Monday June 22nd, 2009 @ 10:07 PM
I’ve looked everywhere for an answer to my question - I hope this is it. I have a condition called Uveitis. It is inflammation of the eye. I take prednisone to control it. I really want a tattoo - eventually alot. And I’m doing fairly well right now with the disease but I would absolutely HATE if a tattoo brought it all back. I asked a specialist in my condition and he doesn’t know. I’m afraid no one knows my answer and I’m worried about getting one. I’ve also heard blue ink CAUSES uveitis in some cases. Any information would be MORE than appreciated. Thanks in advnace.
-Lauren
Hey Lauren;
I spoke to a modified friend in the medical community who’s asked to remain anonymous and to make it very clear that this is not an official diagnosis. Their answer:
“so by the way Lauren is talking about it, it seems to be an autoimmune disorder for her, rather than an infectious process. autoimmune issues are always difficult because its your body attacking itself, causing the inflammation, which is why the prednisone works to keep it under control. I have the same answer the specialist had: I dont know. the reason I give that answer is because so many things can trigger an autoimmune disorder to flare. tattoos in general is one big wound that the body then has to take care of. the prednisone already supresses the immune system so the body doesn’t have AS good a defense mechanism. each person is different and the body reacts different ways to autoimmune issues. there are many case studies on different reactions to tattoos and flares of many autoimmune disorders, however there has been no clinical trials showing the specific relationship. based on the case studies, its not just blue ink they have seen it in. has been red, blue, black. I know this doesnt answer the main question but its more info. the only thing she can do is try something smallish to see her body’s reaction and go from there.”
So that’s the best answer we have for you… I hope it helps!
+10 / 10 votes 
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Posted by Shawn Porter | Permalink | 1 Comment
Thursday June 11th, 2009 @ 8:39 PM
Hello, this is my first time posting…
This will be my first time getting a tattoo…We are going to this: http://www.bodyartexpo.com/MAIN.PHP
I would like to know if anyone knows of any good artists that will be there that they can suggest? What do I need to look for and such?
Thank you!
Tattoo Conventions can be overwhelming; so much going on and so many people…. I generally don’t recommend people to get their first tattoo at a convention; the experience can be a little intense (the tattoo or the convention- take your pick) and there’s a possibility that you’ll be shortchanging yourself in the experience department.
That said- my advice for picking an artist is the same at a convention as it is for finding a good local tattooist…. take your time checking out portfolios, talking with the artist, watching them tattoo. Does their work look amazing overall or is it hit or miss? Do they have a good rapport with their clients? Are they following sterile (or realistically, aseptic) procedure? Do they seem interested in your design choice?
Best of luck and if you get a chance, swing by Clark Street for me and grab a Clark dog… dill pickles on a hot dog? I’m in!
+11 / 13 votes 
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Posted by Shawn Porter | Permalink | Comments
Tuesday June 2nd, 2009 @ 3:40 PM
I’m planning on getting a white tattoo of a ship anchor. The design is simple and about and inch by two inches. I am very pale and will have the tattoo in an area that doesn’t see the sun.
What problems may I encounter with a white tattoo? What should I ask of the tattoo artist? In addition, does anyone know a good tattoo artist in San Antonio who works with white ink?
Thank you
White Pigment (generally titanium oxide) is usually thinner than other tattoo pigments, which increases the chances of your artist overworking the skin. Worst case scenario, scarring.
There’s also an increased chance of ‘holidays’ (missed spots in the tattoo) since the swelling and redness make it harder for the artist to get the pigment in, particularly when they’re trying not to overwork the skin.
Let’s say they get it in all spiffy- over time, there’s a fair chance that the pigment will take on a yellowish hue (think the meat of a banana) so if you’re getting a white tattoo so it’ll be semi-hidden, keep that in mind.
I only recommend tattooists I have personal experience with, so I have no one to recommend in San Antonio.
+8 / 8 votes
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Posted by Shawn Porter | Permalink | Comments
Tuesday March 17th, 2009 @ 4:17 PM
I have an empty photo booth strip on the backside of my left arm. It’s about an inch and a half wide and nine inches high. The concept was nice to me. Fill it in with the things that i love to represent points of my life. The only thing is that now after I got the strip, I don’t like it. It looks awkward on my arm. Because it’s such a straight line, and my arm never lays perfectly straight the way it was put on it always looks warped or crooked.
So my questionis what could I turn it into so I don’t have to get it removed and can be happy with it?
Thank you so much.
Amy
The designs that could cover what you have are only limited to the ability and creativity of the artist covering it. This isn’t really a question we can specifically answer- the best thing to do is find a tattooist who’s work you like, show them the piece and get their feedback….
For cover-ups, it’s best to see healed pictures of their cover-up work. A creative tattooist can cover/rework just about anything- your main goal is to find a tattooist who can really get into your piece. My standard advice is to hit the web to find artists in your area (or where you’re willing to travel to) who’s work you like. Then go in for a consultation, check out their cover-up work and go from there. Anyone who gives you an attitude or treats you like you’re bothering them is someone you probably don’t want to work with anyway. Shop around- for something like this price shouldn’t be a deciding factor- just skill.
Good luck, let us know how it goes!
