Thursday August 14th, 2008 @ 1:09 AM
Hello guys, i was looking into getting my first tattoo,
and i want the words
“every act which has no heart will be found out in the end. every gesture”
From my all time favouritebook, cities of the plains by Cormac Mccarthy.
And i wanted it on my wrist in three lines going across, but want a quite small size and id heard that small font is likely to blend and end up looking like a blob.
I was thinking around size 19 font for Kunstler Script on MS word.
Any advice would be awesome.
Thanks alot!!!!
I don’t know a lot of artists who would be pumped on tattooing a teeny tiny font on your wrist.
It’s true that tattoos tend to settle with age and will fuzz out slightly. This requires fine detail in tattoos to be applied large enough that they will still be readable after 1, 5, 10, 50 years. The amount of letters you’re wanting on an area as small as your wrist just won’t age very well, truth be told.
Maybe consider having your tattoo done lengthwise down your forearm to ensure that none of the letters get lost with age?
+6 / 6 votes 
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Posted by Lexci Million | Permalink | 1 Comment
Monday August 11th, 2008 @ 12:08 PM
I got tattooed about two to three weeks ago and for about the past week I keep getting pimples on my tattoo. It wasn’t shaved, so it isn’t like razor burn. & I got it done by the amazing David Bruhel (who was featured on the site a few days back). Would there be any other reasons then bad pigment? Or whatever I’m using on it (which isn’t anything for the past week). They pop up randomly and in different places, I think I’ve had about five now.
There could be a few reasons.
If it’s not from being shaved - it could be from NOT being shaved.
It could be from the vaseline or whatever Dave used to lubricate the area during the tattoo.
It could be from the soap and/or moisturizer you’re using now for aftercare or it could be an allergic reaction to the adhesive on the bandage you were wrapped up with after the tattoo.
A problem with the pigment would likely result in some rejection of the colour and some seriously goopy looking tattoo.
If you suspect you have an infection of some sort, your doctor will be able to best diagnose that.
In the meantime, be sure you’re cleaning it once a day with a very mild, unscented soap and keep it moisturized as needed with a thin layer of unscented moisturizer (Avoid petroleum jellies and balms)
+3 / 7 votes 
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Posted by Lexci Million | Permalink | 1 Comment
Monday August 4th, 2008 @ 6:09 PM
I have some scaring on my wrist from self injury. I would really like to get a tattoo on my wrist but i am worried about the scar tissue. is it possible to tattoo over scar tissue?
It’s definitely possible to effectively tattoo over scar tissue.
Scar tissue can be more difficult for the artist to work with as the the tissue is thinner and more delicate than non-damaged tissue. Linework through scartissue can often blow out under the tattoo and ruin the piece completely.
First of all, you need to find an artist who’s confident in his or her skills to be able to work with the area.
Secondly, you may find you’ll need to have a higher detailed tattoo over the scar (like a leaf or flower, etc) as opposed to something flat (like tribal or solid, untextured linework or shading) because the scar will show through just solid colour.
A reputable tattooer will be able to help you pick out the best design for the area and to cover the scar up completely.
+12 / 12 votes
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Posted by Lexci Million | Permalink | Comments
Sunday August 3rd, 2008 @ 8:45 PM
I recently lost my beloved dog who I’d had since I was 7. I am considering a memorial paw print tattoo and have been trying to come to a conclusion about whether including her cremation ashes in the tattoo ink is a good idea or not.
In my reasearch, I’ve read a lot saying that it’s considered to be safe. However, it also seems that it is difficult to find an artist willing to mix a small amount of ash into tattoo ink. If it’s a relatively safe practice, why the hesitation? Also, I’ve heard of people baking ashes for an additional few hours at a high temperature in their oven just before the tattoo- is this a good precaution to take?
Thanks in advance!
I’ve worked with a few artists who have done this for people; a handful of times total. In all the cases I can remember, the ashes were those of relatives or friends…no animals. I doubt there is really any appreciable difference between the two.
I can’t speak with any scientific authority, but I don’t see where it should cause a problem. If the ashes are a result of a proper creamation, there will be no harmful pathogens present in the ashes. None of the artists I’ve worked with ever reported hearing about any problems from their clients.
