Monday October 19th, 2009 @ 3:31 PM
I’m planning to get a tattoo on my outer right thigh that will span from hip to knee. I’m 18 and this will be my very first tattoo (No worries, I’ve been planning this damn thing for five years). The problem is that I very very rarely wear shorts or loose fitting clothes. I wear jeans 90% of the time. I was wondering how my choice in clothing may affect the outcome of my tattoo and cause unnecessary scarring.
Another thing, I tend to get A LOT of ingrown hairs. I’m middle eastern so I have thick course hair that sucks. I get ingrown hairs everywhere no matter the irritation. How would this affect my tattoo and would it also cause scarring?
I have a large tattoo from my hip to my knee and I never ever wear shorts. The outline of the tattoo was fine after 24 of sweats to allow time for the wound to seal up.
With a solid colour piece, you would definitely want to look into wearing loose fitting pants while the tattoo is weeping.
Most of my large colour tattoos are covered by clothes and I find that gently wiping them with a warm cloth a few times a day in the first week helps keep all the sticky, scabby grossness that get stuck to clothes and bedsheets to a minimum.
+3 / 13 votes 
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Posted by Lexci Million | Permalink | 3 Comments
Monday October 19th, 2009 @ 3:19 PM
I was wondering, i wanted to get something that meant alot to me in Latin
But im at a loss for where to get it
i already have love on my right side and stars on my foot
Help?
Depending on the font of the script and the length of the words you want to say, your tattoo artist may have a better suggestion as to placement of your tattoo.
-1 / 9 votes
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Posted by Lexci Million | Permalink | Comments
Saturday October 10th, 2009 @ 12:24 AM
Hi,
I’ve been sitting on an idea for my second tattoo for years now and have just discovered UV tattoos. This would be perfect for my design, but word on the street is it was banned in Australia once before because it was carcinogenic. People tell me cancer sucks, so I’m sure you’ll understand why I’m probably keen to avoid it.
Is the UV in cancer causing, or has the issue been overcome?
Thanks!
Robbeh
To quote Chuck Palahniuk’s FIGHT CLUB: “On a long enough timeline, the survival rate for everyone drops to zero.”
There’s no conclusive proof in either direction. UV reactive pigment has had no FDA (or equivalent) testing and the long term ramifications are yet to be determined.
Ask yourself if it’s worth getting a UV if there’s even a remote chance of cancer*
(that said; tattoo pigments in general have no FDA approval so there’s nothing to say ANY pigment won’t give you long term issues.
+3 / 5 votes 
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Posted by Shawn Porter | Permalink | 2 Comments
Saturday October 10th, 2009 @ 12:15 AM
First of all, I’m a rookie. I have minimal visible modifications (1g lobes and a tragus piercing), and two reasonably sized tattoos that generally are not visible. I tend to be pretty private about my mods (largely because my folks are still helping to support me through contributions to my education).
I’ve also followed BME for about 7 years, and am looking forward to a time in my life when I can comfortably be more visibly modified (and can afford it). Anyway, I love reading about tattoo conventions, and there is one that’s going down in my vicinity in the near future. I want to go, but in light of some recent comments on modblog (dealing with someone “earning” various modifications etc.) and my own observations on the community — I am very intimidated by the idea. Are conventions typically open-minded settings in the sense that they are welcoming to people who are not visibly modified?
Hope it’s not too silly of a question.
Thanks
You shouldn’t be intimidated; these days tattoo conventions are more “pop culture” than they’ve ever been. The last convention I attended had more people wearing Miami Inked shirt than people with heavy tattoo coverage. So go and have a good time. If people look down on you because you’re not “modified enough” you can still have a good time knowing that you understand something they’ll never be able to. Have fun!
+11 / 11 votes 
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Posted by Shawn Porter | Permalink | 3 Comments
Sunday October 4th, 2009 @ 7:14 PM
I know the question of how much/what to tip your tattoo artist has been covered extensively, but this question is a little different. It seems a lot of people prefer personalized or thoughful tips instead of money. My next tattoo will be my largest and my first time with this artist. I don’t feel like I know him well enough to get something personal/special yet. How do you get something for someone you don’t really know?
In this case, monetary compensation is probably best.
But while you’re getting this tattoo… look around their station. Get to know them over the course of the big tattoo and you’ll figure out what they dig.
+6 / 6 votes
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Posted by Shawn Porter | Permalink | 1 Comment
Thursday October 1st, 2009 @ 8:42 PM
Hola,
I remember a thorough discussion of occlusive dressings on Ask BME once upon a time. I’m attempting it as an aftercare method currently, though it’s difficult to dig up any information on it, even searching in regard to burn aftercare and other medical internet sources. A general description is present enough, but I want details!