+4 / 4 votes
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Posted by Shawn Porter | Permalink | Comments
Thursday February 26th, 2009 @ 9:56 AM
Hi,
i’m wanting a pretty big tattoo on my belly of my dogs & horses, but i’m worried that in a few years time when i decide to have kids the tattoo will stretch & be distorted. Am i better to wait til after i have kids to get it?
Thanks Bryony…
I think that it’s a wise decision to hold off on tattooing your stomach until after having kids, yes. We don’t all bounce back after pregnancy as well as Twwly (sadly!), and stretch marks will surely change a tattoo!
+2 / 6 votes
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Posted by Lori St.Leone | Permalink | 3 Comments
Tuesday February 24th, 2009 @ 8:45 AM
my question isn’t as much a question as much as it is outrage. What is this? The state of Oklahoma wants to ban eye tattoos. I thought that this was a free country. I guess I was wrong. Apparently I do not have the power to choose how I look. I am sad to say that I used to live there. How can they legally do this?
http://www.kten.com/Global/story.asp?S=9877699
With the risks that come with eyeball tattooing… I’m not really against this.
I’m not saying it shouldn’t be done… just that it being illegal will make it more serious for people to do/get and hopefully keep the hacks from doing something that’s beyond their skill set.
For the most part, things were a lot safer when they were underground.
+11 / 11 votes
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Posted by Shawn Porter | Permalink | 5 Comments
Tuesday February 10th, 2009 @ 1:25 PM
Dear Sean Philips:
I hear that your Modblogged “Lemmy is God” tattoo is in a contest.
Where can I vote for it?
You are awesome.
Love, Me.
Why Robin, it’s funny you ask that.
Yes, my ModBlogged “Lemmy is God” tattoo is in a online contest for the Philly station 104.5.
If any of our loyal reader want to help out a poor volunteer, soon to be father, askbmezine.com staffer, and possibly win $104.50 for themselves. Just follow this link and vote for me, Sean P.
+6 / 6 votes
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Posted by Sean Philips | Permalink | 3 Comments
Monday January 19th, 2009 @ 9:13 PM
For a long time now I have wanted to get my first tattoo. I think in a short time (maybe in a couple weeks) I will go down to the studio and get it done. I am very excited about this and can’t wait. However, I have recently started liking nipple piercings and I would like to get one of those as well. My question is: can I get both at the same time? I’ll probably get my tattoo first if I have to wait, but should I wait a certain amount of time between the two? Thanks!
I don’t think getting them both at the same time will tax your immune system enough to be any concern. Go ahead and get them both and just make sure your dietary needs are met and you’ll likely be as right as rain! (Leafy green veggies, protein and vitamins before your appointment, the right amount of sleep… take care of yourself and your mods will thank you!)
+5 / 11 votes
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Posted by Shawn Porter | Permalink | 3 Comments
Sunday January 18th, 2009 @ 12:38 PM
Hi, I have read all over askBME and you talk about looking at different artists work before deciding on him/her to be your artist. My question is, what exactly do you look for? I know my shop is clean and safe, I have had work done there before. But there are three different artists and none of them specifically specialize in what I am getting. The tattoo I am going to get is part of a page from an illustrated children’s book from the 70’s. It is a flower and a mouse. But the drawings are faily simple. Most people put their best, most detailed work in their books. I am just not sure what types of things I should look at in their work since obviously they won’t have my exact style. Thanks so much in advance for your help.
Great question.
I mainly get tattooed by a very small group of artists, so it had been some time since I’ve had to sort out finding a new one. But as luck would have it, I recently had to venture out to get tattooed by someone I had only met once.
As you pointed out, the first things you look for should be cleanliness and safety. You’re past that now, so it’s best to move on to other deciding factors.
While looking through their portfolio try to find tattoos that you know came from an outside source. See how they adapted their own style to something recognizable. A superhero, an album cover/movie image, book art, et all.
Did their style overpower it or did they execute and adapt the image and make it look just like the source?
Don’t be afraid of talking to the artist you’re thinking about having do the piece. Tell them your concerns; that you want it to look as close to the source material as possible. Tattooists are commercial artists and should be able to adapt your wishes into the finished piece. If they tell you that they wouldn’t be comfortable adapting the design, thank them kindly and move to the next artist who’s work strikes your fancy. At the end of the day it’s your tattoo and it should live up to all of your expectations.
+14 / 16 votes
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Posted by Shawn Porter | Permalink | 1 Comment
Friday January 16th, 2009 @ 8:46 PM
Im planning to get my first tattoo soon and i was wondering if doing something like in the picture (http://ronadish.deviantart.com/art/Smoking-Mosh-106132191) is possible since its mostly white, my brother says its possible but im not sure..
also, im planning to get a laser hair removal in the future (not sure when), anyone know what the effect of laser on tattoo’s?
Thanks,
Ron
That could be a potentially beautiful tattoo if you found the right artist for the job. Using minimal oulines and grey wash with white highlights would make that really nice. Choose your artist carefully, please!
Laser used for hair removal will cook the tattoo right out of your skin and could scar you up pretty grossly. Hair removal first, tattoo second.
+6 / 8 votes
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Posted by Lexci Million | Permalink | Comments