At the same time, while it is probably safe, you also have to respect the artists’ decision to not use something in the tattooing process that they are unsure of or are at all uncomfortable with. Most tattoo artists with respect for their craft and their clients have a sense of responsibility when it comes to the healing and longevity of the tattoo. Many artists may also want to avoid doing it from a legal point of view. If something does go wrong as a result of using the ashes, many people will start looking for someone to blame, instead of taking personal responsibility for the choice they made.
So while it may not seem like a big deal to you, you aren’t the only person involved in the process.
I also have a feeling you’ll be able to find someone willing to include the ashes if you continue your search.
+19 / 19 votes
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Posted by Derek Lowe | Permalink | 34 Comments
Sunday August 3rd, 2008 @ 4:26 AM
I have been wondering for a while if there are tattoos that are made in skin color so they can cover up blemishes, birthmarks, etc, and hide natural discoloration of the skin. Or also, like I naturally have fairly pink cheeks, and I was wondering if it is possible to instead of wearing foundations all the time, just to get a skin colored tattoo, to cover up the pinkness, even if it doesn’t look 100% natural, or to get tattooed a darker color, kind of like a fake tan, but a permanent fake tan. If that even possible?
-Thankyou
Your best option is to do the research and find the best Cosmetic Tattooist you can possibly find and ask them about such a procedure.
I do vaguely remember watching on a number of “medical miracle” type shows that they would do various laser treatments and even cosmetic tattoo treatments on individuals with various pigment discolorations problems,etc.
Realistically provided there’s no other serious health concern and its just a pigment discoloration, there wouldn’t be any problem with tattooing the area to blend a more natural looking color. However you’d really want to find the best possible cosmetic tattoo artist who can accomplish this. Also look into various other methods like correcting skin pigment with lasers,etc. Those too are viable options that are often available in many cosmetic surgery establishments.
+9 / 15 votes
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Posted by Warren Hiller | Permalink | 1 Comment
Tuesday July 29th, 2008 @ 10:57 PM
This is an ettiquette question. What should one do if she goes to a shop, gets a tattoo, and then upon returning home realizes that her tattoo is not exactly what she wanted? Such as just a general look of incompleteness? Most shops will do touch ups for free, so what would be the proper way to request additional work to be done on a piece that did not turn out as expected, and would most shops charge for that sort of thing?
If you saw the sketch, the stencil and the finished result and didn’t realize until you got home it looked incomplete, I would not be expecting free work. The best thing to do is go in, politely explain your concern and not put the blame on the artist, chances are they will at least cut you a deal, but I wouldn’t feel they should be expected to.
+17 / 21 votes
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Posted by Sean Philips | Permalink | Comments
Monday July 28th, 2008 @ 9:27 PM
I’m planning on getting a somewhat large tattoo from hip to mid-thigh, and I’ve booked a consultation with an artist who’s linework I really like.
However, while I like his linework, I prefer the shading of another artist at the same shop. Would it be bad manners to request a “compilation” piece for one to do the linework while the other does shading?
Generally speaking, yes.
If the artist who’s doing your tattoo isn’t good enough to do the whole tattoo, you shouldn’t be going to him/her at all.
While getting tattooed by two artists at the same shop is perfectly acceptable, I don’t think you’d really get a positive response from what you’re suggesting.
+9 / 13 votes
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Posted by Shawn Porter | Permalink | Comments
Sunday July 27th, 2008 @ 1:34 AM
Lately when using antibacterial soap containing triclosan during my tattoo healing process I have a very bad reactions including redness, swelling, and some great discomfort. My question is have you heard of this happening to anyone? At first I thought it was infection but I washed my hands with the soap rinsed them and touched my tattoo and I had a reaction. I than washed it with a mild baby soap and instantly all the symptoms dissappeared. I have been reduced to using huggies baby soap to cleanse my tattoos and was wondering if you could recommend a better soap not containing triclosan. Any knowledge or advice would be greatly appreciated
Triclosan will actually work against the healing of your tattoo.
You don’t need to wash a tattoo with antibacterial soap. It’s a tattoo - not an infection!
A mild, unscented soap to gently wash the area once or twice a day is usually suffice to keep a tattoo clean. Any strong, sporty, frilly, or antibacterial soap being used on a wound like a tattoo will cause bad reactions like redness, swelling and some great discomfort! 