Currently I’m using plastic wrap, medical tape, Badger Evolving Skin Balm, and very very diluted Dr. Bronner’s liquid soap. To clean, I pour lots of warm water over my tattoos from a pitcher. Then I slowly pour one last pitcher-full, with less than 1/4 teaspoon of Bronner’s soap, gently touching. After briefly air-drying, I apply a thin but thorough layer of Badger Balm. I lay plastic wrap across my tattoo and trim excess. The entire edge of the wrap gets medical taped.
Besides EVOO, castor oil, and beeswax, the balm contains
Rose Hip (strengthens connective tissue, antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, astringent, commonly used to heal scars & burns, mad VitC&A),
Seabuckthorn Berry (promote cell tissue regeneration, antioxidant, mad VitA&E, effective healing of burns),
Calendula (anti-viral, anti-genotoxic and anti-inflammatory, heavily trusted for healing skin),
Lavender (antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, but cytotoxic and increases photosensitivity when topically applied),
Roman Chamomile (antiseptic, antibiotic),
Gum Benzoin (fixative),
Rose Oil (hemostatic, antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, astringent)
And, of course, Dr. Bronner’s contains astringents and many things with positive skin healing effects. Though it’s SUPER drying which is why I diluted it so much.
My submission here is two-fold, to initiate search-able discussion on occlusive bandaging in AskBME, and to get more input on what I’m doing here.
How often do those with experience recommend I clean and change bandages? Once daily? Twice daily? Thrice Daily?
Should I continue this method until FULLY healed, or is there a point at which I can move on from anaerobic healing, continue t
Wow. That’s super complicated.
I’m a minimalist when it comes to aftercare, but I’m also a believer in “do what works for you”.
Me, I leave it alone. Practically no aftercare. But if this is leaving you with a beautiful healed tattoo, keep it up. My only advice would be watch out for zits due to the occlusive bandage.
+6 / 8 votes
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Posted by Shawn Porter | Permalink | 5 Comments
Monday August 10th, 2009 @ 4:59 PM
Hi there ,
i hope you can give me some advice .
I’m having a Japanese style dragon done and still have 2 more sessions to go .
The artist previously did all the outlines and shading including the waves of water that are in the tattoo .
Today he finished the second session of filling in the scales of the dragon .
Up until now i was very happy with his work and the tattoo looked perfect .
But today he did something that i really cannot understand why he did it .
I have a wave that covers a part of the dragon which he partially coloured in with scales .
The wave was already shaded in and was perfect .
So why he decided to fill in the wave and not ask me before he did it really upsets me .
I couldn’t see what he was doing at the time because it’s on the back of my shoulder .
And i didn’t wanted to ask him about it afterwards until i knew what the best way was to handle this .
This is my first tattoo and although i thought i did plenty of research before getting it , i’m now finding out that some people sign a contract before getting started .
I’ve talked to at least a dozen of his clients and they also didn’t had to sign anything .
The artist is very well known here , has a very good reputation and has won almost a dozen of prizes for his work .
Although it’s a big tattoo , 3/4 sleeve that goes over my shoulder and chest , and the area he filled in isn’t that big , i just don’t understand why he did it without asking me because the wave was finished and i didn’t expect he was going to do that.
So if you could help me out and give me some advice on how to try and work this out it would be helpful and very appreciated .
Thx alot
Steve
Are you certain that the scales in the wave isn’t supposed to have the look that the water is washing over the dragon? Water is clear, afterall and you would therefore see scales through it…
If you’re not happy with the result of the tattoo - tell your tattooer! Who better to explain the reasoning behind the choice in artwork execution than the artist himself!
+8 / 10 votes
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Posted by Lexci Million | Permalink | Comments
Monday August 10th, 2009 @ 4:52 PM
I have a lot of bumps on my chest, boobs, stomach and back… Pretty much JUST on my torso. They’re not itchy or whiteheads or anything. I’m not a very hairy person, I have VERY VERY fine hair on my arms and legs.
The picture doesn’t show all of the bumps since most of them can be felt but not really seen.
http://i32.tinypic.com/1441rfs.jpg
I’m just wondering if the bumps will complicate getting a tattoos on my torso.
Thanks,
9
Tattooing over irritated and broken skin isn’t a great idea and you’ll find many artists wouldn’t be interested in tattooing it.
Check with your doctor to find out exactly what the condition is and if tattooing over it will affect the rash itself or put the tattoo at risk of becoming infected.
If the rash seems to clear up from time to time, try treating it dilligently until it subsides and then get tattooed.
+3 / 3 votes
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Posted by Lexci Million | Permalink | 4 Comments
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!
+13 / 15 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!
+12 / 14 votes
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Posted by Shawn Porter | Permalink | Comments
