccinated against Hepatitis for their own protection and for the protection of their future clients.
Should the tattoo artist claim to have had the vaccination get them to show you a medical record of it. If they cannot they probably have not had it, if they have forgotten all they have to do is call their doctor for a copy of the vaccination record. I have had a Hep B and your doctor holds all the details should you need them. The information is easy to access.
In this day and age, it is advisable that everyone is vaccinated against this disease. You may want to make sure that you are vaccinated before you have a new tattoo.

Tattoo Aftercare - How to Take Care of Your New Tattoo

Once you have your tattoo it is totally your responsibility to look after it.  Any infection or problems are down to you alone (providing the tattoo was successful and without any problems). 

 Guidelines to avoid a Tattoo Nightmare! 

Don’t Touch the Bandage - Your tattoo has a bandage to keep air-born bacteria at bay. Your tattoo is a piece of art but it is also a wound. Wounds are breeding grounds for bacteria and infection. Leave the bandage on for a minimum of two hours. AVOID the temptation to show it off!
NOTE: If your tattoo is covered with saran wrap or some kind of plastic, this is extremely detrimental to a tattoo, so should be removed immediately. You're better off not having any covering than covering your tattoo with plastic wrap. Ask your tattoo artist what they intend to use before the tattoo is done.

Washing - Once the bandage is removed, wash your tattoo. Use lukewarm water and mild, liquid antibacterial or antimicrobial soap (again ask your tattoo artist if they recommend anything in particular). Make sure you completely wash any ointment, blood and/or plasma away from the area. Use hand towels and cloths are too abrasive. (If your tattoo feels slimy and slippery, you have probably been oozing plasma. Try to gently remove as much of this as possible - when the plasma dries on the skin surface, it creates scabs.)  Dry completely by patting (not rubbing) the area firmly with a CLEAN towel or paper towel. Follow with a very light application of your choice of ointment. Again ask your tattoo artist if they recommend any particular antibacterial ointment. A&D vitamin enriched ointments are a good choice. Some products specifically for cuts and scrapes may not be suitable, you may get an allergic reaction, causing little red bumps which when they go away so does some of the ink leaving a kind of polka dot effect

Specialty Products and Lotions - There are specialty products such as Tattoo Goo or H2Ocean. It's not necessary, but it's your choice. Use the products as directed. Then continue to keep it clean. Make sure any lotion you use is dye and fragrance free. A lot of artists recommend Lubriderm, but some find that Lubriderm stings. Eucerin may be a better option. E45 cream or Vaseline are sometimes recommended. Again check.

 
Bathing Showering and Swimming - It's ok to get your tattoo wet - just don't soak it. Submerging your tattoo in a bath or hot tub can cause serious damage, avoid those for 2-3 weeks, but showering is perfectly fine as long as you don't saturate your tattoo. If you get soap or shampoo on your tattoo, just remove it quickly with water. Swimming in a pool, fresh water or salt water should be avoided for at least 2 weeks.

Scabbing and Peeling - You will notice some peeling and possibly a little scabbing after a few days. Excessive scabbing could indicate a poorly-done tattoo, but a little is sometimes normal and there is no need to panic. Apply warm moist compresses to the scabs for about 5 minutes 2-3 times a day to soften them and they will eventually come off on their own. (Do not apply ointment or lotion to a softened scab - wait for it to dry) You will start to itch, its like sunburn when it begins to heal. DO NOT PICK AND DO NOT SCRATCH! To relieve the itching, slap the skin. If it is peeling, put lotion on it. If it is scabbing, just leave it alone. The tattoo is almost healed – do not spoil it now!!

Sun Protection - Once healed you should always protect it from the sun's ultraviolet rays. These can fade and damage a brilliant tattoo very quickly. Before spending a lot of time in excessive heat, protect your tattoo with a minimum 30SPF sunblock. This will keep your tattoo vibrant for many years.

Shaving - The area of skin is shaved before a tattoo. Do not shave a fresh tattoo or use chemical hair removers. If you have to, shave around the tattoo. The last stage of the healing process is the peeling stage. Then regeneration and a new protective layer of skin will form over the tattoo. 5 – 10 days is average for this process. If there are no bumps or hard scabs or raised patches and the skin around the tattoo feels the same as the tattoo itself it should be ok, if you can feel that the skin around the tattoo and your normal skin surface is edgy you may need a little longer. This can take up to a couple of months. An electric razor is the best option if healed. Patience is important if you want the tattoo to heal successfully. If you are going to use a blade razor and it is not healed properly be very careful. Once healed shaving can resume as normal.

Disclaimer - The above information is intended as a guide only and you should seek the appropriate expert advice from an approved source relative to this subject before taking any action..






.