+5 / 5 votes
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Posted by Lexci Million | Permalink | 1 Comment
Friday July 25th, 2008 @ 11:20 AM
So, as a freelance designer who works from home, my work schedule is not always the most healthy–meaning, I tend to one or two hyper-focused overnighters a week. I’m hoping the physical stress of that is the key to my question, but I’m not so sure–I’ve never even heard of this.
A few days ago, during an intense work night, I noticed that some of the blue line work on my leg sleeve were puffed up slightly. Not all of them, but a few segments of a few lines. I thought it was strange but left it alone.
Today, about 3 days later, I was sort of absentmindedly picking at the skin on my shin, and peeled off a little strip of skin that was about 1/8″ long, and as wide as the line work it came from. When I looked down at whatever gross thing I had just pulled from my body, I noticed it was BLUE. Then inspecting my shin, there was another little line that looked like it was scabbing over slightly, presumably from the irritation the other day.
Um, the thing is, I’ve had this work for over 6 years. I did lots of research into the artist, it was a reputable shop, I have no known allergies at all, and it heeled perfectly without issue. I put mega sunscreen when I go out into the sun, and under direct sunlight like at the beach, I almost always have a towel over it. The colors are extremely vibrant, and I’ve taken a lot of care to keep them that way. I also use an epilady to remove my leg hair in case that’s of any note, but I haven’t in over a month, because, well, it’s just hair.
From my understanding, tattoo ink is much deeper than the thin layer of skin that just casually peels off, right? This NEVER happens, and I will admit, I am a little bit of a picker, so I’ve seen my share of it. There was no blood, and the skin I peeled was very thin.
I’m freaked, thinking that the ink is suddenly rejecting from my skin. Have you ever seen this? Is it a bad sign of things to come? Am I paranoid for no reason?
A lot of people experience some lines and areas of their tattoos puffing up and even rashing under certain stresses (ie. Sunlight exposure/burns, environmental/pet allergies, sensitivity to soaps, etc)
In a healed tattoo it shouldn’t be a big concern if it happens and it should go back down in a day or so.
The part of your tattoo peeling is likely a result of you fussing with the swollen lines three days before… You may have rubbed off the first layer which would have been clear and somehow irritated the tattoo underneath to peel up a bit of pigment.
I, personally, have never heard of a tattoo rejecting after years of healed wear. I can’t see it being physically possible!
The next time you tattoo gets irritated - and it likely will for whatever reason - Just leave it alone. Try gently washing the irritated area and avoid picking at it!
+4 / 4 votes
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Posted by Lexci Million | Permalink | Comments
Thursday July 24th, 2008 @ 3:49 AM
I’ve been looking into permanent makeup for a couple of years now. I was born without eyebrows, and I’ve been drawing them on every day for the last seven years. I’d really like to get them done permanently, and I’ve been reading on BME about permanent makeup, and it seems like kind of a rip off. I’ve only found one reputable place for permanent makeup, but they charge $700 CDN for the procedure. I’m wondering if permanent makeup for my eyebrows is the best option, or if I would be better off going to a tattoo artist. I’m only eighteen years old, and I’m pretty nervous about the whole process being completely permanent. Do eyebrow tattoos generally age well with the shape and what not?
Cosmetic tattooing can be quite expensive! It’s very important to seek out the best artist for the job rather than the best price. (a good artist will have a portfolio to show you!) The longevity of the tattoos will depend on the artist and the aftercare.
Like any tattoo on the face, cosmetic tattooing is prone to blowouts and fading - which is why you’ll see a lot of permanent makeup that looks blue and fuzzy where once upon a time it may have looked crisp and black. Many permanent makeup artists don’t use the same equipment or have the same training as regular tattoo artists do and that can be detrimental to the outcome of your cosmetic tattoos.
I had Mike Loshaw, (a tattoo artist who also studied permanent makeup) who works in Edmonton, Alberta, do my own eyebrows and I am thrilled with the results! We did them initially with a lighter shade of brown than I usually use in pencil so as not to over-do it. We later touched them up after the combination of sun-exposure, natural sloughing of skin on the face and my commitment to finally go darker. Years later my eyebrows have fared quite well and haven’t aged undesirably.
The choice to see a Cosmetic tattooer or a traditional tattooer is yours. There will be pros and cons to each, but the final decision should lie in your gut instinct in response to the the artist’s portfolio and their confidence in the procedure. You can’t put a price on the middle of the your face! Choose carefully!
+9 / 9 votes
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Posted by Lexci Million | Permalink | 4 Comments
